Posts by Dave Schefcik (TBB News Contributor)

10277 Crocodile Locomotive is the newest LEGO train set for adults [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the latest 18+ train set for adults, 10277 Crocodile Locomotive. The Swiss train is made up of 1,271 pieces used to create the brown electric locomotive, a buildable display base, an informational placard, and two conductor minifigures. The set will be available from LEGO starting July 1st for US $99.99 | CAN $149.99 | UK £89.99.

The Brothers Brick sat down with Jamie Berard, LEGO Senior Design Manager for Creator Expert and Architecture, who gave us a first look at the set and answered some of our questions about the new locomotive.

Read on to see more photos of the LEGO Crocodile Locomotive and read our interview with designer Jamie Berard

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LEGO reveals new Mindstorms 51515 Robot Inventor, a 5-in-1 robotics and coding set [News]

LEGO has revealed the successor to the Mindstorms EV3 as 51515 Robot Inventor, a 5-in-1 robotics and coding kit. The set is the first addition to the Mindstorms theme in seven years since 31313 EV3 launched in 2013 which was recently labeled as “Retiring Soon” on the LEGO Store online. The new Robot Inventor includes 949 pieces which can be built and rebuilt into five models each with different capabilities and personalities. The set will be available later this year (LEGO has stated early Q4) and will retail for US $359.99 | UK £329.99 | EU €359.99.

Robot Inventor includes a rechargeable Intelligent Hub first seen in SPIKE Prime (enabling Bluetooth connections, gyroscope, accelerometer, and a light matrix) as well as four medium-angular motors, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and a color sensor. LEGO is also launching a Robot Inventor app with visual and text-based coding, the ability to make customized digital remote controls, and support for a variety of third-party controllers like those used with the PS4 and Xbox One.

Click to get a closer look at the new LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor

LEGO stands against racism and inequality by donating $4 million [News]

In response to the growing protests about racial inequality centered in the US, LEGO announced that they stand with the black community and will donate $4 million to several organizations working to both support and educate children about racial equality. The donation is one of the largest by a corporation announced so far, similar in scale to the $5 million donation announced by Disney.

LEGO’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement and their sizeable donation is a notable response to the tragic events unfolding throughout the US, especially considering their own flagship store in New York was looted earlier this week. These pictures from Twitter users @aaronwhite and @SteveKornacki show the Flatiron District LEGO Store’s windows smashed and shelves wiped clean, with only a broken Star Destroyer and a few permanent displays remaining.

LEGO’s core values state that the company will strive to “make a positive difference in the lives of children… not because we have to – but because it feels right and because we care.” LEGO has also asked retailers and affiliates to pause advertising a variety of products including City sets featuring police officers and firefighters as well as the new LEGO Architecture White House.

pic.twitter.com/gpWKJ8pr7V

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) June 3, 2020

Your guide to the 130 new LEGO sets now available for June 2020 including the Technic Lamborghini and more [News]

Summer 2020 has arrived, and LEGO has launched 130 new sets and items available today. Fans of Technic, Creator 3-in-1, City, Friends, Architecture, Hidden Side and more have a lot to choose from. The new Technic Lamborghini is also available today as well as a slew of exclusive polybags not previously available from LEGO’s online store and a Hogwarts Students booster pack. Nearly every LEGO theme has some new sets–it can be a lot to process!– so we have your complete guide right here detailing each and every new set and item.

Because LEGO releases summer waves at different times across the globe, the majority of these sets are available now in the UK. You can see the complete list of all 130 sets and items after the jump. Sets with a Red Indicator are currently available in the US and Canada as well (61 in total). The Americas will get access to the rest of the sets later this summer.

LEGO is also offering a free gift-with-purchase of 40409 Hot Rod with purchases more than US $85 | CAN $85 | UK £85 through June 21st or while supplies last. You can check out our review of 40409 Hot Rod to see if you want to add it to your collection.

See the entire June 2020 wave of new LEGO sets now available

LEGO DOTS summer 2020 sets now available [News]

The second wave of LEGO DOTS products are now available. New sets include a bracelet mega pack with five bracelets and a “super rare” tile, picture frames, a desk organizer, a jewelry box, three individual bracelets, and the second expansion pack of “Extra Dots.” Prices vary from US $3.99 to $24.99.

Notable tiles scattered across the various products include new animals like a penguin and monkey, BFF hearts, new emojis, a “super rare” circle of hearts only included in the bracelet mega pack, food including pizza and popcorn, a pink version of the new gem element, and a classic space ship (almost as good as the one in our LEGO SPOTS April Fools joke).

Look at each new LEGO DOTS set now available.

LEGO reveals Brick Sketches product line featuring brick-built portraits [News]

LEGO has revealed a brand new product line called Brick Sketches featuring brick-built portraits of popular characters. The first four sets revealed include BB-8, a First Order Stormtrooper, Batman and The Joker. The Brick Sketches sets will be available July 15, and will retail for US $19.99 | EU €19.99.

Initially shared by our friends at Brickset, the 2D portraits are similar in packaging to the BrickHeadz product line and will likely become a new collectible series. Brick Sketches are no doubt the work of recently-hired LEGO designer Chris McVeigh who created the Brick Sketch concept several years ago (and has been featured on TBB many times).

Take a closer look at the new LEGO Brick Sketches sets.

LEGO 10273 Haunted House is now available [News]

LEGO’s recently announced Creator Expert 10273 Haunted House is now available for LEGO VIPs (free to join). The newest spooky Fairground Collection free-fall ride comes with 3,231 pieces, nine minifigures plus a skeleton. The set retails for US $249.99 | CAN $299.99 | UK £209.99.

If you want to motorize the free-fall ride in the Haunted House, you’ll also need an 88009 Powered Up Hub (US $49.99 | CAN $69.99 | UK £44.99) and two 88008 Medium Linear Motors (US $16.99 | CAN $19.99 | UK £14.99), though the designers of the set say the free-fall ride is just as fun operated manually.

LEGO is also offering 30369 Beach Buggy as a gift with purchase for orders more than US $40 through June 7th or while supplies last.

Get a closer look at the Haunted House and the optional Powered Up Hub and Motors needed to make it move on it own

LEGO Monkie Kid sets now available for purchase [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the brand new theme, Monkie Kid, based on the Monkey King legend from the Chinese novel Journey to the West. The new theme includes eight sets that are now available for purchase from LEGO.

The sets range in price from US $34.99 to $169.99 and include a ship-based team headquarters, two large Monkey King and Demon Bull mechs, and a variety of vehicles.

Get a closer look at the sets, prices and piece counts of LEGO Monkie Kid

Behind the scenes of LEGO Monkie Kid [News]

Earlier today, LEGO revealed Monkie Kid, a brand new theme based on the Chinese Monkey King fable. The new theme includes eight sets and an animated television series. Along with all the information about the new sets, LEGO also sent us a gallery of photos showing a behind-the-scenes look at the development process of the new product line.

Familiar faces include LEGO designers Justin Ramsden (Hogwarts Castle, The Upside Down), Nick Vas (Ninjago City), Chris Perron (1989 Batmobile), Simon Lucas (Ninjago Movie), and more.

Click to see how LEGO Monkie Kid came to be

LEGO Monkie Kid revealed with 8 sets and a TV show based on Chinese Monkey King legend [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the brand new theme, Monkie Kid, based on the Monkey King legend from the Chinese novel Journey to the West. The new theme includes eight sets and a hand-animated television series.

The sets range in price from US $34.99 to $169.99 and include a ship-based team headquarters, two large Monkey King and Demon Bull mechs, and a variety of vehicles. All Monkie Kid sets will be available worldwide and are available from LEGO now.

Take a closer look at each new LEGO Monkie Kid set and watch the trailer for the upcoming TV show

LEGO DOTS summer 2020 sets revealed including bracelet mega pack, second tile expansion pack and more [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the second wave of products in its successful new LEGO DOTS 2D tile-based arts and crafts theme. The new sets include a bracelet mega pack with five bracelets and a “super rare” tile, picture frames, a desk organizer, a jewelry box, three individual bracelets, and the second expansion pack of “Extra Dots.” Prices vary from US $3.99 to $24.99 with availability from LEGO beginning on May 24th (though some retailers are already selling them).

Take a closer look at the new LEGO DOTS Summer 2020 product lineup

LEGO 10273 Haunted House designers reveal the hidden secrets within Manor Von Barron [News]

An adoring army of adventuring LEGO designers have donned their disguises to discuss the droves of delightful secrets hidden within the exhilarating new 10273 Haunted House.

In the video, they exude their love for the original Adventurers product line, show details from past LEGO sets that made it into Manor Von Barron, and make the free-fall ride nearly as tall as a person to see if it will still work.

Click to watch the video and see all the hidden secrets of the LEGO Haunted House