The latest kinetic sculpture from Jason Allemann is a classic enemy from the Super Mario Bros games: the Piranha Plant. His instantly recognizable model moves with motions that look straight out of any sidescroller Mario title.
Watch the Piranha Plant emerge from the warp pipe chomping away, followed by commentary and a breakdown of the mechanism, in this video:
Titanfall 2 added several new weapons to its line-up of futuristic firearms, and my favorites are the multi-barreled weapons like the Alternator for their uniqueness. My LEGO replica of the Alternator started with the grip and mag well, as this area was the most difficult to build for two reasons: First, I wanted the letter “A” shape the body, mag well, and grip form to be spot on. Second, the mag well is sand blue on the in-game model, which has a limited selection of LEGO elements to work with. Considering these limitations, I think my solutions work well for the look of the submachine gun in-game.
Though I favor the insanely fast pace and competitive nature of Titanfall 2 multiplayer, its single player mode was a pleasant surprise, and its middle mission “Effect and Cause” is an instant classic. When you retrieve this device and slip it on your left hand, the prompt “Press A to time travel” caught me off guard. Several other players have praised this level, and after building a wearable helmet I wanted to build more wearable objects in full size, so I thought this time travel device would be a fun build.
The Alternator SMG model has a moving trigger, sliding ambidextrous charging handle, and removable magazine. See all these functions demonstrated with some time traveling effects in the following two minute video.
Every piece of tech in the Star Wars universe must have started with a plan and a team of engineers to realize the vision. Inthert shows this interesting idea for a vignette with a LEGO scene showing Sienar Fleet Systems engineers constructing the first TIE Fighter. Like on the builder’s previous sectioned X-Wing, rubber bands as exposed wires make the TIE look realistic.
Just in time for BrickUniverse in Dallas, Texas this weekend, Rocco Buttliere presents a microscale replica of Fountain Place near the convention. The building is a refreshing sight among surrounding rectangular structures with its interesting angles all around, and Rocco nails it with LEGO bricks.
See more shots of Rocco’s detailed model on Flickr.
Japanese builder akiyuki applies the concept of strain wave gearing to Great Ball Contraptions, a popular LEGO fan convention theme in which hundreds of balls are passed through complex machinery. From both an engineering and a visual standpoint, the module is mesmerizing to watch. See the module in action in the following 2 minute video.
A fascinating read detailing the design process and engineering challenges faced by the builder can be found on akiyuki’s blog.
Jordanian builder Firas Abu-Jaber presents a 1:16 replica of a Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce worthy of his stunning lineup of LEGO supercars. The lines and subtle angles and slopes throughout are faithful to the real thing. Custom decals over the rear wheels, on the hood, and as the license plates are fine touches that I believe enhance the model.
The doors open to reveal a detailed interior. The seats may be my favorite detail in Firas’s excellent model; they appear comfortable for a LEGO man behind the wheel.
The Alien franchise is home to some of the greatest sci-fi tech on screen, one of which is the bulky handheld motion tracker. Builder W. Navarre replicated this classic prop in 1:1 scale with LEGO bricks, and it is incredibly detailed throughout. Small details such as wires of varying thicknesses, screw holes, and side key pad with slightly spaced out keys make his replica believable.
My favorite detail of course is the readout screen itself, with a mosaic of cheese slopes representing the distances from the tracker… or the aliens in the room with you. Remember to look up.
Today marks the fifteenth anniversary of both Halo: Combat Evolved and Microsoft’s Xbox console. Halo has had a massive impact on console first person shooters, game storytelling, multiplayer, and sales of the Xbox, but today we’re looking at another aspect of Halo’s influence. We’ve rounded up a small selection of the amazing builds the adventures of Master Chief has inspired LEGO fans to create. Pause your sixteen player LAN game on Blood Gulch and explore some of the best of LEGO Halo.
“That… is another Halo.”
First up is Catsy [CC] with his microscale model of the ringworld itself, spanning nearly 5 feet across.
Click to see the rest of the Halo LEGO models
Assassin’s Creed II is a video game I consider a must-play, with its incredible interpretation of Renaissance-era Italy, fun and simple stealth gameplay, and Ezio Auditore being my favorite assassin in the series. Builders Jonas Kramm and Brick Vader met up and collaborated on one of the most incredible dioramas in LEGO I have seen — one that undoubtedly does justice to a great game. I spent plenty of time admiring just how much attention to detail these two builders have in their Venice scene, and my favorite details captured have to be the gameplay aspect of Assassin’s Creed brought to life. The facades look climbable, the black pole appears perfectly aligned for a swing into a double assassination on the guards, and of course a cart of hay that make a leap of faith from any height safe.
Even if one hasn’t played Assassin’s Creed II, one can still appreciate the iconic, beautifully constructed Venetian architecture and canals.
Nothing is true; everything is permitted.
Amazing builds can result from one builder’s style influencing another, which is the case with this “Firestorm” starfighter by Tim Schwalfenberg. Tim tributes his spacecraft to Nick Trotta, and I can spot similarities with Nick’s Cloudless 3V especially, but with Tim’s spin on it.
Overall, the Firestorm has a great design to it, with interesting angles to the fins and stabilizer at the ship’s rear. When it comes to the details, I particularly like the gray pipe (or perhaps a cannon?) along each forward prong, and the two side engines with a 2×2 array of square panels, which appear to be minifig Thor’s hammers with the hammerheads facing upward.
Minifigs residing in a city of LEGO modular buildings can purchase and repair their bicycles at this custom modular bike shop built by Łukasz Libuszewski. Interesting colors and unusual use of elements define the series as much as the modular standard, and there is no shortage of this throughout the build.
Łukasz added an elevator to his bike shop modular, and looking in the center column with gear racks on either side and a janitor standing slightly elevated, it appears to be functional.
View more shots of Łukasz’s building on Flickr.
Although Destiny at this point is just over two years old, many players feel nostalgic for the first rifle your Guardian acquires in his or her adventure, the Khvostov 7G-02. A cracked reflex sight and custom attachments made this generic AR-15-like rifle special and one that told a story. In a bit of fan service from Destiny’s developers, one can, put simply, backtrack the first mission in a special quest to obtain an exotic version of the Khvostov (designated Khvostov 7G-0X) with wood furnishings and a repaired reflex sight.
I was inspired by this mission as it reminded me of what made me enjoy Destiny in the beginning. This, combined with a desire to build something that looked like a real firearm and to finally construct something life size with wooden components, led to the construction of my LEGO Khvostov 7G-0X. The build measures over 40 inches long, weighs 5.5 pounds, and has some working components including a removable magazine, moving trigger, and sliding charging handle. I also constructed two sights: the repaired reflex sight, and the original cracked reflex sight.
Watch a 360º view of the LEGO Khvostov and view its functions in action in the following video.
See more photos of this replica on my Flickr.