One of many the things that that shapes the culture and cult-like following in LEGO is its unique bits of passion that’s imbued in every design made regardless of how small or large they may be. LEGO Designer George Gilliatt shared and Graphic Designer Matthew James Parsons recently shared insights (via Twitter) on their work and inspiration behind the LEGO 3-in-1 Cyber Drone Creator set ( US $9.99 | CAN $13.99 | UK £8.99)
Click to discover the inspiration and secrets
Early 2021 saw the latest expansion to LEGO’s DOTS theme with new Series 3 sets. These kits are designed to appeal to kids who are interested in arts and crafts, but they’ve found a lot of love with adult builders, too. DOTS 41921 Extra DOTS – Series 3 packs are available now for US $3.99 | CAN $4.99 | UK £3.99. Each bag contains a mix of 107 elements including new 3D tiles, a mix of quarter-circle and round 1×1 plate, and 10 printed tiles from a pool of 16 new designs. It’s that last bit that needs a bit of exploration. Just what are those new designs? And how tough is it to put together a full set of them? We went out and bought a few packs to find the answers. Come along with us as we find out!
Click to read the full hands-on review
It’s the season of all things flora with LEGO and while typically we think of happy thoughts when we see such cheer and beauty in nature around us, sometimes they also represent sorrow and sadness. Every build has a story behind it, and this lovely creation by John Cheng was built with love in memoriam of a beloved sister that’s dearly missed. The soft yellow tones of the anthers are made with simple round plates, while the white petals and olive green shrubbery offer a very peaceful and warm feel.
There have been a number of great LEGO creations built for the Iron Forge challenge recently. The seed part, or the element that each entry needs to use is the Minifig torso, sans arms, and PaulvilleMOCs makes masterful use of white torsos (one in each fossil).
While the ones on the T-rex and the Triceratops are obviously used for the skulls, trading shoulder sockets for eye sockets, you have to look more closely at the Pterosaur, to find it sprouting wings.
The Razor Crest is now available for backorder on LEGO US and CAN online stores retailing at US $129.99 and CAN $159.99 respectively. In case you’re wondering what’s the big deal about this Star Wars vehicle, the spoiler-free answer is the Razor Crest leaves a mind-blowing impression in the second season that makes it a little more sought after now for not only fans and likely LEGO investors.
If you’re unable to add it to your cart, it’s likely if you’re reading this a little later and they’re gone for now. The good news is, if you follow us on Facebook, we’ll make further announcements when it is available again. Alternatively, you may do want to check availability on Amazon.
While waiting for the Razor Crest to arrive, remember to check out our review of this set. I have spoken.
LEGO definitely has us looking forward to spring. Joining the 10280 Flower Bouquet are two new sets: 40460 Roses (US $12.99 | CAN $16.99 | UK £11.99) and 40461 Tulips (US $9.99 | CAN $12.99 | UK £8.99). First announced in December, they’re available now in the UK, and coming soon to North American LEGO stores. Are they pretty in person? How well do these new blooms complement the existing arrangement? And is there anything to these sets beyond just being a display piece? Read on and see!
The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
Click to read the full hands-on review
A lot of LEGO fans probably wish LEGO Sonic was a real theme. As it is, we’re lucky that we even got a Sonic the Hedgehog minifigure from the Dimensions theme. On the bright side though, LEGO elements are a great medium to play around with when it comes to recreating characters and scenes from Sonic games and cartoons. Ivan Martynov demonstrates just that, with his brick-built Dr. Robotnik and Eggrobo.
Martynov’s builds definitely make use of a lot of technic elements and larger molded pieces. Dr. Robotnik’s signature glasses are depicted by teal round bar and pin holder 1x1s, while his egg shaped nose utilizes a pink bulb piece. Eggrobo’s gloved appearing hands make use of the shaft with hand element. Overall, given how unique and round these characters and their features are, Martynov does an excellent job rendering them with LEGO elements.
Last week we got our first look at 71741 Ninjago City Gardens, but today LEGO is taking the wraps off the set with a few more images via certified reseller Bricks World LEGO Certified Store in Singapore. Ninjago City Gardens will be the third in the Ninjago City series and includes 18 minifigures. The set will be available starting Jan. 14 for members of LEGO’s free VIP loyalty program, and for everyone on Feb. 1. Once available, it will retail for US $299.99 | CAN $399.99 | UK £274.99.
I always say I’m a sucker for cute things, but who doesn’t love adorable woodland creatures? Kyohei Ito showcases his brick-built and BrickHeadz-sized cuties, and I am just loving them.
The two little beavers are mostly fashioned out of different sized reddish-brown slopes along with a few bricks and tiles. Their tails utilize wing pieces that are turned over – this creates the necessary scaly effect. The eyes for these guys are the same 1×1 printed tiles that are in the escape pod vs. dewback microfighters set. My favorite use of parts here has to be the minifigure scuba fins which emulate beavers’ real-life webbed feet and the 1×1 toothed plates which give the little critters their signature buckteeth. Sometimes a person just needs a little cuteness to brighten their day; hopefully, these builds help fill the daily quota.
Depending on your point of view, there is something strange about seeing Boba Fett on a throne. The royalty position is a rare sight for the bounty hunter, who firmly declared that he is a simple man, like his father, Jango Fett. Well, let this image marinate until we learn more about his occupation of Jabba the Hutt’s palace.
Robert Maier makes a statement through the build’s title “Hail to the King.” The skiff guard (from 2017’s Desert Skiff Escape set) learns the hard way after encountering Boba Fett and the sharp-shooting assassin, Fennec Shand. Overall, the arched molding around the palace is an impressive display of symmetry. The base of the platform is lined with reddish brown Modified 1 x 1 Rounded with Bar Handle plates. They symbolize the head sculptures on Jabba’s throne. Ahem, we mean Boba Fett’s throne. There’s a new king in town. Check out Robert’s previous build here.
The last time I watched Howl’s Moving Castle was at least 10-12 years ago, and as nerdy as I am, I only did because my best friend dragged me away from ultimate frisbee and into my high school anime club one day. Admittedly, I barely remember it. But what I do know is that it was the first thing I thought about when I saw this LEGO windmill built by Alexey Tikhvinsky. I have lots of pull-back motors in my collection, but I never know what to do with them. This is the most clever use I’ve seen thus far. When the winds shift, and your windmill won’t whirl, why not build one that walks?
Don’t believe me? Watch the video! This thing actually does walk around. Clever gearing allows for both that and the blades to turn at the same time. My personal favorite part is engine piston elements mounted on axle ball joints for more stable feet.
I really like Alexey’s style, and I’m sure you will too. Check out a couple of totally different builds of his: a Faerie creature, and a modified RC Volkswagon Beetle… I told you they were different…
LEGO and Hype will be launching a lineup of streetwear apparel inspired by LEGO Ninjago on January 14th LEGO.com and JUSThype.com the following day. The collection will feature Ninjago themed tees, shirts, shorts, hoodies, joggers, jackets and bags.
