If you were into video games in the mid-2000’s you will undoubtedly recognize this influential character. Builder Julius von Brunk perfectly captures all the fury and foul-mouthed appeal of the Angry Video Game Nerd in LEGO form. Having been a video game journalist during those heady days, I knew who this was at first glance. This speaks volumes not only about the popularity of the AVG, but the builder’s talent at creating characters. The pose is full of enraged action and the head is cleverly built with loads of expression. I love the inclusion of the Gameboy and Nintendo cartridge that recalls the early days when AVGN was known as the Angry Nintendo Nerd. I also got a chuckle out of the Atari E.T cartridge, a game widely recognized as the worst video game ever made and a frequent subject of the AVGN’s ire.
Category Archives: LEGO
Fabuland with a modern twist
It’s neat when LEGO builders team up with others to build something truly unique. Lasse Vestergård worked together with his mom to built two Fabuland layouts. This one uses only bricks that existed in the ’80s and nicely represents the whimsy and primary color palette that the theme encompassed during its ten-year run.
This one, however, uses modern pieces and offers a more updated earth-toned palette.
A close-up shot of the paddleboat showcases some of the large kid-friendly pieces Fabuland was famous for, particularly the whimsical arched windows and the one-piece hulls for both the paddleboat and the little rowboat.
Its modern counterpart ups the piece count considerably but gives more depth and texture to the water. Plants and flowers are well detailed but the same Fabuland characters retain their original sweetness. Which do you like better?
LEGO reveals 7 new Star Wars sets for late summer 2020 including Galaxy’s Edge and upcoming 2020 advent calendar [News]
LEGO has revealed seven new Star Wars sets based on everything across the galaxy including the films, television shows, a visual dictionary, and even Disney’s theme park land, Galaxy’s Edge. The sets include two brand new ships, multiple desirable minifigures, a few refreshed models, and the 2020 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. (Spoiler alert: we’ve included photos of the Advent behind the jump at the far end of this article.)
The seven new sets join four other upcoming LEGO Star Wars models already announced earlier this year, including 75288 AT-AT, 75280 501st Legion Clone Troopers, 75292 The Razor Crest and 75317 The Mandalorian & The Child BrickHeadz. All these new sets should be available globally starting Sept. 1st.
Click to take a closer look at each new LEGO Star Wars set.
First look at LEGO Technic Summer 2020 sets [News]
As reported by our friends at Brickset, the June-December German consumer catalog brings us the first official images of three new LEGO Technic sets. LEGO collaborates with Volvo once again for this summer flagship 42114 6×6 Volvo Articulated Hauler, which is equipped with the new large angular motor from SPIKE Prime. The other two products, 42113 Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and 42112 Cement Mixer are smaller but look very playable, nevertheless. All three sets shall be available starting August 1. Regional prices are yet to be announced.
42114 6×6 Volvo Articulated Hauler | DE €249,99
Click here for the images of the new sets…
LEGO 71720 Ninjago: Fire Stone Mech [Review]
If a ninja had to pick a favorite bit of weaponry, you might think they’d opt for a throwing star, or a sword, or something like that. But I suspect there’s a different answer, at least as far as Ninjago ninjas go: I think it’s pretty clear that they all prefer giant robots. The summer 2020 Ninjago line features a new one, 71720 Ninjago: Fire Stone Mech. This 968 piece set is available for US $69.99 | CAN $99.99 | UK £64.99. Sure, all the ninjas like it, but how cool is it really?
Click to read the full hands-on review
You’re so vain, I bet you think this model is for you
The Victorian era saw a celebration of the gothic, the elaborate, the ornate, across everything from architecture to wallpaper, from calligraphy to crockery. The period saw a revival of the baroque and rococo styles popular a century before, and furniture design was no exception. This Victorian Vanity Set is a collaborative build by brothers Tong Xin Jun and J.J.Tong. It delivers an amazing recreation of typical rococo styling. The black structure provides an excellent backdrop to the gold detailing, and the white top gives plenty of space for some well-built beauty “equipment.” Don’t miss out on a closer look at the make-up gear, particularly those perfume bottles and the flowers — lovely designs. The seat upholstery is an easily-overlooked highlight of the build, and it’s a great bit of work. Yes, this is a digital build, and I’d be worried about the stability of that mirror frame in “real life,” but it’s a beautiful creation all the same. Great stuff.
You might want to have that looked at
Whether it be Candida, Athlete’s Foot, or…Jock Itch fungus can live and breed on our skin. This LEGO Infested Legionary built by Mitch Phillips has it so bad, he has mushrooms growing on his skin. Mitch tells us that when his comrades were asked about his strange behavior, they all claimed he was a fun guy. This humanoid fungus among us is indeed a creature of Mitch’s imagination. However, as if itchy nether bits weren’t problematic enough, this creation has an unsettling real-life inspiration; zombie ants. I am not kidding. Zombie ants. Their minds are controlled by fungal parasites that command its ant host to do its bidding. And speaking of mind control, I’d like you to check out another entity that Mitch built who also does the bidding of others.
Just out for a stroll under the old Elktree
Either the hunter in this LEGO creation by Tino Poutiainen is secretly a pacifist, or he’s just clueless, as he strolls along between the giant legs of the elusive Birchwood Elk. A creature who might have been entirely inspired by those black parts used for the hooves, which are truly the perfect part. The foliage sprinkled throughout the legs and antlers, along with the blend of black parts mixed in with the white simulate the distinct look of a Birch tree.
LEGO Nintendo Super Mario full theme revealed with 16 sets and a collectible blind-bag series [News]
LEGO has revealed what we believe is the complete LEGO Super Mario lineup, which amounts to 16 individual sets and ten blind bags–one of the largest single-theme launches LEGO has ever undertaken. LEGO revealed its partnership with Nintendo back in March and has since been drip-feeding us information about the theme, revealing a few sets at a time.
The theme is focused around the base adventures set–which is the only set to include the electronic Mario “digi-fig”–and is available to pre-order now for US $59.99 | CAN $69.99 | UK £49.99. Today’s product reveal includes several previously unseen level expansions featuring Thwomp and King Boo, a LEGO Super Mario app, as well as a collectible bling-bag series of enemies including a Paragoomba, Fuzzy, Spiny, Buzzy Beetle, Bullet Bill, Bob-omb, Eep Cheep, Blooper, Urchin and Peepa. The entire LEGO Super Mario lineup will be available starting August 1st.
We’ve listed every set in the LEGO Super Mario theme along with photos, price and availability.
Click to see more photos of each product in the LEGO Super Mario lineup
Ashes to ashes, plastic to plastic
LEGO has been doing their part to make their bricks more of a renewable resource in recent years. Builder Green Axles takes things a step further with Nature taketh, nature giveth, showing us a full cycle of plastic life. At first glance all you may see are the vibrant colors of undersea plant life. There are clever techniques and creative part usage everywhere you look. I like the yellow dinosaur tails topped with Technic Bushings, orange Bionicle shooter halves, and dark turquoise Technic ball sockets.
Look again and you’ll spot a more somber inclusion in the form of the skeletal remains of a diver. Their suit has rotted away, leaving only a collar and a bit of brown cloth. The use of tan Technic gears for the teeth provide a visual context to the bleached bones.
It’s a somber scene, to be sure. But also a sign that life, uh, finds a way.
Me see Falcon-flavored cookie and me hungry!
Me knows Roanoke Handybuck love LEGO and me sure he likes Star Wars too! Me think he try to be funny and hide me cookies so me be hungry. That’s not good. Me see cookie flying and me confused! This cookie taste funny though, it feel like it has chewie texture and me not sure if me sees raspberry or strawberry toppings, but you know Cookie Monster no care because me love all kindsa cookies! Om nom nom nom nom!
LEGO Disney 43179 Mickey and Minnie Mouse are 1,700-piece buildable characters [News]
LEGO has officially revealed their newest Disney product, 43179 Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Buildable Characters. The set comes with 1,739 pieces to build both Mickey and Minnie Mouse in dynamic positions as well as autographed bases and several accessories.
Mickey and Minnie will be available from LEGO starting July 1st for US $179.99 | CAN $229.99 | UK £169.99.
Take a closer look at the LEGO Disney Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Buildable Characters