Tag Archives: Ninjago

Ace Parts Usage: TBB’s favorite LEGO build techniques of 2023 so far [Feature]

Over the course of the last six months, we’ve featured literally hundreds of excellent LEGO creations. While all of them are already the best we’ve found, there are a handful that stand out above the rest.  Usually these creations feature the coolest techniques and exceptional NPU (Nice Parts Usage), and have us talking about them more than the average build behind the scenes. We’ve seen everything, but occasionally we’re extra impressed by something new and unique. Although we do feature our overall favorite builds (using several criteria) in the running for the TBB Creation of the Year in December, we’ve decided it would be fun to honor some ace parts usage right here, right now. Join us as we count down the best of the first half of 2023!

Click to see the full lineup!

A warrior with a face only a builder could love

Whether you’re a fan of the LEGO Ninjago theme or not, you have to give it props for surviving for so long. Some kids that grew up with Ninjago are now adult fans making fabulously inspired and skilled creations. Now, while I can’t speak to the history of the builder known as Woomy World, I can certainly say that this Oni Lloyd-inspired build is top-notch, and a solid tribute to the theme. The entire thing is riddled with fantastic parts usage, from the dragon-headed weapons, to the clothing and body armor. What really takes the cake, though, is the expressive face. It utilizes a hat for a nose, a hood for a chin, and even a tan crab holding horns for teeth/tusks. The character is both menacing and cool all at once!

Oni Lloyd

While you’re here, stick around for more builds and sets related to the LEGO Ninjago theme. We also have plenty of articles about brick-built characters in general too!

Re-firing up the Ninjago Fire Temple

It’s hard to find someone in the LEGO Community that doesn’t like Ninjago. Even if we don’t follow the entire storyline and history, most of us have bought a few sets even if just for their super cool and useful parts. Jakub Drobny took the 2507 Ninjago Fire Temple set from 2011 and, with newer parts and colors and build techniques made it awesome-er-er. I particularly love the trees and tank treads that create the textured roof tiles. Without the dragon and the inclusion of the waterfall, this creation seems much more serene than the old set of yore but with a name like Fire Temple, we just know some action and drama is sure to erupt soon.

“Ninjago- The Fire Temple”

An unlikely mashup: the Kai Fighter

What happens when you’re building and grab a Ninjago fig instead of a TIE Pilot? Generally I toss it back and keep building, but I imagine TBB alumn Simon Liu runs with it, as evidenced by this Kai Fighter, a TIE-turned-mech that’s as cool as it is well done. Ninjago and Star Wars may not be the most common crossover, but after seeing this I can’t wait to see Lloyd Vader and Jedi Master Wu.

Kai Fighter

Ninjago versus Monkie Kid: Mech battle [Feature]

Ninjago has produced more mechs than any other LEGO theme over the last decade. And while the Monkie Kid theme is a relative newcomer, having premiered in 2020, there have been many mechs and mech-like models released so far. This includes a bigfig scale Demon Bull King, and a mini-mech for the new Yellow Tusk elephant from the January 2023 wave of sets. But which theme makes better mechs? I decided to compare two mechs from each theme (at a similar price and part count) in an attempt to answer that question.

Find out which mech is the winner!

LEGO Ninjago 71771: The Crystal King Temple – Tensegrity comes to Ninjago [Review]

While we wait for the first 2023 Ninjago sets to go on sale, let’s take pause and take a look at one of the larger sets from the Summer 2022 Crystalized wave. LEGO Ninjago 71771 The Crystal King Temple is available now from the LEGO Shop Online for US $79.99 | CAN $99.99 | UK £69.99. This 706 piece set includes the temple, a small dragon, six minifigures, and a ton of cool transparent dark pink accents. Is there enough here to keep you entertained until the new year? 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.

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LEGO Ninjago 71770: Zane’s Golden Dragon Jet – Let’s imagine dragons again. [Review]

LEGO just revealed the first 2023 Ninjago sets, and that reminded us that we still had a little more to share from the (still available!) Summer 2022 Crystalized wave! LEGO Ninjago 71770 Zane’s Golden Dragon Jet is available now from the LEGO Shop Online for US $34.99 | CAN $44.99 | UK £24.99. This 258 piece offering is one of the smaller sets in the sub-theme, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in coolness. Come along and see what we thought!

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.

How many dragon themed things can you spot?

LEGO Ninjago 2023 wave revealed with 9 new sets [News]

It should come as no surprise that LEGO’s Ninjago theme is as strong as ever heading into 2023 as it continues to be one of the company’s best-selling original IPs. The new January 2023 wave is being revealed today, bringing us nine new sets that will look pretty familiar to Ninjago aficionados, ranging from Lloyd’s Battle Mech to Cole’s Earth Dragon and Jay’s Lightning Jet. Most of the sets this season are EVO sets, meaning they can be evolved from a basic form to a guns-blazing, maxed-out version with the addition of easily removable modules. LEGO hasn’t clarified exactly when the sets will be available, but we expect that most, if not all of them, will launch as part of the January 1 rollout for 2023. Check out the full details on all the new sets below.

Click to see all the new Ninjago sets

Crouching motorcycle, hidden dragon

Joey Klusnick doesn’t let old DUPLO pieces take up space in his collection with no purpose. Instead of getting rid of them, he mixes DUPLO stuff with a modern best-selling theme, like Ninjago. The result is hilarious: now, it’s Lloyd’s newest vehicle/weapon. It might have no claws, teeth or wings, but it’s extremely swooshable. Just look at these wheels!

Duplo Motorcycle

LEGO Ninjago 71769: Cole’s Dragon Cruiser [Review]

After a long wait, the summer 2022 line of Ninjago sets are available world-wide. We’ve taken a close look at several so far, but there’s still a lot of fun left to explore. Up next is Ninjago 71769 – Cole’s Dragon Cruiser. This 384 piece set can be yours for US $44.99 | CAN $59.99 | UK £39.99, and comes with four minifigures in addition to the vehicle.  What do you say? Ready to take a ride?

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.

Cruisin’ right along

LEGO Ninjago 71772: The Crystal King – Crystal Pink Persuasion [Review]

Are you excited for the Ninjago Crystalized theme? We’ve been working our way through the full summer 2022 wave , and today’s review is all about Ninjago 71772 The Crystal King. This 772 piece set is available now in the UK and August 1st worldwide from the LEGO Shop Online for US $69.99 | CAN $89.99 | UK £54.99. Five minifigures join a very unusual Centaur-mech in this villain-heavy adventure. Do you need more bad guys in your life? Keep reading and see if you’re tempted!

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.

Evil lurks within

LEGO Ninjago 71773: Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider – Wacky Racers have nothing on this one [Review]

We return to our in-depth look at the Summer 2022 Ninjago Crystalized theme with Ninjago 71773 Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider. This 624 piece set is available now in the UK, and August 1st worldwide, for US $89.99 | CAN $119.99 | UK £74.99.  Featuring seven minifigures and a highly unusual vehicle, this set takes the Ninjago in some exciting directions. Hop in as we take this set for an early test drive!

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.

Vroom Vroooooooom