Tag Archives: Transformers

Do you remember loving VF-1 Valkyries?

For anime fans and toy collectors of a certain age, there will never be a vehicle quite as cool as the VF-1 Valkyrie from Macross. The “variable fighter” helped usher in the era of the transforming robot, with this design even getting shoehorned into Transformers as the Autobot Jetfire. Valkyries have long been a popular subject for LEGO builders, but I don’t think I’ve ever encountered one as small as this model from umamen. Even at this scale, it’s fully transformable to all three modes.

MACROSS VF-1 [4/4]

Of course, umamen is no stranger to miniature mecha and character builds. The builder has been innovating with tiny robot builds for over a decade, so it’s great to see them back on TBB!

Devastatingly good G2 Constructicons merge for the thrill

As an 80s kid brainwashed enriched by cartoons and Toys R Us commercials, of course I went through a Transformers obsession, and there was no toy I craved more than Devastator. The OG Combiner, he was like evil Voltron. LegoGuy31 is also a fan of Megatron’s metal muscle, having created an impressive LEGO Devastator sporting his G2 yellow colors. This scale strikes a perfect balance between detail and play functions without requiring a massive investment in parts.

IMG-2048

LegoGuy31’s model can unmerge into the full crew of Scavenger, Scrapper, Longhaul, Hook, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher. While the Constructicons of my childhood will always be fluorescent green, there’s no denying that they look great in yellow, especially in vehicle form. LegoGuy31 shared a video showing how each part combines to form Devastator.

If you miss Devastator in classic G1 colors, legendary builder Alex Jones has you covered with perhaps the greatest LEGO x Transformers project ever assembled.

Two new LEGO sets for July 2024 now available for purchase [News]

While the LEGO release calendar can get a little muddy over the summer months with some sets available in Europe with others waiting until later, there’s a pair of wonderful LEGO Icons sets that just hit store shelves in the US and Canada that are worth taking for a spin. To get immediate early access to LEGO Icons 10337 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole and LEGO Icons 10338 Bumblebee in North America, you’ll need to be a LEGO Insider. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until July 4th. Check out more pictures of these new sets below. And beyond that, you can see the full offerings from LEGO for your appropriate region here: US | CAN | UK.

Check out these new sets and offers below!

A triple transformer that’s too tiny to transform? Try again...

In his review of 10338 Transformers Bumblebee, Kyle mentioned that the yellow Autobot’s large size was likely down to the transformation requirement in LEGO form. Clearly, Grant Masters read this and took it as a challenge. He, too, has created a LEGO Transformer. And this one is tiny! It depicts Blitzwing, a Decepticon with as many personalities as he has transformations (three). He is depicted the way he appeared in the animated series rather than in the 2018 Bumblebee film, which results in a snazzy purple-and-tan colour scheme.

Blitzwing

But is he too tiny to transform? No! Now he can’t do all three transformations – even for a builder of Grant’s skill, that’s almost attempting the impossible. But still, being able to transition Blitzwing between his jet and robot forms is seriously impressive at this small scale!

Blitzwing

LEGO Icons 10338 Transformers Bumblebee – Does this Beetle-bot beat all bots? [Review]

LEGO has once again dipped its toe into the world of Transformers action figures. And while Optimus Prime and Megatron are likely the two most well-known of the Hasbro toy line, the Autobot Bumblebee has definitely got the number three slot locked down. First released in Japan in 1983 as Microchange Wagen, this scout-bot wins the hearts and minds of children everywhere with his “never say die” attitude that always looms much larger than his stature. While recent theatrical appearances have popularized a Chevy Camaro-version of this Transformer, LEGO has opted to return to the roots of the robot with the original Volkswagen Beetle design in LEGO Icons 10338 Transformers Bumblebee. The set clocks in at 950 pieces and hits store shelves on July 4th (July 1st for LEGO Insiders), retailing for US $89.99 | CAN $119.99 | UK £79.99. But after the success of LEGO Transformers 10302 Optimus Prime back in 2022, will B-127 measure up to his leader? Read on to find out!

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Read more on this transformative building process below!

LEGO reveals new LEGO Icons 10338 Transformers Bumblebee set [News]

Coming in July, LEGO brings us a fresh release for the Transformers theme: LEGO Icons Transformers 10338 Bumblebee. It’s been two years since we got LEGO Transformers 10302 Optimus Prime, and keeping with the same scale, we now have a new protector of Earth to keep the Decepticons at bay. Maintaining the same functionality as the previous Transformers release, Bumblebee will be able to transition between bot and vehicle modes without requiring a rebuild each time. This 950-piece set will be available for US $89.99 | CAN $TBD | UK £89.99 from July 4th, with LEGO Insiders getting early access from July 1st.

Have a look at more images and LEGO’s press release.

LEGO Soundwave Transformer drops some heavy beats

The moment I first saw this amazing transforming LEGO Soundwave by Student Scissors I had flashbacks to my childhood, playing with my own version of the action figure and the cassette tapes that transformed into a hawk and a panther. The builder has captured the dark blue and white Decepticon in perfect detail, with his shoulder-mounted cannon, cassette-playing chest, and even the aforementioned entourage of mini-bots. I particularly like the tilework used to replicate the play and stop buttons on the torso.

Lego G1 Soundwave

And to prove that the Transformer is worthy of that moniker, here’s Soundwave in his microcassette deck mode. Looks like he’s ready to play the song of the Autobots’ destruction.

Lego G1 Soundwave

Just because they’re called ‘Autobots’ doesn’t mean they have to turn into cars...

Sure, the new LEGO Concorde is impressive, but can it combine with four other jets? Alex Jones, aka “Orion Pax,” has been crafting amazing LEGO Transformer builds for years, and his latest creation is one of the most impressive, yet. The high-flying Aerialbots are a group of five Autobots with aircraft alt. modes that keep the skies free of Decepticons. And, when things get really turbulent, the Aerialbots can combine into a massive robot known as Superion. Alex has managed to capture all of that functionality in these amazing models. But, despite the gestalt robot’s massive size, no detail was too small for Alex to overlook. From the wing stripes that are near-perfect matches for the old toy decals, to the display stand with a brick-built Autobot symbol, this is one creation that really soars.

Bruticus Maximus is a bunch of brawling Transformers combined!

A LEGO Transformer built by Alex Jones is no special thing. I mean, let me clarify; it certainly is special, mindblowing even, but he’s built dozens in his time and has by now mastered the art. But a combiner, by his own admission, is quite a difficult thing. Behold Bruticus Maximus, a massive transforming brawler comprised of five individual brawlers. They are the Combaticons: BlastOff, Brawl, Onslaught, Swindle, and Vortex which are somehow both the best and worst fraternity brother names ever. He tells us that weight and clutch power become a difficult obstacle when building a bipedal mech this large. But clearly, he has pulled it off with finesse.

Bruticus Maximus

Here is another image showcasing the individual Transformers in vehicle and robot mode. Alex seems to be a master at, not only Transformers but all things awesome and pop culture-ish. You owe it to yourself to check out our Alex Jones archives to see what I mean. And if Transformers is totally your jam, then tuck and fold into that archive as well.

Combaticons

This Optimus is a Prime example of cuteness overload!

I need only two “words” to accurately describe this LEGO Optimus Prime variant by Angus MacLane: toats adorbz! The odd proportions here somehow work quite well together: tiny hands and feet, a boxy little head, and a big barrel chest sporting the truck’s grill and headlights. The overall look reminds me of some of the Playskool versions of the bot intended for toddlers. This is exactly the kind of masterful character creation you would expect from a much-revered builder like MacLane. Heck, I’m still flabbergasted by the shaping of that Optimus noggin in this scale! There’s so much crammed into that small 2x2x2 cube allowing for proper eyes and forehead visor, as well attachments for the side hardware.

Sub-Optimus Prime

Of course if it’s a Transformer, then it had better be able to transform. Angus’s Optimus folds up into a semi, with equally-adorable dimensions. The opaque medium blue windows are an elegant solution to the difficult task of conveying a windscreen without revealing the bot within. For all the unique stylistic choices here, I think I may even like this second version of Prime better than his first.

Sub-Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime Combat Deck, ready to roll out

For me, as long-time fan of the Transformers and having built LEGO Transformers myself, LEGO releasing LEGO Transformers 10302 Optimus Prime was a pleasant surprise. It looks great as a robot, decent as a truck and the transformation sequence is fantastic. Its look is also largely faithful to the original Optimus Prime toy from the eighties. In my book, the one thing that could make it even better was for Optimus to have his trailer or Combat Deck. So, I built one myself.

LEGO set 10302 with a custom trailer

Click to see inside!

Everybody make some noise for Deception Soundwave

If there’s ever a need for reliable communications for the Deceptions, you can rely on Soundwave. The only comms channel we need open now is to The LEGO Group from fans to convey that we will be needing more LEGO Transformers, and this build by Zach Sweigart reinforces just that message.

Click for more visuals of Decepticon Soundwave