Lego Mindstorms EV3 (31313) Reviewed by Lee Hutchinson @ Ars Technica

The new Lego Mindstorms EV3 (31313) is almost here with an official release of September 1st. The early reviews are starting to be published, with an especially good review by Lee Hutchinson over at Ars Technica. The whole 601 piece set includes an Intelligent EV3 Brick, 3 servo motors, a remote control, a color sensor, a touch sensor, an infrared sensor, an instruction manual, and Mac/Win software. And, to no surprise, no batteries.

“Still, price is really the only downside to this set. They’re ludicrously fun to play with, and I had a great time sitting on the floor like a kid piecing a robot together (and the whole process was made even better by the fact that I got to do it on the clock!). It’s hard to deny that making robots and then programming them to do your bidding is just straight-up awesome.”

Check out Lee Hutchinson’s full review of the Lego Mindstorms EV3 (31313) over at Ars Technica: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/08/review-lego-mindstorms-ev3-means-giant-robots-powerful-computers/

For a quick video review, Lee Hutchinson made a great video:

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Review by Jim Butcher @ Eurobricks

The LEGO Architecture Studio (21050) is a very mysterious set. Currently only available in the United States, this set can be hard to find. Because of this, the set is wrapped up in mystery. Jim Butcher got his hands on this massive set and broke it open to document and review what he found. The Architecture Studio contains 1,210 pieces and comes in a very unconventional box. Most official Lego sets are released in a flat(ish) rectangle shaped box, not so for the Architecture Studio. This is a huge package. Taking up the space of 3 or 4 normal Lego sets. Inside is a very unique set, that Lego has never produced before.

Besides the 1,210 Lego pieces the set comes with two clear sorting trays. Fun fact: these sorting trays are official Lego pieces. They work well, and help to manage the massive amount of like sized/shaped pieces. Speaking of which, almost every piece is white. With the exception of a handful of transparent pieces. The whole point of the Lego Architecture Studio is to use the included pieces to begin building technically minded architecture models. The monochrome color scheme helps break the Lego models down to their core concept, while reinforcing the minimalistic goal of the set.

The large Lego piece count and sorting trays are not the main focus of this set. The instruction manual or book is the star. A huge 272 page perfect bound book. Featuring tips, building techniques, styles, history, and general information about Architecture and Lego. The book does not contain standard instructions. No step by step builds of famous architectural models. Instead the book features very general instructions, often showing the building of a model across only 3-4 steps. The Lego Architecture Studio (21050) is an educational and inspirational set, sharing more in common with Lego Mindstorms then Lego Star Wars.

Read the full review by Jim Butcher over at Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85176&st=0

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Book Download

UPDATE: It looks like Lego has taken the file offline. ~~Lego has offered a .pdf download of the whole 272 page book from the Lego Architecture Studio (21050). This is huge download, at 413 MB. Check it out here:~~
~~http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/buildinginstructions/6062928.pdf~~

Amazon has the set for sale, but like other recently popular sets it comes and goes out of stock often. Check it out on Amazon here: LEGO Architecture Studio (21050)

Lego Back To The Future DeLorean (21103) – Get It Before You’re OUTATIME.

The Lego CUUSOO: Back To The Future DeLorean (21103) is currently for sale on Amazon. The DeLorean is destined to become one of those special legendary Lego sets. Make sure to pick it up early. Who knows how many of these Lego is planning on making. It may be tough to find, but keep checking Amazon in case they get new shipments (Just like the Minecraft set). It is currently $34.99 and shipping in 1-2 days.

Lego CUUSOO: Back To The Future DeLorean (21103) at Amazon!

Lego Minifigures Series 11 Reviewed by WhiteFang @ Eurobricks

The new Lego Minifigures Series 11 is just starting to show up in stores. The packaging color will be a deep green, which matches the “holiday” theming of this series. At least three of the minifigs have a winter theme, including the Gingerbread Man, Yeti, and Holiday Elf. It looks like Series 11 is another great release. Although the distribution may cause the more desired minifigures in this set to be rare or uncommon.

WhiteFang, over on Eurobricks, has written up the definitive review. Every few months another Minifig Series is released and WhiteFang is there with an extremely detailed writeup. These figures have proven to be some of the most interesting that Lego produces. The sheer amount of new parts and detailed printing separates these from the normal minifigures from the other Lego sets.

“To me, this series remain a huge importance in the LEGO history and affirming my belief that all of these minifigures in the past, present and future series will continue to be regarded as part of the ‘Golden Age’ for the LEGO CMFs theme.”

The bad news for Series 11 is that the distribution is not at all friendly for the collector. The rarest figures are the most desired, Scarecrow, Tiki Warrior, Grandma, Jazz Musician, Bavarian Lady, and Dinner Waitress. This means that if picking out these figures from an opened box, the chances of finding these are extremely low. There are only two complete sets per box. Lets hope you like the Rock Climber, Welder, Constable, or Yeti as these are probably the minifigures you will find.

Read the whole review of the Lego Minifigures Series 11, written by WhiteFang, over on Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85145

New Super Heroes (Batman): Riddler Chase (76012) with Lego Flash!

The Lego Super Heroes will be getting a new set this winter. The Lego Super Heroes, the Riddler Chase (76012) will include one of the most requested minifigures: the Lego Flash. The new set will also include minifigures for Batman, and the Riddler. The Lego Riddler Chase is an odd set. Who knows why the Riddler is drag racing with the Batman, who will both loose to the Flash. But, watch out, the Riddler has a banana!

With 304 pieces and a price tag of $29.99, Lego has positioned this set in the affordable range, which surprisingly most Super Hero sets are. Make sure to pick up your Lego Flash, and the rest of the set, in January 2014 when it goes on sale.

(Flash Gordon does not have super-speed)

New Lego Star Wars Announced for March 2014: a Lego AT-AP (75043)!

This past weekend at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) Lego announced and revealed a whole lot of new sets. One of which is a new Lego Star Wars AT-AP (75043). This is a new version of the older Lego Star Wars AT-AP Walker (7671), which has proven to be extremely hard to find. The AT-AP (All Terrain Attack Pod) made its first appearance in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It looks like this version will feature five minifigures, a Wookie, Clone Trooper, and three Battle Droids. Gone are the bright red and lime green detailing, giving this Lego AT-AP a much more realistic design. Not to mention vastly superior feet and legs. This new Lego AT-AP will include a total of 717 pieces and will priced at $69.99. Due out in March 2014.

“Big Figure Trailer” Released for Lego Marvel Super Heroes Video Game

http://youtu.be/SgLNwOjeq4I

A new trailer is out for the Lego Marvel Super Heroes video game. Titled the “Big Figure Trailer” it certainly lives up to its name. Featuring all of the oversized Lego Marvel characters, such as: The Hulk, Kingpin, Juggernaut, the Blob, Colossus, Lizard, Rhino and the Thing. Not only that but some of the noraml Lego minifigures are also shown, such as: Jean Gray, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Captain America, Invisible Woman, Magneto, Dr. Doom, Tony Stark, and Iron Man in his Hulkbuster Armor. Thats right. Hulkbuster Armor.

The Lego Marvel Super Heroes video game will be released in October to pretty much every platform available.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Make sure to check out the E3 trailer, it is very amusing: http://everydaybricks.com/lego-marvel-super-heroes-e3-trailer/

Lego Lake Town Chase (79103) from The Hobbit to be released December 2013

Lego has announced a whole boat load of new Lego sets this weekend at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). One of which is the new Lego, The Hobbit: Lake Town Chase (79103). Featuring a boat, and two Lake Town buildings. The set will include 334 pieces and be priced at $49.99; to be released this December. Five minifigures will be included, Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Bard the Bowman, a generic guard, and the Master of Lake Town. Lego Lake Town looks like an expensive, but well designed set.

Check out Lake Town on this MTV clip:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/938730/sdcc-2013-lego-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-demo.jhtml#id=1709970

Check out Lego Lake Town at The Brothers Brick: http://www.brothers-brick.com/2013/07/19/lego-hobbit-lake-town-chase-unveiled-at-sdcc-due-out-dec-2013-news/

Lego Cuusoo: The Lego Back to the Future DeLorean Reviewed @ The Brothers Brick

The Lego Back to the Future DeLorean (21103) set is here. The official release date has been set for August 1st, but if you happen to be at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) you can purchase it early at the Lego booth. (UPDATE: it is now available on Amazon). Amazingly with a 401 piece count the $34.99 price tag is actually reasonable (the old 10¢ a piece ratio). Being part of the Lego CUUSOO project, this DeLorean features some advanced building techniques and lots of SNOT. Sharing more in common with a MOC then an official Lego set.

Andrew from The Brothers Brick has written up a full review of the Delorean, and comes to the conclusion that this set is a good value. The only thing to be mindful is that it could have been better, and that some liberties with the design were taken. Mainly that the roof and hood of this DeLorean have looked better in other MOC builds, and have even looked better in the CUUSOO proposal. But, one thing is for certain. The Lego Back to the Future DeLorean will become a collectible (due to its exclusive license, minifigures, and printed bricks.)

The neat thing with this Lego DeLorean is that it can be transformed into the iconic time machine from all three movies. The perfect bound instruction manual offers full instructions on how to put them together. The Lego Back to the Future 2 (BTFF2) DeLorean adds a Mr. Fusion, new 2015 license plates, and floating tires. While Lego The Back to the Future 3 (BTFF3) DeLorean adds new red tires, and a new engine. The controversial decision to have a tile based hood was made so that the BTFF3 DeLorean could have this interchangeable engine. The good news is that this hood design doesn’t look as terrible as it does on the box art.

The two included minifigures are Marty McFly and Doctor Emmet Brown. Getting these exclusive minifigs is a huge bonus. The torso prints are well done. Lego could have included multiple minifigure bodies to represent each figure in all three time periods, but they didn’t. Combining these figures with the recent The Lone Ranger theme, you could probably come close to some BTFF3 minifigures. No such luck with BTTF2. But, maybe some day in the future we can get a Doc Brown minifigure with an awesome yellow coat!

Check out the full review at The Brothers Brick: http://www.brothers-brick.com/2013/07/17/lego-cuusoo-back-to-the-future-delorean-review/

The DeLorean is available on Amazon, it goes in and out of stock regularly as it is very popular: Lego The DeLorean Time Machine (21103)

Lego Minifigures Series 11 Details

The upcoming Lego Minifigures Series 11 has now been fully revealed. Herman Napierala sent the above image over to Brickset. It is from the little instruction sheet and collectors guide from a recently purchased Series 11 minifigure. It seems that the Leclerc supermarket in Poland is selling these a little bit early.

Series 11 will include: Barbarian, Scarecrow, Bavarian Lady, Evil Mech, Tiki Warrior, Gingerbread Man, Holiday Elf, Yeti, Mountain Climber, Welder, Scientist, Jazz Musician, Diner Waitress, Grandma, Constable, and a Lady Robot (Fembot).

A surprisingly strong selection this time around.

Check out Brickset for details: http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=7097

Also check out a leaked image of the Evil Mech, Scientist, Yeti, Female Robot, and Welder here: http://everydaybricks.com/first-photos-from-the-upcoming-lego-minifigures-series-11/