Lego Marvel Super Heroes
All the early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Such as this Lego Marvel Super Heroes review from GameTrailers:
Tag: review
Lego United Nations Headquarters (21018) Reviewed @ Toys N Bricks
The newest set in the Lego Architecture theme, the United Nations Headquarters (21018) is now available
(Amazon
The set depicts not only the U.N. tower, but the other four surrounding buildings too. By the time you complete the base, the layout of the complex is very apparent.
If you have been looking around for “1 x 2 trans light blue” bricks then this is the set to get, with 155 included. They are put to good use, creating some beautiful windows. This set also features some of the “smoothest” brick built slopes. Achieved by combining “headlight bricks” and the “1 x 1 with stud-on-one-side” bricks. These half step slopes can be seen on the smaller surrounding buildings.
The little Lego lever is a perfect representation of a flag pole, one of the best details in this set. Making the building instantly recognizable as the U.N. Headquarters. Just don’t accidentally brush up on those levers.
The whole build is quite a bit larger in person then it looks on the box. Which, is the opposite effect from most of these Architecture sets.
“In the past I was skeptical of buying the Architecture series sets because they seemed small for their price, but after seeing how accurate and profesional this model was, I was impressed.” — Brickbuilder0937
Read the full Lego United Nations review over at Toys N Bricks: http://toysnbricks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=9403
The Lego United Nations Headquarters (21018)
HispaBrick Magazine 017 – Vehicles, Mindstorms, Reviews & Interviews
The best digital Lego Magazine is back. HispaBrick Magazine 017 is available now for download as a PDF in english or spanish.
Featuring articles on Lego vehicles, Mindstorms, Robotics, Modular Landscapes, & Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Plus many reviews and interviews. This 100 page PDF is full of so much Lego content it might be the greatest issue yet.
http://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/en/content/english-hispabrick-magazine-017
Lego Star Wars: Jabba’s Sail Barge (75020) Reviewed by Csacsa234 @ Eurobricks
The new Lego Star Wars: Jabba’s Sail Barge (75020) has officially been released and is starting to show up at some retailers
Eurobricks user Csacsa234 has already posted a full photo review. Noting that there are hidden pirate cannons, flick firing missiles, undercarriage wheels, a removable deck/roof, and foldable sides/walls. This set is full of play features.
Inside Jabba’s Sail Barge is a kitchen, jail, throne room, and a music stage. Max Rebo and his futuristic piano (or is it an organ?) steal the show from Jabba in this set. He just happens to be a perfect Lego minifigure, oozing cuteness and a hot blue color scheme. Interestingly, Lego has provided film (thin plastic) sails for the Sail Barge which will hopefully last a long time. There are also 26 stickers, which luckily are not required. Jabba’s Sail Barge looks great with and without stickers.
The Lego minifigures are extremely detailed. With a newish version of R2D2 (grey top, and better printing), Slave Leia, Jabba the Hutt, Ree-Yees, Weequay, and Max Rebo. While the Jabba the Hutt and his goons look great the real star is Max Rebo (sorry Leia). Just look at that little blue dude.
Go check out the full review of the Lego Star Wars: Jabba’s Sail Barge (75020) with more photos and details over at Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85841
Jabba’s Sail Barge is usually on sale for a few dollars off over at Amazon
Lego Sydney Opera House (10234) Review by Drudoo @ Eurobricks
The new Lego Sydney Opera House (10234) has been reviewed by Drudoo over at Eurobricks. With 2,989 pieces and a $320 price tag, this new Creator set is one of the biggest Lego releases this year. To say that this is only an upgrade to the original Lego Architecture Sydney Opera House (21012)
As the base for the Opera House is built up, it is noted that this whole set is extremely sturdy. With none of the wobbly problems that some of the larger sets in the past have had. The Lego Sydney Opera House contains so much tan, but does a good job of not being boring. The set really starts to get interesting when building the “sails.” These structures are surprisingly technical, and are not as simple to build as they look. Using a combination of technic and advanced building techniques to achieve the correct angles and placement of every part.
Drudoo is about half way through documenting and reviewing the Lego Sydney Opera House. Make sure to check out the full review for many more pictures and details. Keep an eye out for updates as the Opera house gets completed, they will be coming “as soon as possible.”
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)
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
Lego Back To The Future DeLorean (21103) – Get It Before You’re OUTATIME.
The Lego CUUSOO: Back To The Future DeLorean (21103)
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
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
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