EverydayBricks is a Lego blog featuring news, reviews, and photos from the world of Lego. Feel free to contact Everyday Bricks about your MOCs or Custom Minifigures.
The hosts of the Nintendo Minute got a close look at the new Lego Super Mario sets. You can watch them show off some of the new video game themed sets, and ultimately assemble a bunch of them into custom courses. The fancy bluetooth Mario figure is on full display, showing all of the different digital features. He blinks, makes sound, plays music, blinks more, and even falls asleep. The video shows off the modular design, and how each set can be combined in different ways. In the end there is a 60 second challenge to collect as many coins as possible. Who will win? How many Goombas will get squished? Watch to find out. As they say “Nintendo Minute is never a minute!”
You can watch the “Lego Super Mario Custom Build + Coin Challenge!” below or over here: https://youtu.be/FO2FyqTp-uc
A bicycle can offer a feeling of freedom unmatched by almost any other vehicle. If I could ride a bike all day I would. This Lego Bicycle Automaton, created by parsom, offers just that fantasy. The first thing you notice is that the automaton feature is on full display. The design mimics the design of a bike, with a chain and two wheels. By turning the small crank the Minifigure will start riding, with wheels turning and the background changing. Every season is represented, it doesn’t matter if it is sun or snow, nothing will stop a good bike ride. This Lego MOC is up on Lego Ideas, so make sure to vote for it if you want to see something like this released by Lego. There is also a video to check out (below), which shows how everything works.
An official Lego Nintendo Entertainment System has been announced. It follows the recent announcement of the Lego Super Mario Theme. With these new sets, Nintendo fans are reaching new heights of excitement. The Lego NES (71374) is a huge release. It comes with a complete NES, controller, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, and a retro TV. All together there are 2,646 pieces priced at $229.99. This new set will be available starting August 1st (you can order now),the same day as the Lego Super Mario theme.
Lego and Nintendo went all out on this set. Specifically trying to be as accurate as possible. The nostalgia is one of the main selling points as Lego points out that this set is a way to recapture childhood magic. You can plug in the controller and even load the game cartridge. The Lego NES is mostly in scale, and the size of this set is a lot bigger than first appearances.
One of the coolest features is the 1970s / 1980s style television. It features all the expected fake wood paneling, knobs, and even comes with a stand. A lot of the labels and details are achieved with stickers, which in a way, is accurate to these old TVs.
The backside reveals some very interesting build details. According to the label, this is a LO-TECH 1310 Color TV. The old hook ups are all present (coaxial and component), and an antenna can be positioned in whatever direction needed to pick up those Lego signals. On the side is a small hand crank, which leads to one of the most interesting Lego play features ever built.
The TV displays a Lego version of the first level from Super Mario Bros. The special feature is that with the hand crank you can advance the level all the way to the end. The effect is achieved with a complicated system of Technic pieces and a lot of flat plates. A bunch of neat printed tiles are featured including: Goombas, Koopa shells, a super star, coins, and question blocks. There is even a custom printed Lego Mario tile!
As the level advances (by turning the crank) Lego Mario will actually run through the level. Running and jumping all the way to the end. You can even combine the bluetooth Mario figure from the Super Mario theme with the TV. The Lego Mario will animate and play all the music and sound effects in time with what is on the TV. A neat feature, achieved with a bunch of brightly colored plates. An evolution of what is found in the Hidden Side theme.
You can find more details and order this Lego Nintendo Entertainment System at the official Lego Website.
Ultraman is a character from the Ultra Series, a collection of TV shows, films, and video games. One of the first giant monster fighting series from Japan. This Lego Ultraman (ウルトラマン) is created by Moko. The figure has a lot of interesting features, and is a deceptively complicated build. Ultraman has been built in parts, kind of like a bunch of mini builds, and then assembled at the end. This type of design means that each part looks complete, and every angle that you can view of the figure looks good. Ultraman is fully posable, and features a full set of articulation points. The head can move side to side, up and down, and swivel. The torso can turn side to side, while the arms move at the elbow and feature a neat double jointed shoulder. There are also joints in the wrists, fingers, pelvis, knees, and ankles. All of that means that this Ultraman can be displayed any way you can think. Make sure to check out the video below to see how it all works.
There is also a neat video showing how the figure has been built, and how everything works, check it out below or over here: https://youtu.be/UnbSMYVaS_E
Connect Four is one of those games that seemingly everyone has played. Plus it has one of the most memorable theme songs / jingles. It is remixed vertical version of tic-tac-toe. Tiago Catarino has created a Lego version of Connect Four, and best of all has uploaded video instructions so you can make it at home. The build itself is relatively simple but surprisingly complex too. The most difficult thing is getting the bottom tray just right. It is a horizontal build that has the vertical board held on with two technic pins, and a some exposed studs. The vertical part of the game is actually a bit more labor intensive than at first sight. Each lane has been designed so that the game pieces stay in their lane. Make sure to check out the video below to see how it all works!
Lego has released all the information about their new Super Mario Theme. There will be 16 sets and 10 collectable Character Packs. This is a lot of sets, and both Lego and Nintendo seem to be going all out. There are some early impressions and videos below for more info. The new theme will be released on August 1st, and you can preorder all of the sets now.
All 16 sets have been designed to be connected with each other. The result is that you get to create your own custom Mario level. A sort of real life Super Mario Maker. There are friendly good guys, evil boss battles, and all sorts of play features represented. On top of all that Mario can even collect a bunch of power-ups. Collecting all the sets will certainly be a challenge (you will need about $600), but the end result is impressive.
Fans of Nintendo and Mario might not want to jump all in with the bluetooth enabled Mario sets. In which case, a collection of 10 collectable blind-bag sets are available. This mini theme looks great on its own. Each featuring one of the famous baddies from the Mario Universe. There is a Fuzzy, Bom-omb, Spiny, Blooper, Eep Cheep, Urchin, Bullet Bill, Buzzy Beetle, Peepa, and a Paragoomba. You can preorder these on Lego.
A few of the newly revealed sets include Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion (71368). A neat little set that features Toad, Toadette, two Cheep Cheeps, and a Goomba. This village has a neat play feature in that there are three hidden blocks that Mario must discover and jump on in a certain order to win coins.
Another new set is Mario’s House and Yoshi Expansion (71367). A cozy house that almost looks like it is straight out of Animal Crossing. A Super Star is hiding somewhere inside. The main feature is the hammock, in which Mario can lay down in and fall asleep. Plus, Yoshi and a Goomba are hanging around too.
Then there is the iconic Guarded Fortress Expansion (71362). The classic small castle at the end of every level. There is even a flag pole outside that Mario can slide down (and any other character with hands). A Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant, and Bob-omb are blocking the way. A hidden Pow Block might just be the right tool to use here. No sign of a princess so she must be in another castle.
The whole theme includes:
Adventures with Mario Starter Course (71360) — $59.99
10 Different Character Packs (71361) — $4.99
Guarded Fortress Expansion (71362) — $49.99
Desert Pokey Expansion (71363) — $19.99
Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion (71364) — $19.99
Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion (71365) — $29.99
Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion (71366) — $29.99
Mario’s House and Yoshi Expansion (71367) — $29.99
Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion (71368) — $69.99
Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion (71369) — $99.99
Fire Mario Power-Up (71370) — $9.99
Propeller Mario Power-Up (71371) — $9.99
Cat Mario Power-Up (71372) — $9.99
Builder Mario Power-Up (71373) — $9.99
Thwomp Drop Expansion (71376) — $39.99
King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion (71377) — $49.99
Super Mushroom Surprise Expansion (30385) — Freebie
In Animal Crossing someone keeps sending balloons to your island. These unexpected gifts announce their arrival with a subtle swooshing sound. Once you track one down it is a mad rush to get out a sling shot. Only when popped will the balloons drop their glorious loot. Maybe it is a few pieces of clay, some iron, a random piece of furniture, or maybe it is 10,000 bells! This Animal Crossing Balloon Lego build is created by bekonen7. The micro scale island is a great creation all on its own. The mini version of Nooks Cranny is instantly recognizable to anyone who has sunk a few hours into the video game. It even has the dropbox and chalkboard with todays hot item. The stone bridge and waterfall are also perfectly simple. The fun thing about this Lego scene is that the balloon is hooked up to power functions and it mimics the swaying motion from the game. The technic pieces and gears are surprisingly complicated for something that looks simple. It really makes you want to get out there and start popping balloons!
Lego has had many years to perfect how to make Lego pieces. They recently posted a surprisingly detailed video of how a Minifigure is made. Things need to be sorted, printed, assembled, sorted again, and packaged. You can imagine that a lot of machinery needs to be involved. The amount of care, and cleanliness involved is great to see. It looks like you would have a hard time even finding dust in the building. In just one hour Lego can produce 23,000 printed heads, 8,000 finished bodies, and 14,400 legs. That is a lot of Minifigures. So if you have ever wondered how Lego Minifigures are made make sure to check out the video!
You can watch the video “How are Lego Minifigures Made? | Lego Factory Behind The Scenes” below or over here: https://youtu.be/ChZotngQ3_8
You can make anything out of Lego bricks, even a Tapas Factory! The Brick Wall has designed an assembly line with Technic pieces. Everything is Lego, other than the food, a few BuWizz bricks, and the saw blades. A vehicle starts out transporting some delicious bread to the assembly line. Where it goes on a journey that results in it being sliced into eight pieces. From there a conveyor belt carries the bread to the toppings, which are carefully placed on each slice. Afterwards a vehicle picks up four finished Tapas and brings them over to you. There is even a place for a drink on the transport. The whole system uses 19 Power Functions motors, and took over four weeks to build.
In the video you can see the Lego factory assemble cheese/prosciutto, apple/salmon, cucumber/red pepper, and cheese/sausage. Each piece is then carefully topped with a cherry tomato and mozzarella cheese. Having Lego assemble your dinner is a pleasing idea, the only catch is that it is unbelievable slow.
In The Simpsons the show started with the focus on Bart, but over time Homer Simpson won the hearts of viewers and writers. What better way to celebrate this iconic character than this Lego Homer Simpson Bust built by Julius von Brunk. This Homer is life-size, which mean this model is a lot bigger than you would expect. The model proved to be more difficult than expected, especially the curved shape of the head. This Lego Homer has all the expected hair, which along the sides is made out of angled Lego horns, and the two strands on top are made out of slopes. The ears in particular turned out well and give the final model a lot of personality. A good example of how a Lego build will change over time is that the original model had a different eye design that even had eyelids. But, at the last minute they were redesigned with the more classic wide-eyed look. D’oh!
