Lego The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Teaser Trailer

http://youtu.be/4VQ6wkvDdyY

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is almost here. Which means we are hitting the peak of The Hobbit fever. BrotherhoodWorkshop went and made the original teaser trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and reshot it, scene for scene in Lego. These type of videos represent a whole lot of work, with many unique Lego scenes and minifigures. The best are almost not noticeable.

For reference check out the original (non-Lego) trailer:

http://youtu.be/fnaojlfdUbs

To see exactly how close the Lego Teaser Trailer is to the original Teaser Trailer, make sure to watch this side by side video:

http://youtu.be/JhPColE_3_8

There is still time to catch up on The Hobbit trilogy. Amazon has the first film on Blu-ray, DVD and Streaming: The Hobbit on Amazon.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes Gamescom Trailer

Another video game convention, another Lego Marvel Super Heroes Trailer. This new trailer was released at Gamescom and shows off a whole lot of gameplay. It is looking like Lego Marvel Super Heroes is going to feature almost every Marvel super hero and super villain, from the famous to the obscure. It is worth noting that Galactus, Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, Squirrel Girl, MODOK and more are present.

http://youtu.be/67RWEWEQPAg

Lego and TT Games have released a few other Lego Marvel Super Heroes videos. The funny “Big Figure Trailer”, the full “E3 Trailer”, and the original “Teaser Trailer”

Make sure to preorder the video game on Amazon on pretty much every platform available (Xbox, PS3, WiiU, PC, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Vita, etc.): Lego Marvel Super Heroes with a special $10 Credit.

How the DeLorean Effect changed CUUSOO @ Brick Fanatics

Lego has been running the Lego CUUSOO project for a couple of years now. Most Lego fans are familiar with the site, but may not know just where it came from. Brick Fanatics has written up a great article containing the history of the CUUSOO project and where it is going. It all started as a tiny side project from Japan and is currently on the verge of becoming mainstream. All thanks to a little Lego DeLorean (and Minecraft).

“Originally only available in Japan, the user created ideas website was a joint venture between CUUSOO and The LEGO Group and allowed Japanese LEGO fans to submit their ideas to The LEGO Group in a more formal way. Once a project reached 1000 supporters it was then reviewed by The LEGO Group for consideration on whether it should go into production.” — Brick Fanatics

You can find the full article on the Brick Fanatics website: http://brickfanatics.co.uk/how-the-delorean-effect-changed-cuusoo/

Lego has also created a video explaining the concept of the CUUSOO website:

http://youtu.be/ZaFbGIV5s7k

Lego Adventure Time Main Title

Cartoon Network has created a promo for Adventure Time where they completely redid the Main Title in Lego. The end result is a very well done recreation, showcasing many different styles of Lego building. This Lego Adventure Time looks so good it raises the demand for an official Adventure Time theme.

“(Lego) Adventure Time, C’mon grab your friends, We’ll go to very distant lands. With Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, The fun will never end, it’s (Lego) Adventure Time!”

Now lets see a Lego version for “Cake the Cat and Fionna the Human.”

Lego Adventure Time Main Title: http://youtu.be/6J1hvuCVTks

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:

Despicable Me Minion “BEE-DO. BEE-DO.”

“Bee-Do. Bee-Do.”

Despicable Me Minions and Lego seem to go together like cheese and crackers. Case in point, the many, many other Despicable Me Minions in Lego. One of the most recognizable Minions is the little guy with the sirens on his head. The most perfect and worst fire alarm you could have. This little guy manages to combine a lot of the best Minion styles. A nice 3D body (which is a lot harder to build then you might think), a great expressive expression, and the perfect goggles. This Despicable Me Minion even manages to have posable fingers, and wonderful trans-red sirens on this head.

Check out this Despicable Me Minion, created by car_mp, over on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carmp/9407468003/

http://youtu.be/zJySOf2jPnU

“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 Macross VF-1 Valkyrie + Fast Pack + Armored by maxvf1

Macross (also know as Robotech) is one of the most famous anime series from Japan (Gundam being the other). First appearing on television in 1982, Macross has been steadily available across a variety of formats. The most recent incarnation is the movie Macross FB 7: Ore no Uta o Kike! (Macross Dynamite 7: 15th Anniversary) and the Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy video game. This science fiction series is centered around gigantic mecha robots known as variable fighters (veritech fighters in the Robotech variation). These variable/veritech fighters, commonly referred to as Valkyries were essential during the first Human-Alien war.

The VF-1 Valkyrie looks like a modern fighter aircraft, but it has the ability to transform into different modes/configurations. The standard space/jet fighter mode, the GERWALK (guardian) mode, and the Battroid (Battloid) mode. The GERWALK resembles a “chicken walker” style mecha and has VTOL capabilities. While Battroid mode is a full humanoid mecha. The pilot of the Valkyrie is Hikaru Ichijyo.

The Lego Macross VF-1 Valkyrie + Fast Pack + Armored is the creation of maxvf1, and has a fully detailed Lego CUUSOO proposal. The proposal is for a single VF-1 Valkyrie that can transform between all three modes (Fighter, GERWALK, Battroid) while retaining the detailing and design from the Macross series. The designer, maxvf1 has even included many variations that could be produced. Including the VF-1S and VF-1J. Although the focus is on the VF-1 Valkyrie. Even a hanger dock and Armored variations have been proposed.

These Macross Valkyries are extremely well made. Featuring fully posable articulation, and transformations (check out the YouTube video below). These are exceptionally accurate models. If for whatever reason this project never makes it out of the CUUSOO process it would be great if instructions could be provided. Mecha MOCs are always in demand.

The designer of these VF-1 Valkyrie mechas, maxvf1, has kept up a great and detailed Lego CUUSOO page here: http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/638

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFRhaNnne8c

Lego Stargate Box Diorama

The science fiction universe of Stargate is one of those series that has managed to find its audience. The fans have managed to keep Stargate alive, from a Movie to multiple TV shows. There are theme park rides, video games, fan fictions, and books. Even Lego haven’t been left behind in the Stargate movement. This MOC, created by Brian Williams (aka: BMW_Indy) is a great build. Featuring some seriously good lighting, and a tightly controlled perspective. The Stargate itself is the center piece, and is integrated with a tablet display to create the wormhole special effect. At first glance, it is easy to assume you are looking at a scene from the movie. This style of building is being called a box diorama, and many of them were on show at Brickworld.

Check out the video below to see how the lighting interacts with the Lego:

Check out Stargate on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_williams/8991581205/

LegoGenre Giveaway Giveaway

LegoGenre is off to a great start. To celebrate our 3 month anniversary, LegoGenre will be having a contest to give away a digital copy of the Lego Lord of the Rings PC video game.

To enter the drawing, follow @LegoGenre on twitter and tweet the following:

“A free copy of the Lego Lord of the Rings video game? Details at: http://LegoGenre.com — @LegoGenre / #3LegoGenre”

That’s not all! We are also going to give out a digital copy of the Lego Batman video game. You can enter this giveaway by tweeting about your favorite posts (with link) at http://LegoGenre.com. One entry per day, feel free to enter everyday until the end. In order for your entry to be counted add “@LegoGenre / #LegoGenre3” to the end of your tweet. Example:

“Trooper Class Photo. http://everydaybricks.com/legogenre-00271/ @LegoGenre / #LegoGenre3”

The giveaway will end at midnight on 06/30, and the winner will be notified shortly thereafter! Good Luck.

UPDATE ~ Winners!

Twitter user @PaulBZee won the Steam copy of Lego Lord of the Rings.
And, Twitter user @encurtit won the Steam copy of Lego Batman.

Congratulations to each winner, and thanks for following LegoGenre!