The LEGO Super Mario (71360) Starter Course hits stores tomorrow, and it’s essentially a real world Super Mario Maker. Simply put, this set comes with an interactive Mario figure that can collect coins in game levels built with LEGO bricks. The figure itself comes equipped with LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly to display a wide variety of instant reactions to movement, color and action bricks. Plus, a speaker is included that plays iconic sounds and music from the video game series. Read more for two videos, including a hands-on review, and additional information.
Photo credit: Arjun Menon
India-based photographer Arjun Menon decided to make the best of the COVID-19 lockdown and combine his passion of comic book characters with photography. Some of his past projects included the Terminator, Predator, Joker, Batman, Killer Croc, Bane, Wolverine, and lots more. His goal was to simply turn simple items like cheese graters, ice cube trays, and even air filters, into cinematic scenes. What was really challenging is getting those items to match the scale of the action figures. Read more to see how he turned household items, light painting and an action figure into the Batman: The Animated Series intro.
The LEGO Ideas collection just got a new addition, and it’s musical to say the least. This set was designed with the intricate elements of a real grand piano, complete with a motor and working keys. When you combine the finished build with the LEGO Powered Up app, anyone can become musical maestros at the push of a button, thanks to ‘auto-play’ with ten pre-set songs. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
In real life, the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is basically a multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff / landing (VTOL) and short takeoff / landing (STOL) capabilities. It’s essentially designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. LEGO was planning on releasing a Technic (42113) set based on this aircraft next month, but as of today, it’s been indefinitely delayed. Read more for a hands-on review and additional information.
Nintendo released the Famicom in Japan on July 15, 1985, and to commemorate its 35th anniversary, LEGO officially announced the NES (7134) set today. This 2,646-piece, brick-built NES features realistic details, a cartridge slot for the Game Pak, complete with a locking function, and a controller with a connecting cable / plug. To finish off the look, it also comes with a retro TV and a flat 8-bit Mario figure on the scrolling screen. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Hasbro may have unveiled this at San Diego Comic Con 2020, but unfortunately, that event has been cancelled. So, they came up with the next best thing, a crowdfunding campaign on HasLabs for their Marvel Legends X-Men Sentinel figure. If 6,000 people pay $350 USD for a pre-order, this giant 26.3-inch tall figure will go into production, complete with an 18-inch tentacle accessory, LEDs in the head / chest, as well as a 6-inch Bastion figure with its very own alternate Sentinel Prime head. Read more for a video and additional information.
LEGO Technic sets are designed to push the limits of what the colorful bricks can do, but the Brick Experiment Channel on YouTube had to take things to the next level for his latest project. To create a functional LEGO submarine, it all started with an airtight glass food storage container. Magnetic couplings were then added to transmit power from the electric motors to the thrust propellers on the exterior of the vessel. Read more for a video and additional information.
The LEGO Group launched four new Art mosaics sets that give creative fans a different way to transform their passion into art. Whether it be Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles or iconic characters from the Marvel Universe and Star Wars galaxy, these mosaics are perfect for your home. Each one of these sets can be reimagined in a number of different ways and they all come with a signature tile unique to the set that is worthy of any true work of art as well as a hanging element. The Sith (above) is a 3-in-1 portrait set that lets you build portraits of Darth Vader, Darth Maul or Kylo Ren. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Mantis Robot
LEGO Technic sets are great for creating interactive sets, but there isn’t one yet that lets you build a life-sized go-kart. So, Matt Denton decided to take things into his own hands. With the help of 3D-printers, he managed to piece together an XXL LEGO go-kart with pieces that are scaled up 8.43 times the size of their real-life counterparts. Read more for a test drive video and additional information.
Just days after the launch of LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R set, LEGO Italia teamed up with Ducati to create a life-sized 1:1 scale replica using Technic elements. After 400-hours of work and 15,000 parts, brick artist Riccardo Zangelmi completed the superbike and it can be currently viewed in person at the Modena circuit. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.