Author: bluephotographs800

LEGOLAND Germany Starts Building New Wing Coaster, Opening 2023

With COVID and its successor strains no longer the world-stopping menace of recent yesteryears, tourism-entertainment destinations are long thriving again. The same goes for LEGOLAND theme parks around the globe. Guests are back, additional park sites are being constructed and new attractions are opening in current LEGOLANDs. Still, nothing can quite match, perhaps, what Germany’s LEGOLAND in Gunzburg, Bavaria has got planned. This was announced by their official website, as told by German LEGO news source Stone Wars. Said attraction looks to be planned as the new centerpiece of LEGOLAND Deutschland’s Mythica themed area. They’ll be getting a roller coaster.

And it’s not just any roller coaster either. The LEGOLAND Germany press release specifies it as a wing roller coaster. This design has the main coaster body support two wings of passenger seats, left and right of the tracks. The seats will also be suspended, leaving nothing under the passengers’ feet for even scarier thrills. LEGOLAND Deutschland is confident in their new addition because a wing coaster already operates at Italy’s Gardaland. It and the LEGOLAND parks are all under the overall umbrella of Merlin Entertainments Group. The unorthodox seating could also influence the coaster’s aesthetics, to fit with the fantasy elements of area Mythica.

At present, construction has only barely begun in Gunzburg, with just the boarding area and the first hill constructed. But when finished the ride will take guests as high as 17 meters and as fast as 15 meters-per-second. LEGOLAND Germany expects their Mythica wing coaster to open sometime in 2023.

Build and Take Home a Frankenstein Head at LEGO Branded Stores Next Week

We’re just about to wind up the month of October, and followers of holidays know what that means. Yep, Halloween 2022 is just a mere two Mondays from now. And while LEGO already has some Halloween-themed goodies lined up, there’s still more in store. Ah, “in store”. Speaking of which, LEGO Brand Stores all over have their own little event to celebrate All Hallows’ with. As The Brick Fan would have it, this is another in-store free-build opportunity for young LEGO builders. And the “spooky” build for this year will be the head of a famous and classic movie monster.

Next week on Wednesday and Thursday, October 26-27, build a LEGO Frankenstein’s Monster to take home! Starting at 5PM local time on LEGO Branded Stores near you, get a chance to create Frankie with your kids. Yeah, that late afternoon timeslot makes for a Halloween-y feel before October 31 itself. These LEGO Stores will have limited materials each day to provide visitors for building Frankenstein’s Monster. Only those who have completed their builds can take them home, and the freebies can’t be conventionally purchased. It also means participating guests are first come, first served at their local LEGO Branded Store.

Rumor: New LEGO Speed Champions Releasing Q1 2023

Much like clockwork, the LEGO speculation and rumor mill has intensified towards the end of this year. The subject, naturally, is what new sets we might expect to arrive the following year. Social media tends to be a principal source of these tantalizing tidbits of future LEGO info. For instance, here are some new rumors coming from Instagram regarding LEGO Speed Champions. The car-based theme that’s been the “middle ground” between LEGO City and Technic continues churning out new sets. LEGO sources have also commented on a shifting trend for the line. And now we have some 2023 sets rumored to be coming as well.

Thanks to Brick Fanatics, we have this kernel of speculation on some upcoming LEGO Speed Champions launches. Instagram user @awesome_brick2008 gives us five possible sets. Of these, only one is a two-car combo set. Speed Champions was especially fond of twofers in their past product launches. Apparently, they’re toning that down and focusing on single-car sets come 2023. And again, LEGO’s gunning for licensed cars that have been featured in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise. And these five are just for the first quarter launch period. Here’s what to expect from them next year:

  • Ferrari 812 Competizione (76914)
  • Pagani Utopia (76915)
  • Porsche 963 (76916)
  • “Fast & Furious” Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (76917)
  • McLaren F1 LM & McLaren Solus GT (76918)

The “F&F” Nissan will be a New Years 2023 release, with the rest coming later in March. At least that’s how the rumor goes. So until LEGO officially speaks up on this then, it’s best to take the news with a grain of salt.

LEGO House-Exclusive Dinosaurs (40366) Now Available on LEGO.com, But…

As a global brand, LEGO has always strived to make its products available to children (and parents) around the world. Any newly released set can be counted on to be available anywhere after launch. But even LEGO has fallen into the habit of product exclusivity, with some sets available only by region or even by location. It’s true that the company has taken steps to really make their products generally available globally, but some items remain stuck to their places. The LEGO House Dinosaurs (40366) set exclusive only in the Home of the Brick, Billund is one example. Or at least that was the case until a recent LEGO announcement.

From Brickset we learned that LEGO is finally making its LEGO House Dinosaurs exclusive (40366) available at LEGO.com online shop. This could come as great news for collectors who still can’t plan for travelling to Billund, Denmark. But here’s one detail to knock the wind out of our sails. The LEGO House Dinosaurs can only be purchased online at the Denmark, UK and Ireland LEGO.com shops. No way to phrase it gently: that availability is still limited. American and Asian LEGO enthusiasts look to be out of luck, for now.

If you happen to live in the above three markets, then you’re in for a treat. LEGO House Dinosaurs (40366) went live in LEGO.com UK/Ireland and Denmark this Thursday, October 20. The price seemingly hasn’t been set yet, though its 599DK unit price in Billund could be converted to £70/€80.

LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210) Officially Revealed

Earlier this week, an Indonesian-certified LEGO store put doubts to rest regarding a big LEGO Marvel set. Teased as early as last year, the rumored set would be a more extensive take on Iron Man’s Hulkbuster mecha armor. Keeping with this reissue, the new Hulkbuster would be marketed under the LEGO Marvel Infinity Saga sub-theme. We could think of this as the LEGO Marvel counterpart to LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series (UCS). With the reveal, it seemed a matter of time before LEGO officially chimed in on LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210). And indeed, we didn’t need to wait.

As told us by Promobricks.de, LEGO Marvel’s Infinity Saga Hulkbuster (76210) now has a LEGO Shop online product listing. This veritable age 18+ LEGO set is a love letter to the Infinity Saga of the MCU film franchise. With its impressive piece count, collectors can expect plenty of action-posing fun accented by three light-up pieces. The IS Hulkbuster even comes with a Tony Stark minifig and specs plate, well worth the $549.99 asking price. LEGO Marvel 76210 is a must-have ahead of the Holiday season rush, thanks to its November 9 launch date. Without further ado, the product blurb:

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LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210)

Age 18+ | 4,048 pieces | 1 minifig | $549.99 | Coming November 9

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LEGO® Marvel Hulkbuster (76210) captures the scale and power of the Hulkbuster MK44 from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron. Standing over 20.5 in. (52 cm) tall and containing 4,049 pieces, this challenging and rewarding construction project is designed with adult enthusiasts in mind.

  • Collectible movie colossus – This 4,049-piece LEGO® Marvel Hulkbuster (76210) captures the scale and power of the Hulkbuster MK44 from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Authentic details – The model incorporates 3 light-up arc reactors (1 in the chest and 1 in each hand), a fully jointed upper body and a spacious, opening cockpit
  • Combine with an Iron Man pilot – The cockpit is designed to hold the LEGO® Marvel Iron Man Figure (76206) – sold separately
  • A surefire conversation-starter – This display piece also includes an information plate that holds a Tony Stark minifigure carrying tools

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Get These Creator Polybags During LEGO Day at Macy’s Toys R Us Stores this Saturday

With a lengthy history at its back, it’s no small wonder that the LEGO brand has become quite ubiquitous. No toy retail chain worth its prominence would ever lack LEGO products in stock. And at times, some of the biggest toy store names have entered promotional partnerships with LEGO over the years. The most obvious example of this marketing synergy may well be Toys R Us, home of the annual Bricktober events. Not even the momentary disappearance of TRU in North America dampened this partnership. With Toys R Us back as stores within Macy’s, LEGO’s gearing up to celebrate with them again this coming weekend.

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The Brick Fan reports that LEGO Day 2022 is on at Macy’s and their Toys R Us stores. Regular LEGO shoppers at Macy’s better clear calendars on Saturday, October 22. When you drop in at the TRU store-within-the store, they’re in for some nice LEGO collectibles. The pack consists of an issue of “LEGO Life” Magazine, a LEGO-Macy’s-TRU birthday postcard, and 2021’s Creator Clown polybag (30565). And that’s just for when you come in! On your way out you’ll receive another grab bag. This is a collection of various toy brands at Toys R Us Macy’s. LEGO too has an item there: Creator Parrot (30472).

You can tell this will be a fun LEGO Day weekend at Macy’s TRU stores. It’s on at every location, and will be available all Saturday or until the polybag supplies last, whichever comes first.

Microsoft’s “Forza Horizon 5” Anniversary Update Name-Drops LEGO In Honor of Past DLC

When it comes to videogames, LEGO’s got a solid standalone representation all its own. Look no further than the numerous WB-TT Games releases plus several console and mobile apps from various developer-publisher tandems. LEGO also has its fingers in collaboration with other game franchises. The most notable example of this would be in the Microsoft Windows/Xbox-exclusive racing series “Forza Horizon”. 2018’s “Forza Horizon 4” featured DLC of LEGO’s Speed Champions theme. LEGO versions of several cars, a separate campaign area built from LEGO bricks, “Everything is Awesome”, the works. The “FH4”-LEGO team-up was a big hit. And while the collaboration doesn’t return for last year’s “Forza Horizon 5”, there was a recent easter egg mention.

According to Brick Fanatics, a recent online update to Microsoft’s “Forza Horizon 5” added a cheeky shout-out to LEGO. This update, celebrating the “FH” franchise’s 10th anniversary, adds racing challenges calling back to past entries of the series. With the LEGO license already lapsed, Microsoft Studios couldn’t recreate the LEGO-brick environment of their “FH4” DLC. That didn’t stop them from having a character on “Forza Horizon 5” name-drop the toy brand mid-race. This was caught by game streamer Lost Phoenix Gaming, and was thus posted on their official YouTube channel.

Having LEGO pop in on a “Forza Horizon” game as DLC may have been a one-off. Still, the developers understood that many of their player fans enjoyed the moment while it lasted. Thus, we have the brief mention in their fifth game where nothing else LEGO was present. It does fire up the imagination, if Microsoft can partner with LEGO on another, future “FH” outing.

Here’s a First Look at the New LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210)

It can be surprising how long some LEGO-related speculative news and rumors could linger until substantiated or debunked. Just as 2021 ended, we heard of a possible LEGO Marvel set for 2022. It was supposed to be another take on the Hulkbuster, the mecha-sized add-on to Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor. This sweet machine was already LEGO-fied in 2018 as Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition (76105). Other rumors regarding this set were that it was actually the alternate Hulkbuster from Avengers: Infinity War. Now, thanks to a leak from Indonesia, we finally know that this will be the new LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210)

Brickset tells us that a Certified LEGO Store in Indonesia just teased the box image for LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster (76210). Apparently, it’s indeed a new take on the earlier Hulkbuster (76105). Both are based on the add-on armor’s appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron from 2015. At age 18+, this set is massive at 4,049 pieces and 52cm tall when assembled. Since Infinity Saga is LEGO Marvel’s counterpart to LEGO Star Wars UCS, expect some sweet detail and features. Light bricks for the arc reactor and palm repulsors are just the beginning of it.

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Like many huge mechanical LEGO sets, this latest brick iteration of the Hulkbuster comes with a specs plate and a Tony Stark minifig. While the Indonesian LEGO Store keeps mum on further product info, the latest rumors claim a $549.99 set price. The likeliest launch period would be the 2022 holiday season, but we have plenty of time to wait.

“LEGO Bricktales” Officially Launches on PC, Consoles

This is one LEGO videogame beyond the usual dev-pub tandem that’s been generating quite the anticipation all its own. Are you up for taking your digital LEGO gameplay to a more puzzle-solving bent? Leave it to ClockStone and Thunderful Games to deliver. In the spirit of the former’s “Bridge Constructor” series, they announced “LEGO Bricktales” way back in March. And just last month ClockStone and Thunderful pegged when the multiplatform game will be coming out. That would be on the 12th of October. And wouldn’t you know it, that day has finally come at last.

Brick Fanatics tells us that this Wednesday, October 12, sees the wide release of “LEGO Bricktales”. The game can now be purchased for Windows, Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch. One week earlier, Thunderful Games confirmed on Twitter that “LEGO Bricktales” has also been okayed to launch on Steam Deck. That’s every major gaming platform, as fitting for a wide-appeal franchise like LEGO. While it’s no sales heavyweight like WB-Traveller’s Tales’ “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga”, “Bricktales” has its own charm. ClockStone and Thunderful looked to emphasize the building experience more. And initial reviews agree that they succeeded.

“LEGO Bricktales” puts players in LEGO-built diorama scenarios, where building is key to progressing. Tasks involve building vehicles or structures in the current area to move the story along. Being given a set of digital LEGO pieces to assemble into functional builds is the heart of “Bricktales”. We’ll soon see in coming days if LEGO gamers can dig this new title like the WB-TT releases.

First Images Up for Mid-Oct GWP Creator 3-in-1 Mystic Witch (40562)

Speaking of LEGO GWPs, here’s another one coming up next for big buyers this October 2022. The more recent gifts currently available come from a variety of LEGO themes. Our next expected GWP for mid-October is no different. Speaking of variety, this one will provide plenty all its own, considering it’s a LEGO Creator 3-in-1. And the timing can be no more appropriate too when we consider the subject of this set. With Halloween coming at month’s end LEGO is offering us this. It even has an age recommendation right for the occasion’s primary demographic.

Courtesy of The Brick Fan, we have this scoop on the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Mystic Witch (40562). As expected, this upcoming GWP set lets builders create an iconic Halloween witch. We’re talking conical hat, broomstick, green skin, the works. You’ll even be forgiven if you can’t decide whether her mouth piece is a smile or a big protruding tooth. And being a 3-in-1 set, Mystic Witch can be rebuilt into two other alternate forms. She can become her own familiar black (well, purple) cat or a cute little dragon. Just like a stereotypical witch to be able to magically shapeshift. It doesn’t get more Halloween-y.

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LEGO collectors can have the GWP Creator Mystic Witch (40562) for a minimum total purchase of $100. The corresponding gift period begins this coming Friday, October 14, and will run all the way to Halloween itself. It just doesn’t get more spooky seasonal than this.