Author: bluephotographs800

LEGO Bricktober 2022 Images Hit Social Media

We here at The Brick Show are pretty sure there are still some readers out there who remember Bricktober. Yep, that nice LEGO collaborative event with Toys R Us used to be a highlight of the LEGO reporting year. Then came 2017 and TRU folded in North America, the UK and Australia. True, it came back in 2019, and has been fighting to stay around even with the pandemic. But the LEGO Bricktober tradition has yet to return…at least in those areas. But in Asian Toys R Us stores, Bricktober never kind of ended. In fact, we’ve got some teaser news for this year’s edition.

According to Brickset, the first images of Bricktober 2022 just landed on social media. They got the scoop from South Korean Instagram user idonggy9541. If last year’s theme was fairy-tale books, this year it’s coin-operated children’s rides. Throughout October 2022 four exclusive LEGO Bricktober sets will be available in TRU Stores throughout Asia. As can be seen in the post image, collectors can get a rocket ship, pirate ship, unicorn and dragon coin-op. Like 2019 and 2020, this Bricktober collection will come in a nifty box. Asian LEGO collectors can go ham next month at their local Toys R Us.

Unfortunately, Bricktober fans in the US, UK and Australia will have to go another year without. They could try their luck with the secondary LEGO market. But again, it’s at times like this when the loss (or reduced state) of TRU is felt the most. We wish collectors in the west the best of luck in hunting these neat brick-built coin-op rides in the future. Stay tuned for further updates.

“LEGO Bricktales” Coming Oct. on Multiplatform

Earlier this year, LEGO announced an upcoming new videogame beyond the usual developer-publisher tandem of WB Interactive and Traveller’s Tales. ClockStone Studio and Thunderful have taken the former’s “Bridge Constructor” puzzle game franchise and given it a LEGO makeover. The announcement trailer last March beautifully illustrates the fun challenges players could face in this game. What’s more, the visuals of “LEGO Bricktales” look rather stunning as well, as to be expected with a multiplatform release. What the announcement teaser lacked was a specific release date beyond pegging this year 2022. Thankfully, we know that now thanks to this new trailer.

The Brick Fan has it that ClockStone and Thunderful Games have finally revealed when “LEGO Bricktales” is coming out. A new trailer not only pegs the release for next month, it also showcases more features about this game. The storyline involves players helping their minifigure-grandfather to build up his decrepit amusement park. To do so, inspiration must be gleaned from some outdoor adventures. Thus, players will trek through at least five LEGO-brick environments, from industrial areas to jungle temples and more. Obstacles and tasks must be overcome by building LEGO devices or vehicles. This can be from parts provided or through management of in-game budgets.

As more challenges are solved, players will learn new skills to go with their brick-building acumen. All this goes towards helping minifig-grandpa with realizing his dream. Fans of “Bridge Constructor” and its spinoffs might find “LEGO Bricktales” to be something new from a tried and tested formula. Interested LEGO fans can try for themselves when the game launches on October 12. “LEGO Bricktales” will be available on Xbox Series, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Want to be a LEGO Product Designer for Real?

LEGO being the building-themed toy brand that it is, anybody could become a fabled Master Builder with practice and experience. Perhaps they might suggest new set products via submissions to LEGO Ideas. Some old and practiced hands in LEGO-brick-building have instead gone into business themselves, providing custom sets outside LEGO’s library. Now, while the former might see some lucky product ideas become official, the latter, if rarely has greater advancement potential. Perhaps LEGO might extend an invite to some lucky creators to become part of the team. We’ve seen this happen years ago with Chris “PowerPig” McVeigh. Now, the opportunity’s opening up one more time.

As Brickset would have it, LEGO’s made quite the announcement of looking for new aspiring product designers. The official website LEGO.com has posted this prime job opening on their Careers page. And like Chris McVeigh way back in 2019, the lucky designer-builder will be going to work in Billund, Denmark. The company asks would-be applicants to consider the core responsibilities of a LEGO product designer. Conceptualizing ideas, stories and themes then “translating” them into physical play experiences sounds rather simple in print. But make no mistake: this job will push an aspirant’s imagination and building skills to the very utmost.

The LEGO Product Designer Career page features a link to an application form. Interested parties need fill up their personal information and attach a comprehensive rsumwith cover letter via the Application Wizard. This will open up an applicant profile that LEGO can refer to. Applicants must be active on their LEGO Career profile while the company deliberates. For American designer hopefuls, this might take up to 24 months. But hey, joining LEGO as a creative force is worth it. Who might answer the challenge?

LEGO Marvel Black Panther (76215) “Wakanda Forever” Tie-In Now Listed

If you’ve been following our LEGO Marvel-related news, you’re aware that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is coming this November. You’d also know that this MCU film has some tie-in sets due to launch next month in October. It’s really the least that can be done to hype this movie. After all, it doubles as a tribute to the late Chadwick “T’Challa” Boseman. Now granted, the upcoming LEGO Black Panther tie-ins are a bit on the early-ages side. The same goes for the minifigure keychain. Fortunately, LEGO does have sets for Marvel-collecting AFOLs, as revealed just this week on LEGO Shop.

The Brick Fan true to form has the lowdown on this new “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” tie-in set. What can be a more epic tribute than a bust of T’Challa in costume, as depicted in Black Panther (76215)? The build even features his forearms in the now-iconic “Wakanda Forever” salute. Or alternatively, the arms are detachable so you can display only T’Challa’s head as a traditional (brick-built) bust. This is a magnificent 18+ addition to LEGO’s “BP:WF” merch, so mark your calendars for October 1. That should give collectors a month of building while waiting for the movie itself. And now, the LEGO.com product listing:

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Black Panther (76215)

Age 18+ | 2,961 pieces | $349.99 | Coming October 1

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Adult fans of the Marvel Avengers can immerse themselves in a creative model-making project with LEGO® Marvel Black Panther (76215). This collectible celebration of Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga will be a guaranteed conversation starter, wherever it is placed.

  • Black Panther display piece – Celebrate Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga with this almost life-size LEGO® Marvel Black Panther (76215) build-and-display model for adults
  • Realistic details – The model rests securely on a stand with an information plate attached. The hands include articulated fingers and detach from the main model to increase display possibilities
  • Escape the everyday – As this construction project comes together piece by piece, it brings the style and spirit of the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the real world

Early Image of 2023 LEGO Chinese New Year Seasonal “Year of the Rabbit” (40575)

With the 2022 Holiday season less than 4 months away, it’s no surprise we’re already seeing LEGO “seasonal set” reveals. You have to know what’s coming early to plan for what you want to get when the season comes, after all. But among the upcoming sets for Christmas, there’s already a buzz for one Chinese New Year seasonal. Why’s that? Well, if lunar reckoning puts the next Chinese New Year in late January 2023, the timing is quite reasonable. Stone Wars.de gives us the first images of the expected new Chinese zodiac animal set to grace lunar new year celebrants.

With the Year of the Tiger 2022 almost done, it’s time for LEGO to join the hype for the Year of the Rabbit. Check out the aptly named seasonal set (40575) with an adorable black-and-white (with pink and brown accents) bunny. Sitting on a leafy green pedestal, Year of the Rabbit boasts an articulated neck and poseable ears. In true seasonal set fashion, the box has a dedication space if you plan to give this set away. The buildable rabbit even comes with a red envelope if the giver is feeling extra-generous to the receiver.

Considering the timing, LEGO Year of the Rabbit (40575) might probably launch sometime in December this year. Stone Wars however managed to purchase one very early set in a store outside their native Germany. Thanks to them we know what’s coming soon. In fact, LEGO’s Chinese New Year seasonal zodiac animal series is already halfway complete. We might even see this theme line run through before the 2020s are complete.

Subtle Design Change in LEGO Marvel Black Panther Key Chain (854189)

MCU fans were saddened when actor Chadwick Boseman, start of “Black Panther”, died from cancer complications in 2020. It was a shock given that he kept his condition secret while starring in the film. And that doesn’t even include “Captain America: Civil War” plus “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame”. The planned sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, needed significant retooling in the wake of Boseman’s passing. It’s due to premiere next month, and with it are the expected merchandise tie-ins including from LEGO. One notable piece of merch is a minifigure keychain portraying the Black Panther. Close observation reveals some changes in this minifig’s design compared to previous LEGO Marvel versions.

As Brick Fanatics tells it, the upcoming LEGO Marvel Black Panther Key Chain (854189) has a seeming design alteration. All minifigs of King T’Challa of Wakanda have a masked head topped off with cat-like ears, In the previous versions the ears were swept back. One might see this in Black Panther Mech Armor (76204) and Shuri’s Lab (76212). The keychain minifigure however has the cat ears pointing forward. In fact, the ears might be mistaken for horns, particularly those worn by LEGO Daredevil. He’s one of the minifigures in the Daily Bugle (76178) last 2021.

Black Panther Key Chain (8514189)

Age 6+ | $5.99 | Coming October 1

Was this an assembly mistake or a deliberate choice? The former feels like a possibility. After all, both Black Panther Key Chain (854189) and Shuri’s Lab (76212) are coming October 1. They’re tying into the November release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” after all. The discrepancy of the BP costume makes for a curious puzzle. It’s like the question regarding the identity of the new wearer of the suit in the film. Hopefully we’ll get some explanation for this mystery.

“LEGO Brawls” Now Available for PC, Xbox One/Series and PS4/5

Back in 2019, RED Games launched a LEGO mobile game app on the Apple Arcade service. “LEGO Brawls” could be best described as a LEGO-fied take on Nintendo’s long-running “Super Smash Bros” series. Select from minifigure characters hailing across LEGO’s various themed lines like “Ninjago” and “Monkie Kid”. Even licensed IPs like “Jurassic World” join in. Or you can create your own minifig avatar to brawl against all comers in sweet CG brick-built battlefields. The title’s been successful enough that PC and console ports got announced at the start of this year. And this September marks its official multiplatform launch.

The Brick Fan reports that “LEGO Brawls” from RED Games is now on wide release for major consoles. It’s certainly come a long way from being an Apple Arcade mobile exclusive. Console gamers got an early taste of the port when the Nintendo Switch version arrived this past June. Now, regulars on PC, Xbox One or Series S/X, and the Sony PS4 or 5, can join in the fun. And the fun can be had on a wide scale thanks to “LEGO Brawls” having online PVP. That mobile game app holdover, including seasonal/community event content, gives this title a cut above other Smash-like “party fighters”.

“LEGO Brawls” are now available on Amazon (for consoles) and Steam (for PCs). As a reminder, Nintendo Switch Online already has it, as does its original home on Apple Arcade.

September 2022 LEGO Advent Calendars and More – Set Launch Recap

With September 2022 rolling in this past Thursday, another wave of new sets from LEGO have been launched. Fitting for ushering in the last few months before the Holiday season, several advent calendars became available September 1. According to further details from Brickset, LEGO Marvel also debuted multiple entries this time with more buildable figure sets. The big guns among the new releases would be the newest LEGO Ideas set and Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express (76405). On the tinier end, LEGO Collectible Minifigures Series 23 became available as well. We can be sure the Holiday-themed products will only increase as 2022 winds down. But for now, let’s summarize the launches:

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Advent Calendars 2022
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Duplo
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Harry Potter
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Marvel

Speculation on Possible 2023 LEGO Technic Sets

The year 2022 is soon to go into its final stretch of four months. While there are still more LEGO sets due to come out at this time, LEGO’s started hinting about the future. At least, set numbers and even set names for 2023 releases have started circulating online. Case in point, Promobricks.de has some news on possible LEGO Technic sets for next year. Interestingly, this includes on Technic set that was supposed to launch this 2022. The new word is that the Liebherr LR 1300 (42146) epic is now a 2023 release. Anyway, here’s what to expect for the Technic line come next year.

Bugatti Bolide Milano

Possible 2023 LEGO Technic Sets to Watch Out For

  • Liebherr LR 1300 (42146)
  • Dump Truck (42147)
  • Snowcat (42148)
  • Monster Jam Dragon (42149)
  • Monster Jam Monster Mutt Dalmatian (42150)
  • Bugatti Bolide (42151)
  • Firefighter Plane (42152)
  • NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (42153)
  • 2022 Ford GT (42154)
  • The Batman Batcycle (42155)
  • Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar (42156)

One notable entry for LEGO Technic 2023 is the Batcycle (42155). Apparently, it’ll be the same vehicle from DC-Warner Bros.’ “The Batman” which premiered this past March. And we’ll be getting another blue Bugatti beauty for Technic, a worthy successor to the Chiron (42083). Maybe we’ll get a life-sized version of it too? Who knows. As for the above listed Technic sets, we’ll have to wait until later this year at the earliest for more details.

Massive LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express (76405) Officially Launched

Without a doubt, the best and maybe largest LEGO sets may be found in the mid-triple-digits price range. These massive masterpieces can range from a doomed ocean liner to a “Star Wars” Imperial war machine. And though their prices limit purchases mostly to AFOLs, these premium sets tend to be enjoyable for whole LEGO families. Look no further than the latest big LEGO Harry Potter set: Hogwarts Express (76405). At near $500 a pop, it’s a major investment for one’s LEGO collection. But with the fairly-recent LEGO Harry Potter 20th anniversary, buyers will certainly lap it up. Even more so now that it’s officially launched.

As told by The Brick Fan, LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express (76405) is now available on LEGO Shop. The $499.99 set price is well worth it considering what one gets. Not only is the Hogwarts Express train depicted, but also Platform 9¾ and plenty of rail. The set also boasts an impressive 20 minifigures as passengers or well-wishers. And it all comes with a King’s Cross Station Platform 9¾ train ticket collectible. Hogwarts Express (76405) proves that more epic LEGO Harry Potter sets are still coming beyond its 20-year milestone.

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Hogwarts Express – Collectors’ Edition (76405)

Age 18+ | 5,129 pieces | 20 minifigures | $499.99 | Available now

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  • Evoke the magic – LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts Express™ – Collectors’ Edition (76405) is a 1:32 scale (approx.) buildable replica of the iconic steam train
  • Authentic details – The engine, coal tender and 3-room passenger car are packed with movie-accurate references, from the cabin interiors to the toad on the loose
  • A cast of 20 characters – Within the model are 4 classic scenes from the Harry Potter™ movies, depicting the drama, the characters and even a piece of memorable dialogue
  • Realistic movement – A lever on the top of the engine can be turned to make the train rock with the mesmerizing motion of a steam train

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