We’re not past Christmas yet, but it seems that LEGO is already setting up the mood for all love-struck AFOLs out there. LEGO has recently uploaded official images of the new seasonal and souvenir sets via its servers, and we now have our first look at the LEGO Valentine’s Day Seasonal Flowers (40187), and the Wedding Favor (40197) sets.
At 100 pieces, the Valentine’s Day Flowers (40187) is expected to retail for $10 and may also come for free when you purchase any LEGO sets from February 7 to 14, 2018 together with the LEGO Wall Calendar’s Voucher #2. Though I like the idea of brick-built flowers as a gift for your special someone, I do hope that LEGO will continue the release of its seasonal vignettes similar to this year. I would love to see a redesign of the Romantic Valentine Picnic (40236) for that matter.
LEGO Seasonal Valentine’s Day Flowers (40187)
The LEGO Wedding Favor (40197) set comes in at 132 pieces, and is by far the best designed iteration of this souvenir. LEGO released two wedding giveaways prior to set 40197, with the first released in 2011 with the Minifigure Wedding Favor Set (853340) and again just last year with a rehash of the Minifigure Wedding set (40165). The latest version is a welcomed one since it incorporates more details and accessories for the minifigures. It is expected to retail for $10 as well.
LEGO Wedding Favor Set (40197)
We’ll keep you posted when this will be available, but my best guess is sometime during the second half of January. Thanks to our friends from Bouw Steentjes for the tip.
Last week, we caught a glimpse of this year’s LEGO Employee Gift which is exclusively given to all LEGO Brand Store employees at this time of the year. This year, LEGO opted for a more holiday vibe with its complementary set, LEGO Store Employee Gift Nutcracker (4002017). I also remember saying in that post that this particular holiday gift set is probably the least attractive of all the employee gifts that LEGO has released thus far. However, after seeing several unboxing images from AFOL Bartlett via Chinese internet media giant, Sohu.com, I felt that corrections are in order. I am glad that I was wrong with my initial impression since I never had the chance to see the actual set built nor tried out – I just based my comments on its rather unsightly box art.
Thanks to these images shared by Bartlett, we now have a better appreciation of this latest LEGO Store Employee Gift. If you wish to see a full account of how the set is build – from it’s unboxing to the set’s play features – just head over to Bartlett’s post over at Sohu. Just don’t forget to use Google Translate to have a better idea on the finer details of this Nutcracker set. Credit goes to Bartlett for sharing these images, and to Ms. Norma Fernandes for sharing the clip below via Instagram.
The 2017 LEGO Employee Gift Nutcracker (4002017) box as compared to other sets.
An inside look at the box’s contents and building instructions.
The Nutcracker (40002017) set completely built, including an exclusive 2×4 printed tile.
Earlier this month, the LEGO Store January 2018 Calendar revealed a promotional, commemorative set that celebrates the 60th patent anniversary of the 2×4 LEGO brick. The 60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290) is the next gift-with-purchase set expected to be popular among faithful LEGO set collectors. Coming in at 421 pieces, this free promotional set is expected to be available in the US from January 28 until February 14, 2018, for a minimum single-receipt purchase of LEGO products worth $125 and above. I think it should be noted that there is a typo error in this portion of the calendar since it mentions that this promotional item will be available starting January 28, 2017, so I hope LEGO will clear this one up.
The 60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290) set highlights four mini versions of some of the most iconic LEGO sets, such as Airport Shuttle (6399), Castle (375), Black Seas Barracuda (6285), and Space Cruiser and Moonbase (928). To cap it off, LEGO is also throwing in the highly collectible, commemorative 60th Anniversary Tile, a white 2×4 tile printed with the 60th-anniversary logo. Check out these official images which LEGO has recently uploaded to its servers. This set is expected to be very popular among AFOLs, so be sure to take advantage of this promotional set once it goes live in the US on January 28, 2018.
60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290)
Celebrate 6 decades of building fun with 4 micro versions of the most iconic LEGO® builds of the past 60 years, comprising the awesome Airport Shuttle, famous Yellow Castle, Black Seas Barracuda, and the Galaxy Explorer, plus a printed commemoratory tile.
After LEGO recently announced and created some buzz around the latest BrickHeadz to watch out for with the Valentine’s Bee (40270), it left me with a distinct impression that it will not be the last in the series. Revealed as a seasonal set, it is somehow expected that more similar sets will be introduced later on from this particular subtheme of BrickHeadz.
As it seems, it looks like LEGO is intentionally showing us what’s next after the Valentine’s Bee BrickHeadz for 2018. The back side of the set’s box art reveals five additional LEGO seasonal BrickHeadz, each of which is expected to be released alongside the traditional seasonal vignettes throughout the year.
#30 Easter Bunny – available in March
#31 Halloween Witch – available in September
#32 Thanksgiving Turkey – available in October
#33 & #34 Mr. and Mrs. Claus – available in November
Truth be told, I wish LEGO could have followed its usual BrickHeadz silhouette teaser rather than revealing the whole nine yards. As a LEGO enthusiast, I appreciate a certain degree of excitement and sense mystery on what LEGO has in the works for its future sets. So revealing all the LEGO Seasonal BrickHeadz all in one swoop kind of put a damper on it.
Nevertheless, these are still lovely sets, and will be a great addition to your ever growing BrickHeadz collection.
We’re just a few weeks away before the next LEGO Creator modular set is released for everyone to enjoy. The LEGO Creator Expert Downtown Diner (10260) will be available starting January 1, and it was also previously announced that it will not have an early VIP access unlike previous larger sets. Coming in at 2,480 pieces and retailing for $169.99, the Downtown Diner is a welcomed addition, a breather if you will, to the modular series because of its unconventional and maverick design. Particularly, I appreciate the 1950s vibe of this set, with its large curve front window, outrageous Diner sign, and the pink, stylish convertible.
However, most of you were also quick to notice that LEGO Designers seem to have taken a detour in coming up with the usual minifigures that traditionally goes along these modular sets. For the first time ever, LEGO decided to do away with the bland, generic minifigure expressions that are standard features among the minifigs in these sets, as you can see from previous sets below.
Collection of minifigures from the LEGO Creator Expert Assembly Square (10255).
Minifigures from the LEGO Creator Expert Detective’s Office (10246).
Frankly, most fans of the theme were a bit unhappy with the move since it clearly deviates from what is expected from the modular sets. This difference becomes more obvious when you build this set alongside older ones, as you try to figure out how these newer minifigures will ‘blend’ with the old ones. It’s a rather perplexing moment, if not frustrating, to figure out how these new minifigs on the block will aesthetically go along with the older minifigures.
Just to be clear: I do prefer the changes that LEGO introduced with its line of minifigs for the Downtown Diner. The dual print minifig heads and the creative visualization of the various emotions that they try to represent has a vast potential for creative story-telling and imaginative play. Check out some of these official images from the Downtown Diner (10260), and see how these minifigures seem to interact with each other to build up a story.
After almost 2 weeks since the announcement of the Diner, LEGO seems to have been quietly listening to fans’ comments about this new direction of minifigure designs. LEGO has been keeping tabs with the community and has recently released its official statement on the reasons behind the changes. Here’s what LEGO Designers have to say, courtesy of The Brick Fan.
Over the past 10 years our modular buildings have evolved in many ways. We’ve added more interior details, more story-telling and more emotional triggers such as unique decorations on windows & Minifigure torsos. We now feel the time is right to bring the Minifigure expression in line with all the amazing details now offered throughout our models. We have always loved the classic smiley face for its versatility and nostalgia value, but are now excited to explore the new possibilities expressive faces will offer us.
Clearly, LEGO is trying to innovate with the Downtown Diner (10260), and has now made known the direction that it will take for future modular sets. Now I know that most of us are still uneasy with these developments, and we just have to wait and see if these will eventually catch up with the fans of the theme.
What do you think brick fans? Are you happy with these changes? Do you agree with the LEGO designers on this one? Let your voice be heard in the comments below.
We already know who shot first, so the only question is, how will the most wretched hive of scum and villainy fare in LEGO’s latest brick-built iteration? A few days ago, we reported on a certain rumor that has been making rounds over the Internet for quite some time already, and since we ran that article, we have to clarify some points that were raised about it. The Mos Eisley Cantina certainly ranks as one of the most iconic locations in Star Wars lore – so much so that LEGO has already released two versions of this fateful encounter between Han Solo and Greedo.
The first LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina (4501) was released back in 2003, coming in at 193 pieces. The second version of the Cantina came in 2014, with set 75052 and having a total number of 615 pieces. The latter features a different take on the Cantina by adding several details that are not included in the first set such as the Bith Musicians, and the thick-skinned reptilian Dewbacks. Now it seems that the rumors might as well be set in stone. Instagram user Maru just recently shared a thumbnail of an image of how LEGO’s latest version of the Mos Eisley Cantina will be like. Apparently, it seems that this particular image is taken from a page of a toy catalogue, and since it doesn’t have a confidential watermark, then I guess LEGO will not hound us upon posting this (I hope).
Rebelscum also mentioned that given how this latest Cantina looks like, the set will come in at 376 pieces. If you noticed each brick-built version of the Mos Eisley Cantina somehow builds upon each other, particularly to the variety of minifigure offerings on each set. The second set, 75052, boasts as the largest LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina set, with a total number of 615 pieces used to create it. However, what is unique to this latest version of the Cantina in set 75205 is the introduction of new minifigure character – Wuher the Bartender. I am re-posting the above image here just in case this Instagram post silently disappears.
The LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina (75205) is expected to retail in the US for $39.99, made of 376 pieces. It has four minifigures, namely: Han Solo, Greedo, Stormtrooper (without the pauldron), and the latest addition, the bar keeper, Wuher. Here’s another closer image of the minifigures in this set courtesy of Rebelscum.
So what do you think of this latest LEGO Star Wars sets? Do you think it was nice of LEGO to offer another Mos Eisley Cantina, or do you have something else in mind? Let us know in the comments below.
Though we still have a couple of weeks to go before the 2018 LEGO Catalogue is released in the US, LEGO fans in the Ukraine had an early glimpse of what we can expect from the said catalogue. They may not have the same prominence like those enjoyed by more popular themes such as City, Superheroes, or Star Wars, nevertheless LEGO Elves have produced some of the most visually stunning sets that I have ever seen. Now, thanks to the Ukrainian 2018 LEGO Catalogue (which you can download here), we now have a glimpse on the next magically colorful Elves sets that LEGO has to offer.
As of Brickset’s listing, we have five LEGO Elves sets slated for 2018, namely:
Emily Jones’ Eagle Escape (41190)
Naida and the Sea Turtle (41191)
Azari and the Capture of the Pound Lion (41192)
Aira and the Wind Song Dragon (41193)
The Noctura Tower and the Rescue of the Earth Fox (41194)
We still yet to see the official images for these abovementioned sets, but for the meantime, check out these sets as revealed in the 2018 LEGO Catalogue. These next wave of LEGO Elves sets are expected to be released in April.
This is a welcome (though not that much expected) surprise. Now that this year is about to come to a close, LEGO seems to have been gradually keeping up with its promise of making the largest and most elusive LEGO set on the face planet available once more. As tipped to us by Brickset, it seems that the LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon (75192) is now available once more at most of Europe’s shop.LEGO.com websites. However, the caveat is that this Falcon is still only available for LEGO VIP members. It also seems that LEGO is still struggling to meet its long list of back orders before the year ends, especially for those who are still expecting to receive the set with its accompanying exclusive LEGO VIP Card.
Now, we should also take note that supplies of the LEGO Star Wars UCS Falcon sets are still yet to be replenished in the US. Nevertheless, this piece of good news is still a good indication that LEGO is doing everything that it can to keep up with the demand – though I can’t help but feel that such endeavor of meeting all the demands created by LEGO’s marketing hype, is still very much like moving a mountain, you still have to give LEGO a pat on the back for making this happen.
If you’re in Europe right now as you are reading this, then I hope you better act fast before the brick-built ship that “made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs”, disappears once again before you can say Chewbacca. Just follow the links below, depending on your geographical location. Remember to login using LEGO VIP account to see if set 75192 is still available.
It has been customary for LEGO to release its yearly wall calendar and most fans look forward to them not just for their aesthetic appeal as a keepsake, but also for the vouchers that go along with them. Though 2017’s LEGO Wall Calendar was released around this period of time last year as announced in the December 2016 LEGO Store Calendar, it’s quite puzzling that LEGO has not made any official announcement until now on its availability in the US. However, LEGO fans in Europe were on to an early treat when LEGO Brands Stores in the region finally released their 2018 LEGO Wall Calendar as an in-store gift with purchase, with a price point of 20 Euros.
Thanks to Promobricks who managed to get a copy of their own, we now have an idea on how next year’s LEGO Wall Calendar may look like. Now for the record, I’m not sure if this is already available in the US since I haven’t heard of any reports that this calendar has been released and distributed to fans and store visitors. Any tip from our readers will surely be appreciated. Unlike that from last year, Europe’s 2018 LEGO Wall Calendar has a more regional vibe into it, with the LEGO London Store’s very own Lester minifigure being part of the cover, featuring a creative gang of minifig artists.
Same as last year’s wall calendar, its most attractive part will be the collection of nice, little vouchers that go with them for every month of the year. Again, the vouchers and their respective redemption dates may be specific only to LEGO Brand Stores in the European region, and may all be entirely different than that in the US, so this is something that we will keep our radar on.
Voucher #1 – January 1 to December 31, 2018
Happy Birthday! Bring this voucher to a LEGO Store during the week of your birthday and get your present.
Voucher #2 – February 7 to 14, 2018
Treat your loved ones to a LEGO Valentine’s Day Flower when you buy any LEGO building set.
Voucher #3 – March 23 to 31, 2018
Free Easter Gift with any purchase of over 20 Euros (roughly $20).
Voucher #4 – April 12 to 22, 2018
Free 100 VIP bonus points with any purchase over 30 Euros.
The LEGO December Store Calendar is packed with several freebies and promotional items that you definitely don’t want to miss, especially that LEGO is bringing back one of it’s highly sought after gift with purchase set from last year.
In case you missed it, here’s your chance to bag the LEGO Creator Mini London Bus (40220) once again, and it’s now up and available as a freebie over at shop.LEGO.com. From December 8 until 17, every minimum single receipt purchase of any LEGO products worth $75 and above, entitles you to a free Mini London Bus (40220). Comparatively speaking, LEGO opted to retain the same price point for the Mini London Bus which is at $75.
The said promotional is now live at shop.LEGO.com, together with the LEGO Ninjago Wu Keychain (5004915) if you will place your next LEGO purchase during the next few hours.
LEGO Creator London Bus (40220)
Take a ride in this LEGO® model of a classic London Bus!
Build this retro bus with turning wheels plus transparent window and light elements. Apply the number plate, route number, destination and advertising banner stickers. With authentic details, this delightful vintage bus makes a perfect gift for fans of LEGO® Creator modular building sets and London.
This buildable LEGO® brick London Bus features authentic details, turning wheels, transparent window and light elements and stickers for the number plate, route number, destination name and advertising banners inspired by LEGO Creator models 21013 Big Ben and 10232 Palace Cinema (not included).
This set includes over 115 pieces and offers an age-appropriate building experience for ages 7 and over.
Measures over 2” (6cm) high, 4” (11cm) long and 1” (3cm) wide.
