LEGO Opens First Shipboard LEGO Store on German Cruise Ship

LEGO Stores fall roughly into several groups. There are the standalone branded stores in various locations around the world. There are LEGO Stores attached to larger LEGO venues like the LEGOLAND theme parks and smaller Discovery Centers. And then there are LEGO Stores at major travel destinations or hubs like airports. Recall the LEGO Store at Billund Airport’s departure lounge, with the limited exclusive LEGO Architecture set. One thing they have in common is that they’re for all intents and purposes built on solid ground. But what if there’s a new LEGO Store that isn’t?

Say hello to the first shipboard LEGO Store, as reported on by Brick Fanatics. New branded LEGO Stores have been slow in opening due to the pandemic. That however hasn’t stopped LEGO in Europe, where they launched a new store on a cruise ship. AIDAprima, flagship of the German-based AIDA Cruises line, opened its own LEGO Store last Saturday, September 25.

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LEGO Group Sales Director for Travel and Retail – Europe Annette Rosendahl presided over the momentous occasion. In a speech during the opening she described the new store as an intense brand experience for travellers on AIDAprima. At 75 square meters this shipboard LEGO Store is big enough to offer many things LEGO to passengers.

We probably know what you readers are thinking right now. This is not the LEGO ship news you’ve been expecting at all! Unfortunately there’s still no news about that long-rumored LEGO Creator Expert Titanic set. Sorry if we disappointed you, seeing that only travellers aboard the cruise ship AIDAprima could enjoy this LEGO Store. This ship embarks on a 7-day Baltic Sea tour, departing from Kiel all Saturdays until October 23. It will start up the Baltic tour again next year on April 2022, this time setting out from Hamburg.

LEGO and Flickr Kick Off “LEGO Build and Capture Photo Contest 2021,” Runs Until November 1

LEGO already has plenty of its own platforms with which to hold contests for their fans to participate in. Beyond that, they also manage to partner with various enterprises for more varied competitions. Recently LEGO and image-hosting platform Flickr launched a new photo contest for LEGO fan-shutterbugs. Do you love LEGO and have a Flickr account? Why not show off your photography skills on this Flickr-cohosted contest? You might even have a chance to win some sweet LEGO Art sets for your efforts. Big thanks to The Brick Fan for bringing this to our attention.

Flickr and LEGO proudly present the “LEGO Build and Capture Photo Contest 2021.” It officially began in the middle of last week and will run until the first of November. Contestants must have a Flickr account and are at least age 18 upon joining. They simply need to add three photos of artistically-presented LEGO builds/minifigures to the official contest group. Even older Flickr-uploaded LEGO pictures are eligible provided that they are no older than January 1, 2020. The submitted photos must be fun, artsy and judged by Flickr moderators as “safe” for the competition. And remember this contest must have all entries by November 1.

The LEGO x Flickr Build and Capture Photo Contest 2021 will have six grand winners. First Place winners each get the 4-panel LEGO Marilyn Monroe Art Sets designed by Andy Warhol. Two Second Place winners will each get a Marvel Studios – Iron Man 3-panel LEGO Art Set. And finally the Third Place winners will receive Star Wars – The Sith 3-panel LEGO Art Sets. LEGO fans on Flickr can read up on further details at the official contest group page here.

LEGO Foundation Gives COVID Response and Affected Children a Boost with $150 Million Donation

LEGO as a company may have a range of products that cater to many age groups today. That doesn’t change the fact that children remain their original and primary focus. The LEGO Foundation charity arm does its part in helping meet the needs of disadvantaged children around the world. And they have been especially busy since 2020 in aiding global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As recently as this past June, LEGO Foundation has donated $23 million to improve access to education in pandemic-locked areas. Now they are announcing their biggest charitable contribution yet, for the sake of pandemic-affected children.

As Brick Fanatics reports, LEGO announced this past Sunday its pledge of $150 million for children and community support. The reason, as stated in their social media accounts this past Sunday, September 26, is obvious. Lifestyle changes wrought by the pandemic, in how children access education and parents earn a living, constitutes a crisis. Thus, their donation of $150 million will be divided between two major beneficiaries for supporting COVID-affected communities worldwide. $70 million of the pledge will go to UNICEF for vaccines and health supplies. The remaining $60 million will be distributed to LEGO’s partner charities to help accelerate COVID recovery with child cases.

LEGO Foundation CEO Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen described the ongoing pandemic as a transformative moment for the world’s educational systems. The sizable donation they have given to UNICEF and their partner charities are in hopes of finding creative solutions to challenges brought by COVID. She also called on world governments and the private sector to not let up on donations to COVID response. In her words, “No one is safe until we are all safe.” Albrectsen gave this speech during the Global Citizen Live event last weekend.

“LEGO Star Wars Battles” Relaunched on Apple Arcade

This past weekend saw LEGO, WB Games and Lucasfilm Games give a mobile game its greatest second chance. The original Android/iOS debut of “LEGO Star Wars Battles” in 2020 wasn’t so hot, closing only months ago. Its publishers however believe the mobile game app had potential. So last month they announced its revival for the subscription-based Apple Arcade platform. And this past Friday, September 24, “LEGO Star Wars Battles” went live anew in its new home. To commemorate the occasion and drum up interest with Apple Arcade subscribers, WB Games revealed a short launch trailer.

The half-minute “LEGO Star Wars Battles” trailer calls on “Star Wars” and mobile RTS fans to “Build, Battle and Repeat” once more. One-one-one multiplayer sees the struggle between the Dark and Light Sides from various “Star Wars” media. Players can collect troops and named characters from the “Star Wars” films, “Clone Wars” series and spinoffs like “Rogue One.”

Choose a planetary battlefield from the “Star Wars” Galaxy and deploy your forces. Construct LEGO-brick structures, defenses and combat vehicles as you command your army to victory. Whether it’s the beaches of Scarif, the ice-fields of Hoth or the Ewok forests of Endor, battle is always waiting.

Check out “LEGO Star Wars Battles,” available now on Apple Arcade for a $4.99 monthly subscription. A one-month free trial is also an option. Apple Arcade is open on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. For more info and discussion, you may visit “LEGO Star Wars Games” social media at Facebook and Twitter .

Three More Product Ideas Hit 10-K Support for LEGO Ideas Third 2021 Review Stage

It’s beginning to feel like getting 10,000 supporters for one’s LEGO Ideas product idea is really quick now. Just look at the sheer number of 10-K builds from the First 2021 Review Stage (57!). One can see where that impression comes from. But LEGO Ideas plays hosts to a lot of product ideas just waiting to achieve the magic number. Every product idea that gains the necessary support does so because plenty of people want them. So over the weekend, the Third 2021 Review Stage grew to five after three more sets hit 10-K support.

Coral Reef

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Set number 3 on the LEGO Ideas Third 2021 Review Stage is kris-kelvin’s “Great Coral Reef.” We might cite similarities to Ralf Ranghaal’s Land Ahoy submission, being a set built on a base. But this product idea features one of the most intricate environmental depictions yet done in LEGO. Even better, rather than plants the “vegetation” is coral. Great Coral Reef undoubtedly pays homage to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a Natural World Wonder. Other than the reef, this set will net plentiful vegetation/coral pieces for decorative-oriented LEGO builders. Its short support-gathering phase (presented only last June) also speaks to its popularity with LEGO Ideas voters.

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The Last Airbender

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The other two new additions, both from licensed IPs, were submitted by their builders last year. Set 2 evokes one of the most iconic 21st-Century animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” “The Avatar Returns” by ky-e depicts the Nickelodeon show’s pilot arc. Remember how Katara and Sokka rescued Avatar Aang from Prince Zuko and General Iroh’s Fire Nation ship? This could be an Avatar-fan’s chance to replay that scene. Furthermore, ky-e wants to see this build become the next LEGO Ideas set to launch a full line. Surely Nickelodeon’s “Avatar” in its two series can have as big a LEGO fandom as “Minecraft” does.

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Zelda and Link

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Finally, 10-K Club member BrickGallery channels Nintendo’s “Legend of Zelda” with his product idea. “Hyrule Castle 30th Anniversary” celebrates the aforementioned landmark from the “Zelda” games. While Nintendo released the first installment on NES in 1986, Hyrule Castle only debuted in “A Link to the Past” for SNES in 1991 (JPN) and 1992 (US/EU). This iteration of Hyrule Castle however hails from “Breath of the Wild,” released 2017 for the Nintendo Switch. Princess Zelda and Link must battle through the castle to confront Calamity Ganon before he destroys the world.

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In closing

There three submissions join Land Ahoy and Terrariums to make five 10-K sets for the Third 2021 Review Stage. It’s certainly shaping up to be a great selection for the LEGO Ideas crew when the stage ends January next year.

Shop@Home US Suddenly Disables Pre-Ordering for “Pre-Order Available” Sets Without Word

Over the past several weeks LEGO has been tweaking some things online with their website, particularly Shop@Home. We all recall the “color select” option provided for selected sets that was pilot-tested in the UK and Ireland. Perhaps they have other settings on the site to adjust or something. That might explain this curious phenomenon caught by Brick Fanatics. Said phenomenon affects certain LEGO sets already available for online purchase or at least pre-order at Shop@Home. Any pre-order links on their listings no longer work.

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There are several LEGO sets prominently affected by this seeming Shop@Home problem. Creator Expert Pickup Truck (10290) and Batman Batmobile Tumbler (76240) were at least available on pre-order already. Now the yellow pre-order tag no longer leads to any pre-ordering page for these sets. The same goes for the DC Classic TV Series Batman Cowl (76238). What could be going on with Shop@Home at this time? LEGO has made no announcement or given explanation for the sudden inability to pre-order sets that already allowed it.

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So far, only LEGO Shop@Home US manifests any problem with pre-orders on sets that were already allowing it. Could it be a coding bug? Was LEGO in the middle of implementing some other interface feature? It really is peculiar and hopefully it gets resolved soon.

Mega Construx Series 3 Minifigures for “Halo Infinite” Now Available in The Brick Show Shop

Microsoft Xbox game franchise “Halo” and Mega Brands’ Mega Construx have been a marketing match made in heaven. With the former’s latest installment coming in December, tie-in Mega Construx products have arrived early. This year saw the release of several “Halo Infinite” Mega Construx Series 3 microfigures.

Exclusive: Mega Construx Series 3 Figures Now Available!

And it just so happens that The Brick Show Shop has eight of them listed for “Halo” figure collectors. All come from the Mega Construx Series 3 microfigure mystery packs, and not one costs over $10 too. The catch: we’ve got limited units in stock! So take a gander at our offerings below:

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UNSC Wasp – Mega Construx HALO Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $9.99 (currently sold out)

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Grunt Mule – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $7.99

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UNSC Marine – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $8.99

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Spartan JFO (Pink) – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $7.99

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Brute Chieftain (Active Camo) – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $8.99

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Elite Ultra (Cyan) – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $8.99

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Spartan Hermes – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $8.99

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Spartan Centurion (Green) – Mega Construx Halo Micro Figure, Infinite Series 3 (2021) – $6.99

The Brick Show Shop guarantees all items are new. Check out our collection right now, before they all run out! “Halo Infinite,” from 343 Industries and Xbox Game Studios, releases on December 8. Catch the game on Windows, Xbox One, and the Xbox Series X/S.

Netflix-Produced LEGO House Documentary Now Viewable Free on YouTube

LEGO House, opened in Billund, Denmark in 2017, is the ultimate experience venue for fans of the LEGO brand. It’s a museum, events place, activity center and even occasional Airbnb destination. LEGO brick-heads never fail to be astounded by it. In 2018 the streaming giant Netflix made a documentary on the appropriately-called Home of the Brick. In almost an hour of runtime, the program delves into the history of LEGO House. Unfortunately for most interested viewers the documentary has been accessible only to Netflix subscribers. This week however, LEGO prevailed on Netflix to make this special available to all audiences.

According to Brick Fanatics, the “LEGO House Documentary” can finally be seen free on YouTube. As of September 20 the special is now hosted on the official LEGO House YouTube channel. In 47 minutes viewers may learn the conception of the Home of the Brick and its challenges in construction. Featured interviews include the key members of the LEGO House project. Even Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen has his own piece to say about the genesis of the Home of the Brick. The third-generation majority-owner of The LEGO Group was one of the project’s guiding hands after all.

LEGO might have sound reason for making the Netflix documentary open to all. The actual LEGO House itself closed down in the recent past due to the pandemic. They have only recently begun attempts at normalizing the events schedule again. LEGO House Fan Day, the first after the appearance of COVID, happened Thursday, September 23. The former streaming-exclusive documentary could help drum up renewed attention to the Home of the Brick. Perhaps as the pandemic comes more under control a new wave of guests could check out LEGO House. Until then, the documentary is up for all those curious.

Rumors of New LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Sets Apparently Due Next Year

Now that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is moving again, screening- and streaming-wise, LEGO’s got some new Marvel sets waiting. At least that’s the rumor according to The Brick Fan, after they noticed more listings on Brickmerge.de. The German LEGO price comparison site apparently has listed at least nine Marvel-themed items arriving in 2022. They have some (semi-descripitive) names, but not all of these are even MCU tie-ins. Three of these have “Classic” in their name. It’s possible they may depict Marvel characters outside of their MCU portrayals. But we’ve talked long enough. Here are those LEGO Marvel sets Brickmerge mentions:

  • Spider-Man’s Techno Trike (10781) – €9.99/$11.71
  • Hulks and Rhinos Truck Duel (10782) – €19.99/$23.43
  • Spider-Man in Doc Ock’s Laboratory (10783) – €29.99/$36.15
  • Spider-Man’s Headquarters (10784) – €49.99/$58.59
  • Marvel Avengers Classic (Set A?) (76202) – €9.99/$11.71
  • Marvel Avengers Classic (Set B?) (76203) – €9.99/$11.71
  • Marvel Spider-Man (76204) – €9.99/$11.71
  • Marvel New Theatrical (MCU?) (76205) – €29.99/$36.15
  • Marvel Avengers Classic (Set C?) (76206) – €39.99/$11.71

All suggested retail prices in dollars are direct conversions.

There are also six “LEGO Super Hero” sets listed on Brickmerge’s database without descriptor names. We’ve decided not to include them in case the Super Hero characters they depict are from DC. The three Marvel Avengers “Classic” sets above are very interesting in their labeling. One should see distinct differences in how Marvel Super Heroes look between their iconic comic-book and MCU selves. We can’t help but wonder what they’ll be like. But we digress. Even when listed in Brickmerge, we must treat these set numbers as rumors until LEGO confirms/debunks them.

More Images of LEGO Bricktober 2021 Sets on Asian TRU Stores, Including Number 4: “Alice in Wonderland”

The LEGO Ideas Pop-Up Book (21315) is a retired set now. However its spirit lives on, sort of, in the 2021 Bricktober sets exclusive to Toys R Us. Well, make that the TRU stores in the Asia-Pacific region anyways. The three fairytales depicted in the original Ideas set became three separate micro-builds atop LEGO books. This year’s Bricktober series even has a fourth set with all-new story. We were able to get nice images of three of the Bricktobers on TRU Singapore’s website. The fourth set however has gone un-depicted, until images of it popped up on social media.

Shanghai-based LEGO fan dylanchow just shared new images of the LEGO Bricktober sets on Instagram. Among them is the fourth set that wasn’t listed yet on Toys R Us Singapore when we checked. Said set refers to “Alice in Wonderland” and depicts the table in the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

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Given this Bricktober set’s lack of presence in a TRU website, there’s a possibility that it might become available with another retailer. Supposedly this Alice Bricktober set comes out October 15 to 31. Therefore, as that date approaches next month we may have concrete details on the set’s availability.

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Each LEGO Bricktober 2021 set showcases a fairytale diorama assembled atop a brick-built book. In addition to building instructions they will also have fold-up storybooks with abridged versions of the stories. The Bricktobers come free with every purchase of LEGO sets $69 and up on TRU stores and online. There is still no word on where and how the series will be available outside Asia.