LEGO Planning Retail Price Adjustment in European Markets Starting 2022

Given how many different LEGO sets there are at any time, actively collecting them isn’t exactly cheap. That’s why one needs to keep an eye on the pricing too, especially when one purchases from retailers. Recently there was a buzz in some European countries about LEGO planning to up retail prices by 2022. German LEGO news sites such as StoneWars.de and Zusammengebaut.com then published an official statement from The LEGO Group. Initially it sounded like the company was hiking some recommended retail prices (RRP) in Europe next year. However a short time later LEGO issued a follow-up clarification, as reported on by Brickset.com on Wednesday.

Now, LEGO is saying that there will be no RRP increase in European markets in 2022. Their original statement mentioned upping the recommended/suggested pricing for retail partners (even if the retailers have final say). This was supposed to be a move towards “continuity” and “transparency” with retail partners. After all, LEGO offers “good value for money.” The follow-up announcement has LEGO insisting that there will be no RRP hike. It was simply to bring a consistency in retail pricing across multiple countries in Europe. So while some LEGO sets might get pricier, others could actually become cheaper. And the RRP adjustment is just for Europe.

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With that in mind, LEGO retailers in the Americas, Asia and elsewhere need not worry for now. Other unaffected sectors are the LEGO Stores and LEGO Shop@Home. While the company did not give a list of affected LEGO sets in European retail markets, there are rumors. One product named by StoneWars to allegedly get an adjusted RRP next year is LEGO Marvel Infinity Gauntlet (76191, seen above). Much as the idea of European LEGO retail prices changing in a finger-snap is hyper-imaginative, let’s just wait.

LEGO and DK Bringing “Meet the Minifigures” Book with Rock Star CMF Exclusive Next Year

Hey, it’s been a while since we did a piece on those many wonderful LEGO books from DK Publishing. Nowadays they might be available online in digital format, but it’s the hardcopy editions that are sought after more. After all, it’s just like LEGO and DK to stick a collectible minifigure in them. If you’re a LEGO bibliophile and enjoy getting their DK-published books, keep an eye out in 2022. There’s another volume chronicling LEGO CMFs coming out then. And true to form, it’s got an exclusive collectible minifig included.

From authors Helen Murray and Julia March, LEGO and DK are introducing “Meet the Minifigures.” It’s a visual-heavy encyclopedia on LEGO collectible minifigs. That means you can expect great trivia, anecdotes, jokes, and play suggestions illustrated by vivid photos across 128 pages. And yes, let’s not forget the included exclusive CMF: Rock Star. Boy, he certainly does look the part: long hair, face-paint, skull shirt, lightning-bolt pants, and microphone stand. While the book isn’t due out until June 14 next year, it’s already available for pre-orders on Amazon. Really, who can say no to another DK book with sweet CMF?

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Check out the Amazon listing blurb below:

Meet the coolest, funniest, and quirkiest LEGO® Minifigures!

Discover fun facts, jokes, and play ideas, and build inspiration from your favorite collectible minifigures.

  • Take on a LEGO speed-building challenge with Race Car Guy.
  • Find out Party Clown’s funniest joke.
  • Build a LEGO underwater creature with Sea Rescuer.
  • Learn a fun real-world fact about the number of pizzas eaten per second from Pizza Costume Guy.

And much more!

Comes with an exclusive collectible LEGO Minifigure.

©2021 The LEGO Group.

Rumor of New LEGO Minecraft Sets Arriving in 2022, for Theme’s Possible 10th Anniversary

LEGO Minecraft is an established “licensed IP” LEGO theme today, with several sets to its name. But it technically began in 2012 as a LEGO Ideas submission. That product idea (Minecraft Micro World [21102]) is now recognized as having started the LEGO Minecraft line. As the theme approaches its first decade, it feels only appropriate to have lots of set releases. Some acknowledgement of the milestone anniversary would sound nice too. Well, German LEGO price comparison website Brickmerge.de has listed what appear to be six upcoming LEGO Minecraft sets. None of them feel “anniversary” in name, but they’re currently rumors.

As discovered by Brick Fanatics, here are the alleged LEGO Minecraft sets appearing in 2022. The price range progression for all of them feels reasonable too. The names also hint at getting some of the more uncommon mobs from the “Minecraft” games. Without further ado, here are those rumored sets.

The above prices in dollars are direct conversions.

Despite being listed in an in-depth LEGO price comparison site, the usual disclaimers must apply. These are only rumors until LEGO gives us official word. With that, we leave with this speculation also shared with Brick Fanatics. The reasons these 2022 LEGO Minecraft sets feel lackluster for arriving on the theme’s 10th anniversary, is that they’re not. Perhaps LEGO doesn’t count the 2012 LEGO Ideas set as the starting point. The first “official” LEGO Minecraft sets in that branding arrived just the following year, 2013. It does make one wonder. I guess we’ll find out sooner or later, as usual.

LEGO Games Gets New Logo (And Possible New Branding Purpose) as Rumors Spread of Upcoming “Overwatch” Set

Going into the weekend, LEGO made a little aesthetic change to the logo of one of their more niche themes. LEGO Games has been used to denote videogames in the LEGO style, usually their original creations like “LEGO Worlds.” The previous logo with “Games” set in gold has been replaced with a minimalistic white version. Coming along with this little alteration are speculations that the name will be used for branding new LEGO sets. LEGO already has themes for individual videogame franchises like “Super Mario,” “Minecraft” and “Overwatch.” But the rumor goes that the new LEGO Games branding will be catch-all for upcoming game-related sets.

That’s how The Brick Fan sees it. And it ties into some rumors about new “Overwatch” LEGO sets coming under this new theme branding. German LEGO news site Stone Wars has been abuzz about a LEGO set number, 76980. Apparently it’s for a LEGO Overwatch set similar to the ones that came out in 2019. Stone Wars believes that the set depicts a Null Sector Titan and will release in November 1. It might just be the ticket to reinvest LEGO collectors who also play “Overwatch”. Blizzard is supposed to release the sequel in 2022.

Possible new set aside, the idea that LEGO will use LEGO Games as overall theme for videogame-related releases is sound. Try as might, individual franchise lines like LEGO Super Mario and LEGO Overwatch don’t produce many sets. Eventually they’ll get buried and forgotten under more long-lived LEGO themes like “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter.” Grouping game franchises with licensed sets under LEGO Games might give them more visibility. Then again this is again just rumor and speculation. LEGO Super Mario did just release the Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) recently. It’s likely to come down to confirming set 76980.

LEGO Ideas 10-K Member Galaxy333 Gets Terrariums Set Into Third 2021 Review Stage

With the LEGO Ideas Second 2021 Review Stage already in deliberation, it’s time to fill up the Third Stage. Ralf Ranghaal’s innovative “Land Ahoy” build was the first 10-K product idea to enter this new batch. Now, a second submission has gained the requisite number of support on the LEGO Ideas page. This one’s another decoration-oriented set, with call-backs to Ideas product Ship in a Bottle (21313) from 2018. Instead of a seagoing vessel, this idea has LEGO plant elements instead, and there is more than one bottle involved. How does a LEGO terrarium sound?

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This is the latest brainstorm by LEGO Ideas 10-K Club member Galaxy333. A terrarium is a glass container with soil and growing plants. The most famous type is the sealed terrarium. Here, enclosed plants thrive because the closed environment interacts with sunlight and watered soil to create a mini-water cycle.

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Galaxy33 utilizes uncommon LEGO elements for his product idea. It’s full of transparent pieces, brown pieces to assemble the lids, plant pieces and brown-colored studs for “soil.” Up to four kinds of bottle terrariums can be built. Their contents can range from green leafy plants to various types of mushroom.

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At roughly 2,000 pieces, these LEGO Terrariums make for a set with plentiful building elements and potential. Like Galaxy333 suggests, the completed builds can make for a zero-maintenance alternative to real plants for indoors. One must wonder how many of the 10-K supporters for this submission on LEGO Ideas got green thumbs. In any case, the Terrariums are joining Land Ahoy in the Third 2021 Review Stage. This phase will accept entries that gain 10-K support until January 10, 2022. The Second 2021 Review Stage ended September 6, with 34 product ideas vying for approval.

LEGO’s 2021 Rebuild the World Ad “The Damp Knight’s Tale” Shows How Creative Imagination Helps Solve Problems

Back in 2019, LEGO debuted “Rebuild the World,” a brand advertising campaign with a positive message for young builders. It encouraged them to use their imagination, especially when playing with LEGO. The ad’s key commercial demonstrated this by imagining LEGO-built settings and characters as if happening in the “real world.” How well that message is carried out depends on the viewer. The first one (2019) involves a hunter chasing a rabbit through a wacky cityscape. The 2020 edition saw kids making fantastical builds while an AT-AT stomps in the background. How does this year’s “Rebuild the World” brand commercial compare?

Why don’t we take a look up there? The 2021 LEGO Rebuild the World slogan is “Creativity can help us overcome anything!” This is ably demonstrated in the commercial called “The Damp Knight’s Tale” It shows a knight in full armor attempting to cross a river. People from the nearby town at the riverbank provide different means for him to get across. A rowboat? Jetpack? Giant slingshot? Nope, the knight’s too heavy. Then the townspeople literally take apart their town to build a bridge for the knight. Cue massive zoom-out to reveal that the anachronistic, fantastic setting was just kids at play with their LEGOs.

Now that’s yet another cute and heartwarming example of using creativity as visualized in LEGO. Where its predecessors focused on the fun, Rebuild the World 2021 emphasizes how creativity and imagination can help find solutions to problems. While the ad’s problem is getting the knight across that river, the imaginative approach the children used can be applied elsewhere. Stuff like this makes us believe “Rebuild the World” is one of LEGO’s best brand campaigns yet. Oh, and have fun figuring out which LEGO sets made cameos in the ad, even in background.

Rumor of LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452) as GWP from Late October-Early November

LEGO’s an old hand at “everything old is new again.” We’ve seen some of their older sets revamped and renumbered years or even decades later. The latest versions tend to be bigger and more detailed. Compare the LEGO Star Wars UCS’s for Millennium Falcon (75192) and Republic Gunship (75309) with earlier iterations. Now, it looks to be happening again to another major IP done in LEGO, “Harry Potter.” Rumors circulate on LEGO-specific social media about a GWP for next month. It’s said to be a rehash of an earlier LEGO Harry Potter set, reimagined for the licensed theme’s 20th anniversary.

Brick Fanatics reports that Instagram users ac_bricks_03 and 1414falconfan are hyping a LEGO Harry Potter GWP for October-November. They call it the Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452), a gift-with-purchase to buyers of a minimum $100 in LEGO HP sets. Speculations on said IG pages claim that the set will include Harry and Ron minifigs. That sounds awfully like the early LEGO Harry Potter Gryffindor House (4722) set. That one had minimal brick-built reproductions of the Gryffindor Common Room and a student’s bedroom. This alleged GWP set 40452 expands the setting and apparently makes it compatible with the modular 20th anniversary sets.

If so, then LEGO HP collectors who have yet to buy Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake (76386) and its brethren are in luck. If they purchase said 20th anniversary sets from October 25 to November 7 then they might score this GWP. That makes for a lot of modular assembly fun in fleshing out the “Harry Potter” story in LEGO. Then of course, word about Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452) is still rumor at this stage. Keep that grain of salt handy as we wait for LEGO to come clean about this.

“LEGO Star Wars Battles” Re-Release Date on Apple Arcade Set for September 24

“If at first it doesn’t succeed, try again.” That must have been on the minds of Warner Bros. Games regarding “LEGO Star Wars Battles.” Released in beta on iOS last year, this mobile game app languished in extended beta before shutting down in July. Then WB Games and TT Games Brighton revealed its revival as a component of Apple Arcade. A renewed promotional blitz again showcased its tower-defense/RTS gameplay in a “LEGO Star Wars” skin. What the dev-publishers withheld from interested Apple Arcade subscribers was when “LEGO Star Wars Battles” will re-launch. We know now.

The Brick Fan has the scoop on a recent announcement from TT Games Brighton and WB Games. “LEGO Star Wars Battles” will come online as an Apple Arcade exclusive this coming Friday, September 24. The Apple Arcade service can be availed of on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. With a $4.99 monthly fee it’s still a notable expense, though interested gamers can try a one-month free trial. If somebody’s an Apple One subscriber regardless of tier plans, they automatically have Apple Arcade. One wonders if its new platform will get “LEGO Star Wars Battles” the needed player exposure. Its original iOS beta didn’t become a full release after all.

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“LEGO Star Wars Battles” sees players field armies of the Light and Dark factions in 1-on-1 multiplayer RTS action. Familiar characters and fantastic combat vehicles in minifigure and brick-built form battle across varied battlefields. The objective is to destroy enemy defense towers, build one’s own, and advance forces to capturing the enemy base. Basically RTS veterans would feel right at home. Again, the game goes live for the second exclusively on Apple Arcade September 24. We’ll see if the app has better luck this time.

LEGO Bricktober Sets Coming to Asia Toys R Us Stores Next Month Revealed

With September just about ready to wind down, LEGO fans and collectors look forward to next month’s release period. We already know that many highly-anticipated sets are due to come out on the first of next month. But one other special LEGO product line that appears every October is Bricktober. These mini-sets and minifigure collections are a fixture of Toys R Us. Perhaps unfortunately, they’re only available as promotional items in Asian TRU stores. Anticipation for these new LEGO-TRU collectibles has been building since the first teaser from LEGO Japan. Now, Toys R Us stores like in Singapore have them officially listed on their websites.

As can be seen from the above Japanese teaser, fairytales are the theme for LEGO’s 2021 Bricktober sets. There will be four mini-sets, depicting scenes from iconic fairy stories, though only three have been revealed thus far. The sets are ultra-micro builds with perhaps a few one-piece microfigures. And the dioramas stand on brick-built hardcover books for that classical feel. We’ve listed the Bricktober 2021 sets known to be coming, with release dates.

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  • Alice in Wonderland (Not yet listed on TRU SG, October 15-31)
From the Toys R Us Singapore product info:

NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE

This LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name] is your FREE gift with purchases of $69 and above on LEGO product(s).*

A minimum purchase of $69 on any LEGO products, at any Toys“R”Us store and in a single original receipt entitles each participant to one (1) of LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name].

LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name] is valid at Toys”R”Us [country]. Offer valid from [start date-end date] or while supplies last only.

The 2021 LEGO Bricktober sets come in sealed bags, containing an envelope with building instructions and accompanying storybook. The completed sets look like and stripped-down versions of the Ideas Pop-Up Book (21315). Again, TRU Asian stores carry these, so collectors elsewhere might have trouble acquiring these ones.

Rumor of 9 New LEGO Technic Sets Coming Next Year

LEGO Technic is advertised by LEGO as the line that can teach children in construction of complex devices. Their specialized building pieces are thus the go-to for producing complicated LEGO-built vehicles. Whether for pleasure, sport, or work, vehicle sets from the LEGO Technic theme are beautiful art pieces one and all. Owning to the technical nature of their builds, Technic set releases in a year are not really numerous. Fans of the line however will wait excitedly for what LEGO brings out next. Thus, this rumor from a social media post will pique their curiosity.

According to LEGO speed-builder and news hound bricksmelody, at least nine LEGO Technic sets are coming in 2022. In an Instagram post, bricksmelody enumerated the rumored Technic products with their set numbers, piece-numbers and possible prices. The sets range from younger-age vehicles with pull-back function to potentially massive construction equipment. One set is supposedly licensed to a real-life heavy-vehicle manufacturer. Two sets have no names. Here’s the Instagram entry in question, with our own enumeration.

  1. Monster Truck (42132) – 139 pieces, $9.99
  2. Compact Excavator (42133) – 203 pieces, $14.99
  3. Pull-back Hot Rod (42134) – 266 pieces, $19.99
  4. Pull-back Go-Kart (42135) – 268 pieces, $19.99
  5. Racing Water Scooter (42136) – 467 pieces, $29.99
  6. Backhoe Loader (42137) – 893 pieces, $59.99
  7. [To be determined] (42138) – 726 pieces, $69.99
  8. [Licensed] Tractor (42139) – 1,286 pieces, $119.99
  9. [To be determined] w/ Control+ (42140) – 398 pieces, $129.99

You know what comes next. The above information is a rumor at the moment, and we’ll have to wait until LEGO itself breaks any news. Still, new Technic sets are nothing to sneeze at. Some of them have wowed us before, especially the Technic-cars that get life-sized reproductions using actual Technic pieces. Let’s look forward to what the line comes up with next, no matter how long the wait is.