LEGO Ideas Ninjago 1-Button Game Contest to Reveal Entry Showcase for Crowd Vote

On the last day of September, LEGO Ideas launched a contest in collaboration with the Unity game engine. While primarily themed for Ninjago, the contest encouraged submissions of any 1-button-control microgame using the Unity engine. LEGO Ideas promised some sweet prize sets for the winners, including the late addition of actual Ninjago products. The “Ninjago 1-Button Game Challenge” idea intake ended this past November 4. Expert review of the microgame submissions ended today, November 18. And on this day, the voting phase for this rather technical contest finally kicks off.

LEGO Ideas and Unity plan to present a full showcase of the entries for the Ninjago microgame contest tomorrow. But already you can check out the submissions on the Ideas contest page to prepare for the crowd vote. This phase will last until November 25, with the official winners to be announced next month, December 2. Aside from the LEGO sets and Unity paid subscription/assets, winners will also get some extra fame. That’s because their creations might find themselves loaded on mini arcade cabinets soon to appear on LEGO Stores. Real-world LEGO shoppers worldwide could spend time to play the winners’ 1-button microgame masterworks. Now that just went beyond awesome.

LEGOLAND Shanghai Begins Construction; Will Have “Monkie Kid” Themed Land

Monkie Kid has got to be one of the best new theme lines introduced by LEGO in recent years. A new adventure spun off from the classic Chinese novel that isn’t “Dragon Ball” all but guarantees popularity in Asia. Not for nothing does the animated series tie-in boast multiple Asian-language dubs. Aside from Japanese and Korean, “LEGO Monkie Kid” has a Cantonese dub and two for Mandarin. While the theme and show have a growing global fan-base, Asia looks to be its main stomping grounds. That would explain why the under-construction LEGOLAND Shanghai has plans for a Monkie Kid area.

First announced this past November 6, LEGOLAND Shanghai is one of three LEGOLAND resorts planned in China. Merlin Entertainments, LEGOLAND’s owner-operator, announced the start of construction on their official website. Soon to rise from Jinshan, LEGOLAND Shanghai has the honor of getting the first Monkie Kid themed area. As expected of the source material, this zone will feature Chinese architectural styles and natural landscaping. Through the LEGO Monkie Kid’ fun medium, young visitors to LEGOLAND Shanghai could also connect to their Chinese heritage. We may well expect attractions and walk-around cast featuring MK and his friends, plus their many antagonists.

The groundbreaking ceremony of LEGOLAND Shanghai involved the unveiling of a giant LEGO brick. This monument represents the symbolic first building block in the construction of the new resort. Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney and LEGO Executive Chairman Jorgen Vig Knudstorp were VIPs alongside Shanghai’s Deputy Mayor. LEGOLAND Shanghai plans to open sometime in 2024. LEGO Monkie Kid on the other hand is promised to release new sets next year. Its animated adaptation should also have a third season underway.

LEGO Ideas Contest: Star Wars Holiday Brickfilm!

One can’t help but feel the Force at work if they take a look at this latest LEGO Ideas contest. From its information section at top, it officially began this past Tuesday, November 16. The IP involved: “Star Wars.” And a while ago we just covered LEGO’s reveal of two Star Wars sets releasing January next year. Yes, we’re not getting these ones until the start of next year. But surely many collectors must have formidable LEGO Star Wars ensembles. If they happen to be members on LEGO Ideas and would like to do brickfilms, then they should consider this.

In “A Galaxy of Celebrations,” there are celebrations happening across the (LEGO Star Wars) Galaxy. Your objective, should you choose to join, is to interpret certain Earth Holidays using (preferably) Star Wars elements/minifigs. It could be traditional Holidays (Christmas/Hanukah/New Year), “break” holidays (Spring/Summer), or Father’s/Mother’s Day. But if you really want to sell the “Star Wars” celebration, maybe make your production for “May the 4th.” Then, you must capture your creation on brickfilm, lasting no less than 15 seconds and no more than 30. For the final detail, you can make a silent brickfilm, or with sounds following these conditions.

Background music, if any, must be “royalty-free.” If you want sound effects, LEGO Ideas will allow you use of official Lucasfilm SFX. A library of these is now available on the Ideas server (member-access only). Note that these sounds must only be used in your planned brickfilm, and nowhere else.

What Prizes are at Stake?

The Galaxy of Celebrations contest will have two voting phases. Four entries will be chosen in the first phase, all of which will win these:

  • Republic Gunship (75309)
  • AT-AT (75288)
  • LEGO Ideas tote bag

Of the four, one lucky brickfilm will be chosen in the second vote. The winner will receive the brand-new LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT (75313). Two AT-AT Walkers! How can a Star Wars collector say no?

The current idea intake phase will run from now until January 13 next year. I guess you can make use of the upcoming 2022 sets if you wait. Anyway, Expert Review will last from the 13th to 27th. The First vote will start then, and end on February 3. A second review will last until the 10th of that month, with the next vote until the 17th. Wait for the winners’ announcement on February 24.

LEGO Unveils Star Wars Sets Coming January 2022

The penultimate month of the year would be an appropriate time to reveal the earliest new stuff for next year. LEGO is an old hand with this, blitzing January 1 set releases during November at the earliest. Yesterday we got a good look at some of the upcoming products for the Marvel corner of LEGO. Now we take a look at the LEGO Star Wars batch, or some of them at least. These reveals officially confirm some of the rumors we’ve shared here on The Brick Show. LEGO Star Wars is really hyping the Battle of Hoth from “The Empire Strikes Back.” Just look at these two new upcoming sets.

If you’ve already gotten (or made plans for) the UCS AT-AT (75313), then get these too. One is a vehicle to complement the big four-legged walker. The other adds more ground troops to the Galactic Empire’s assault force on the Rebel Alliance’s Echo Base. You’ve got it: a LEGO Star Wars Battle Pack after quite a while. And it’s not like the Rebels are underrepresented either. Luke Skywalker’s fighting the AT-AT while Chewbacca and a Hoth Rebel take on this new chicken-legged walker. Here they are, as covered by Brickset:

Snowtrooper Battle Pack (75320)

105 pieces |4 minifigures | $9.99

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Let young fans build their own army and recreate Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back action with the Snowtrooper Battle Pack (75320). It features 4 LEGO® minifigures with assorted blaster weapons, a buildable Imperial Hoth speeder bike, stud-shooting E-Web heavy repeating blaster and snow trench with extra ammunition. This building toy makes an awesome little gift or reward for creative kids aged 6 and up, to boost their collection of Snowtroopers and add new play possibilities to their other LEGO Star Wars™ sets.

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  • Building set for battle play – With this LEGO® Star Wars™ Snowtrooper Battle Pack (75320), youngsters can build an army and reimagine epic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back scenes
  • 4 LEGO® minifigures – A Hoth Scout Trooper and 3 Snowtroopers, plus 2 blaster guns, a blaster rifle and blaster pistol
  • Mini builds – An Imperial Hoth speeder bike (which also combines with the 75313 AT-AT set), stud-shooting E-Web heavy repeating blaster and a snow trench with extra ammunition
Hoth AT-ST (75322)

586 pieces | 3 minifigures (plus 1 buildable probe droid) | $49.99

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Youngsters can recreate dramatic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back action with the first-ever LEGO® brick-built model of the AT-ST from the Battle of Hoth (75322). It has an opening hatch and roof for access to the minifigure cockpit, a wheel-operated rotating head, 2 spring-loaded shooters and posable legs. A cool gift for trend-setting kids aged 9 and up, this building toy also features 3 LEGO Star Wars™ minifigures, including Chewbacca with snow decoration, plus an Imperial Probe Droid LEGO figure, to inspire creative play.

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  • The first buildable LEGO® Star Wars™ model of a Battle of Hoth AT-ST – With this authentically detailed building toy (75322), fans can recreate epic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back scenes
  • 3 LEGO® minifigures and a droid – Chewbacca with snow decoration, Hoth AT-ST Pilot and Hoth Rebel Trooper, each with weapons, plus an Imperial Probe Droid LEGO figure
  • Lots of play-inspiring features – The AT-ST walker features a minifigure cockpit accessible via a hatch and opening roof, a wheel-operated rotating head, 2 spring-loaded shooters and posable legs

Like the LEGO Marvel stuff we covered yesterday, these ones come out on January 2022.

LEGO Vidiyoland is New Dream Island on “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”

Way back in March last year, even as the COVID pandemic kicked off, Nintendo released a new videogame. This was “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” for the Switch, fifth entry in Nintendo’s social-simulation franchise. In time it became the second best-selling title on that hybrid console, plus 15th best-selling videogame in history. In comparison, LEGO’s new Vidiyo line, launched just this year, had a rocky road. The minifigure playset-AR music video maker theme seemed fun at first but found few steady buyers. This led LEGO to put Vidiyo on hiatus for 2022. However a curious Vidiyo promo clip with “Animal Crossing” visuals recently piqued some interest.

As it turns out according to Collider, that video heralded a surprise LEGO-Nintendo collaboration. A new dream island expansion has come out for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” As expected, the new area is called “VIDIYOLAND” like the promo clip teased. “ACNH” players will find some new LEGO-themed fun activities waiting for them there. And they get to do them while Vidiyo music plays in the background. VIDIYOLAND features five stages themed after some selected Vidiyo minifigure characters. Enjoy them all in the company of Punk Pirate, Alien DJ, HipHop Robot, Candy Mermaid, and Party Llama.

This looks to be shaping up as unique “damage control” on LEGO’s part for the Vidiyo theme. The line’s not going to see new product releases until 2023. In that case, exposure via videogame tie-in’s the next best thing. And since VIDIYOLAND is tied to a very busy social game like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” it should work. Now LEGO Vidiyo won’t just fade even with a big product hiatus. Players can visit LEGO’s Vidiyoland through the dream address DA-4202-8210-6712.

New LEGO Ideas Sonic Mania Rumor: Possible # of Pieces

Sega’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” once got LEGO representation via character-level pack in the now-defunct “LEGO Dimensions” videogame. LEGO Ideas member Viv “toastergrl” Grannell sought to change that with her product idea. Her “Sonic Mania – Green Hill Zone” passed the Second 2020 Review Stage earlier this year. Afterwards, the now soon-to-be-official set became a prime subject for various rumors. The last big batch of speculations since September included set number (21331), price (€69.99/$83.08) and release date (January 1, 2022). This previous weekend, one new little rumor was caught by Brick Fanatics.

They cite this new info from brick_clicker on Instagram, with his weekend post regarding this heavily-anticipated LEGO Ideas set. According to him, the set may now just be called “Sonic Mania” (dropping “Green Hill Zone”). Next, set 21331 will apparently be comprised of 1,125 pieces. Interestingly, while earlier rumors (care of Promobricks) pegged the set’s retail price at €69.99, the US$ pricing’s roughly similar. Other than that, brick_clicker again reiterates the New Year’s 2022 release. Barring new possible changes, the set will still comprise parts to build Green Hill Zone. Brick Fanatics did its own speculation on additional characters beyond the Sonic minifigure and buildable Dr. Robotnik/Eggman. Nothing’s concrete though.

And with that, we leave you with the reminder that the above info is mere rumor for now. We just hope LEGO will soon give concrete details on their Ideas Sonic Mania set for everyone. Oh, and the above photo is from toastergrl’s original product idea, just for possibility reference.

First 2022 LEGO Marvel Sets Revealed

Not all LEGO rumors turn out exactly as they’re first leaked out. Either the speculation gives some vague description in lieu of names, or the given names turn out wrong. The latter happened with the Creator Expert Pickup Truck (10290), earlier rumored as the “Back to the Future” DeLorean. The former scenario just played out with certain LEGO Marvel rumors we first covered back in September. As you can check back in our article, they were just “Marvel Classic” sets. Well, LEGO officially listed these products online. It turns out three of these items are new Marvel Mech Armor sets.

Check out these new LEGO Marvel Mech Armors coming our way on January 1, 2022:

Wolverine Mech Armor (76202) – 141 pieces | $9.99

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Big fun for Marvel fans

When kids put the Wolverine minifigure into the cockpit of the giant Wolverine mech, they take their creative play to new heights. The Super-Hero mech has movable arms and legs and giant, elongated claws attached to its powerful hands. Marvel movie fans can recreate favorite movie scenes, have epic battles with other mechs in their collection and play out endless imaginative adventures of their own. And, when the action’s over for the day, the awesome Wolverine mech looks great on display in kids’ rooms.

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  • Scale-up the action! – With a Wolverine mech and minifigure, LEGO® Marvel Wolverine Mech Armor (76202) is a big treat for young Super Heroes
  • Iconic Marvel character – Includes a Wolverine minifigure and a buildable Wolverine mech with large movable claws attached to its hands
  • Open-ended play – Kids put the Wolverine minifigure into the mech’s opening cockpit, then use the movable mech and its extra-long claws to battle bad guys and role-play endless Super-Hero adventures
Iron Man Mech Armor (76203) – 130 pieces | $9.99

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Super-fun adventures for young Super Heroes

All kids love Iron Man, right? Well, this mighty mech makes the Iron Man play experience bigger and better. Kids place the Iron Man minifigure into the opening cockpit of the giant Iron Man mech. With the mech’s loaded stud shooter, large energy shield and fully jointed arms and legs, kids can recreate favorite movie scenes, take on other mechs in epic battles and play out endless Super-Hero adventures of their own. And, when the action stops, kids will love to display the Iron Man mech in their room – until the next adventure!

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  • Supersized and super fun – LEGO® Marvel Iron Man Mech Armor (76203) is an extra-large treat for young Super Heroes
  • Popular Marvel character – Includes an Iron Man minifigure and a buildable Iron Man mech with loaded stud shooter, large energy shield and fully jointed arms and legs
  • Imaginative play and display – Kids put the Iron Man minifigure into the mech’s opening cockpit, then use the movable mech to role-play endless battles and Super-Hero adventures
Black Panther Mech Armor (76204) – 124 pieces | $9.99

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Marvel action with a mighty mech

Put mega Marvel adventures into kids’ hands. When they place the Black Panther minifigure into the cockpit of the Black Panther mech, its huge, movable arms, legs and crushing claws guarantee endless Super-Hero action as they battle bad guys, take on other mechs and recreate favorite Marvel movie scenes. And, when the day’s action is over, the Black Panther mech looks awesome on display in any kid’s room.

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  • Mechanical warrior – The LEGO® Marvel Black Panther Mech Armor (76204) is a fun treat for any young Super Hero
  • Iconic Super Hero – Includes a Black Panther minifigure and a buildable Black Panther mech with fully jointed arms, legs and protruding claws
  • Endless imaginative play – Kids put the Black Panther minifigure into the mech’s opening cockpit, then use the movable mech to battle bad guys and play out Super-Hero adventures of their own

But wait! There’s more! We have a new buildable Iron Man figure set for LEGO Marvel’s Infinity Saga line:

Iron Man Figure (76206) – 381 pieces | $39.99

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Just like the real thing

Based on Iron Man from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron, this realistic recreation is fully jointed, so kids can move and position the LEGO Marvel figure as they battle their way through exciting missions. A button-operated Light Brick adds extra realism as it illuminates the arc reactor in Iron Man’s chest. When not saving the universe, the Iron Man model looks great on display and includes a removable information plate with details about the iconic armored Avenger. The free LEGO Building Instructions app contains an additional digital guide that kids can use to zoom, rotate and visualize their model. There’s also a guided, real-life, building process that allows young builders to construct with confidence.

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  • An Iron Man of their own – LEGO® Marvel Iron Man Figure (76206) is the ultimate gift for fans of the armored Avenger
  • Iconic Marvel hero – Kids assemble the 381 pieces into a realistic recreation of the metal-clad star of the Marvel movies
  • Fully jointed – All parts of the buildable Iron Man are articulated, so kids can move, position and pose the armor just like the real thing

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January 1 next year’s shaping up to be a great start for LEGO Marvel collectors.

LEGO “Back to the Future” DeLorean Rumor Returns; April/July 2022 Release?

LEGO is an old hand in making everything old new again, sort of. Many of their set releases and GWPs turn out to be revamps of ones they rolled out years or decades ago. You know the LEGO Harry Potter Gryffindor Dorms (40452) GWP? It’s a slightly more detailed reissue of the “very old” Gryffindor House (4722) set from the theme’s early years. Now German LEGO news source Promobricks tells us of an upcoming set based on an early LEGO Ideas set. How early? The original set, DeLorean (21103), was the fourth release back when LEGO Ideas was LEGO Cuusoo.

Now, this isn’t exactly an original rumor. Earlier this year, social media would speculate that set 10290 was the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.” Of course, we know for very long now that it was the Creator Expert Pickup Truck instead. But Promobricks has it that the LEGO DeLorean rumor still lives. New details allege that the set, number 10300, will release early next year. It will first become available in April 2022 for VIPs, then generally by July. The retail price for this rumored DeLorean (10300) will be €169.99, or $194.70 (direct conversion).

Now, as exciting as that might sound, heed the usual disclaimer. The above is a rumor, and must be treated as such until LEGO gives official word. Still, a new brick-build “Back to the Future” DeLorean sounds cool. Let’s hope this new allegation pans out.

New LEGO Ideas 10-K Passer: Bonefoot’s Moominhouse

The newest LEGO Ideas product idea with 10,000 supporters and join the Third 2021 Review Stage has quite the story. Flash back to 1945. As World War II was coming to an end, Finnish author Tove Jansson published a book. It and the next eight novels (plus five picture books) starred an unusual family. They trolls, called Moomins, all lived in a tall, round and blue house with a red cone roof.

Their adventures became popular in Europe and, quite singularly, in Japan. Why else with Japanese anime studios make multiple series about them? This product idea’s creator even has an alternative Japanese-language set description.

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Ideas member Bonefoot loves the Moomins. One can tell from his Moomin page avatar. And as can be implied from above, this contribution is a LEGO Moominhouse. The modular three-story round blue-red structure can be separated by floors. That gives access to the meticulously detailed interior.

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Fans who have read the Moomin books (or Japanese anime viewers) will find the inside somewhat nostalgic. The Ideas Moominhouse comes across as a formidable set candidate, perhaps lacking only figures of the adorable-looking Moomin family. This is the 16th entry to the LEGO Ideas Third 2021 Review Stage.

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Other 10-K sets in the Third 2021 Review Stage (of similar structure build) includes:

LEGO Black Friday Deals Revealed for VIP Weekend

We all know this is coming. With us now in the middle of November, Black Friday draws ever nearer. With that highly-anticipated event come the expected special deals and new releases courtesy of LEGO. In fact, some of those surprises are already known. LEGO’s got big sets like the Star Wars UCS AT-AT (75313) accompanied by multiple GWPs. But the rest remain unknown; or at least they were. LEGO.com Australia revealed even more deals for Black Friday this past weekend according to Brickset. We make note of them even as the other LEGO.com portals officially list the same by now.

Officially, the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period runs November 26-29. But if you’re a LEGO VIP member then the fun starts earlier for you; one weekend earlier in fact. VIPs can get these special deals from November 20 to 21. They will rerun for everybody on the weekend after that. Here’s what LEGO’s got lined up:

  • Doubled VIP Points (naturally)

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  • VIP GWP: Retro Tin Sign (evoking old LEGO box covers) – collectible with LEGO purchases over $309

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  • GWP Early Access: Santa’s Front Yard (40484) – collectible with LEGO purchases over $229
  • VIP Reward Center Sale (discount VIP points on rewards)

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  • Vintage Camera set – 2,000 VIP point redemption, while stocks last

See how advantageous LEGO VIP membership can be? You get a shot at these deals early before everyone else storms in on Black Friday. If you miss it then, there’s always November 26-29. That’s when the LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT (75313) launches.