We all know that LEGO is an old hand at cross-promotional partnerships. Their team-ups with brands like Adidas give their partner some neat LEGO-themed merchandise. In return, they get to develop some sweet tie-ins. Aside from clothing labels The LEGO Group also collaborates with retail brands. Usually that nets some exclusive deals on LEGO products, if the retailer is something like Target. But this latest partnership between the two promises to be one of the biggest yet. After several teasers last month, the LEGO x Target Collection looks ready to go with a launch date.
Brick Fanatics tells us that the limited-time is due to release on December 4. It consists of a wide variety of LEGO-themed merchandise, from clothes to accessories to plastic house-ware. Signature brick aesthetics can make future owners believe they’re using 1:1 scale LEGO pieces. The entire collection boasts no less than 300 individual items with an average price of $30. Is that too steep or too cheap? There are LEGO x Target Collection items going as low as $1.50 and up to $120. You’re sure to find something for every member of the family, even pets.
Sip your drinks from minifigure mugs sized just right for your hands. Go to the beach or playground sandbox with a sand-building kit including sand-brick molds and shovels. LEGO collectors probably could never have enough minifigure-head storage containers. And of course, the bright and cheery LEGO x Target clothes are all snazzy, if you like that fashion. You can get them all exclusively from Target stores and online starting December 4. They’ve even kept the promo open-ended, so save up and get ready for them.
LEGO’s been on the material sustainability kick for well on several years now. One can safely say that the toy megabrand’s efforts go well beyond mere lip service. When their products are made of lots of plastic, LEGO owes it to the environment. Thus the company has been studying various alternative raw materials for their bricks and pieces. One example would be using plant-based materials for LEGO plant elements. Then in the middle of this year, LEGO produced a prototype brick from recycled PET plastic. It’s a start and there’s still a long way to go, but their breakthrough just got some major media recognition.
According to The Brick Fan, LEGO got a mention in the 100 Best Inventions of 2021 by TIME magazine. The citation mentioned LEGO’s long-term pledge to make their bricks out of sustainable materials by 2030. And their triumphant prototype brick introduced back in June was the result of three years of research. The aforementioned piece is touted as being identical to the feel of a regularly-molded LEGO brick. With the process now proven possible, the company could begin increasing use of sustainable pieces in their sets. This immediate goal has been given a timetable of about 18 to 24 months.
To give a perspective, TIME notes that LEGO’s annual manufacture of plastic resin for their products is 100,000 metric tons. Why make lots of new plastic that could go to waste when waste plastic could be recycled? We wish LEGO luck in implementing their breakthrough, and congratulate their inclusion in TIME’s 100 Best Inventions 2021.
Earlier this week we had our first peek at some upcoming LEGO sets for the start of 2022. Said items showed up in the 4th China International Import Expo over the previous weekend. The venue was rather appropriate considering that two Chinese New Year sets number among the reveals. A few days later, LEGO.com put their listings up, according to Brickset. Now let’s enjoy closer looks at what collectors can expect this coming New Year.
Capture the excitement of Lunar New Year family traditions with this colorful LEGO® toy building set (80108) for ages 8 and up. It features 6 brick-built scenes that are packed with authentic details, and each portrays different festive activities, including food shopping, making good-luck decorations, visiting family and exchanging ‘Hongbao’ red envelopes. There are separate building instructions for each of the detailed scenes so the whole family can build together, and the modules can be arranged in multiple ways to create a unique display.
Role-play fun
The set features 12 LEGO minifigures, including the God of Wealth and a family of 6 people, to bring the scenes to life and let kids role-play their own stories.
Top gifts
Collectible Traditional Festival LEGO construction toys make splendid educational gifts for creative kids and anyone interested in Asian culture. Great for building and playing with solo or with friends and family, they also make eye-catching centerpieces.
Modular play-and-display set showcasing Lunar New Year family traditions – Kids learn about Chinese New Year customs as they build and have festive fun with this colorful LEGO® set (80108)
12 LEGO® minifigures bring each scene to life – the God of Wealth, a stallholder, a couple, man, girl, and a family of 6: dad, mom, grandpa, grandma, a girl and boy
6 scenes that connect in multiple ways – Each of the 6 modules portrays a festive activity, including spring-cleaning, food shopping, making good-luck decorations and exchanging gifts with family
Get in the mood for celebration with this LEGO® Lunar New Year Ice Festival building set (80109) for ages 8 and up. It features a highly detailed winter scene with a brick-built frozen lake, equipment rental shop, sweet potato vendor’s cart, photo booth, chun ice sculpture, vending machine, penguin-shaped sled, ski slope, snow-capped tree and more.
Build, play and display
The joyful scene is brought to life by 13 LEGO minifigures, including a person in a tiger outfit to mark the Year of theTiger, plus a penguin figure and lots of fun accessory elements such as ice skates, a hockey puck, smartphone, translucent-blue penguin ice sculpture and ice-sculpting tools. The set is fun to build solo or as a family activity and makes a wonderfully playful festive centerpiece.
Lunar New Year play-and-display set – Kids can recreate the traditional family fun of a Chinese New Year Ice Festival with this LEGO® set (80109), featuring a-detailed, buildable winter scene
13 LEGO® minifigures with lots of accessories – Includes a person in a tiger outfit to mark the Year of the Tiger, sweet-potato vendor, ice sculptor, mom, dad and children, plus a penguin figure
Buildable winter wonderland – A frozen lake, penguin-shaped sled, ski slope, chun ice sculpture, equipment rental shop, photo booth, vending machine, sweet potato vendor’s cart and more
Role-play Chinese New Year activities – Rent equipment from the shop, skate, play hockey and ride the penguin sled on the lake, carve ice sculptures, go ice fishing and take photos with penguins
Lift off for extra LEGO® Super Mario™ action with Bowser Jr.’s Clown Car Expansion Set (71396) for ages 6 and up. It features a brick-built version of the Junior Clown Car, plus a LEGO toy figure of a Bob-omb for children to add to their Starter Course. Place LEGO® Mario™ and/or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) in the Junior Clown Car and fly it around to collect digital coins. (Note: the 71360 or 71387 Starter Course is required for interactive play.)
Digitally enhanced building and play
Find building instructions for this set on the companion LEGO Super Mario app. The app also offers inspiration for different ways to build and play, and it offers a safe forum for children to share their creations.
Aerial action with Bowser Jr.’s Clown Car – Kids can add an aerial, coin-collecting challenge to their LEGO® Super Mario™ universe with the 71396 Bowser Jr.’s Clown Car Expansion Set
An enemy Bob-omb – The set includes a LEGO® toy figure of a Bob-omb to add to the brick-built levels that kids create
Fly to collect digital coins – Place a LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) in the brick-built Junior Clown Car and fly it around to earn coins
Add a colorful beach level to the LEGO® Super Mario™ universe with the Dorrie’s Beachfront Expansion Set (71398) for ages 6 and up. It features a Dorrie LEGO figure, which LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) can ride on. There is a launcher to flick a green shell at the Huckit Crab figure, plus a buildable sandcastle, water fountain and tree, each with cool functions that the player must activate to access the 1, 2, 3 Blocks. (Note: the 71360 or 71387 Starter Course is required for interactive play.)
Companion app
This collectible toy playset makes a super gift for trendsetting kids and is ideal for solo play or social competitions. Check out the LEGO Super Mario app for building instructions, creative inspiration and more fun stuff.
Colorful, brick-built beach level – Kids can add beach challenges to their LEGO® Super Mario™ Starter Course with the 71398 Dorrie’s Beachfront Expansion Set
2 iconic Super Mario™ characters – A LEGO® figure of Dorrie for LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) to ride on and explore the level, plus an enemy Huckit Crab to defeat
Shell-launching, 1, 2, 3 Block-hunting fun – A launcher to flick a green shell at the Huckit Crab, plus a buildable sandcastle, water fountain and tree, each with functions to reveal 1, 2, 3 Blocks
Solo or social play – Friends and family members can compete to collect the most digital coins, then rebuild the level to set a new challenge
Create an action-packed level with the LEGO® Super Mario™ Big Urchin Beach Ride Expansion Set (71400) for ages 7 and up. It features a roller coaster with a Dolphin LEGO figure for LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) to ride on while trying to shake the Super Star Block out of the palm tree and topple a Big Urchin. Make Cheep Cheeps ‘leap’ by jumping on the bridge and collect more digital coins for spectacular dives off the springboard and fun interactions with the Yellow Yoshi toy figure. (Note: the 71360 or 71387 Starter Course is required for interactive play.)
Action-packed, buildable beach level – Take the LEGO® Super Mario™ action to the beach with the Big Urchin Beach Ride Expansion Set (71400) for solo or social play
5 LEGO® Super Mario™ toy figures – Yellow Yoshi, a Big Urchin, 2 Cheep Cheeps, and a Dolphin for LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ (figures not included) to ride on
High-diving, dolphin-riding fun – A springboard to perform dives and a roller coaster to shake the Super Star Block out of the palm tree and topple the Big Urchin
Bridge with ‘leaping’ Cheep Cheeps – Jump up and down on the bridge to make the Cheep Cheeps ‘leap’ and stomp on them to collect digital coins
Create even more action-packed levels with collectible toy Character Packs – Series 4 (71402) for ages 6 and up. Each pack contains a mystery, buildable character with an Action Tag, plus a small build to use as a display stand or to enhance play. There are 10 LEGO® Super Mario™ characters to collect: a Mechakoopa, Para-Biddybud, Stingby, Bully, Freezie, Ant Trooper, Goombrat, Coin Coffer, Scaredy Rat and a baby penguin. Each is designed to be used with a Starter Course set (71360 or 71387), which is required for interactive play.
Collectible LEGO® Super Mario™ toy characters – Give kids extra interactive play options with Character Packs – Series 4 (71402). Each pack contains a mystery buildable character with an Action Tag
10 to collect, build and play with – A Mechakoopa, Para-Biddybud, Stingby, Bully, Freezie, Ant Trooper, Goombrat, Coin Coffer, Scaredy Rat and a baby penguin
Starter Course (71360 or 71387) required for interactive play – One of the Starter Course sets, featuring the LEGO® Mario™ (in set 71360) and LEGO® Luigi™ (in set 71387) figures, is needed for play
Small build in each pack – Kids can use the build as a display stand or incorporate it into the levels they create. LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ react to the characters in various ways
Don’t forget. These LEGO sets arrive on January 1 of 2022.
It feels like only yesterday at times, when LEGO Harry Potter collectors thought they missed out on a GWP. That October 2021 LEGO Store calendar offered two LEGO Harry Potter items as GWPs. The key set of the two was Hogwarts – Gryffindor Dorms (40452). It was a modular set that also doubled as a display space for Wizarding World tiles. These were included in all 20th Anniversary LEGO HP sets. But as it stood, the GWP period for Gryffindor Dorms (40452) ran from October 25 to November 7. That was despite being “removed” from the second October store calendar. At least, that was the GWP period before it came back.
Brick Fanatics tells us that LEGO’s online store has brought back LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts – Gryffindor Dorms (40452). That’s great news for those who missed it as a GWP. It would be like the promo period never stopped. Collectors now have until November 19 to claim this nice little set featuring Harry and Ron in their rooms. The deal remains the same too. LEGO Harry Potter purchases over $100 (also £ and €) will net you the Gryffindor Dorms (40452). As far as GWP goes, this is one of the best among the recent offerings.
Every year the Toy Association honors the best products in the industry through its annual Toy of the Year Awards. It doesn’t take a follower of these events to know that LEGO is a regular nominee and awardee here. Being one of the biggest toy brands in modern history is a perk in itself. Furthermore, many of the sets they release year after year deserve nominations and wins. The 2022 Toy of the Year Awards is no exception. Of the 16 possible categories, LEGO has representation in at least eight. Some of these categories even have multiple LEGO nominees.
It’s amazing that one set from LEGO’s misfiring Vidiiyo theme also made it in. Then again, that would be the Toy Association’s call. Maybe the accolade (and a possible award) may reinvigorate interest in the Vidiyo line. Who can tell? Anyway, we wish LEGO’s 2022 Toy of the Year Award nominees the best of luck.
The filling out of LEGO Ideas’ Third 2021 Review Stage continues. At last count, the 10-K product ideas in this batch now include four building sets. It would be five if you count the interior set for BenFankhauser’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” 99th Precinct. These other builds boast nicely-detailed insides with room for the accompanying minifigures to pose in. But a new product idea with 10,000 supporters will soon give the early ones a run for their money. It’s an original theme with an attached storyline too, based on a popular sci-fi sub-genre. Say hello to Steampunk Explorers.
LEGO Ideas 10-K Club Member Castor-Troy, along with Max Brich gives us this impressive building set. It boasts a nice Victorian-era style but with aesthetically-fitting tech advancements. The building is modular and can be divided into three sections as shown:
Left: 1F Workshop/Garage, 2F Greenhouse
Center: 1F Main Entrance, 2F Hot-Air Balloon Hangar
Right: 1F Planetarium, 2F Observatory
As seen, the build includes two vehicles: a 2-in-1 observation vehicle (aircraft/submarine) and the aforementioned hot-air balloon. The creators even made profiles for no less than eight minifigure characters working in this Steampunk facility. From left to right, top-down, they are:
Franck Reade Jr. (pilot/astronaut)
Prof. Hasan Jensendi (astrophysicist and ether particle discoverer)
Kastor Zebulon Troy (oceanographer/diver)
Maximus Brikonov (pilot/mechanic)
Louis D.H. Griffont (philanthropist financier)
Countess Cecilia de Acuña (polyglot and ancient language expert)
Pierre-Jules Pevelverne (engineer/designer)
Dr. Alexa Tarabotti (botanist/herbalist)
One would think Castor-Troy and Max Brich are pitching a new LEGO theme with this product idea. It might be a hit too. But first “Steampunk Explorers” much survive the Third 2021 Review Stage on LEGO Ideas. And it has plenty of serious competition already.
Given the epic grand entrance of the LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT (75313), a pretty cool LEGO Star Wars promo video is expected. LEGO certainly did not disappoint with their ad for the set, posted on their official Twitter account. Viewers are treated to a minute of superb visual storytelling with lots of Star Wars shout-outs. It starts innocently with a guy walking out of a London LEGO Shop, UCS AT-AT in his arms. Then we hear the actual AT-AT sounds as he walks. He sees a car with a Millennium Falcon license plate, then Princess Leia. The rest of the shout-outs are seen in the eyes of the audience.
“We’ve spotted Imperial Walkers”…and they are about to put your home under siege! Introducing the biggest LEGO Star Wars AT-AT to date, from the iconic Ultimate Collector Series. https://t.co/WGcKz1QVwipic.twitter.com/p0yF6exOps
While looking at that this latest LEGO Star Wars promo video, we also stumbled upon this interesting new video. It features Vidiyo, the hybrid minifigure-AR music video theme launched just this year. While an exciting bop during its introduction, sales-wise LEGO Vidiyo was a bust. It wasn’t surprising when LEGO announced that no new Vidiyo products were coming next year. They apparently plan to revamp the theme for a 2023 soft re-launch. So what is this LEGO Twitter teaser video trying to tell us?
When two amazing worlds collide, magic happens. ⚡️ Keep your eyes peeled and your dancing shoes ready, because you aren’t going to want to miss this! 🕺🏝💃 pic.twitter.com/93LqGuVSpd
Judging from the animation style reminiscent of “Animal Crossing,” “LEGO Vidiyoland” could possibly be a new animated series. Of course, that’s only our opinion based on a 15-second video. Don’t take our word for it and probably just wait for LEGO to elaborate on this. Unless…the character design is less “Animal Crossing”-like and more an actual “Animal Crossing” crossover, now that would be surprisingly exciting.
We just got through with featuring LEGO’s official reveal of its UCS AT-AT (75313). Such an epic set usually comes with a bonus, as has been the fashion with big releases from LEGO lately. And indeed, when LEGO announced Star Wars UCS 75313 this past November 9, it was accompanied by a teaser image. Said image is definitely the next LEGO Star Wars GWP. Despite just being one picture, it’s enough of a clue as to what to expect. Because in the next few weeks, we’ll be treated to another gift-with-purchase set in the form of the LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber (40483).
Brickset gives us this one good look at LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber (40483). Although not outright specified when revealed, this is most likely a promotional GWP set. It follows the likes of a similar promotional item back in 2020 in the form of Yoda’s Lightsaber (6346098). As of this press time, the only other place mentioning Luke’s Lightsaber set is LEGO’s Customer Service Building Instructions page via LEGO.com. Even then, its entry only has the above photo and release year, which isn’t much.
Interestingly, one of the earlier UCS AT-AT-related rumors mentioned a GWP set numbered 40484. The rumor alleges it to be a micro Star Destroyer. Whether it was a mistake, or if a 40484 will follow Luke’s Lightsaber (40483), we’ll just have to wait. LEGO will spill the details eventually.
Advanced knowledge of upcoming LEGO sets can be a double-edged sword. On the plus side, you can start saving up early if it’s a set you want. On the minus side, the waiting gets really tedious. Furthermore, the transition from rumor to possible leak prior to an official LEGO reveal could make or break anticipation. That goes double for major releases like a new LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series (UCS). Word of a LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT Walker (75313) has been one of the biggest buzzes over the past weeks. Following a leaked reveal date, we now have final confirmation.
With LEGO listing this iconic brick-built Imperial Mammoth, the LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT (75313) is expected to arrive in November. This build is near double the height of the 2020-released AT-AT (75288). We can expect nothing less from an Ultimate Collector Series release. Now let us bask in the glory of this set before its official launch date. Check out the official product description below and its glorious pictures.
6,785 pieces | 9 minifigures | $799.99 | age 18+ | coming November 26, 2022
This is the AT-AT (75313) that every LEGO® Star Wars™ fan has been waiting for. This epic Ultimate Collector Series build-and-display model features posable legs and head, cannons with a realistic recoil action, rotating cannons, bomb-drop hatch and a hook to attach to Luke Skywalker’s line, just like in the Battle of Hoth.
Room for an Imperial army
The AT-AT measures over 24.5 in. (62 cm) high and is easily opened to view the detailed interior. The main body has space for 40 LEGO minifigures (General Veers and Luke Skywalker are among 9 in this set), 4 speeder bikes (2 included) and the included E-Web heavy repeating blaster. The head/cockpit seats 2 LEGO minifigures and has space for 1 more. An information plaque completes a magnificent display piece.
Build and display the first-ever LEGO® Star Wars™ Ultimate Collector Series version of an AT-AT (75313) from the Battle of Hoth in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
Includes 9 LEGO® Star Wars™ minifigures – General Veers, Luke Skywalker, Snowtrooper Commander, 4 Snowtroopers and 2 AT-AT Drivers – plus an information plaque to complete a stunning centerpiece.
This epic, buildable model features posable legs and head, opening hatches, cannons with a realistic recoil action, rotating cannons, bomb-drop hatch, and a hook to attach to Luke Skywalker’s line.
The AT-AT has panels that lift-off to reveal the interior. The main body has space for up to 40 LEGO® minifigures, 4 speeder bikes (2 included), and the included E-Web heavy repeating blaster.
Enjoy grabbing this baby come on Black Friday 2022. It’ll even come with a neat new GWP item, as you’ll read about next.
Earlier this year, the LEGO Education line announced a partnership with NASA and the planned Artemis 1 space mission. From this collaboration arose their STEM exploration series, LEGO Build to Launch. The series featured space program character minifigures explaining all the stuff that goes into a rocket launch and moon mission. There have also been recent rumors regarding its cast featuring in some upcoming LEGO City sets. The said space-themed City sets are supposed to arrive next year. Meanwhile, it is confirmed that two LEGO Build to Launch minifigs will be physically made and put into an actual space launch.
According to Brick Fanatics, LEGO Education’s “Build to Launch” series is sending two of its characters aboard the Orion spacecraft. Said characters have been rendered digitally for the STEM exploration series. But LEGO will make physical versions of Command Pilot Kate and Mission Specialist Kyle. They will be put into the Orion reusable spacecraft to be carried by NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). This mission, Artemis 1, will commence on February 2022. The Kate and Kyle minifigs will take the place of a manned crew in this test flight. LEGO Education President Esben Staerk notes that this event will culminate in the Build to Launch exploratory series.
The fact that these Build to Launch characters will be made into actual minifigs seemingly lends credit to earlier rumors. After all, why stop at two when all of this LEGO Education STEM series (animated) cast could follow suit? And maybe they might just show up in the aforementioned upcoming LEGO City space sets. Viewers of the “Build to Launch” series could dream. Anyway, here’s the first video in the exploratory series, so you know what Kate and Kyle look like.
