The Verdict

Scuderia Ferrari Charles Leclerc Helmet

LEGO 43014-1 · 89.99 €

Released 6 months ago

The Charles Leclerc 43014 helmet stands out for its sophisticated construction and display appeal. Its 886 pieces form a complex internal structure designed to reproduce the helmet’s curves through ingenious assembly techniques. Brickset.com finds the experience challenging but rewarding, while Jay's Brick Blog highlights the almost seamless way the shapes come together. The Earl of Bricks particularly appreciates the visor’s effect on the finished appearance. The model remains compact and fits easily on a shelf. Most decorated pieces are printed, although the visor uses stickers. A few gaps remain, and the underside exposes some of the structure, which is generally hard to see when the helmet is displayed. The visor does not open. The price attracts more reservations: Brickset.com and Jay's Brick Blog would have preferred a larger model, whereas The Earl of Bricks considers the included elements sufficient to justify the cost. The build is not ideal for beginners and closely resembles that of the Lewis Hamilton helmet. The available reviews do not allow durability or instruction quality to be assessed separately.

Mario Kart™: Luigi & Proto 8

LEGO 72050-1 · 179.99 €

Released 7 months ago

Luigi & Mach 8 is an ambitious display model whose accuracy and shaping earn praise from all three reviewers. The kart combines blue and yellow curves, large wheels and an imposing windscreen; Luigi reuses some techniques from the Mario model while adjusting his proportions. New Elementary particularly enjoys the building techniques, which are varied enough to make repeated subassemblies enjoyable. Jay's Brick Blog describes an interesting, moderately challenging build, although its Technic-heavy interior can be confusing. Brickset highlights the use of clips and ball joints to achieve the vehicle’s angles. Reservations mainly concern the functions and presentation: Jay's Brick Blog finds the rear flame mechanism somewhat stiff, while acknowledging a possible building error, and considers the wheels and gears less suited to play. Brickset would have liked to see Luigi standing rather than sitting. Value for money receives a favourable reception, although Brickset notes the absence of minifigures. The excerpts do not provide enough evidence to assess long-term durability or the quality of the instructions.

McLaren MCL39 F1® Car

LEGO 42228-1 · 229.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO Technic McLaren F1 Team MCL39 42228 offers an ambitious interpretation of the McLaren racing car through 1,675 pieces. Reviewers appreciate its appearance and the way its building techniques refresh a formula already familiar to fans of Technic Formula 1 cars. Jay's Brick Blog finds the build broadly conventional but engaging and detailed; Brick Fanatics goes further, praising the improvements and ideas that distinguish this model from its predecessors. The Brothers Brick cautions, however, that repeatedly assembling certain mechanical components can become tiresome for builders accustomed to the range. The finished display model impresses, although Jay's Brick Blog notes that the rear wheels are too thin and questions the link between the DRS flap and the gearbox. There are many stickers. At the €229.99 price reported by Jay's Brick Blog and Brick Fanatics, the model remains at the same level as the previous year’s Ferrari and Red Bull. The excerpts do not, however, provide enough evidence to assess its long-term durability or the clarity of its instructions.

The Maersk dual-fuel container vessel

LEGO 40955-1 · 149.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO 40955 Maersk Dual-Fuel Container Vessel is a 1,516-piece display model of the Ane Maersk. At 60 cm long, it is primarily aimed at display and at merchant-shipping enthusiasts. Reviewers generally appreciate its resemblance to the real vessel, its proportions and colours, although some are disappointed by the absence of the historic Maersk blue. The bow also divides opinion: Brick Fanatics finds it interesting to build, while hothbricks considers it insufficiently refined. Construction moves between the hull, interior details and cargo. Several outlets appreciate the use of traditional bricks and the small interior features, but container stacks and their supports make the experience repetitive. The containers’ printed labels are welcome, although some stickers are still required. The model offers limited play value. At €149.99, its value is disputed: Jay's Brick Blog considers it reasonable, while zusammengebaut and hothbricks find it too expensive. The manual introduces the ship and its context but omits the shared history of LEGO and Maersk. This is therefore a convincing display piece for its intended audience, though its build and price will not necessarily appeal to every builder.

Large Blue Astronaut Minifigure

LEGO 40921-1 · 59.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The large blue astronaut figure appeals above all through its faithful evocation of Classic Space. Reviewers praise its proportions, air tanks and display appeal, as well as its rare or newly recoloured blue parts for other builds. The building experience is considered enjoyable and includes clever techniques, although it reuses ideas from earlier large figures and is fairly quick according to zusammengebaut. Revised hip joints improve stability, but the torso and head connections are not directly interchangeable with those of previous models. The head does not rotate. Brickset.com also misses an accessory and finds the lower part of the helmet a little bulky. At €59.99 for 793 pieces, Brickonaute considers the price very reasonable, whereas zusammengebaut finds it less compelling for a figure primarily intended for display. The instructions provide a nostalgic touch, but the excerpts do not allow their clarity to be assessed. Overall, this is a well-liked display model recommended more for its character and charm than for an entirely new building experience.

The Ginger Cat

LEGO 21376-1 · 99.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO Ideas 21376 Orange Cat largely reuses the Tuxedo Cat’s structure, but gives it a Medium Nougat coat, a mirrored tail and a few changes to the head. The Brothers Brick finds its shell-over-frame construction easy to follow, while the hollow core keeps the model from becoming too heavy. Brickset likes this almost life-sized representation of a cat, although it finds the coat markings less realistic than those of the black-and-white model. hothbricks mainly regrets that LEGO did not choose a different pose to distinguish the two animals more clearly. The price remains the same as the Tuxedo Cat’s despite the addition of 45 pieces: The Brothers Brick sees strong value, reinforced by the many recoloured parts, and Brickset raises no objection to the price. The single instruction manual includes an updated introduction to the designer and an explanation of the differences between the two models; hothbricks would have preferred several booklets to make use of the modular design. Overall, this is an appealing display cat, but its interest for owners of the first set will depend on their appetite for rebuilding a very similar shape. The excerpts do not allow its long-term durability to be assessed.

Cuddly Otters

LEGO 21366-1 · 109.99 €

Released 8 months ago

LEGO Ideas 21366 Floating Sea Otters depicts an adult sea otter and its pup on a water-themed base. The three reviews considered appreciate the model’s realistic, endearing appearance, even though it differs substantially from Maximilian Lambrecht’s original submission. The Brothers Brick highlights the work on the fur, face and hands, while Brickset.com and Brick Fanatics praise the sense of depth and the available posing options. The build uses accessible techniques and clever visual ideas. Brickset.com finds it fun and not repetitive; Brick Fanatics, however, says layering the transparent elements can become repetitive. Despite the animals’ articulation, the model is primarily intended for display. Brickset.com also reports vegetation falling off during photography and an arm needing repeated reassembly, while acknowledging that a building error could explain the latter. The price divides reviewers: Brick Fanatics considers it appropriate for a display piece, but Brickset.com finds the set expensive. The available evidence does not support reliable ratings for overall sturdiness or instruction quality.

The Sunflower Bouquet

LEGO 11502-1 · 59.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO Botanicals 11502 Sunflower Bouquet impresses with its large, bright and realistic flowers. Reviewers appreciate the different flower-head designs and the eucalyptus, which adds contrast and variety to the arrangement. Jay's Brick Blog and The Rambling Brick find the build enjoyable to share thanks to its two instruction booklets. It is nevertheless repetitive, although alternating stems and flowers helps reduce that effect. nanibricks considers it straightforward and relaxing rather than technically challenging. The finished display is convincing, but the large heads are heavy: Brickset.com says they make arranging the bouquet in a vase difficult, while nanibricks advises against a very light vase. A vase must also be supplied separately. Observations on sturdiness are favorable but limited: nanibricks does not find the first flowers fragile. At €59.99 for 686 pieces, Jay's Brick Blog considers the price reasonable for the piece count and new colors. New Elementary nevertheless points out that the bouquet has fewer individual flowers than comparable sets. It is therefore most appealing to someone who values large, expressive blooms over a particularly dense arrangement.

Last Chance Project

LEGO 11389-1 · 109.99 €

Released 8 months ago

LEGO Icons 11389 Project Hail Mary is primarily a display model whose stand houses a mechanism that moves and rotates the crew compartment. Reviewers widely praise this ingenious feature and the depiction of the film’s spacecraft. Printed elements, the Ryland Grace minifigure and the small character display also add to its appeal. The build, however, devotes most of its time to Technic elements and the stand: the ship itself accounts for only part of the assembly. That approach appeals to fans of mechanisms but may disappoint those who mainly want to build the vessel. The stand also divides opinion: The Brothers Brick calls it sturdy, while Brickset finds it bulky and insufficiently stable. Some reviewers like Rocky, but others consider his depiction too chunky or imperfect. Price is the main point of contention. The Brothers Brick considers it reasonable in the United States, whereas Jay's Brick Blog finds it high, particularly in the UK and Australia. The booklet provides background information, but the supplied reviews do not clearly establish the quality of the instructions.

Ford Model T

LEGO 11376-1 · 129.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO Icons Ford Model T is an enjoyable build and an appealing display car, but its strengths come with some compromises. Reviewers appreciate the varied techniques, vintage silhouette and bodywork details. The chassis is considered stable, while temporary supports make assembly easier. The crank drives the fan, although the mechanism becomes difficult to see once the bonnet is fitted. Reservations include a so-called illegal building technique, creases in the soft top and, according to Bouwsteentjes.info, tilted front wheels. Merlins Steine also finds the bench difficult to remove to reach the fuel tank. The instructions provide welcome historical context, although the excerpts do not allow their clarity to be assessed fully. Brickonaute considers the €129.99 retail price high despite the specialised elements. Merlins Steine is more inclined to recommend the model at around €100. It is therefore primarily a display piece for classic-car enthusiasts, whose value also depends on the price paid.

SMART Play™: Millennium Falcon

LEGO 75426-1 · 99.99 €

Released 8 months ago

The LEGO Star Wars 75426 Millennium Falcon prioritises play and access to its interior over visual accuracy. Brickset.com appreciates its spacious, surprisingly detailed cabin, while hothbricks highlights the easily accessible cockpit and sturdy movable panels. zusammengebaut also sees it as a good play model, with enough interior space. Construction is divided into nine stages and accompanied by a single instruction booklet, which zusammengebaut considers straightforward for its young audience. The appearance is less convincing: Brickset.com notes gaps revealing colourful pieces, hothbricks criticises the integration of SMART elements around the cockpit in particular, and zusammengebaut does not warm to the overall design. The set is compatible with the SMART Brick but does not include one. Buying it separately through another set therefore raises the cost of the interactive functions. Reviews differ on value: Brickset.com considers the Falcon an acceptable play set at its price, whereas hothbricks finds it expensive and recommends waiting for a discount. zusammengebaut appreciates the model as a toy but finds the SMART functions forgettable, apart from the engine lighting with an additional brick.

Pikachu and Poké Ball

LEGO 72152-1 · 199.99 €

Released 8 months ago

LEGO Pikachu and Poké Ball 72152 stands out chiefly for its building experience and display presence. Brickset.com enjoys the varied techniques used to form the body and limbs, as well as the colourful internal structure that helps builders follow the assembly. The Earl of Bricks also praises the way the character gradually takes shape. Switch-Actu finds the instructions clear, but considers some stages repetitive, particularly the black base. The finished look is more divisive. For The Earl of Bricks, the curves and facial features make the character recognisable; Brickset.com, however, finds its face strange. Switch-Actu considers the finished model more successful in person than in photos. Handling also calls for care: Brickset.com reports arms that detach easily and a small support that does not lock in place, while Switch-Actu notes imperfect stability and fragile elements. Finally, price is a significant obstacle. Brick Banter questions the decision to make such an expensive model, while Switch-Actu stresses the investment required despite the pleasing decorative result. Overall, the set appears better suited to display than to frequent handling.