Today we take a quick look back at a year 2023 which will once again have been very rich in products targeting in a completely uninhibited and assumed manner an adult clientele who can afford plastic toys. . Like each of you, I was seduced, enthusiastic, annoyed or disappointed by some of these products but the tastes and colors cannot be discussed and the sets that I consider successful or unsuccessful will undoubtedly not be so for everyone.

I say this so as not to appear to be obsessed only by overpriced products, I am an adult fan generally seduced by sets which have a little more to offer than simple fun functionalities and my gaze is therefore turned logically towards the boxes at the high public price that LEGO tries to sell me all year round.

My big favorite this year is undoubtedly the set 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell (€499.99), a box which allowed me to immerse myself in a universe initially too poorly exploited for my taste by LEGO and put aside for too long afterwards. This product was an excellent surprise, not trying to take on the appearance of a playset by fully assuming its status as a pure exhibition model and the adult that I am was largely satisfied with it, both in terms of content and on form, despite a price that will probably seem unreasonable to many fans.

Another favorite in a universe that also takes me back a few years, the set 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol (€149.99) which is also a nice display product which does not, however, miss out on some well-integrated features. The object pays a beautiful tribute to the film from which it is inspired and I found something to get excited about and even have a little fun while having the possibility of displaying a relatively compact diorama on my shelves. I'm not one of those who dedicate an entire temple to their collection at home, but I like to keep a few sets assembled in a corner, at least until another box steals the spotlight and temporarily takes their place. This set fulfills this role perfectly.

In the LEGO Star Wars range, these are not the two stamped products Ultimate Collector Series marketed this year which excited me the most with on the one hand yet another X-wing and on the other the nevertheless very successful Hunter, the good surprise came for me from the set 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer (€69.99), an accessible box which offers an excellent compromise between level of detail and space occupied by the construction. I obviously remain a fan of the more ambitious models regularly offered in this range, but the possibility of having on hand some more compact products without being too simplified or symbolic really appeals to me.

Another set that found an audience at home: the LEGO Disney reference 43227 Naughty Icons (139.99, €) with its references to the cartoons of my childhood and especially the presence of a VHS cassette which takes me back to my younger years. This product, which is obviously aimed at a Disney clientele "before", reaches its target as far as I am concerned, the worn-out video cassettes, erased by mistake or rewound by hand having punctuated a large part of my youth. Ultimately, it's almost more the presence of this cassette that attracts me here than the subject matter.

I also place the LEGO Harry Potter set 76419 Hogwarts Castle & Grounds (€169.99) in my top of this year, even if I am not an unconditional fan of this franchise. The construction takes up just enough space so as not to invade my living space while offering an effective and affordable nod to this universe. It's a good compromise which appeals to me and which allows all those who like the license to have access to a derivative product that is less invasive than the usual Hogwarts playsets. Once again, LEGO wants to seduce what I call fans in "mode"casual", those who love a license or a franchise but not to the point of living in a plastic museum all to the glory of the universes they appreciate.

A special mention for some products from the LEGO Ideas range such as the sets 21338 A-Frame Cabin (179.99 €) and 21343 Viking Village (€139.99), two boxes which in my opinion have favorably embodied the concept this year. Some will no doubt consider that this range sometimes strays a little by trying to ride trends or attract an audience that is not the brand's usual clientele, but there are still some good ideas that are often well executed. among the selected creations which meet the expectations of the most demanding fans. In my opinion, this is sufficient to tolerate the more hazardous attempts which leave those who are not fans of the universes, licenses or franchises in question.

My main disappointment 2023 materializes in an overall award awarded to the LEGO Marvel range which was content with a few derivative products without any particular flavor and the marketing of the very acceptable set 76269 Avengers Tower (€499.99) was in my opinion not enough to relaunch. The 2023 offer oscillates between a large, somewhat crude shield and some very messy micro-dioramas, I needed a little more to get me excited despite some pretty figurines available in some of these boxes. This is undoubtedly the end of a cycle, both in the cinema and on the shelves of toy stores and I hope that Disney and LEGO will quickly be able to relaunch themselves to offer us more successful films and more associated derivative products. creative and attractive.

What more can I say about this past year except that I had the impression of being the target of some pretty, well-designed companies and of not being asked too often, which allowed me to stay within a relatively reasonable budget . A small regret concerning the DC Comics range which has still not emerged from the slump in which it has been stuck for several years already and this is not the set 76252 Batcave Shadow Box (€399.99) which helped to resuscitate her. I was not seduced by the aesthetics of the product even if some perhaps see it as a good idea and this set which makes intensive use of black parts highlights an important detail at LEGO which annoys me to no end. point: scratches. This is also the case for the set tower 76269 Avengers Tower (€499.99) and at this price level, I expect a little more from the world's number 1 manufacturer in the toy sector in terms of finishing.

I say it again like every year: there will be as many opinions as there are fans and the LEGO offer was in any case so varied again this year that everyone will have found at least one product considered to tick all the boxes. My selection of successful or failed products is therefore far from exhaustive, I base myself mainly on the impressions that these different sets leave me several months after their marketing. Other sets will have simply left me indifferent, it doesn't matter, they will inevitably have found their audience among other fans who will have been sensitive to the proposition.

Don't hesitate to mention your favorite sets of 2023 in the comments, this article is ultimately just a pretext for everyone to express their opinion and read those of others. Also indicate the products that left you hungry, there was plenty to do this year and that's ultimately the good news: the offering offered by LEGO for its adult customers is still as varied as ever, there's something for everyone enough to have fun even on a limited budget.

Today we take a very quick look at the contents of the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set 31148 Retro Roller Skate, a small box of 342 pieces which will be available from January 1, 2024 at the public price of €29.99. This small product offers, as is always the case in this range, three constructions including a main model which uses the entire inventory and two secondary models which simply take advantage of a more or less substantial portion of the elements available. This involves assembling a roller skate with vintage accents, a cassette boombox and a skateboard.

I remind you of this for all purposes because LEGO presents the three models on the same presentation visual: It is not possible to assemble one model without dismantling the other, even for secondary constructions which do not reuse the entirety of the model. inventory available.

You read correctly, we only build one roller skate and even if the construction is completely convincing, I find it a bit of a shame not to have a real pair of roller skates to display on the corner of a shelf. The main model of the set, however, makes its small impact with its large yellow laces and its pink wheels which should bring back memories to those who experienced the colorful debauchery of the 80s.

We obviously remain here in nostalgia lifestyle already wrung out for several years by the LEGO ICONS range and adapted for the occasion to the codes of the Creator 3-in-1 range, and even if LEGO promises children to "replay fun stories" with the three constructions offered we all know Who is this product really for?

The skate is pleasant to assemble with some interesting techniques, particularly when it comes to integrating the lacing and giving it its final shape. Everything remains relatively simple but the object will have its small effect even if it is obviously not on a 1:1 scale (16 cm long by 14 cm high).

Please note that LEGO provides a variation of the decoration installed on the sides of the slipper with a choice of a DOTS mode pattern or a rainbow with a cloud. The boom box and the skateboard, however, struggle to convince me, they only use a very small portion of the total inventory and their finish frankly leaves something to be desired.

The boombox lacks volume even if it reuses two of the four white rims for the speakers and the skateboard is in my opinion frankly disappointing because it is too crude and poorly proportioned. I added the four pink tires, they don't disfigure the construction and I said to myself that there might be something to make a little radio-controlled car out of it. But I gave up.

This small set will therefore not revolutionize the concept of the Creator 3-in-1 range, it remains within the usual codes without innovating or showing panache regarding the two alternative models imagined by the designer. Other boxes do much better on the benefit of secondary constructions which slightly extend the lifespan of the product, in my opinion this is not the case here.

I think that I will still let myself be tempted by two copies of the product when it becomes available for around twenty euros at Amazon and company, just to have enough to assemble two skates and to be able to benefit from a real pair. I am from the generation of this type of colorful products, so I will make the effort. Concerning the target invoked by LEGO, children from 8 years old, I don't really see what they could do with these constructions beyond possibly displaying the single skate in their room.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 5th January 2024 next at 23:59 p.m. Simply post a comment below the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. Avoid “I’m participating” or “I’m trying my luck”, we suspect that this is the case.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

We are there once again, so I wish you an excellent New Year's Eve and a Merry Christmas 2023. As usual, it's up to you how you're going to spend this moment: with family, friends or alone bundled up in front of your series favorite, there are a thousand ways to spend this evening and none is better than another.

The usual recommendations: avoid angry topics at the table even if we all know that there will inevitably be someone who will try to open hostilities, do not eat or drink too much even if we all know that it will be difficult to resist, don't judge those who give you gifts based on what you find under the tree, they are certainly doing their best, and think of all those who are not lucky enough to be able to spend this special moment near their loved ones. relatives.

Like every year, be careful if you take the road and it is probably not too late to check if a neighbor or friend has "nothing planned". the formula may seem conventional, but you would be surprised at the number of people who find themselves alone for one reason or another. Optionally add a plate to the table, it was a tradition at my house and I still perpetuate it today because you never know who might drop by unexpectedly, there will be turkey left anyway.

Happy New Year everyone, see you on the other side.

Today we are quickly interested in the contents of the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set 31152 Space Astronaut, a box of 647 pieces which will be available at the public price of €49.99 from January 1, 2024.

For those who don't yet know, this Creator 3-in-1 range offers, as the title indicates, products whose inventory allows you to assemble three different models. The subtlety of the concept, always specified in the title, lies in the fact that it is not possible to assemble these three constructions at the same time and that one will therefore have to be dismantled to build another.

This box is also flanked by the packaging which in 2024 will ensure a crossover between different ranges around the theme of space with references in the CITY, Friends, Technic or even DUPLO universes.

This involves building an astronaut equipped with his jetpack and placed on his base as if he were floating in space. This is the main construction of the product, the one which logically uses the entire inventory provided.

The large figurine obtained at the end of the first of the three instruction booklets seems rather convincing to me, it balances on its legs, its arms are articulated to allow different poses including the removable jetpack control socket and the helmet bubble conceals even a location that can accommodate a minifig (not included), therefore transforming this astronaut into astro-mech.

The combination is detailed enough for the whole thing to be displayed on a shelf without having to blush, in my opinion we are well at the top of the basket of what the Creator 3-in-1 range offers in terms of finishing. The only regret is that the back of the suit was obviously less careful than the front, which is a bit of a shame even if the astronaut is obviously intended to be presented frontally or in three-quarter view.

The nice surprise of the set comes from one of the two secondary models offered. Even if these two alternative constructions, which each have a dedicated instruction booklet, only use a very limited quantity of the parts delivered in this box, the dog in mode Friends in Space (Disney film from 2009) is in my opinion frankly successful and as far as I am concerned it easily steals the spotlight from the astronaut with the added bonus of the possibility of seducing an audience which will rather seek to avoid the very first degree treatment of the theme addressed for turn to something more original.

The second alternative build of the product is a small, unpretentious Viper-class ship which also skips a large part of the inventory and which is in my opinion too anecdotal to deserve to be the one which will end up on the shelf . The ship at least has the merit of offering a cockpit capable of also accommodating a figurine (not supplied), that's always a bonus.

We will remember that the golden bubble is delivered in a separate bag which prevents it from possible scratches and other scratches, it is also this attention to detail which should in principle allow LEGO to make the difference with competing products and to justify the high prices of these boxes. The black parts provided allow you to assemble three different displays adapted to the constructions they suspend. These supports are simple enough to blend into the decor but they are also sufficiently stable.

No stickers in this box, this is good news for anyone who is allergic to these stickers. A small logo Classic Space pad printing recalling the theme of the product would have been welcome on an element to be used for the three constructions proposed but it will be necessary to do without this refinement.

For €50 and even less with a little patience, you get here a figurine with which you can play a little to then display it and at least one convincing alternative construction, the dog in a space suit. It's already very good for this price and in my opinion it would be a shame to miss this unlicensed box which really highlights the concept of construction toy thanks to the variants offered.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at December 29, 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Simply post a comment below the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. Avoid “I’m participating” or “I’m trying my luck”, we suspect that this is the case.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

Today we very quickly go around the content of the LEGO DREAMZzz set 71477 The Sandman's Tower, a box of 723 pieces which will be available from January 1, 2024 at the retail price of €89.99.

I'm not making a drawing for you, this is, as the name of the product indicates, about assembling the Sandman's Tower, a building which highlights some temporal attributes associated with the owner of the place. Those who saw the construction in the first season of the animated series know that LEGO has frankly simplified the physical version of the structure, but it still remains something that is, in my opinion, quite elegant and consistent.

Everything is quickly assembled, it is a relatively basic stacking of walls and arches in the style of sets usually reserved for younger children. We still come across some refinements with the installation of a nicely executed entrance door taking into account the positioning of this range, some furniture elements and the installation of the mechanism which sets in motion the clock placed on the facade as well as the upper structure of the building. A few gears and a remote dial are enough, it's simple but effective.

The two gears based on parts placed on the sides of the building add a nice finishing touch well within the theme, it is aesthetically very successful and these two excrescences give character to the construction by differentiating it from the usual palaces and other castles for children of the Disney universe. If the tower may seem a little empty, with interior spaces deprived of various and varied furniture, its 47 cm high will allow it to stand out in a child's bedroom among other sets in the range.

As with all references in the LEGO DREAMZzz range, the manufacturer offers a variant to be assembled using the inventory provided (visual below). I ignored the proposal of the set, I find the tower much more successful than the alternative construction which seems to try to do the best to reuse a large part of the inventory but which in my opinion becomes much less readable .

It will obviously be up to everyone to choose which version to assemble and it will always be possible to move from one to the other by dismantling a model to return to the intermediate point from which the two construction processes diverge. We will also note the presence of several pad-printed elements, everything that is not on the sticker sheet that I scanned for you (see below) and a beautiful assortment of golden pieces.

The supply of figurines is interesting with a Sandman (Sandman) perched on its support, the Nightmare Witch (Never Witch), accompanied by his minion Sneak, with his superb hairstyle adorned with a crown, Logan, Izzie and Mateo. As usual in this range, the pad printing is of a very high level and there is plenty of fun knowing that LEGO provides the added bonus of a giant spider and a bird on which Izzie can sit. The transparent support that you see in the photos is not provided, I added it for the situation.

I will say it once again, this range allows at least to see that LEGO can make efforts on pad printing when it comes to "in-house" ranges while we often have to settle for economy figurines in many licensed products. It is therefore never a question of know-how, it is always financial concerns which decide the level of finishing of certain minifigs: LEGO clearly pulls out all the stops when it does not have to pay royalties to a beneficiary and when any the margin ends up in his pocket.

If you have a young fan of this universe in your circle who has not yet tired of the sets from the first wave, this box could possibly complete their collection. It is also a possible interesting starting point for a very young fan who arrives late in contact with the LEGO DREAMZzz universe, with an imposing construction around which it will then be possible to add some less ambitious and less expensive products .

There is also no need to be offended by the public price of the product, set at €89.99, which ultimately only serves as a reference here when we all know that it will quickly be possible to find this box for much less elsewhere. than at LEGO. Once again, I find all of this rather convincing in terms of form, even if I am not the target of the product in substance.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at December 23, 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Simply post a comment below the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. Avoid “I’m participating” or “I’m trying my luck”, we suspect that this is the case.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.