Today we are quickly interested in a small box that will be available from January 1, 2020 on the official online store and in the LEGO Stores: the LEGO set 40385 Trophy with its 200 pieces, its sheet of 20 stickers and its retail price set at € 12.99.

The idea here is interesting and rather well executed. It is about assembling a small cup about fifteen centimeters high (base included) which can then be personalized according to the person who will receive it. It's fun to assemble, it's solid thanks in particular to the axis that crosses the foot of the cup and LEGO provides a whole set of colorful elements that make this award unique.

Two zones can be personalized: the plate fixed to the white base and the Tile white which eventually replaces a yellow part on the cup itself. There are as many rectangular plates as there are stickers of the same size and LEGO provides 12 Tiles (6 white and 6 yellow) for the stickers that take place on the cup. Bravo for the very complete inventory.

We regret that the text stickers are only provided in English, boards available in several languages ​​depending on the marketing areas would have been welcome. Nothing prevents you from creating your own messages, but the goal of the product is all the same to offer a successful concept without having to use the printer and the scissors.

Apart from this problem of locating the messages to stick on the base, I think that we have here a nice little product which, if it is affordable (the public price has not yet been communicated), should allow the youngest to hand over trophies around them without dipping too much into their pocket money. Conversely, parents will be able to store a few boxes and distribute rewards on various occasions while giving a nod to their children's passion.

I enthusiastically validate this little set without pretension or license which only asks to be enthroned on the corner of the desk of a young schoolboy.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 24, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

I had saved the best for last before moving on to the 2020 novelties of the LEGO Star Wars range: today we are very quickly going around the LEGO Star Wars set. 75255 Yoda (1771 pieces - 109.99 €), a box which in theory takes over from the version Ultimate Collector Series of the character seen in set 7194, which has really aged poorly since its launch in 2002.

Let's get rid of the subject right away: this new set is not a UCS, nothing allows us to say so without hanging on to the branches and inventing arguments that go in this direction. If all the products that come with a descriptive plate were UCS, it would be known and the sets 75187 BB-8 et 75230 Porg which were also accompanied by a presentation plate do not really deserve to benefit from this classification.

That being said, I wanted to give myself time to really judge this new version of Yoda and not to react negatively to the product announcement. So I had the time to take a good look at this figurine from all angles and I am now sure that I have formed an objective opinion: it is ugly. You too have had plenty of time to form an opinion on this product, or even to buy it, and my opinion is logically only binding on me.

For those who still hesitate, know that the figurine is assembled by slices of stacked pieces which come to be fixed on a frame based on Technic elements. The solution is interesting and allows the thing to be stored at the bottom of a drawer without having to disassemble everything: just remove the various sub-assemblies and lay them flat. On the other hand, it is a little off-putting and you can, like me, assemble the different elements over several weeks, so as not to get bored. If you mess up a bit, nothing serious, it won't really show.

If you like exposed studs, the textural effect of Yoda's coat overlaying his dark tunic is pretty good, the staircase stacking works pretty well from a distance. The sleeves fall, the texture covers the legs of the creature which are in the process well centered under the figurine and the volumes are respected especially at the shoulders.

The bravery piece of the set is obviously the assembly of the character's head which then comes to slip a Technic axis. It's convoluted to perfection with original techniques and we end up with a slightly strange head in the style "Planet of the Apes"which nevertheless seems to me to be well proportioned with the rest of the body. No moving elements on Yoda's face, apart from the eyelids which are too thick which can shift into position"You bought me, now display me on your dresser or I get mad"Or"Oh no, not right away in the drawer where you'll forget me for years to come".

The shape of the face is correct, the nose and the chin are faithful but these bulging eyes with a lot of void around spoil the appearance of the "sculpture" a little. The head can be oriented to the left or to the right, convenient for Yoda to stare at your guests insistently depending on the corner of the dresser on which the figurine will be enthroned.

The lightsaber blade is made up of a string of pieces on a white axis and once in place, the sword is attached to the character's right hand. The weapon is quite successful, with a nice handle. We are satisfied with what we find. Oh yes, the character's hands are also very realistic, with joints that wrap rather well around the handle of the sword. You cannot blame me for being too negative.

The ultimate snub to all those who spent their money in this box, LEGO provides them with a minifig of Yoda with an olive green head, the color that I think would have been perfect for the head and hands of the large minifigure. instead of Sand green used here.

As a bonus, this minifigure is not even exclusive to this box, it is the one already seen in the sets 75142 Homing Spider Droid in 2016, 75168 Yoda's Jedi Starfighter and in 2017 75233 Droid Gunship this year. The identification plate is not of much interest, it's just a pretext to give the set presence and motivate collectors "of plate sets that are necessarily UCS, it's the thing that said it".

As usual, if you don't have a Yoda "sculpture", don't waste your time trying to get the one from set 7194 which is too expensive on the aftermarket anyway and stick with this one anyway. this which will inevitably end up in destocking everywhere. While waiting for better.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 23, 2019 next at 23pm. Quickly.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

We continue the series of rapid tests of the new LEGO Speed ​​Champions products planned for early 2020 with the set 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO (298 pieces - 19.99 €).

Still based on the new 8 stud chassis, this vehicle also seems to me to confirm that the change in format of the range is beneficial in terms of scale and proportions: as for the Audi of the set 76897 1985 Audi Quattro S1 (250 pieces - 19.99 €), we get a car that does not seem too narrow and as if excessively stretched in length.

The front is a little less successful here than the rear, although the designer has done his best to reproduce the grille of the GT-R. The front curve of the fenders falls a little into the void and you have to be content with headlights made from stickers. At the rear, it's a little better with headlights based on real parts ingeniously integrated.

For the rest, the curves of the Nissan GT-R NISMO are almost all there, the new windshield fits perfectly into the construction and the level of detail is very satisfactory. There are still a few spaces to fill here and there, such as for example at the junction of the rear window in two parts hinged on the body, but it will have to be done with.

I note the relative fragility of the rear exhausts which only hold because the gray tubes are plugged into a stud and which are sure to come off on occasion. The rest seems solid enough to withstand the assaults of the youngest drifting fans, apart from perhaps the black quarter-circles of the mirrors which can also disappear under a cabinet.

I will give you the same reflection each time, but I never tire of it: The model is completely covered with stickers. Only the front hood and the two elements that form the roof of the vehicle are pad printed.

As usual, the white of the stickers is not that of the parts and the overall rendering suffers a bit. I also note a phenomenon that seems to me to be increasing lately: the stickers are less and less resistant to being temporarily peeled off to be repositioned with a large part of the glue that remains on the part.

For lack of anything better, we also dream of a second sheet of stickers in the box, with why not a version highlighting sponsors exclusively from the LEGO universe (Turbo Oil, Octan, Anwa Race, Hill Suspensions, KRN Powertools, etc ...) so that two children who obtain the same set can for example differentiate their vehicles.

We find here the problem of space available in the cockpit already present on the Audi Quattro S1, but the roof closes completely without having to modify the construction. The steering wheel is still not in front of the driver and you have to tilt the minifigure forward slightly because of the headrest, you will have to get used to it. Thanks to the new windshield, the pilot can however keep both hands on the wheel.

The holding of the minifigure is consistent with that seen on the various pilots at the controls of the vehicle, nothing exceptional especially since I am not a fan of the dotted lines which a priori represent the seams of the suit.

LEGO provides hair for the character, and female hair is missing so young girls who dream of someday becoming a racing driver rather than baking cupcakes or mothering puppies in their girlfriend's store can find their way around. It's good of LEGO to tell us stories about "gender-neutral" toys, but every once in a while you need to take action on products that really deserve it.

In short, this is a very nice model which also benefits from the passage to 8 studs of the whole range which allows to obtain real reproductions with consistent proportions. The vehicle can find its place in an exhibition window or on the racing circuit of a child's room.

19.99 €, however, it is a bit expensive for a single car without the steering or friction displacement system and its driver, so we will have to wait for a drop in price at Amazon and others so as not to have the impression that LEGO is abusing a bit of our benevolence towards him.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 26, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

After Tokyo, it's time to take a quick look at the other early 2020 LEGO Architecture skyline: the set 20152 Dubai Skyline (740 pieces - 64.99 €).

As announced, here we find a selection of emblematic buildings of the most famous city in the United Arab Emirates, a constantly evolving city where cranes are almost as numerous as buildings. This will not mean that the set will become obsolete in the years to come, unless one of the existing structures is demolished to build something even bigger, taller and more impressive instead.

In order in this skyline: the hotel Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Subway Station Ibn Battuta, The Dubai Frame, The Dubai Fountain, the Burj Khalifa and the hotel Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

First observation, the base of the set is covered with Tiles beige (Tan) instead of the usual gray pieces. It is in keeping with the geographical context of the city, even if the streets of Dubai are not simple dirt roads ...

On the construction experience side, there are some good and some not so good. It starts off pretty well with the two hotel structures Jumeirah emirates towers, two almost twin towers with a resolutely modern design. the LEGO version is obviously super-simplified and struggles a bit to reproduce all the finesse and grace of these constructions, but there are some interesting techniques here used to achieve this result.

At the foot of the hotel, there is the metro station Ibn Battuta with its golden dome and its rails which run on a set of pillars. I appreciate this type of detail on LEGO skylines, even summary, they help to give context to the different constructions and to dress the base of the model. Four palm trees are planted on the base, they are embodied by pieces in Olive Green very apropos.

We then install the Dubai Frame, the giant photo frame (150 meters high) which allows spamming on Instagram. No frills here, we forget the elegant friezes and the mirrors which circulate along the frame and we are satisfied with a golden door frame which gives an illusion on this scale.

Before moving on to the most imposing construction of this micro-diorama, we assemble the hotel Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The real sail-shaped building is magnificent. The LEGO version does its best with a lot of stacked pieces, clips and Harry Potter candles for a result that I find really very average. It's a little clumsy, really very fragile and it is only with a little distance that the whole works visually.

The last construction is the most laborious and the least creative. The Burj Khalifa is just a stack of irrelevant items with over a hundred blue 1x1 round pieces. It's more varied than the monochrome version of the set 21008 Burj Khalifa marketed in 2011, it is in my opinion much less elegant than the version of the set 21031 Burj Khalifa marketed in 2016 and it is especially an abysmal boredom. This is not really the level of what can be achieved with a product from the LEGO Architecture range. In defense for the designer of the set, the overall rendering of the construction is quite faithful to the reference model.

At the foot of Burj Khalifa, there are two micro-fountains that embody the aquatic and musical spectacle offered to tourists, like what we find in Las Vegas in front of the Bellagio. Symbolic but sufficient.

In the end, I hesitate a little to qualify this set of product for tourists anxious to get a nice souvenir in an airport shop before leaving the city.

Nothing to say about the skyline in itself which allows to recognize Dubai at first glance thanks to the few easily identifiable structures, but we are however really hungry for the techniques used and the assembly of the Burj Khalifa offers nothing very exciting in this field. Mixed results therefore in my case for this box.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 25, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

After a quick overview the first 8 characters, we continue today with the second part of the minifigs of the new series of 16 DC characters to collect (ref. Lego 71026).

One of the good surprises of this series of collectible minifigs is the presence of Jay garrick. The character here wears a buttoned jacket on the right as in the comic Smallville Titans # 1 but we also find some of the attributes of the version Earth-2 seen in Flash # 123. I'm not really convinced by the lightning bolts attached to the transparent piece to slide on the neck of the minifigure, but these elements are removable. The gray helmet is successful, it is perhaps a little wide which visually crushes the minifigure. Nice pad printing on the side of the legs, and in any case I'm happy to be able to add this version of Flash to my collection.

Aquaman is inspired by the version seen in Aquaman # 45 released in 1998 and the minifig is perfect with a very well made torso protection, a pair of legs in two colors with print of the tortoiseshell pattern and an arm pad printed all over the outer surface with a simple but convincing pattern. The head is that of the version delivered earlier this year in the set 76116 Batman: Batsub and the Underwater Clash, she does the job. Otherwise, you will also have in the bag a new light green fish, that's always taken.

Huntress wear the outfit New 52 of the character and it's almost successful from head to toe through the pad-printed shoulder pads on the upper arms. Too bad for the slightly dull white stripes on the black torso. I'm not totally convinced with the use of the Batman / Catwoman belt here, I would have preferred a pad printing with a round belt buckle more faithful to the character's costume. For the rest, it's very correct and very homogeneous with fine lines that help to highlight the tight-fitting outfit of Helena Rosa Bertinelli.

The minifig of Stargirl seemed very successful on official visuals, it is a little less successful in real life. The area that should have been flesh-colored on the torso is an appalling pallor which spoils the rendering a little and it lacks a little white ink on the knees. The stars on the arms and torso are also in principle white, they turn a little gray here. Susan Caraway's belt, on the other hand, is a good example of what I would have liked to see on Huntress. The minifig is here accompanied by its cosmic stick which takes on the air of a glass tube with material melting at the end. Bof, the accessory deserved a more successful piece with the hook at the end of the handle.

Mister Miracle is the escape king, so it makes sense that here he comes with a pair of handcuffs and a chain. The holding of the minifig is the one seen since 2017 in the comic Mister Miracle and the LEGO version is in my opinion very successful: The effect of superposition and relief of the different elements of the costume is really impressive. Here too, LEGO puts forward all its know-how in molding and pad printing and even if it is in the service of a character less known than others, this minifigure is really worth the detour.

Metamorpho He is also a supporting character for many fans, but the minifigure is very faithful to the character with different textures and colors for the two legs and the two halves of the torso, arms included. Visually, it works and it was difficult to make it look more like Rex Mason's comic book version. A technical detail that spoils the rendering a little: the neck area on the torso is a pretty pink color, but it should be white like the head, this is also the case on the official visuals. Small alignment problem of the black briefs which reveals the brown of the right leg but we will do with it.

Simon baz is here in version Prime Earth, with a sober costume but faithful to the Comic version. Too bad the mask gives it a little Mexican wrestling side, but it is also the case in the comics. The white surrounding the logo placed on the torso is here rather ... white and that's great news. For the rest, I retain the light green border at the junction between the two zones of different colors of the legs, it is aligned. Nice coordination between the green of the torso is that of the lower legs and upper arms. The character has its ring of power and its battery that allows it to be recharged.

The minifig of Sinestro is based on the character's first appearance in Green Lantern (vol.2) # 7 published in 1961: The costume is really faithful to the reference comic version where the character displays a haircut which the LEGO version unfortunately does not pay homage to. We will do with it. The brief is here made by keeping the blue base of the legs and pad printing black around it. It's prettier than on other minifigs that have alignment issues at that exact spot. Power ring and battery essential in the bag, everything is there.

In short, this series of 16 characters has the merit of giving a little depth to the DC Comics universe in a LEGO version by allowing us to obtain some new characters that would not necessarily have found their place in a set and historical variants. reference for some prominent characters.

Everything is not technically perfect, but LEGO still offers us a nice demonstration of its know-how and experience in the fields of injection and pad printing. At € 4 a bag, that's the least of it and it's hard to stay indifferent to the gap between what the official visuals promise us and the actual versions of some characters.

As i said it on Hoth Bricks, we know that some resellers will only have access to boxes of 30 sachets, but we do not yet know the exact distribution of these boxes. In the best case, we can count on a complete series and 14 additional characters. So be careful if you pre-order with several at Minifigure Maddness which offers an interesting offer for a set of two boxes of 30 sachets.

Note: A complete set of 16 characters, supplied by LEGO, is involved. Deadline fixed at December 25, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.