Today we are quickly interested in the content of the set 10303 Loop Coaster, a box of 3756 pieces which will join from July 5, 2022 (VIP preview from July 1) what is now called LEGO Fairground Collection, a label that brings together the sets on the same theme already marketed so far: 10244 Fairground Mixer (2014) 10247 Ferris Wheel (2015) 10257 Carousel (2017) 10261 Roller Coaster (2018) et 10273 Haunted Houses (2020)

The premise of the product is simple: it is in principle a top-of-the-range toy intended for older children who will have the means to pay for it with its public price set at €399.99 and the promise of this big carousel, it's is above all to offer a circuit with two loops whose crossing is based only on gravity. You obviously have to assemble the thing before you can have fun with it, but I must admit that on this type of product, I'm generally in a hurry to finish the assembly to take advantage of the advertised features.

As for the set 10261 Roller Coaster (4124 pieces - 349.99 €) marketed in 2018, the motorization of the product is possible but it is optional. It's really disappointing knowing that milling to raise the nacelles will quickly tire many purchasers of the product beyond the phase of wonder at the on-board mechanism and that it will therefore then be necessary to go back to the checkout to afford the essential two ecosystem elements Powered Up to be integrated: a motor 88013 Technic Motor L (34.99 €) and a battery box 88015 Battery Box (34.99 €).

This article is not an infomercial glorifying the toy in question, expect some criticism from me. I have indeed just spent three days building this product and "having fun" with it and there is a lot to be said. I deliberately don't dwell on the assembly of the merry-go-round, we oscillate between sequences of stacking pieces, attaching 258 chain links to each other and setting up rubber bands and other pieces of string to arrive at the long-awaited result and finally have the right to have a little fun.

The track circuit is well designed with a few well-thought techniques so that the different sections of track are connected to each other and we avoid assembling the chain of the many pillars seen in the set 10261 Roller Coaster. The tower with its elevator is not of boundless creativity and its assembly and of an abyssal boredom, but the structure ultimately only serves to take passengers to the top of the carousel and to give a little volume to the whole building.

It should be noted above all that the inventory of carousel rails in the LEGO version is now being expanded with a few modules with angles and curvatures that make it possible to build loops. I doubt that many fans will ever start building alternate versions of this Loop Coaster, the necessary budget necessarily limits the possibilities, but know that you get a total of 41 sections in this box. Not all of them are used for the carousel circuit, there are also some along the central pillar of the tower on which the ballast circulates and on the roof of the boarding platform where they serve as an internal structure. You also get five pods, three are used on the carousel, two are used to slide ballast down the center ramp.

We cannot say that this cumbersome carousel was designed with the essential solidity and the no less necessary rigidity in mind, which would allow it to be moved without taking too many risks. The instruction booklet clearly documents how to carry the construction to limit breakage, but it is still insufficient to avoid having to devote a few long minutes to rechecking everything. It will therefore be advisable to embark on the assembly of this big ride on the place of exposure of the construction or at least near it. the Loop Coaster is not "modular", nothing is planned to disassemble it into subsections which would greatly facilitate the storage or transport of the thing. The base is not of sufficient rigidity to guarantee movements without breakage, it is moreover perforated in various places as if it were necessary to save a few parts.

The operation of the Loop Coaster requires that all the parts are in their place and that the junction between the rails is absolutely perfect. We spend a lot of time checking these different points between two fun sessions, there is bound to be a pillar that moves or a few studs that come off a little during the operation of the tower with its elevator and repeated passages of the nacelles on the circuit. This is especially the case when the Loop Coaster is motorized via the elements of the ecosystem Powered Up, the manual use of the toy being less brutal and more "respectful" of the various connection points at the level of the tower. You won't escape the pod train stuck somewhere on the course or the failed start at the top of the tower with a ramp that doesn't line up perfectly with the first rail of the circuit.

We get a little tired of milling to get the nacelles up to the starting point at the very top of the tower, I counted eleven turns of the crank from the blocking point of the ascent support on the short section of the chain made up of 33 wider links that circulates around the central axis of the tower, all to obtain five seconds of descent. For those wondering, the ballast visible on the other side of the central pillar of the tower assists the rise of the mini-starting ramp. The circuit is very short, the two loops obviously have their effect during the first uses but the ride is quickly completed. And you have to grind again.

The other defect of the manual world: you still have to grind to go down the starting ramp and allow the train of nacelles, which remained braked by the mechanism present just before the arrival in front of the boarding gates, to set off again for a turn. Finally, I can't help but mention the use of a piece of string to connect the ballast to the climbing mechanism of the ramp that accommodates the nacelles. This string does its job, that's not the problem, but the clearly visible presence of this piece of string on a high-end product at 400 € leaves me perplexed.

I am also a little disappointed by the aesthetics of the elevator system that allows the nacelles to reach the starting point. This is not a classic configuration for this type of carousel and despite the debauchery of parts, string and chain links I do not find myself on the Blue Fire or Silver Star from Europa-Park. The ramp needed to reach the highest point of the carousel at 92 cm high would probably have been too steep if it had to stay in the format used here, but I remain a little wary of this oversized elevator with its big pillars.

Some will probably cry at the technical feat with this imposing product which combines an ingenious climbing system and a circuit with two loops crossed only thanks to gravity, but let's not forget that we are in 2022 and that at 400 € the few kilos of plastic is the least you can do to get a product that fulfills its main function. We are not sold a carousel model but a toy presented as functional.

Misfires are annoying and patience and attention to detail is required to achieve the promised effect of a full ride. It is better not to neglect the various settings detailed in the instruction booklet, otherwise you will have to come back later to correct the exact position of the ballast with its notched winch which allows it to be positioned correctly or the number of links in the chain. A technical detail: there is an error in the instructions with a reversed sequence and two pieces were missing in the bags of the copy I received.

LEGO does not forget to deliver a large handful of minifigs, some with new torsos, and pretty little secondary constructions in this box. It's always taken to animate the aisles of your amusement park even if it is probably not the main motivation of those who will spend 400 € in this product.

The promise was there and it responded to the criticisms about the somewhat sad ride of the set 10261 Roller Coaster : this new model is visually very consistent with modern colors, it is a little more fun to assemble than its predecessor and the two loops make your mouth water. However, the experience is a little spoiled by the many failures that we strive to try to correct in order to really obtain a complete cycle. It's a shame, because the majority of us will have fun for a few minutes before putting the construction in a corner to return to it only occasionally and this short phase of pleasure had to be irreproachable in my opinion.

In summary, we are faced with a toy for adults who can afford to spend 400 € on this bulky carousel in order to perhaps integrate it into a thematic diorama. The gameplay is there, it is short-lived and repetitive, but that's the lot of many LEGO products. The lack of motorization by default is unspeakably petty, knowing that all you need is a single motor and a simple battery box to be able to put the carousel in an autonomous loop. You might find me a bit of a killjoy, but my LEGO budget is not infinitely expandable and when it comes to buying a product that promises me a feature, I expect it to be simply up to LEGO's pricing requirements. Now it's up to you to see if this impressive merry-go-round deserves to sit on your shelves.

I'm a nice player by the way, I leave to the winner the motorization kit that I managed to get financed by LEGO and the Hoth Bricks minifig that you see in some photos. I keep the batteries, do not abuse.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 30th June 2022 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate.

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

The manufacturer today announces the set 10305 Lion Knight's Castle with a castle that pays homage to the Castle range without being an identical reissue of the set 6080 King's Castle marketed in 1984.

In this new big box, 4514 pieces to assemble a construction 44 cm long, 33 cm deep and 38 cm high.

The castle can be used as a playset with its various fitted interior spaces or as a pure exhibition product by closing it on itself. It is accompanied by about twenty minifigs including three forestmen matching those of the set 40567 Forest Hideout currently offered from 150 € of purchase, a queen, knights and other guards, a handful of civilians and some animals including horses.

VIP preview from August 3, 2022, global availability from August 8. Nostalgia has a price: 399.99 €.

10305 LION KNIGHT'S CASTLE ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

LEGO today unveils the set 10497 Galaxy Explorer, a box of 1254 pieces which is a direct homage to the ship of the set 497 Galaxy Explorer marketed in 1979.

The 52cm long by 32cm wide and 13cm high construction is re-imagined with the latest parts and techniques including the yellow canopy already seen in the LEGO Disney Pixar Lightyear set 76832 XL-15 Spaceship but it retains the colors and spirit of the reference set. Four minifigs are provided.

Pre-orders will be open quickly, availability announced for August 1, 2022. Retail price: €99.99.

10497 GALAXY EXPLORER ON THE LEGO SHOP >>