Review : LEGO DC Comics 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile

Today we are interested in the set 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile (321 pieces - 99.99 €) which will be available from August 1st and which promises to be able to take control of the supplied motorized Batmobile.

As much to evacuate immediately the annoying question: This Batmobile does not look like anything existing in the DC Comics universe. If the minifigure (exclusive to this set) is well inspired by the Arkham Knight video game, the vehicle is clearly not. It looks more like an armored military device. Moders can also easily appropriate the chassis of the thing and do what they want, maybe a real Batmobile ...

LEGO apparently decided to offer a motorized contraption and then tried to dress up the chassis, the four big wheels and the hub. Powered Up integrated to turn the thing into a Batmobile. The result is in my opinion very disappointing from a purely aesthetic point of view. I looked around a bit but couldn't find a Batmobile that even vaguely resembles this contraption. It is also not a reproduction in the format Chibi of something existing in the universe of the vigilante of Gotham City.

If you look on the bright side, the compactness of the vehicle makes it relatively solid and therefore more suitable for its end use. I obviously would have preferred to get a Batmobile like the one seen in the Arkham Knight video game, bigger, more detailed, more slender, etc ...

To move, this Batmobile uses two motors Powered Up. Each motor controls two wheels placed on the same side, as is already the case with the tracked vehicle from the LEGO Technic set 42065 RC Tracked Racer. Nothing very complicated, the assembly of the 300 parts is also completed in a few minutes.

The Powered Up hub is slipped into the belly of the vehicle, it can be removed in seconds to change the batteries and it is topped with a pad-printed on / off button. Note that there is no sticker in this set.

The two motors are connected to the Bluetooth hub by their respective cables which must be concealed in the body of the vehicle by folding them and sliding them into the spaces provided. The integration of the cables is a little rough and it will be necessary to ensure that nothing protrudes at the risk of catching something during the phases of displacement. The valve which protects the cables at the rear of the vehicle is not clipped to the bodywork, be careful to fold it down before playing with your Batmobile.

To pilot the machine, you need a smartphone under iOS or Android and the application Powered Up already used for new LEGO CITY trains 60197 Passenger Train et 60198 Freight Train which has been updated recently to take control of this Batmobile.

LEGO has planned two different piloting interfaces for this Batmobile. The first (on a red background) allows you to precisely manage the speed of movement, to perform a full U-turn and to make a 270 ° turn accompanied by a wheelie. Some sound effects broadcast via the smartphone speaker accompany these different functions.

The diffusion of these sound elements via the speaker of the smartphone spoils the experience a little. It is the one who drives the Batmobile who benefits the most and it will be difficult to surprise someone sitting a few meters away with this machine ...

The interface on a blue background allows its side to perform a rotation on the spot, a wheeling and a reverse gear accompanied by some sound effects.

The Bluetooth connection is carried out quickly, I did not notice any particular problem on this subject except that the smartphone and the vehicle must be synchronized again between each change of control interface.

You can also control the Batmobile using the remote control supplied with the two LEGO CITY trains but you will lose the possibility to use the few effects specific to this set and to gradually reduce or increase the speed of rotation of the two motors . These will then only operate at full power.

We quickly get into the game, it's easy to handle and really fun, even for a slightly jaded adult like me ... I suppose that the youngest will really enjoy it and the Batmobile, which weighs 520 grams including batteries, is moves rather quickly. We do not feel here the frustration of seeing the vehicle moving too slowly which would spoil the experience. Well done for that.

A small reminder to the attention of all those who would consider offering this box, LEGO does not provide the six AAA batteries necessary for the operation of the hub which manages the two motors. You can obviously use rechargeable batteries.

As I said above, the minifig delivered is (for the moment) exclusive to this box. The Batman costume is the one seen in the Arkham Knight video game with a black torso and legs in Pearl Dark Gray. The mask is also in Pearl Dark Gray ( Titanium Metallic) as in the set 76044 Clash of the Heroes marketed in 2016. The transparent support below is not provided.

This minifigure can of course be placed in the cockpit of the vehicle, but I'm not sure many of us will take the risk of losing an exclusive minifigure in the garden, especially since the canopy only holds a few studs and has no no hinges that would keep it in place more securely ...

Sold € 99.99 without batteries or controller, this 300-piece "Batmobile" is a bit expensive for my taste. For those who are wondering, the application Powered Up is obviously downloadable for free on the App Store or the Google Play Store. But it is imperative to have a smartphone to have fun right out of the box and LEGO could have provided the basic controller delivered in the LEGO CITY sets 60197 and 60198 to allow immediate use, even limited.

The presence of an exclusive minifigure in the box will convince the parents of collectors to invest a hundred euros in this set. The Batmobile for the youngest, the minifigure for mom or dad. It is well seen.

The chassis provided will be a good starting point for those who wish to transform this somewhat shapeless machine and achieve something more stylish. With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.

The LEGO DC Comics set 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile (321 pieces - € 99.99) will be available from August 1st on the LEGO Shop and in the LEGO Stores.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 7 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.