Review: LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 76170 Iron Man vs. Thanos

Today we return to the LEGO Marvel Avengers universe with the set 76170 Iron Man vs. Thanos, a reference of 103 pieces stamped 4+ which will be available from March 1st at the public price of € 19.99.

In the box, we find something to assemble two constructions which immediately seem a little off topic and which obviously only offer a very limited challenge, even if this is the purpose of the 4+ universe intended for the youngest fans in transition course from the DUPLO range to more classic products.

The "starter brick", as LEGO names it in the official product description, is the base of Tony Stark's ship here. It is on this large piece that the handful of elements are placed which allows to obtain a somewhat coarse jet with a open cockpit Even though the ship deserved to be completely closed, the youngest will have no trouble installing or removing Tony Stark from this spacious, easily accessible cockpit.

The ship in question seems to be more or less inspired by that seen in Doctor Strange comic # 1 published in June 2018 but we can also imagine that the designer is vaguely referring here toy marketed in 2009 in the range Marvel crossovers. LEGO designers have their influences and their childhood memories and it is not uncommon to find traces of them in their creations, it may be the case here.

Two pad printed parts are integrated into the ship with on one side a few control screens in the cockpit and a hood with an ARC Reactor. This piece may find a second life among MOCeurs who want to tinker with a Hulkbuster. The ship is equipped with two Disc shooters side which will only be of interest as long as the young owner of the set has not yet lost the three ammunition provided.

Opposite, we're building a rotating turret for Thanos. The thing, which looks like a product from the defunct range Mighty Microphones, is equipped with the new dart launcher which replaces the previous model since last year. LEGO only provides one ammunition, it's a bit petty, and two pad-printed pieces that take up the pattern visible on the character's torso dress the sides of the barrel. The playability could have been maximum if LEGO had planned a turret orientable on a vertical axis but this is unfortunately not the case. It is still a question of targeting a ship and not a car.

The two main constructions are accompanied by an alcove protected on one side by lasers in the middle of which there is an Infinity Gauntlet. The coin used here is just a Oversized Minifig Hand as there are in many other boxes at LEGO since 2013. No trace of the Infinity Stones on the glove, it is necessary to be satisfied with a generic element not padprinted.

As for the two minifigs delivered in this box, nothing new or exclusive: the Iron Man figurine is the one already seen since 2020 in the sets 76140 Iron Man Mech, 76152 Avengers Wrath of Loki, 76153 Avengers Helicarrier, 76164 Iron Man Hulkbuster versus AIM Agent, 76166 Avengers Tower Battle et 76167 Iron Man Armory. It was also offered with the official LEGO Marvel Avengers magazine in November 2020.

Thanos' minifigure is the one in the set 76141 Thanos Mech (2020), the pair of legs less pad printed. The 76141 set therefore remains the only solution to obtain a minifig dressed from head to toe, it is also sold for € 9.99.

So there is not much to chew on in this little box, except maybe apart from the two pretty colored supports called "Energy Stands"by LEGO. These two pieces are rather original and they allow to beautifully stage the minifigures. They also provide an appreciable aesthetic solution when it comes to trying to stabilize characters overloaded with various and varied equipment that have a Little trouble to stand up The MOCeurs will eventually find their use on ship reactors.

In short, this box sold for 20 € does not have many arguments to make whether in the field of the construction challenge or that of the characters. Even the gameplay is only relative with the inability to orient the turret upwards to aim at Tony Stark's ship. It is therefore in my opinion possible to do much better with 20 €, even for a young child.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 9, 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

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.