Amazon’s Prime Day 2026 sale is roaring along with big cuts on tech and home gear, but there’s something about a good Lego set that still pulls me in. For all the flashy gadgets, nothing quite beats the calm of an afternoon spent clicking bricks together.

From big‑name favourites like Nintendo, Disney and DC to the Lego Botanical, Technic, Creator and Ideas lines, there are deals here for just about every kind of Lego fan — kids discovering their first build, adults chasing a challenge, and anyone who just loves tipping out a box of bricks and getting stuck in.

I’ve gone through all the Lego sets Amazon has marked down, and these are the ones that genuinely offer the best value right now. There’s plenty here for fans of Batman, Minecraft and The Legend of Zelda, along with classic builds for anyone who just loves a detailed, hands‑on project.

As always, you can check out a much larger list of discounted items on our Prime Day 2026 LIVE blog. If something catches your eye, don’t wait — these deals wrap up when Prime Day 2026 ends at 11:59pm AEST on July 13.

And remember, Amazon Prime members also get free expedited shipping, along with a bunch of other perks. If you’re not signed up yet, you can try Amazon Prime free for the first 30 days.

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Yet another Prime Day has arrived, and with it come lots of sales on Lego sets, which makes it a good — not great — time to stock up. Sadly, some of the bigger sets, like the Star Wars UCS or the full-size F1 sets, aren't on sale, which will disappoint many AFOLs.

However, a lot of the less-expensive sets are discounted somewhat, so if you're planning ahead for a kid's birthday or some other event, now is a good time to look around. The Lego Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 F1 set, which is now just $21 on Amazon, is a great example.

I'm still combing through all of the Lego deals, so this is a list of 15 I like so far; I'm partial to a lot of Lego cars, which is why you'll see a lot of those deals in this roundup, as well as Star Wars-themed sets. But, we have a neat little deal finder at the bottom of the page, which scours the web for all the best Lego deals — and saves you the trouble of having to go to Amazon.

Cars

Star Wars

Technics

As a millennial, I'll confess, stranger things have happened in 2026 than the impending arrival of a fifth film from a beloved '90s franchise.

While I remain sceptical about the new film's logline, I was obsessed with all things Buzz and Woody as a kid, so I have little doubt that Toy Story 5 will have a friend in me when it comes out next week, releasing on June 18, 2026, in Australia.

That said, initial previews suggest that it may be more emotionally devastating than Toy Story 3, so I'm sure it will be a wild ride for all — kids, parents and Disney Adults included.

In the lead-up to the most anticipated animated film of the year, I've gathered 9 Toy Story-inspired Lego sets to celebrate the release, including new builds inspired by the film. Before my viewing, I'm definitely picking up the cute Lego Alien with Pizza Planet Rocket Ride set, and it would be remiss of me not to add the iconic Pixar Luxo Jr. set to my cart, too.

You'll need to jump on your horse to nab these sets, as supplies are only available while stocks last — and some builds have already retired!

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the game I didn’t know I needed. That’s saying a lot, given how I’ve already played Game of the Year-worthy titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, but Traveller’s Tales’ latest Lego adventure is truly something special. Even if you’re not a lifelong fan of the Caped Crusader, there’s plenty to love about this charming title.

Playing like a lighter, yet still engaging, version of Rocksteady Studios’ Arkham series of Batman games, Legacy of the Dark Knight lets you relive some of Batman’s most iconic moments — from that fateful night in Crime Alley to his eventual rise as Gotham City’s defender. While the game mostly draws inspiration from the various Batman movies and TV series, it also includes callbacks to the comics where the character originated.

Masterfully combining the Arkham-style gameplay with the colorful, brick-smashing chaos of the Lego games, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an absolute winner and a game I recommend that everyone check out. It delivers on almost every level. Find out why in my full review!

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight review: The basics

• What is it? As its name suggests, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a Lego game from Traveller's Tales that features the legendary Batman.
• Who is it for? For anyone who is a fan of Batman, Lego video games, or silly action-adventure titles.
• What's the price? Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight costs $69 for the standard edition and $89 for the deluxe edition.
• What other games has the developer made? TT Games has developed other Lego titles, such as Lego Star Wars, Lego Harry Potter, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Lego Dimensions, and many more.
• What games is it similar to? Lego Batman is most similar to the previous Lego Batman games, Lego DC Super-Villains, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes.

Legends of the Dark Knight

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight retells Batman’s story in adorable Lego fashion. I won’t go into detail here, as anyone living in modern society already has a basic understanding of what to expect. However, it’s the way Traveller’s Tales combines the major Batman movies, TV shows, and comics that makes reliving the Caped Crusader’s iconic moments so much fun.

As the story progresses and we travel through the Dark Knight’s timeline, we get introduced to other playable characters. This includes Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Batgirl, and a handful of others. Naturally, you and your allies will have to defend Gotham City from the series’ Rogue’s Gallery, which includes Joker, Penguin, Bane, and plenty more.

Despite the dark source material, Legacy of the Dark Knight ensures that everything maintains the playful nature Lego games are known for. If you’re looking for a serious Batman plot, this ain’t it. I know some only view Batman as a super serious character, but considering how I grew up watching reruns of Batman ‘66 and the Super Friends, I enjoy the campy side of Batman — and this game has it in spades!

Knightfall

Like Lego Horizon, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is very combat-focused. To prove that point, there are three difficulty settings to choose from: Classic, Caped Crusader, and Dark Knight. The latter is the closest you’ll get to the challenge of the Arkham games, though even that is still very timid in comparison. I stuck with Caped Crusader since it offered just enough challenge while still letting me enjoy the fun gameplay.

Combat-wise, Batman and his allies have fluid attack chains, counters, over-the-top takedowns, and a full arsenal of gadgets to deal with the mobs. You can rack up a pretty high combo if you don’t take damage, which raises your Lego stud multiplier. You’ll also build a meter, which, when filled, allows you to unleash the aforementioned takedowns. Racking up a high combo is as addictive here as it is in the Arkham games.

You’re getting the full Batman experience, which means you’ll do more than beat up on costumed goons. For example, if you’re perched on a balcony, you can use batarangs to distract a foe so you can take them out silently. Other sections will have you looking for clues or using other gadgets to find your objectives. Batman’s friends all have their own weapons and tools, and you can only unlock certain secrets with them.

WayneTech chips are hidden across Gotham City, and collecting enough of them allows you to unlock certain upgrades at workbenches—with the most notable one being located inside the Batcave. You don’t actually need these upgrades on the standard difficulties, but I imagine they’d be more useful on Dark Knight. Regardless, upgrading gadgets for each of your characters is simple and enjoyable.

Boss battles are true highlights since they’re so wildly imaginative and let you see what each villain can truly do. And as you’d expect, boss battles don’t just have one phase, so don’t cheer too much after you’ve easily bested Joker or Poison Ivy, as they’ll come back for more.

I only played the game solo, so I can’t delve too much into how well local couch co-op works with this game. I wish there were an online mode for us adults who can’t always go visit friends, but this is one of the game’s few faults. You can have an absolute blast playing alone.

No Man’s Land

The Lego-fied Gotham City combines various versions of Batman’s fictional metropolis into a fun locale to explore. Gotham spans four separate islands, each of which you can fast travel to after completing a mini-game to unlock the “SubWayne” that connects all the areas. Areas like Ace Chemicals, Gotham Botanical Gardens, and Wayne Tower are all here and packed with plenty of puzzles and secrets. And since this is Gotham, there are always random crimes happening around every rain-soaked alleyway and rooftop.

There are many ways to get around Gotham, including zipping between buildings with the grapple launcher, soaring with the Batglider, or cruising the neon-drenched streets inside of various Batmobiles and Batcycles from all eras of Batman’s history. Gotham is brimming with secrets, so it’s in your best interest to explore the seedy streets to see what kind of rewards and trouble you can find.

Speaking of unlockables, there are dozens of different outfits and Batsuits to collect. You unlock a decent amount by just playing through the game, but you can also buy them with the studs you’ve collected at Bat-Mite’s shops across the city. Before you ask, yes, you can also unlock or buy outfits for your allies—all of which you can view at the Batcave.

On the subject of Batman’s famous lair, you can do more than just upgrade equipment. For instance, you can display trophies found during missions, review case files on the Batcomputer, and even customize the place with Lego furnishings, like your personal gym. Doing up the Batcave can become its own adventure.

Exploration is one of my favorite things to do in games, so it’s great that Legacy of the Dark Knight makes it so rewarding and enjoyable.

Gotham by Gaslight

I’ve always found the Lego games visually appealing, but I can confidently say that Lego Batman is the most stunning of them all. It strikes a beautiful balance between gritty comic-book noir and the vibrant Lego aesthetic. Whether it’s a seedy dark alley or a citizen trying not to get mugged, everything comes to life in fantastic detail.

Gotham City is effectively a cyberpunk dystopia, always dark and stormy, with gaudy neon lights illuminating the streets. This creates a moodier atmosphere than you’d see from a typical Lego game, but it fits the tone perfectly. The small details, such as dynamic lighting and reflective puddles, are just as impressive as the Lego-fied neo-noir architecture.

Characters in Lego games are always extremely expressive, even if they’re nothing more than plastic, and the same is true here. Given the sheer number of Batman allies and villains, it’s amazing how each one has a distinctive personality. Seeing the character’s eyes widen when something dramatic happens, or having them flail their little Lego arms when they’re excited, never gets old.

I played on the PS5 Pro, but at the time of writing, I'm not aware of any Pro-enhanced features. Graphics-wise, you can choose between fidelity and performance modes. I opted for the latter since I prefer smoother gameplay over 4K visuals. The game still looks phenomenal in performance mode anyway.

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight review: Verdict

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight reminds me of both why I love video games and why I love the Batman franchise. It keeps a grin on your face as effectively as Joker’s laughing gas, thanks to the brick-smashing Lego formula and deep respect for the source material. Don’t let the adorable visuals fool you — this is a genuine Batman experience for everyone.

If you’re a Batman fan or just want something fun to play, this one is an easy recommendation. I can’t yet say if this will be my surprise game of the year, but I’ll certainly keep it in consideration when the time comes. If anything, I can say this is now my favorite Lego game ever. Holy Batman, it’s that good!

Star Wars Day is on the horizon, crashing down on Monday, May the 4th, and that means it's the best time to nab some new Lego sets in honour of the intergalactic franchise.

With less than three days to go, I've scoured Amazon to find the best Lego Star Wars sets you can buy right now, and selected 21 of my top-rated picks for your perusal. I've celebrated Star Wars Day most of my life, often digging into an hours-long Lego build as one of the many great Star Wars films (or spinoffs) plays in the background.

This year, I'm opting for the Grogu with Hover Pram set, now just AU$119, to coincide with the debut of the upcoming movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu in theatres on May 21, 2026. That said, there are fantastic deals on new and beloved Star Wars sets, including the new range of Lego Smart Play builds, which include fun interactive play elements thanks to Lego's latest innovation, Smart Bricks.

You'll need to jump into hyperspeed to secure one of these great Lego deals, though, as they won't stick around long and are only available while stocks last.

I am a big fan of Lego, a fact that is plainly obvious to anyone who knows me, and I'm very much in the camp of build-and-display. I'm not creative enough to build my own sets, and playing with bricks is something that hasn't really interested me since I hit double-digits. Needless to say, I am not the target audience for Lego's new Smart Play system — powered by the Smart Brick.

As the name suggests, this is a hi-tech play feature, designed to add more interactivity to specific Lego sets — a fact that has caused a lot of controversy and furor among adult Lego fans. Since I was not the target audience, I initially settled in the camp of casual disinterest. I wasn't planning on buying a Smart Play set, but I also wasn't going to angrily scream into the social media void either.

But here I am, talking about Smart Play. Why, you might ask? Because I actually learned about the tech inside the brick, and I have to say I was fascinated by what I heard. I had to try this out for myself, and after getting hold of the Smart Play TIE Fighter, complete with everyone's favorite Sith Lord Darth Vader, I found myself very impressed with what Lego has developed.

I'm still not the target audience, and Smart Play sets still haven't earned a place on my Lego Store wishlist. But if I were a kid, this is the kind of thing I would love to play with. The best part for any parents out there is that it doesn't involve screens.

Hands-on with the Smart Brick

From a building perspective, there isn't much to discuss with the Smart Play TIE Fighter. It's a little more rudimentary than I would expect from a lot of other Star Wars sets, and has clearly been designed to be a little more appealing for kids and playtime rather than sitting on a shelf gathering dust.

It wasn't challenging for an adult, but it's not supposed to be, and I can definitely appreciate the fact Lego didn't employ a single sticker in the set — only printed parts. That's the kind of child-friendly design I can get behind.

The Brick itself operates with a form of near field communication, and it's got a surprising amount of range. I would have guessed that its position in the back of the TIE Fighter would be too far away from Darth Vader when he's sitting in the pilot's seat — but I was wrong. The Smart Brick can communicate over roughly an inch of dead space, which means it can connect to both the Vader figure and the TIE Fighter Smart tag at the same time.

Stick the Smart Brick in the back, and it'll fire up the TIE's engines and play some Vader-specific sound effects — all played through a synthesizer on the Smart Brick. I was not expecting a lot from this, all things considered, but suddenly hearing The Imperial March blast out of the Brick was a very nice surprise.

The same goes for the breathing effect, which, while not a full rendition of Vader's iconic rasp, was close enough.

There are even voice effects, though they aren't voice effects from the Star Wars movies. Instead, it's a kind of simulated speech that reminds me of Simlish, the language from the Sims video games, or the voice effects in the oldest Lego Star Wars games. Lego games were better before they added full voice casts, and I will die on that hill.

The Brick features a heck of a lot of internal sensors, which enhance that play experience. Moving the TIE Fighter around activates various sound effects to simulate movement, including a power-down noise when you put the ship back onto the ground.

Spin it around with Vader inside and you'll even hear him react accordingly. There's also a color sensor on the side, which adds different sounds depending on what color it senses. Nothing too complex, but in the case of the TIE Fighter red activates the weapons, blue simulates refuelling and green is repairs.

The red is, of course, the most important, which is why Lego added a trigger at the back of the ship that flicks red paddles in front of the light sensor. Flick the trigger, and you suddenly have Darth Vader trying to shoot down the rebels that keep trying to blow up the Death Star.

Lego's innovating, without resorting to apps and screens

One of the things that hit me as I was building the TIE Fighter is that Smart Play is quite different from a lot of the recent "innovation" Lego has done with its sets in recent years. Because it's a closed system that works independently of any other tech. There's no need to pair it to a smartphone app that might get discontinued in three or four years.

There is a Smart Play app, which links to your Bricks via Bluetooth, but this doesn't unlock any extra features or functionality. Not only does it not connect to your brick unless it's on the charging pad, the app only functions as a monitoring tool. It lets you check battery life, adjust volume and update firmware should that ever be necessary. Nothing else, beyond a list of FAQs that are also available on Lego's website.

There will come a day when Lego decides it's had enough with Smart Play. Whether it's one year from now or 10, retirement is inevitable. But that retirement doesn't mean Lego will be able to shut down Smart Bricks that have already been sold. They should still operate as normal until the Brick (or more likely the battery) wears out.

The Bricks already work straight out of the box, and they don't rely on any kind of connection to operate. Even if you don't have smart tiles or minifigures to pair it with, you can still use the Brick as a standalone play element using the built-in sensors. The only essential component is the charger — for obvious reasons.

Compare that to something like the Hidden Side theme, which used a companion app to add augmented reality elements to certain sets. The theme was discontinued in December 2020, and the companion app shut down in January 2023. The physical sets still existed, but the elements that made it unique are now gone forever.

Blending Lego and apps is a cool idea, but Smart Play shows how Lego doesn't necessarily have to go that route to utilize technology to enhance the play experience. Which keeps your kid's screen time down, and means they don't need to have a smartphone or tablet to get the most out of the expensive new set you just bought them.

The prices are a real downer

The elephant in the Smart Playroom is that these sets are rather expensive — even by Lego Star Wars standards. The Smart Play TIE Fighter is the cheapest "all-in-one" Smart Play set, and it costs $70. Also on sale is Luke Skywalker's X-Wing for $90 and the Emperor's throne room for $160.

For reference, the closest Lego set to the TIE Fighter on sale is the $65 TIE Bomber. Not only is it $5 cheaper than the Smart Play model, it's also larger and packs in more interesting minifigures. Sure, this set has the Smart Brick and charger, which won't come cheap, but it seems as though the Smart Play-compatible sets, which don't include those elements, carry a more premium price.

The Millennium Falcon Smart Playset is $100, whereas the mid-scale display Millennium Falcon is $85. It has no minifigures or play elements, but it is larger and more detailed despite costing $15 less. To make matters worse, the Smart Brick and charger aren't available to purchase separately. If you want to get the most out of your new compatible Lego set, you'll need to spend at least $70 for the TIE Fighter.

I understand these are tech elements that cost more to develop and produce than molded plastic bricks. But children famously don't have a lot of disposable income, and the price tags are going to impact how many parents are going to buy these for their kids.

I remember the crushing disappointment of being told a Lego set I wanted was too expensive for Santa to bring me, so I can empathize with any kids who are told they can't have a Smart Play set. Or, perhaps worst of all, get the set they want but without the essential Brick to make it worthwhile.

Bottom Line

I gotta say, I would have absolutely loved this Smart Play stuff as a kid. While part of the fun of playing is making your own sound effects, the way Lego has implemented more hi-tech features into its sets is quite astounding. There's no need to keep replenishing batteries, and the electronics are all contained within a single brick that can be used with other Lego sets.

Not only can you rip out the smart effects to try and use them elsewhere, that's an intended part of the design. The Smart Brick may be a little bigger than your standard 2x4 Lego brick, but it's still universally compatible with all your other Lego sets. You just need to make sure you have the right tags and minifigures to make it worthwhile — because the Brick doesn't do a whole lot by itself.

Lego just needs to sort out the price problem and try to make this a little more accessible. I get it, technology isn't cheap and neither are Star Wars sets. But the least it could do is make sure the Smart brick itself is available on its own, and not stuck between a $70-$160 paywall.

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It was only a few weeks ago that I shared my excitement about the first Lego x Crocs collab — the Lego Brick Clogs, which came exactly as described: shaped like a classic red Lego Brick.

While the first drop sold out almost instantly across the Crocs and Lego websites (complete with a customizable minifig and mini Crocs), the goofy-looking, oversized red clogs weren't for every fan — especially at their considerable $149.99 / AU$319.99 price tag.

At the time of the Lego Brick Clogs release, the brands committed to a multi-year partnership, and today, they've cemented it with the launch of three new Lego x Crocs styles. These new clogs play into the nature of creativity, imagination and self-expression, leaning heavily into what made the two brands iconic in the first place.

Decked out with Lego bricks from the soles to Jibbitz, the new styles merge the Classic Clog silhouette with Lego elements around the soles and upper. The shoes also come with a Lego tag on each strap and a custom minifigure with four pairs of its own Crocs. Plus, the new Jibbitz charms are inspired by Lego pieces and creations, especially on the Lego Midnight Garden Clog (a.k.a. My favourite pair in this drop).

All new pairs are available for purchase today (March 20, 2026) on both Crocs and Lego websites. But how much do they actually cost? Thankfully, these pairs come in at $79.99 / AU$134.99 and $89.99 / AU$149.99 (see specific pricing details below), putting them within reach and at a similar price point to more extensive Lego builds for dedicated fans.

If you can't swallow the price of a new pair of Lego Clogs right now, there are thankfully several Crocs Clogs on sale on its website and Amazon storefront. And if none of the pairs below tickle your fancy, you can check out Crocs' website for more styles, including sandals, slides and even sneakers!

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Amazon AU's first major sale of the year is here! Dubbed the "Big Smile Sale", Amazon's first discount frenzy of the year has succeeded in its namesake, putting a wide, toothy grin on my face for its Lego deals alone.

As a lifelong Lego fan, I've been eyeing some builds from my favourite franchises, including Disney, Lego Ideas and Creator sets. And with up to 34% off select builds and sets, Amazon's Big Smile Sale has put them within reach for me — and there's no doubt other Lego lovers are rejoicing at the discounts too.

I've handpicked my top 15 bargains below, ranging from cheap sets and more extensive (and expensive) builds. If my selection below doesn't quite tickle your brick-building fancy, you can check out the full list of deals on Lego's Amazon storefront.

You'll need to act fast if you've got your eye on a new Lego set — these deals are set to expire on Sunday, March 22 and are only available while stocks last.

I have rather mixed feelings about Lego's new Smart Brick, which has been generating quite a lot of vitriol among adult Lego fans online. Everything I've seen so far makes the Smart Brick look rather interesting, though the price of both the Brick itself and other compatible sets has given me pause.

The tie-in sets all seem rather expensive, even by the standard of Lego Star Wars, which is infamous for its high price tags. Adding a bunch of brand-new tech to what would already be an expensive box of plastic bricks doesn't sound like a fantastic idea. But I can't appreciate the tech that's actually being utilized here.

Especially after seeing YouTube JerryRigEverything tear open a Smart Brick to show off how it all works.

JerryRigEverything is best known for tearing open and torturing smartphones, but this time he's not stressing the Smart Brick to show off its limits — or gauge repairability. It's obvious from the get-go that this brick is not going back together again. Nope, this is all about seeing how this thing works.

The crazy thing about the Smart Brick is how much it can do. The brick has a built-in synthesizer to generate sounds, offers a color-detection sensor on either side, and wirelessly communicates with the new smart tags and minifigures. Plus a built-in battery that can only be recharged with a special wireless charger. A lot is going on in here, and inside something that is barely larger than a standard 2x4 Lego brick.

The first thing the teardown reveals is that there are copper wires all over the place. Not only does this facilitate wireless charging and reverse wireless charging to energize other compatible objects, but the sheer number of coils also helps the Brick identify where those objects are. This also lets it detect more than one tag or minifigure at a time.

Once tags and minifigures are energized, the actual communication uses something Lego calls BrickNet — a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network. Each accessory then relays information back to the Smart Brick, telling it what sort of noises it needs to make. Which is pretty impressive stuff for a kid's toy, and it doesn't require the use of any screens or apps to operate. Which hasn't always been the case for Lego's various 21st-century innovations

Also inside the Brick is a prism to redirect light to the color-sending pad, an accelerometer for registering movement and a microphone which isn't being used yet. Lego says that the microphone will be activated as part of a future update, provided the user consents.

However, the company maintains that it doesn't record, store or transmit audio. It's more like a virtual button that is powered by sound. That is definitely for the best, considering Lego is still firmly marketed as a toy for kids and Smart Brick is more focused on play than display.

Though that last part is going to be a point of contention for many adult collectors. I'm not in the habit of playing with my Lego, and since my son is still too young for Lego (and Duplo), I won't be playing with it with him for a long time yet. But considering how much fun the Smart Brick seems to be, I might just have to pick some up when I can.

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I love a good Lego set. Even if it takes you over a day to assemble, the hard work always pays off in spades — with a beautiful build you can display (or play with) for years to come.

Last week, Lego announced a multi-year partnership with none other than one of my favourite brands, Crocs, the funky clog shoe maker. Crocs are synonymous with a few things — namely, moulded clogs and fun collaborations with major brands and franchises, such as Harry Potter, Disney, Coca-Cola and Krispy Kreme. Adding Lego to that list seems like a pretty solid choice for the brand, and boy, have they delivered with the first (of hopefully, many) Lego x Crocs drop.

To launch the partnership, the two iconic brands have introduced a new silhouette that brings Lego to real life. Each collectible oversized pair of the Lego Brick Clogs features four studs stamped with the Lego logo and an innovative brick-like outsole. Accompanying the unique clogs is a Lego Minifigure with four pairs of its own miniature Crocs shoes.

The ​Lego Brick Clogs are currently available to preorder, with a release date set for February 17, 2026. But how much will the collectible pair cost? These red brick shoes will set you back a whopping AU$319.99 and will be available to order at either Crocs or Lego.

While they're not the cheapest pair of clogs, the Lego Clogs will indeed turn heads, and complete with the matching minifig, any Lego Lover will be brick-tastic.

Best Crocs deals right now

If you don't have the means to wait or can't swallow the price of the Lego Clogs, there are thankfully several Crocs Clogs on sale right now on its website and Amazon storefront. And if none of the pairs below tickle your fancy, you can check out Crocs' website for more styles, including sandals, slides and even sneakers!

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If there's anything you've probably heard about LEGO's first CES showcase this year, it's the Smart Brick. It's the cornerstone (or should I say cornerbrick?) of Smart Play, LEGO's new interactive system powered by modified bricks and minifigures stuffed with a surprising amount of built-in tech like LEDs and motion sensors. Now you can preorder Lego's first Smart Brick sets, and the company's kicking things off with a throwback to some of its most iconic collabs in a galaxy far, far away.

Three Star Wars sets — the Emperor's Throne Room Duel, Luke's X-Wing, and Darth Vader's TIE Fighter — are available for preorder now on Amazon, with shipping set to begin March 1. Each set comes with at least one Smart Brick, basically a tiny computer that can interact with Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags through embedded NFC chips, which trigger certain sounds or lighting effects depending on their surroundings. For example, a Smart Brick attached to a police car Smart Tag will blare sirens when a robber minifigure approaches and turn off when a police officer minifigure gets close. Most importantly, the system works all on its own, without needing to connect to your smart device.

The cheapest set, the $69.99 Smart Play TIE Fighter, comes with one Smart Brick, one Smart Tag, and a Smart Darth Vader minifigure. You also get one Smart Brick with the $89.99 Smart Play X-Wing, along with five Smart Tags and Smart Luke and Leia figures. The $159 Smart Play Throne Room Duel throws in another Smart Brick and figure. All three sets also include LEGO's new wireless charger that can accommodate two bricks at a time. Depending on which set you get, the Smart Bricks can flash lights and emit the sounds of Lightsabers clashing or lasers whizzing by.

Considering the non-Smart Play X-Wing set cost $49 until it was retired in 2024, it's a sizable markup on what's already among the most expensive LEGO builds. LEGO fans have been divided at the announcement, with some complaining about the cost and LEGO moving away from imagination-based play, while others can't wait to test out all the play possibilities this new tech brings. Like a lot of folks, Tom's Guide's own Kate Kozuch was skeptical before going hands-on with LEGO's Smart Brick at CES 2026. After toying with the Smart Brick, she said she understands the potential, especially for younger builders. It's clear the Star Wars sets are just the beginning of LEGO's renewed focus on kids over adult collectors.

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I went into my LEGO Smart Play hands-on at CES 2026 confused about how the system actually works and what the Smart Brick means for longtime LEGO fans like myself.

Based on the comments on our social videos, you're right there with me: Who asked for this? Isn't this just going to make LEGO sets even more expensive? What's the point?

As someone with shelves full of assembled, rarely touched sets (including more than a few painfully pricey Star Wars builds) I get the controversy. LEGO isn’t cheap, and Star Wars LEGO is in a tier of its own when you start talking price per brick.

But after spending real, hands-on time with the LEGO Smart Brick and getting a deeper dive into how Smart Play actually works, I walked away with a different perspective.

What is the LEGO Smart Brick?

If there’s one thing you’ve probably heard about LEGO Smart Play, it’s the Smart Brick. At a glance, it looks like a modified 2x4. But inside that tiny brick is a frankly wild amount of tech including: a silicon chip, a motion sensor and gyroscope, a pressure-sensing non-listening microphone, built-in speakers, LEDs on top and a light sensor that can replicate color.

Seeing all of that packed into something that still functions as a LEGO brick is impressive on an engineering level alone. With all these features, the Smart Brick isn’t meant to sit anywhere passively. Shake it to wake it, and you get up to about 40 minutes of active play time.

During that window, movement drives all of the visual and audio responses. But it's important to clarify that the Smart Brick doesn’t actually do anything on its own. To come alive, it needs instructions.

What is a LEGO Smart Tag?

A LEGO Smart Brick is controlled by LEGO Smart Tags. These are square studs with RFID chips inside them, each pre-programmed with specific behaviors.

LEGO showed off a bunch of concept demos, such as a duck Smart Tag that makes the brick quack and flash yellow. I also saw a helicopter tag that triggers whirring sounds. Flip that same brick upside down and the motion sensor kicks in, flashing red lights and triggering a Mayday-style alert.

Those examples are just demonstrations of what the system can do, but they're not products you can buy today. More on that in a moment.

What is a LEGO Smart Minifigure?

Smart Minifigures matter just as much, if not more, as Smart Tags.

Each Smart Minifigure has its own internal tag that changes how the Smart Brick behaves based on proximity. So the same Smart Tag can behave differently depending on what kind of character is nearby.

One demonstration had a robber minifigure attempt to hop inside a car containing a Smart Brick attached to a police car Smart Tag. The Smart Brick started blaring sirens, naturally. But when the police officer minifigure approached the car, the sirens turned off.

LEGO Star Wars Smart Play sets

Here’s where I get why people are frustrated. LEGO Smart Play is new, experimental, and yes, it comes with a cost. The most comparable non-Smart Play LEGO X-Wing set (75301) with 474 pieces ran for $49 until it was retired in 2024.

The LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Luke’s Red Five X-Wing comes with 584 pieces and will run for $99. But LEGO isn't necessarily basing price by piece — it's based off how many Smart Minifigures and SMART Tags you get.

• Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter: $69, 743 pieces (1 minifigure)
• Luke’s Red Five X-wing: $99, 584 pieces (2 minifigures)
• Throne Room Duel & A-wing: $159, 962 (3 minifigures)

Launching Smart Play in Star Wars sets, which are already among the most expensive LEGO builds, amplifies that sticker shock. If you’re an adult collector like me, someone who buys these sets to display rather than to flail around with lights and sounds, it can feel like you’re paying extra for a feature you might never use.

But I've urged myself to keep kids in mind. Young fans of LEGO Star Wars TV shows, movies and games will no doubt love the sound effects that feel straight out of the content that famously doesn't take itself too seriously.

What LEGO Smart Play sets are coming next?

LEGO hasn't announced any future plans for Smart Play sets beyond the trio of Star Wars ones, but we have to assume there are other franchises in the works.

Part of me wishes LEGO launched with Speed Champions or other automotive builds. Imagine an F1 car that reacts to motion, engine sounds that roar when you push it along. To me, that feels like a perfect match for the Smart Brick's technology, and I hope we see it soon.

LEGO Smart Play: Verdict

After toying with the Smart Brick and seeing the broader Smart Play vision, it’s hard not to think bigger.

LEGO is clearly treating the Star Wars sets as a starting point, but the duck and helicopter demos weren’t random.

I would be shocked if LEGO doesn’t eventually sell Smart Bricks and Smart Tags individually, letting kids build whatever they want and assign behaviors afterward.

You could build something that looks nothing like its assigned tag and still have it behave completely differently. Think: a monster that quacks like a duck, or a bizarre dinosaur-shaped spaceship that sounds like an X-Wing.

I didn’t walk away from LEGO Smart Play thinking it’s for everyone, but I did walk away understanding it. This isn’t LEGO trying to turn bricks into screens or shove an app into every build.

Yes, it adds cost. Yes, collectors are justified in being annoyed, but no one is forcing you to buy these sets.

As someone who’s wondered how LEGO would refocus on kids in recent years, I’m comfortable waiting to see how Smart Play evolves. And it won't even be that long of a wait. The LEGO Star Wars Smart Play sets launch March 1, 2026.

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Update: See our top 9 gadgets of CES 2026 from day 3!

We've wrapped day two at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026. And, after day one dazzled us with some truly spectacular new TVs, it's now all about the laptops. We saw new machines from MSI and Acer alongside the very nice-looking XPS 14 from Dell.

But it wasn't just laptops stealing our attention in Las Vegas. For the first time ever, Lego held a CES keynote. The reason? The iconic toy brand wanted to show off its first "smart brick" — a standard Lego brick with a tiny computer packed inside that can work with NFC-enabled smart tags. Cool!

Of course, it wouldn't be CES without some head-turning weird tech that may — or may not — actually make it on sale in 2026. Like the Ascentiz H1 Pro exoskeleton that our senior fitness writer Dan used to assist him in walking around the vast exhibition halls.

Make sure you check out our ongoing CES 2026 live blog for the very latest from the show, and here's our day 1 round-up of the 10 best new gadgets we saw.

Dell XPS 14

After abandoning the XPS line, Dell has admitted its mistake and brought these premium laptops back in a big way. The XPS 14 and 16 were both on show in Las Vegas and our Global Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer spent some quality time with the CNC-machined aluminum XPS 14 that's just 14.6mm thin — in between the MacBook Air M4 (11.3mm) and MacBook Pro M5 (15.5mm).

There's a mesmerizing 2.8K OLED display with a variable refresh rate going all the way down to 1Hz to conserve battery life. The XPS 14 is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and built-in Arc graphics, so you should expect smooth performance. There's a range of CPU options, including a Core Ultra 5, Core Ultra 7, X7 and X9. And the RAM options go from 16GB to 32GB and a max of 64GB.

The only catch is that, with the price of RAM skyrocketing due to AI-driven demand, the price is going to be tough to hear. According to Dell, prices start at $2,049.

Intel Panther Lake

Intel's keynote took place during our second day of CES and the brand stepped up to show off its new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 laptop chips. Codenamed Panther Lake, they were first revealed back in October, but CES has given us our first look at them in action.

The big change is that Panther Lake is built on the new Intel 18A node and employs a "System of Chips" design featuring up to 16 cores and fabricated out of smaller "tiles," which can be moved and swapped to fine-tune performance and efficiency.

In addition, the GPU built into these new Core Ultra 3 chips introduces a new, more efficient Xᵉ3 graphics architecture and scales up to 12 Xᵉ cores and 12 Ray Tracing Units, delivering better performance and featuring an increased 16 MB L2 Cache in the high-end configuration.

There's also better multi-thread performance and a number of other tricks that my colleague Alex Wawro has detailed right here.

Strutt ev1 personal mobility vehicle

Let's get fun for a second. My colleague Mike Prospero took this "personal mobility vehicle" for a spin around the show floor and called it a cross between Professor X's wheelchair and a Tesla. I'll share the bad news up front: You can pre-order it for $5,299, but its regular price will run you $7,499. Ouch.

But here's what you get for your money, the Strutt's four motors power it at speeds of up to 7 mph (11.3 km/h), and it can carry a maximum payload of 350 lbs (160 kg). It'll glide up hills as steep as 13-degrees, and ride over curbs up to 2 inches in height. Finally, the 18.5Ah/592Wh removable battery is good for about 20 miles of range.

The cherry on top is that it's voice-controlled with built-in navigation. So you can sit there and just tell it where you want to go. If you want to know more, read Mike's hands-on with the Strutt ev1 here.

Hisense UR8 RGB Mini-LED TV

Day one of CES 2026 was dominated by LG and Samsung's new TV smarts but Hisense has also arrived at the party. This Chinese brand has constantly impressed us with its value for money and this year we got a good look at how it's embracing Mini-LED technology.

Hisense has upgraded its RGB Mini-LED architecture to include a fourth primary color. The addition of cyan — or sky blue, as Hisense calls it — is said to improve the color fidelity, and there are several models to choose from this year.

The Hisense UR9 and the Hisense UR8 are the brand’s first attempt to scale the tech down to smaller screen sizes. It was previously limited to a 116-inch display in the Hisense 116UX but these new sets will be available in sizes ranging from 55 to 100 inches.

Lego Smart Brick

This was a bit of a left-field reveal at CES, but we are totally here for it. The European toy brand Lego revealed its first-ever "smart brick" at a dedicated keynote that included a demo of how it'll work.

The company has fitted a tiny computer into a standard 2x4 Lego brick that's capable of detecting NFC-enabled tags inside new Lego tiles and minifigures. When the block detects one of these (or another smart brick) it will react dynamically.

Lego says it will make sets come to life with features like sound effects, lighting or movement.

Ascentiz H1 Pro exoskeleton

Exoskeletons aren't as strange a sight these days as you might expect. We saw one at last year's CES and they're back again for 2026. This year, senior fitness writer Dan Bracaglia strapped on the Ascentiz H1 Pro and called it the most comfortable exoskeleton he's tested.

Like other exoskeletons, the Ascentiz relies on AI to analyze a user’s stride, ensuring natural movement assistance. While Dan says it wasn't as powerful as exoskeletons from Hypershell and Arc'teryx, the range of movement was more comfortable.

Weighing just 4.4 pounds (sans battery), the H1 Pro is surprisingly unburdensome to wear. It also folds down into a neat little package that can easily be stored in a gym bag. So whether you're hiking around a massive trade show or want some help at the squat rack, this looks like a winner.

Ascentiz has a few different models in development, and you can find more information over at its fully-backed active Kickstarter campaign.

MSI Pro Max QD-OLED monitor

MSI always shows up in full force at CES with new laptops, graphics cards and gaming PCs, but this year, my colleague Anthony Spadafora said he was interested in the company's new Pro Max 271UPXW12G monitor.

This all-white QD-OLED display isn’t just another gaming or business monitor. Instead, it’s designed to work perfectly with your Mac; it features M-Color Mode for seamless color synchronization and even allows you to adjust brightness and volume directly from your MacBook shortcut keys.

So, if you're looking for an alternative to the $1,599 Apple Studio Display, this could well be it. Especially as Anthony thinks this could arrive with a sub $1,000 price point. You can read all his thoughts on it right here.

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo

Asus has stepped up to CES 2026 with the world’s first dual-screen 16-inch gaming laptop. It's an OLED waterfall that seems like overkill in all the right ways.

Computing Editor Jason England took a look at the two 16-inch 3K OLED displays and proclaimed them: "drop-dead gorgeous, running at a buttery smooth 120Hz and sporting HDR support."

Both displays are attached onto a hinge that can bend back a full 320-degrees too and since this is a Zephyrus machine, the specs list is crazy good. There's an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 CPU, up to RTX 5090 laptop GPU, 64GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 2TB SSD — pumping 135W through that GPU. You also get plenty of I/O including Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity to boot.

You can check out more of Jason's thoughts on this beast of a laptop right here.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (2026)

I told you that day two of CES was going to be all about the laptops. My colleague Tony Polanco is a life-long gamer, so it's only right that he got to check out the new machines from Dell's gaming sub-brand, Alienware.

Later this year, we can expect an Alienware ultra-slim gaming laptop, coming in at just 0.66 inches (17mm) thin, which is cool. But Tony got to grips with the sturdy Alienware 16 Area-51 on the show floor.

It continues everything about last year's laptop that made it a favorite and levels up in one crucial area: the display. There's now a 240Hz OLED panel with lower latency as well as improved cooling. Tony thinks it has a good chance of being one of the best gaming laptops you can buy this year.

Unfortunately, we don’t yet have a concrete release date, but expect it sometime in the first quarter of this year. Alienware says it will share pricing closer to launch.

Nvidia's AI car tech

Nvidia is one of the biggest names in tech at the moment and the company hosted its own keynote at CES on day two. Unfortunately, we didn't get any new GeForce RTX graphics cards as the company was instead focusing on AI and robotics.

Aside from CEO Jensen Huang messing about with some Star Wars droids on stage, the most interesting development was the announcement of Nvidia Alpamay. This is a new open-source AI model for self-driving cars. Instead of being trained on data and driving reactively, this model is able to use reasoning at lightning-quick times to be proactive.

Nvidia showed it in action with a driving demo across San Francisco and it could just be the future of self-driving cars. Huang confirmed the model will be included with the 2025 Mercedes Benz CLA — already rated the world's safest car by the automotive bodies.

This new self-driving motor vehicle is heading to manufacturing and launching in the U.S. in Q1! Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

 Eli Health Hormometer

Alongside laptops and AI, wellness tech is a big draw at CES and this at-home hormone test shows why. For just $8, you'll be able to test your cortisol levels and, from February, your testosterone and progesterone levels too. Before we go any further, it doesn't replace your doctor but it should give you some extra insight into things like your sleep and energy levels.

Once you've installed the Eli Health app on your phone, you take the saliva collection cartridge out of the sealed package and put it in your mouth for 60 seconds.

From there, you pull on a tab so that the results can start “developing,” similar to a Covid test. You’ll need to wait 20 minutes for this part but once it's done you use the app and your phone’s camera to snap a photo of the saliva stick, at which point the AI will analyze your results and give you a cortisol score.

The tests are $8 a piece, but you can get 8 tests for $99 or a 3-month supply for $225. Find out what my colleague Mark Spoonauer thought when he tried it for himself on the show floor.

Segway Navimow (2026)

It might be the middle of winter right now, but in just a few short months you're going to be looking for ways to keep your lawn looking fresh. And Segway has turned up to CES 2026 with the answer. The company revealed eight new robot lawn mowers covering five different series in the Navimow lineup.

These range in price from $999 to $2,999 for models suitable for home use. The most notable is the Navimow H2 Series, which has an impressive obstacle avoidance system that can detect objects as small as 1 centimeter.

There's also the Navimow i2 AWD series that uses a three-wheel drive system to climb up steeper slopes, along with the Navimo i215 LiDAR that generates detailed maps with its next-generation solid-state LiDAR. If you need to know more, we've got a full breakdown of the new robot mowers and their specs right here.

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In a first for the iconic toy brand, Lego will host a keynote at CES 2026. While last year's CES saw Lego team up with Sony to announce Lego Horizon Adventures, this year it's stepping up with a press conference of its own alongside the biggest names in tech like Nvidia, Intel, LG, Hisense, AMD, and more for the Consumer Technology Association's annual showcase in Las Vegas.

CES exhibits cutting-edge innovations and sets the tone for the tech industry for the year ahead, but it's not a toy fair. So what's Lego doing at CES? While there's still much we don't know, Lego's expected to showcase how it's expanding its scope beyond traditional building sets into AR/VR, gaming, and more. Hopefully, Lego will add a dash of excitement and childlike glee to the usual drone of AI and smart gadget talk. Here’s how you can watch the Lego CES 2025 showcase and what I anticipate will be announced during the main event.

How to watch Lego's CES 2026 press conference

The Lego keynote is set to kick off on Monday, January 5 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT. Lego and the Consumer Technology Association haven't yet provided specifics, but we expect that, as with other companies presenting at CES, the press conference will be available as a livestream. Once an official link is available, we'll update this story with details about where you can catch the live stream.

What to expect from Lego at CES 2026

So far, Lego hasn't shared any official details about its CES plans, leaving ample room for speculation. Lego has plenty of new sets planned for 2026, but given CES's focus, we're more likely to see what the company's cooking up beyond traditional building sets.

Given Lego's partnership with Sony last year, we could see another game spotlighted, like its upcoming title, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The company may also give more details about new brand partnerships and its 2032 ecological goals, including replacing petroleum-based bricks with renewable plastic and reducing carbon emissions by 37%.

Any new sets will need a strong tech connection to wow audiences at CES, and that's where Lego's biggest potential debut comes in. Lego's expected to officially announce its rumored Smart Play system, rumored to use sensors and scannable tags to activate a set's interactive elements like lights and sounds via Smart Bricks to merge digital play with physical building. It's an evolution of Lego Super Mario sets, which feature a small screen, built-in sensors, and a dedicated mobile app to create a responsive, hybrid play experience.

The first Smart Play sets are expected to launch in March 2026, so it'd be a smart play (get it?) for Lego to show them off and build hype at CES. Look forward to all the latest announcements as they happen live in our CES 2026 coverage, alongside plenty more hands-on coverage with the latest and greatest tech.

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It's Black Friday 2025! That means we're seeing the best and deepest discounts across most retailers right now, with prices slashed on almost everything across the board. Black Friday is arguably one of the best times to invest in your hobbies, seeing as items are extremely discounted.

One of my beloved hobbies since childhood has been Lego, and there's never been a better time to pick up a discounted build than right now. I've already spotted some major discounts at retailers like Amazon, Myer and at Lego direct, with up to 59% off.

With sets ranging from fun game franchises to Lego Botanical sets and more, there's a build worth buying for every type of Lego fan. And with Christmas only a few weeks away, there's even time to nab a 2025-dated Lego Advent Calendar.

To help get you started, I've rounded up the best Lego sets to shop during Black Friday, with sets from major franchises like Disney, Harry Potter and Star Wars making my top picks. You'd better act fast — these deals are only available until the close of Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025.

Best Black Friday Lego Deals

For years, I’ve been trying to get my gaming-agnostic partner engaged in one of my favorite pastimes. But aside from dabbling in Overcooked and a playthrough of Until Dawn (me holding the controller, her making the decisions), I’ve never found a game that stuck. That was until we tried Lego Voyagers, the new co-op game from developer Light Brick Studios.

This new puzzle-platformer takes clear cues from the acclaimed work of Hazelight, developer of It Takes Two and Split Fiction, and is a simple but charming adventure where you play as two 1x1 Lego bricks on a quest through a gorgeous plastic world. It’s certainly not going to challenge experienced players, but for newcomers to the hobby, it’s an excellent entry point to a world of entertainment that millions of people, including myself, truly love.

Taking things brick by brick

Lego Voyagers has a simple, no-frills setup. It’s a mandatory co-op experience that has you and a partner, family member or friend, each play as a small Lego brick. One blue, the other red. After starting your journey on the beach, you venture through a Lego world to find the launch site of a rocket ship, and that’s pretty much all there is to the rudimentary setup.

Each of the two 1x1 bricks is given some personality via a googly eye and the ability to press a dedicated “sing” button, which makes your selected plastic avatar hum a whimsical note. But otherwise, the actual story is minimalistic and merely a vehicle for various gentle puzzles and platforming sections, which never even come close to thumb-testingly tricky.

In fact, there are only two buttons for players to wrap their fingers around: jump and attach. The former is self-explanatory, and the latter isn’t particularly tricky to understand for anybody who’s played with the Danish building blocks either. At the press of a button, you can attach your Lego brick to various objects, or even stick yourself to your co-op partner.

These moves are used to solve simple puzzles, which range from activating switches that create platforms across a precarious canyon to slightly more involved puzzles like jointly piloting a boat or moving a satellite dish into place. There’s no combat or any form of punishment for “death.” Fall off a ledge or mistime a jump, and you’ll instantly respawn.

Many puzzles require you to build structures, usually bridges, which is as simple as sticking your Lego bricks to a couple of plastic planks and cobbling together a way across to your destination. Yes, it’s all very simple, but that’s clearly intentional, as Lego Voyagers is designed with younger (or inexperienced) gamers in mind, and it succeeds in this regard.

On PS5 Pro, the game also looks absolutely gorgeous. The whole world is made up of Lego bricks, and it really does feel like stepping inside a plastic diorama. Voyagers uses the same visual style as 2019’s Lego Builder's Journey, and it’s remarkably lifelike and wonderfully quaint.

Lego Voyagers is built for inexperienced players

I imagine a pair of experienced gamers could find Lego Voyagers rather dull. There’s little mechanical depth to speak of, and the puzzles aren’t going to have you deep in thought for longer than a few seconds. Coupled with the shorter playtime of around four hours, I could easily see veteran gamers blasting through Lego Voyagers in a couple of sessions.

However, Lego Voyagers doesn’t seem crafted for that demographic. Instead, it feels ideally suited for first-time players. Unlike It Takes Two and Split Fiction, which I’m sure it’ll be compared to by many, there’s little demand on the player, and with no punishment for death or sections requiring quick reaction times, Voyagers can be enjoyed at a very leisurely pace.

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As 'Stranger Things' gears up for its fifth and final season, LEGO has finally brought the OG Hawkins crew to BrickHeadz form. The new LEGO BrickHeadz: Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will Figures (40801) set, available for pre-order as of July 23, is the third installment in LEGO's 'Stranger Things' collection.

This 542-piece set builds four BrickHeadz, which is pretty rare considering most BrickHeadz come in single, dual, or five-character packs. But it's fitting for the quartet we first met gathered in a basement at the end of a 10-hour Dungeons & Dragons session when 'Stranger Things' premiered in 2016.

Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair and Will Byers are recreated in the signature BrickHeadz blocky style, with just enough detail to be instantly recognizable. Lucas is clearly rocking his camo bandana, while Dustin's Waupaca tee is on full display.

There are now 6 total 'Stranger Things' BrickHeadz — the four in this latest collection plus the Demogorgon & Eleven BrickHeadz (40549) set that has since been officially retired. You can buy it on Amazon, but beware, it's heavily marked up for resale.

Otherwise, the new collection of Hawkins icons is available for pre-order on LEGO.com now and will launch on October 1, just weeks away from the first part of the 'Stranger Things' final season releasing on Netflix on November 26, 2025.

Three more episodes will release on December 25th, 2025, while the series finale drops on December 31st, 2025.

While we wait (impatiently) for Season 5 to drop, this is a fun way to revisit the series that took the world by storm. I know I'll be putting together this little display-ready tribute to the crew that started it all.

It's safe to say no one does nostalgia like LEGO, especially when it comes to classic gadgets. That's because LEGO doesn't just copy the look of beloved tech of the past, but it tries recreates how those objects feel. The latest addition to this category of LEGO sets might be the most iconic yet: a brick-made replica of the original Nintendo Game Boy.

This new 421-piece set, revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, revives one of the most recognizable gaming handhelds of all time — you know, from back before we had the Steam Deck and tracked Nintendo Switch 2 restocks.

The nearly 1:1 replica is complete with A and B buttons, the directional +Control Pad, and other realistic details like the contrast dial and volume slider that actually turn. Check out the images below, which I captured inside the LEGO booth at SDCC.

Yes, there’s a "working" cartridge slot in the back. The set comes with two brick-built Game Paks (Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening) that you can swap in and out.

You also get interchangeable “screens” that let you display either of those legendary games, or you can keep things simple with the classic Game Boy startup screen.

And while you can't actually play games on this life-size console, I could argue that it captures the texture and proportions of the OG so well that your brain kind of fills in the rest. We can use our imaginations, people.

The LEGO Game Boy is available for pre-order starting July 24, and officially launches October 1. You’ll be able to grab it at LEGO.com, LEGO stores, and select retailers.

If you’ve already got the LEGO NES console set or the PAC-MAN arcade on display (guilty), the Game Boy is the next logical addition. But even on its own, it’s a must-have for the people out there who remember blowing dust out of cartridges and playing TETRIS until dawn.

As a Lego enthusiast myself (not a qualified master, but I'm hopeful), I can tell you that there's nothing more entertaining on a rainy day than diving into a new build. Since finding the best Amazon deals is my bread and butter, it's no surprise that Amazon Prime Day offers some pretty epic discounts on select Lego sets.

From DC Comics to Disney, and all the Lego Artworks and Architecture sets in between, there's up to 44% off Lego on Amazon right now. I've rounded up some of my favourite bargains below, including affordable sets like Lego Iconic Cherry Blossoms for just AU$13.60.

Several great kits have already sold out, but there's still plenty worth snapping up, especially at these discounted prices. If my recommendations don't quite tickle your fancy, or if you're after a more advanced or specific set, you can check out the full list of deals on Lego's Amazon storefront.

You'll need to act quick if you've got your eye on any of these sets — these deals expire on Monday, 14 July, 2025, and are obviously only available while stocks last.

Best Prime Day Lego deals

I could spend an entire day explaining why “How to Train Your Dragon” is my favorite animated movie franchise: a coming-of-age story celebrating emotional growth; soaring scores that complements the Viking-inspired villages; and the progression of dragons from fearsome beasts to loyal allies.

But if I only were allowed one word to capture my love of “How to Train Your Dragon?” That's easy: Toothless, a.k.a. the most expressive, endearing dragon to ever fly across the silver screen. And thanks to LEGO, I can now enjoy building my very own 784-piece Night Fury at home.

This latest installment to LEGO's Ideas (the collection of fan-designed and -submitted sets) has been revealed just in time for the live-action “How to Train Your Dragon,” which hits theaters on June 13 as one of this summer's biggest movies.

Although the Toothless (10375) set doesn't launch officially until July 1, you can pre-order it now for $69.99 at LEGO.com.

Between the big eyes, printed scales and a mischievous expression, this version of Toothless is totally precious. Hiccup's pal stands at 16 cm (6.5 inches) tall, which makes him small enough to display easily, but movable joints elevate the final product.

He even comes with a fish (for snacking, obviously) and a little blue plasma-blast that fits in his mouth like he’s ready to defend Berk at any moment.

LEGO also nailed the details with his signature red tail fin that Hiccup repaired after their first crash landing.

Speaking of Hiccup, I was a little disappointed that LEGO won't include a Hiccup minifigure, especially considering this version of Toothless is outfitted with a saddle. I found this custom one on Ebay, but I also wouldn't be surprised if a future “How to Train Your Dragon” set provides more of the film's characters in minifigure form.

Either way, Toothless in LEGO form feels like a long-overdue tribute to one of animation’s greatest companions. And if you’re anything like me (someone who tears up at the end of “The Hidden World” every time, no matter how many times I've seen it) this is a set you’ll want on your shelf.

More from Tom's Guide

• Huge Lego sale from $4 at Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart
• Lego Horizon Adventures is way better than I expected — here’s why
• Netflix Tudum 2025 recap

Although the holidays might seem some ways away, Toy Fair 2025 gave us an early taste of the hottest toys and games we expect to see on every child’s wishlist. The biggest brands of the toy world brought hundreds of new products to the annual trade show, and I toured the floor to find the best picks of the year.

From a show-stopping T-Rex that hatches from an egg and the latest launch in LEGO’s Ideas collection, to a family-friendly party game about pigeons and a competitive take on Crayola markers, the Tom’s Guide Toy Fair 2025 award winners are clear stand-outs. Fresh launches from franchises like Hot Wheels and Barbie also impressed, striking the perfect balance of nostalgic play and modern interests.

See all the products we loved from Toy Fair 2025 below, and be sure to check out Tom’s Guide on TikTok for more hands-on coverage of the most exciting toys from the show.

Best of Toy Fair: Primal Hatch

Of all the toys at Toy Fair 2025, Primal Hatch is the one that stole the show. Inspired by Spin Master’s existing success with Hatchimals, Primal Hatch sees a glowy-eyed T-Rex break free from a football-sized dinosaur egg.

It uses its beak to chip at the eggshell (complete with a slimy membrane layer) from within, creating a spectacle that any dino-fanatic is sure to love. Once freed, kids will use touch and an included training clicker to develop their dino’s personality, with the eyes changing color based on its mood.

Primal Hatch costs $59.99 and will go on sale this fall, right on the tail of Jurassic World Rebirth’s theatrical release.

See Primal Hatch in action here.

Best Construction Toy: LEGO Ideas River Steamboat

At Toy Fair 2025, I got one of the first up-close looks at the fully-built LEGO Ideas River Steamboat (21356), the latest launch in LEGO’s fan-submitted product line.

Aimed at older LEGO enthusiasts, this 4,090-piece classic river steamboat is packed with authentic details, from a series of explorable decks to a rudder that actually turns.

This 27 x 15.5 x 5.5-inch set simply has too many hidden elements to list, making it a brilliant display piece for the nautically-inclined. It’s available starting April 11, 2025 for $329.99, and if you order from LEGO.com as a LEGO Insider, you'll get a theme-appropriate ticket booth included with your Steamboat purchase.

See the LEGO Ideas River Steamboat up close here.

Best Robotic Toy: FurReal Coco Panda

Robotic pets might not be anything new, but there’s something about the way the latest FurReal Friend articulates that feels totally original. Coco Panda is a straight-up adorable tumbling ball of amusement, using her bamboo stalk to propel her forward as she rolls around and giggles.

Like other FurReal Friends, kids can use included accessories to feed and care for Coco, while simultaneously learning more about one of the planet’s most vulnerable species. Coco Panda costs $49.99 and will come out later this year.

See FurReal Coco Panda rolling and tumbling here.

Best Creative Toy: Crayola Colourwhirls

It turns out that Crayola markers aren’t just for coloring! With Crayola Colourwhirls, markers become the centerpiece of a spinning top attachment (think: BeyBlades) that sends ink spinning in brilliant fashion.

Colourwhirls can be used to create unique works of art through spiral patterns, but you can also “battle” with friends to see whose marker can keep spinning the longest. Crayola is selling Colourwhirls Arena ($24.99) to that effect, though you can also pick up a 3-pack ($15.99) or single Colourwhirl top ($4.99).

Colourwhirl tops come with a marker but are compatible with your existing markers, too.

See how Crayola Colorwhirls work here.

Best Craft Kit: PLAY-DOH Barbie

As part of a licensing collaboration with Mattel, Hasbro came to Toy Fair 2025 with a new PLAY-DOH Barbie collection that lets kids learn more about fashion through clothing molds, texturizing extruders, and patterned “fabric.”

The kits come with compounds sheets of PLAY-DOH that feature distinct shapes like bows and flowers in different colors — these are ideal for cutting into tops, while the excess material can be mixed together and extruded into ruffles for skirts and dresses.

The result? Hours of fashion play combined two tried-and-true toy franchises starting summer 2025.

See how to play with PLAY-DOH Barbie here.

Best Board/Party Game: Oh My Pigeons!

Although Ravensburger’s Oh My Pigeons! has been available for a few months now, I only just had the chance to play with it at Toy Fair 2025. And let me tell you, this is officially my favorite party game of the year.

The objective is to fill your bench with cute ‘lil pigeons before your opponents — err, friends — by taking turns dealing direction cards. If you’re strategic, you can steal pigeons, swap benches, and even flick benches clear to win.

Oh My Pigeons! is fast-faced and just whimsical enough to make it fun, and for just $19.99 it’s a great addition to any board game collection.

See a round of Oh My Pigeons! in action here.

Best Licensed Toy: Hot Wheels Formula 1

You might think any automotive to ever exist would already have a Hot Wheels version, but brand-new to one of Mattel’s most noteworthy product families is a complete collection of F1 race cars.

Kicking off a multi-year partnership with the culturally-pervasive sports license, Mattel showed off a collection of 1:64 scale team cars as well as a specially-designed track sets at Toy Fair 2025. Almost the entire series of die cast race cars is already sold out as of this writing, but you can check the link here for restocks.

Best Plush Toy: Atamos

Toy Fair 2025 featured no shortage of plush toys, but when it came to scouting out the best *new* collections, Atamas (pronounced ah-ta-ma) by Russ delivered the ultimate crossover of recognizable licenses and huggable comfort.

Each Atamsas is meant to look like a face with emotive expressions that reflect the represented character, from Harry Potter and Batman to the Stranger Things gang and Beetlejuice. What Jazwares brought to the show is just a preview of what’s to come from Atamas, with price and availability information expected later this year.

Best RC Toy: Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger

Part of the fun of Monster Jam is watching cars get smashed and crushed, but no kid wants to break their toys beyond repair (at least, not knowingly.) With the Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger RC by Spin Master, fans will actively want to crash their car into walls, crunching the hood in with a few blows.

Then, with the press of a button, the car extends back out to its original form, ready to smash and bash again through all sorts of stunts. This 1:15 RC is launching in fall 2025 for $24.99.

See how the Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger RC works here.

Best Ridable Toy: Droyd Ravage

Droyd, the brand pioneering e-bikes and e-trikes for kids as young as 3, just debuted a new off-road electric trail bike meant to inspire adventure.

Rated for ages 13+, the Droyd Ravage features a brushless DC motor, thick dirt-ready tires, and a sturdy steel frame complete with storage space. It has a max speed of 15mph and 12-mile range powered by a 48volt, 1000-watt battery, so your little explorers can’t go too fast or too far. Droyd Ravage is set to cost under $800 and release in Spring 2025.

Best Active Toy: Skip It

When I was a child, I took obtaining my family’s Skip It high score seriously. But for 2025, Just Play licensed the classic 90s toy from Hasbro and improved it with lights, sounds, and a digital counter.

I also appreciate how there’s a bit of added cushion on the ankle strap now, making it way more comfortable to skip — a.k.a stay active — for long periods of time. We love toys that combine movement in a fun, competitive way, which is why this updated version of Skip It is a great pick for kids ages 5+ when it hits shelves later this year.

Nintendo has just teased the existence of a new product. No, not that one.

Instead of playing into the worldwide hype machine around the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the Japanese gaming goliath is partnering up with Lego.

A joint reel from Lego and Nintendo of America posted on Instagram just revealed the two companies are working on a new Lego version of the iconic Game Boy that'll launch in October 2025.

Posted with the caption, "Build the classic Nintendo system in LEGO form. Coming October 2025," the reel shows a black piece of Lego shaped like a D-pad along with the Game Boy's famous purple buttons falling Tetris-style down the screen.

This isn't the first time Nintendo and Lego have partnered up — there are numerous Lego sets of Nintendo properties like a pixelated Mario and Yoshi, a piranha plant and even a forthcoming Lego Mario Kart set. There was also a 2,600 piece replica set of the original NES released a few years ago, along with a TV display showing a blocky Super Mario screenshot.

The joint announcement is just a kick-off tease, so there's no actual detail on things like price or how many pieces it'll be or whether it'll actually be capable of playing games. We can expect that information to come from either Lego or Nintendo in due course.

But what about the Switch 2?

The Mario-shaped elephant in the room here is, of course, the hugely-anticipated Switch 2 — which Nintendo has so far been stubbornly quiet about. The closest we've got to any kind of announcement from the Big N was a terse comment that the Switch 2 dummy unit shown off at CES this year was "not official", according to a report in NintendoLife.

Even so, the vast amount of leaks and rumors — including a fully realized render — have us thinking the Switch 2 is primed and ready for the spotlight. It's just a question of when Nintendo decides to roll back the curtain.

In the meantime, you can follow all the latest news and rumors surrounding the device on our Nintendo Switch 2 hub here.

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• Switch 2 is the first console I’ve been excited about for 20 years
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Lego Horizon Adventures is somewhat confounding. Instead of bigger PlayStation franchises like The Last of Us, God of War, or Uncharted, Guerrilla Games’ comparatively new Horizon series gets the Lego treatment. While this choice is somewhat odd, I can’t complain about the result. Lego Horizon Adventures is one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played all year.

This family-friendly Lego-fied version of Horizon Zero Dawn expertly balances the former’s adorable aesthetics and customization with the latter’s character-focused story and tactical combat. In fact, this is one of the more action-packed Lego games — even in comparison to the Lego Star Wars series. But despite its greater emphasis on combat, the game never takes itself too seriously, offering the trademark comedic tone you’d expect from a Lego title.

If you enjoyed Astro Bot and want to play another lighthearted journey, you can’t go wrong with Horizon Lego Adventures. Find out why in my full review.

Lego Horizon Adventures: The Basics 

• What is it? Lego Horizon Adventures is a reimagining of Horizon Zero Dawn in Lego form, combining the former's precise combat and engaging story with the latter's customization and light-hearted humor.
• Who is it for? For folks who want a family-friendly game and fans of the Lego and Horizon series of games.
• What's the price? Lego Horizon Adventures costs $60 on the PlayStation Store, Nintendo Switch store, and Steam.
• What other games has the developer made? Guerilla Games has developed the first two Horizon games and is also known for the Killzone franchise. Studio Gobo has helped develop games like Hogwarts Legacy, Redfall and For Honor, among others.
• What games is this similar to? This is similar to past Lego games like Lego Star Wars or Lego Harry Potter.

A delightful journey

If you’ve played Horizon Zero Dawn, you’ll be familiar with Lego Horizon Adventures’ general plot points. Series lead Aloy and her companions live in a post-apocalyptic world overrun with animal-like machines. Something has caused the usually peaceful robots to become hostile, so it’s up to Aloy and friends to restore peace to the land.

While this game certainly takes liberties with the original story — particularly with the sillier character personalities, it’s a surprisingly faithful reimaging of Zero Dawn. The fact that this title was released alongside Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a masterstroke, as you can now relive the original and then check out this fun Lego version.

Everyone, save for the late Lance Reddick, reprises their respective roles, only with a sillier twist. For example, the typically stoic and curt Aloy (voiced by Ashley Burch) is now a fun-loving protagonist, which is certainly a big change. Varl (John MacMillan) yearns to be a superhero while Rost (JB Blanc) is obsessed with donuts. Though some characterizations take a while to get used to if you’ve played the Horizon games, they fit the game’s tone perfectly.

Surviving the wilds 

Lego Horizon Adventures retains the isometric camera angle typical of Lego games. Though this view is somewhat restrictive compared to third-person games with free camera controls, you can see everything around you clearly enough. The camera pulls back during enemy encounters, which mostly ensures you won’t get sneak-attacked.

Speaking of attacks, the four playable characters all have unique abilities. Aloy and Varl use a bow and spear (respectively), which are great for long-range attacks. Teersa’s bombs are also perfect for long-range damage. Rost, who wields hammers, is the exception since he’s better at close-range combat. They all work well for most scenarios, but I found Aloy and Varl the easiest to use since they can (mostly) remain far from enemies while attacking.

Regarding enemies, they’re surprisingly aggressive on medium difficulty. If you’re not careful, they’ll take you down fast — especially with their lethal ranged attacks. There are times when you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer number of on-screen enemies. But so long as you never stay still and strategically take down foes by using your weapons and environmental hazards, you’ll emerge victorious.

Like the previous Horizon games, you’re able to scan robots for weaknesses. This skill becomes invaluable in taking down the fiercest machines, as destroying certain body parts can nullify some (or all) of their strongest attacks. This, alongside the aforementioned environmental hazards like electricity, adds a level of combat depth not typical of Lego games.

Defeating enemies and completing objectives earns you experience points, which in turn helps raise your overall level. You’ll unlock new abilities on the character’s skill tree, such as increased health or stronger attacks. These unlocks happen naturally as you level up. You can also purchase upgrades that apply to all four characters.

Outside of combat, you’ll explore the environment for Studs (the in-game currency) which you’ll use to purchase upgrades for your characters and the village. Though levels are largely linear, you’ll find numerous hidden chests and objects to build — which net you a good deal of extra Studs and are worth seeking out.

Build it your way 

Since this is a Lego game, there’s a fair amount of building and customization. If you’re new to the series, building involves simply holding down a button near a pile of glowing blue bricks which then rise and assemble into specific objects. Buildable objects include buildings, hotdog stands, chicken coups, rockets, and much more. Though construction isn’t an involved process, it’s satisfying to see a mountain of Lego pieces combine into something tangible.

You’ll do most of your building in Mother’s Heart, which is the game’s main village and central hub. Here, you can outfit buildings with different roofs, land plots, colors and other adornments. You can only create new buildings after reaching a certain level and you’ll need Studs to add items to them. Creating your own Mother’s Heart can be quite an addictive side activity.

Horizon doesn’t have nearly as many characters as a long-running franchise like Lego Star Wars. Despite that, you can play as or dress up like many of the villagers and enemy humans from the first game. Given the limited amount of characters in the first Horizon game, it makes sense that you can also unlock characters from other Lego franchises like Ninjago and Lego City. Even if it’s weird battling robot dinosaurs as a modern-day cop, it adds to the game’s quirky charm.

So much shiny plastic

Lego Horizon Adventure features the same charming graphics we’ve come to expect. The plastic characters and equally plastic environments look authentic to real-world Lego figures and sets. Toss in expert use of lighting and background blur, and you get a game that’s a feast for the eyes.

The environments consist of dense jungles, barren deserts, snow-capped mountains and more. Though each level has a fair amount of Lego-fied details, they’re all fairly linear — which can make replaying them to farm for Studs or complete side quests somewhat dull. But the pleasant graphics help offset this.

From the jump, you’re asked to choose between Fidelity and Performance graphical modes (even on PS5 Pro). The former favors higher resolution and lower frame rate and the latter focuses on smoother gameplay at lower resolution. I stuck with Performance, which mostly does a good job of maintaining a high frame rate, though frames would occasionally drop during action-heavy battles.

A fun adventure

Lego Horizon Adventures is the definition of a delightful surprise. I don’t know who asked for it, but I’m glad it exists. Thanks to its adorable graphics, strategic combat, fun customization options, and endearing plot, this is a game that just about anyone can enjoy.

If you’ve never played a Lego game or are curious to see how this series handles the Horizon franchise, this is a title well worth checking out.

Black Friday 2024 is only a few weeks away but we're already seeing some major discounts on Amazon ahead of the major sale. Right now, there are plenty of popular Lego deals worth snapping up on Amazon, with up to 42% off select builds.

While we expected to see some killer Lego bargains come November, we weren't anticipating the number of great finds to be had in the meantime. With sets ranging from fun game franchises to Lego Botanical sets and more, there's a build worth buying for every type of Lego fan. And with Christmas only a mere two months away, there's even time to nab a new and improved Lego Advent Calendar for this year.

To help get you started, we've rounded up six of the best Lego sets to shop before Black Friday, with sets from major franchises like DC Comics, Harry Potter and Super Mario making our list. Lego's Amazon storefront has a complete list of discounted sets to buy and build. But you better act fast — these deals are only available while stocks last!

Best early Black Friday Lego Deals

The second Amazon Prime Day 2024 is almost officially over, with only 48-plus hours left of the six-day sale. While an array of popular items are quickly selling out, there are still many great Lego deals worth picking up, including some of Amazon's bestselling builds.

While a few sets have unfortunately sold out, if you hurry, there are several bestsellers worth acquiring before Prime Day ends at 11:59pm on Sunday. These options range from legendary movie franchises to Lego Artworks and Lego Iconic sets, so there's a great build for every kind of Lego master. Even if you're looking for a set to build by yourself or maybe a gift for a young Lego expert, these all come with a big tick of approval.

That said, if our picks below don't quite tickle your Lego-building fancy, we'd suggest looking at the full list of discounted sets on Lego's Amazon storefront. There's up to 36% off sets from major franchises including Disney, Star Wars, Dune and new arrivals, including the coveted Lego Advent Calendars, just in time for Christmas.

And of course, to score the biggest discounts across all your purchases during the Prime Day sale, you'll need to sign up for a Prime membership. Not a member yet? You can try Amazon Prime free for the first 30 days or sign up using the links below.

Best Prime Day Lego Deals

Wahoo! After several years of being able to buy Mario-themed Lego sets, the Lego company is finally bringing us something even better — Lego Mario Kart. While there’s no sign of a Lego-themed Mario Kart game, Lego is giving you the opportunity to build and race your own Mario Kart circuits with a handful of characters from the game.

Lego announced six Mario Kart sets at Gamescom, and confirmed that they will be racing onto store shelves on January 1 2025. Prices range from $15 to $80, and each set comes with at least one character and vehicle from the Mario Kart series. 

Sadly adult versions of Mario and Luigi won’t be coming along with these sets, but the existing Lego versions of the duo (and Princess Peach) will be compatible with the new karts. On top of that Baby Mario, Baby Luigi and Baby Peach will be joining them. Though this may be a trigger for those of you that spent a little too long playing Yoshi’s Island. Thankfully these plastic versions can’t cry incessantly. 

While the Lego Mario and crew figures are pretty blocky, Lego promises this will allow you to add audio and visual effects to the race. Hopefully that means classic sound effects from the games will be available. Because it’s not really Mario Kart if there isn’t the classic starting countdown or the waves of anxiety when you realize a Blue Shell is heading straight for you.

Like the Super Mario sets, the idea is that you are able to customize your own karts and tracks. In a way that you just can’t do with a Mario Kart video game, and likely never will until Nintendo gets round to releasing a Mario Kart-centric version of Mario Maker. 

The cheapest set on offer is the $15 Yoshi Bike, which features a Blue Yoshi figure on a motorbike and various track accessories like the red shell. The standard Kart set is $20 and comes bundled with Toad the mechanic. It looks like Toad isn’t allowed to drive, and the size suggests this kart is meant for the likes of Adult Mario.

Donkey Kong and the DK Jumbo comes in at $35, while Baby Mario vs Baby Luigi is $30. Toad’s Garage is $40, and gives you a spot to officially build and customize your karts like you were a real mechanic. Two more Toads are included in this set, but are again not supposed to be driving. At this point you have to wonder what the Toads have done to be relegated to the sidelines like this.

Finally there’s the $80 Baby Peach & Grand prix set, which includes the official starting line for Lego Mario Kart adventures. This also features two more karts, a motorbike, plus Lemmy the Koopa, Baby Peach and another Toad. Apparently this is the one Mushroom Kingdom resident that’s still got a valid driver’s license.

It’s unfortunate that Lego Mario Kart won’t be arriving in time for the holidays, but at least this means you can start off the New Year with a bang. Specifically the bang of a green shell knocking your little brother’s kart off the track and into the endless void below.

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LEGO always has something extraordinary in the works. The company revealed its latest collaboration with Nintendo at San Diego Comic-Con, which looks like the best yet. The new set features Mario riding on his faithful companion, Yoshi. It seems like a challenging set, recommended for ages 18 and older, with 1,215 pieces. 

Carl Merriam, a Senior Designer on LEGO Super Mario, talked about the set and what it brings to the table: "In this model, we wanted to capture the original sprite animation from Super Mario World. This meant re-creating the pixel art in LEGO bricks and then adding a mechanism to make Yoshi run with Caped Mario riding on his back. And if that wasn’t enough fun, we also added a dial to make Yoshi’s tongue pop in and out - just like in the game!"

The set featuring Mario riding Yoshi is cool enough, but the fact that Yoshi runs and his tongue pops in and out just like the games, takes it to another level for Nintendo fans. 

The set is meant to tickle the nostalgia of players who grew up enjoying Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. However, even younger fans should be able to enjoy it since Yoshi has appeared in tons of Mario games over the years.

This piece, and some of the other Nintendo models, are part of the LEGO "Adults Welcome" series. The company says, "This range is designed to bring fond memories to all LEGO fans who remember Super Mario as an essential part of their childhood." 

More from Tom's Guide

• I played Super Mario Bros. Wonder after Tears of the Kingdom and it was a big mistake
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Amazon Prime Day 2024 is almost over in Australia, with some of the year's most epic deals coming to a close as a result, including some truly excellent Lego discounts. While quite a few sets have sold out, if you hurry though, there are still many great builds worth picking up before Prime Day ends at 11:59pm on Sunday night. 

As a Lego fan myself, after doing some sleuthing (including wading through a sea of Amazon knock-offs), I've found seven highly sought-after sets with great discounts. If you're looking for a set to build by yourself or maybe gift to a young Lego master, these all come with my personal stamp of approval. 

If our picks below don't tickle your fancy, we'd also note that there's up to 36% off sets from major franchises including Disney, Star Wars, Dune and more on Lego's Amazon storefront, which has a complete list of discounted sets for Prime Day. 

And of course, to score the biggest discounts across all your purchases during Amazon Prime Day, you'll need to sign up for a Prime membership. Not a member yet? You can try Amazon Prime free for the first 30 days or sign up using the links below.

Best Prime Day Lego Deals

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I've surveyed all the current Prime Day deals on LEGO sets so you don't have to. As a devoted LEGO fan of 15-plus years — go ahead, sound the nerd alarm — I have a pretty good sense of which sets are most worth buying right now with these last-chance Prime Day discounts.

Now, I can't speak to the sales on Amazon's large collection of LEGO knock-offs, but when it comes to remaining LEGO Prime Day deals, the LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter on sale for $34 at Amazon jumps out at me — a total steal for a set that comes with 3 minifigures and a droid. 

But since Prime Day is now officially at an end, these final Prime Day LEGO deals may not hang around for long, so don't miss out on these massive discounts. 

However, LEGO.com has an alternative event going on. When you spend $200, you'll get a free LEGO Candy Store set ($20 value) that can't be purchased otherwise. LEGO Insider members will also receive 2X the points when they purchase any City, Disney, Friends or Technic set.

So, if you can't find what you're after in the remaining Prime Day LEGO sales, head over to the official LEGO store instead for more offers. 

Quick links

• LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing: was $49 now $34 @ Amazon
• LEGO Icons Orchid: was $49 now $39 @ Amazon
• LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House: was $59 now $47 @ Amazon
• LEGO Harry Potter Expecto Patronum: was $69 now $55 @ Amazon
• LEGO Technic 2022 Ford GT: was $119 now $95 @ Amazon
• LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night: was $169 now $150 @ Amazon
• LEGO Ideas Tree House: was $249 now $219 @ Amazon

LEGO Prime Day deals

The Lego Group has brought us tons of movie and TV show sets over the years. We've seen plastic versions of the DeLorean from "Back to the Future", tons of "Star Wars" sets, and an incredible recreation of Rivendell from "The Lord of the Rings". And today (July 4th), the group revealed that Steven Spielberg's classic summer blockbuster "Jaws" is the latest blockbuster to be immortalized in brick form.

The new set was originally dreamt up by fan designer Johnny Campbell as part of the LEGO Ideas community platform. Comprised of 1,497 pieces, the set brings to life the infamous sequence wherein Bruce the shark attacks Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider), Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and Sam Quint (Robert Shaw) aboard the Orca. 

The set comes with Lego minifigure renderings of all three shark hunters, and the Orca comes equipped with a removable roof, adjustable boom and rigging along with tons of accessories ranging from a harpoon, spear, and the yellow barrels Brody, Quint and Hooper used to track the shark's movement out in the open ocean.

The set can either be assembled on a brick-based seawater platform, with the shark launching itself aboard the Orca, or you can display the shark on its own stand, separately. But the best version is definitely assembled on the base, as that features a printed tile bearing Brody's iconic line: "You're gonna need a bigger boat". 

Fans will be able to grab the new set next month. The Lego Ideas "Jaws" set will run you $149.99 / £129.99 and will be available on the Lego site and in Lego stores from August 3, 2024, for anyone signed up to the Lego Insiders, and to everyone else it's launch on August 6.

To celebrate the big reveal, Lego has also produced a delightful animated "brick-buster" adaptation of the original movie, called "Jaws in a Jiffy". We've embedded the "mini-film" below: keep a close eye out at the end for a surprise minifigure cameo from a certain beloved movie director!

In a statement about the set, designer Johnny Campbell said: "Jaws" is my favourite movie of all time, so I really wanted to recreate it in Lego bricks. Lego building has always been a part of my life in some shape or form but in order to get all of the finer details, I actually freeze-framed "Jaws" as I watched it so that I could catch a glimpse of the finer details taking notes as I went along.

"It is just mind-blowing that my design is now an official Lego set. I can't wait to stand in a Lego shop looking at the shelves, and seeing a set that I have been involved with and watching someone buying it. It’s every Lego fan’s dream!”

And if this fantastic new set has left you wanting to revisit Spielberg's classic creature feature, you can watch "Jaws" on Netflix right now. 

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• "Jaws" is the one movie I want to watch on the Fourth of July
• I finally watched "Jaws" for the first time — 3 reasons why I'm glad I did

Eighty-seven percent of Generation Alpha is interested in discovering new planets, while over half of kids ages 4 through 14 aspire for a career in space. Not only does this data collected by The LEGO Group imply that kids are less interested in becoming social media influencers than they were 5 years ago, but it tells us that the next major space age is almost certainly on the horizon. 

I mean, what kid wouldn’t dream of adventures in outer space?

“Kids are way more interested in the storytelling aspect of space, so using space to be creative and have this endless place to be imaginative,” said designer Dan Meehan, Creative Lead for LEGO Space. “And for us, that really informed the space we were designing.”

Meehan‘s team is behind a large collection of space-themed LEGO sets that have launched in recent weeks, marking a major moment for the 45-year-old franchise. Maybe you’ve seen the swirling 3,000+-piece The Milky Way Galaxy Mosaic (31212) trending online, or checked out the spinning Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit (42179) from LEGO’s Technic series that features gear wheels and axles. LEGO Space also extends to LEGO Friends with the Mars Space Base and Rocket (42605), as well as LEGO City with the Modular Space Station (60433).

“I felt a big responsibility to continue that fantastic history, that fantastic lineage of inspiring kids with great space sets,” Meehan said of the new collection. The designer clued me into the number of connecting themes between these sets, from corresponding color palettes to hidden NASA-caliber details to an emphasis on embracing the possibilities in space’s unknown.

“We've talked to kids and they've told us that they know more about space than their parents,” Meehan said. “We think it’s just kids who learn a lot of stuff at school about space, but it isn’t necessarily that. It's because the kids say to us, ‘well, you can't tell me that this thing doesn't exist, or this might not be out there,’ citing that somewhere around 95% of space is still unexplored.”

The LEGO Group regularly takes cues from kids on which sets to see through to production, as well as what elements of a specific set they might want to see changed. As part of developing LEGO Space sets, the design team had to tap into a bit of the very imagination it aims to inspire. Meehan recounted an instance where one kid insisted on flying a six-wheel rover around a playroom, despite the build not looking like it’s meant to be airborne. 

“I said, ‘Okay, so do we need to add wings to it?’ And he's like, ‘No, it doesn't need wings, they can just fly.’ In his eyes, in his imagination, of course it could fly. It's in space.” The creative thinking didn’t stop there. “He said the only thing I want is more aliens. So we put more aliens in the set.”

Aliens, in fact, are another recognizable theme across LEGO Space. If you explore the collection of sets, you’ll find aliens crashing on Mars inside a meteorite, aliens propelled by steam-jetting geysers, and aliens curiously hanging around a space science lab. (These neon green characters even invaded the t-shirt Meehan wore during our video call, though regrettably, such a shirt is not available for sale.)

Generation Alpha is predicted to be the first to meet aliens in their lifetime, according to The LEGO Group’s research. Although this may sound inconceivable to adults, it seems possible to kids. That said there are plenty of LEGO Space sets, including a few co-developed with NASA, that deliver the kind of pragmatic specs that more seasoned space enthusiasts can appreciate.

In designing the Mars Crew Exploration Rover (42180), Meehan’s team wanted the set to be capable of carrying out a realistic space mission scenario. They worked with NASA to determine what kind of energy sources researchers would need to survive on the rover for 60 days, and how said sources would be stored in the rover — all to scale, of course.

“Their day in and day out is real space exploration, and then we come along with this idea for a cool toy,” Meehan said. There were multiple instances where NASA proposed alterations from a practical standpoint, and though it took several iterations to get right, the collaboration resulted in an impressive set. “NASA fact checks it, and we realize we can make a cool function out of it, and it makes the model a better play experience for LEGO Technic kids and adults.”

It's obvious the brand shoulders the responsibility of inspiring kids seriously. Playing with any 'ole space toy is one thing, but takes sparking genuine interest to lead younger generations towards important careers as astronauts or other space-related roles.

“We want kids to see space as an endless playground for their imagination, right?," Meehan said. "So they can really harness their creativity to show us what could be out there."

Inside Out has held a special place in my heart ever since its 2015 debut, so you can bet I'm going to see the animated film's sequel as it arrives in theaters on June 14 as one of the pre-summer movies we can't wait to see. Afterward, you'll probably find me very emotional, slightly tear-stained, and happily assembling the first-ever LEGO set dedicated to the franchise. 

The Inside Out 2 Mood Cubes set is a recent launch from LEGO's ongoing Disney Pixar collection (which famously includes the LEGO 'Up' House) and, in my opinion, a must-buy for those who want the film's lessons to stay with their kids. Embracing, understanding and managing emotions is a topic that Inside Out handles masterfully, and a 394-piece set like this may help reinforce the messaging. 

For just $34, the Inside Out 2 Mood Cubes present an interactive activity for years-long Inside Out fans and those just meeting the characters for the first time. Essentially, you'll design nine different mood plates that you can interchange based on what's happening at a control board — just like the one in the movie.

The mood plates are designed using the kind of mosaic art introduced by LEGO DOTS. The plates then attach to cubes that can be picked up and rearranged in the base to reflect a mood combination. Based on the film's characters, the moods include Sadness, Joy, Anger, Fear and Disgust from the original; as well as Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment and Anxiety, which we meet in the the sequel.

Anxiety also gets the Disney character treatment, alongside Joy and two Foreman mind workers. The idea is that the characters are stationed at the control board display stand. As kids play, they can use the plates to represent which moods they're feeling — using visuals is sometimes easier than using words, after all. 

Oh, and the best part? The cubes double as storage, so small treasures can be held inside. The lid piece can be decorated with an included sticker pack, offering another nice little touch of creativity to the build. 

This set is already a great value, but you can keep an eye on it as we get closer to Prime Day deals, when LEGO sets are sure to go on sale. Be sure to check out our massive Prime Day preview ahead of Father's Day for some epic finds. Otherwise, if you're looking for something to watch after seeing Inside Out 2, check out our guide to the best movies like Inside Out.

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One of the most beloved video game franchises in history has finally taken LEGO form. LEGO and Nintendo have just revealed the first LEGO set inspired by The Legend of Zelda, and it's a 2,500-piece build that fans can curate based on their favorite Zelda game.  

The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (77092) set, available now for preorder and shipping on September 1, offers two different ways to complete the model set. You can build the tree to look like it does in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild, measuring up to 13 inches tall, depending on which version you choose. 

Released in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a Nintendo 64 staple and is regarded by many as one of the best video games of all time. Link's journey begins inside the Deku Tree in an attempt to rid the forest guardian of a curse, and it is the Deku Tree that ultimately tasks Link with saving Hyrule from Ganondorf. 

About 20 years later, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild arrived as the defining launch game for the original Nintendo Switch. As one of the best Switch games (perhaps only overshadowed by the newer Tears of The Kingdom), BoTW sees the return of the Deku Tree deep in the Lost Woods, looking over the Master Sword.

Whether you've been playing Zelda games for decades or recently discovered the franchise on Switch, the Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 LEGO set seems like a joy to build. Not only do you get to select your build style, but you can play around with posable facial features for the Deku Tree, too. You'll also assemble one minifigure of Princess Zelda and three minifigure versions of Link, complete with a few identifiable accessories such as a Hylian shield and the aforementioned Master Sword.

This isn't the only recent franchise launch for LEGO, with playable Dungeons & Dragons set that became available in April. We'd expect these are only the first of what's likely to be a series of The Legend of Zelda and Dungeons & Dragons sets in the pipeline, though of course that's just speculation. 

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LEGO has announced a new partnership with Wizards of the Coast to create a Dungeons & Dragons set equipped with its own playable D&D adventure. The latest set comes perfectly timed with the beloved pen-and-paper RPG's 50th anniversary. 

The set, Red Dragon's Tale, will cost $359.99. However, considering its massive size—3,745 pieces in total—it falls within the expected price range for such a grand LEGO set. 

What makes this LEGO set stand out from others is the included D&D adventure. The Wizards of the Coast team developed a complete adventure to support it, which is quite different from anything we've seen from the brick-building company in the past. 

LEGO turned to fans to design the set, ultimately landing on the one offered by 32-year-old LEGO and Dungeons & Dragons fan Chris Yu. It features various characters and creatures from the D&D world, including an Orc Rogue, Gnome Fighter, Elf Wizard, and Dwarf Cleric mini-figures. Brick-built monsters, such as a beholder, an owlbear, and a displacer beast, are also included. LEGO also included the giant Cinderhowl red dragon and an iconic 20-sided die. It's like a D&D greatest hits in LEGO form.

It's not a small LEGO set by any means, measuring 19 x 15 x 12 inches. Between the fanciful dragon and detailed building, there's a lot to take in with this set.

For fans of Dungeons & Dragons YouTube playthroughs, LEGO is hosting one on April 6 at noon EDT. Anjali Bhimani will be the dungeon master, and Luis Carazo, Ginny Di, fan designer Lucas Bolt, and LEGO Designer Jordan Scott will be the players.

As an avid D&D player, I would love to see the worlds I create in my mind built out in 3D with LEGO. Sure, this particular set is a bit on the expensive side, but the fun it brings could be worth it. The written D&D adventures and maps do a good job of bringing these imaginary worlds to life, there's something different about seeing them in 3D.

The set (and its D&D adventure) will launch for LEGO Insiders on April 1, 2024, and for the general public on April 4. Those who get in to purchase between April 1 and April 7 will get a bonus mimic dice box with their purchase.

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Minecraft has never been my thing, but maybe if the sandbox game was built around Lego bricks, I would've felt differently. At least, that's what I took away from the Lego Fortnite experience, which I experienced for myself ahead of its launch on December 7.

Lego Fortnite makes a massive statement for the recently released Fortnite Chapter 5, bringing a survival crafting expedition to the Epic Games title for the first time. Your Fortnite character transforms into a minifigure as you acclimate to the elements in a world 20 times the size of Battle Royale. 

In this Lego-based environment, you're forced to forage the food and materials you need to build a camp, battle enemies, and endure different climates. And yes, the items you collect and develop your community with take the form of actual Lego bricks. And that's what makes it endearing.

If you know the Lego brand and its fans, you know being true to life is imperative. Epic Game's Unreal Engine supports more than 10,000 actual Lego brick pieces in the new Fortnite experience. In the virtual world you encounter and build upon, the structures are all ones you could create in the real one with the proper bricks.

What's more, your minifigure in Lego Fornite takes on the likeness of your existing Fortnite character, with over 1,200 compatible outfit parts and over 100 compatible emotes. I played as the virtual minifigure version of Fishstick, and it surprised me that my character didn't ask me me sacrifice authenticity to either the Lego or Fortnite fandom.

That said, one major difference between Lego Fortnite and my long-time love of real Lego bricks became obvious to me as I got my feel for the experience. In Lego Fortnite, I didn't hesitate to destroy any unfamiliar camps. I pillaged abandoned buildings to collect the scraps for my own benefit. I slashed ruthlessly at any structure outside of my own camp with a pickaxe until it crumbled, leaving nothing but pieces to bring back to build my own budding town.

In the real world, demolishing anything built with Lego bricks would bring a tear to my eye. It's much more difficult to dismantle and reconfigure Lego actual structures after all. (Side note: Epic Games had an impressive Supply Llama made of Lego bricks over twice my height at the hands-on, I can't even imagine how long that took to make.)

The beauty of this virtual Lego world is that I felt empowered to build, blast, and re-configure as much as my creativity would allow. Now, only being able to play for about 30 minutes, I only managed to attract a few people to my camp, complete with sleeping quarters and a tool bench. 

But Epic showed me ways those with early access leveraged the Lego experience. Someone built the ultimate mansion inside a lava mine, while another player designed a waterside tiki bar. The more you embrace the Lego Fortnite world, the more opportunities to engineer based on imagination arise. And that's what makes it worth a go.

To try Lego Fortnite out for yourself, enter the main menu Lobby screen, scroll down to the Discover section, and select LEGO Fortnite. Just be sure to grab some friends to jumpstart your camp first.

Lego never goes out of style as the perfect gift for kids and adults alike. With Christmas 2023 only a few weeks away, now's the time to save big with discounts on dozens of Lego sets on Amazon — you can even get a Lego set for 48% off!

When it comes to Christmas gifts, I’m always looking for the best deals for the Lego fanatics in my life, (myself included), and good deals on iconic sets can be hard to find. 

That’s why it’s time to stock up with these Amazon Lego deals happening now, as a variety of sets have been discounted through Lego’s Amazon storefront, from Lego Harry Potter to Lego City, and every franchise in between. 

There’s a lot of Lego deals on right now, but I’ve selected some of my favourites, with deliveries set to arrive well before Santa jumps into his sleigh on Christmas Eve. These Lego deals below are available while supplies last, so act fast or you’ll miss out. 

More Amazon Lego deals on now

• Lego Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck: was AU$129.99 now AU$97.50
• Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Room of Requirement: was AU$79.99 now AU$55.20
• Lego Disney Princess Asha’s Cottage: was AU$84.99 now AU$48
• Lego Friends Water Park: was AU$89.99 now AU$58.50
• Lego Star Wars Boba Fett’s Throne Room: was AU$159.99 now AU$127.97

It’s been more than three years since Marvel’s Infinity Saga came to an end, but now, Lego is offering an epic way to relieve some of the MCU’s biggest moments (outside of Disney Plus, of course.) The company just unveiled its tallest and most minifigure-packed Marvel set to date — and I had the chance to see the fully-assembled structure in person.

The Lego Marvel Avengers Tower 76269 ($499, releasing November 24) is a total showstopper, standing a lofty 3 feet tall. Essentially, it’s a realistic replica of the sloped skyscraper formerly known as Stark Tower, with the Avengers ‘A’ logo branded on the sides. And while the tower itself certainly caught my eye, it’s the slew of surrounding minifigures that I think will blow Marvel fans away.

Lego has released sets with 30-plus minifigures before, but none with as many as the Avengers Tower in the franchised Marvel collection. The set comes with practically every Marvel icon you can name from Nick Fury, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Wanda to Thor, Loki, Sam Wilson and Vision. There’s even multiple versions of Iron Man and Captain America, capturing them at different moments of the Infinity Saga. Personally, my favorite two are the Hulk and Ant-Man, which are respectively larger and smaller than the average Lego minifigure.

But the standout minifigure from the Lego Avengers Tower is, undoubtedly, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. This is the first official time Feige takes minifigure-form, and I think the idea is that you’d hide the civilian-looking character as an Easter egg when you put the set on display. 

Since the set is so dynamic, it took me a minute to locate the Feige minifigure myself — it was stood unsuspectingly at the entrance of the tower holding a coffee and snack. Needless to say, I was amused. I made sure you’re able to spot Feige in this TikTok video showing off the set at the flagship NYC Lego store on the evening the set was announced. Be sure to check it out from every angle:

I’ve seen pretty much all of the Lego Marvel sets released in 2023, but I’m not sure any are as impressive in-person as the Avengers Tower. Second-up for me is Captain America’s Shield, a 3,128-piece construction that I recently acquired and can’t wait to build. It’s out now and you can get it on sale for $159 from Amazon, down from $199. Not only will it tide you over until the Avengers Tower releases, but it’ll also cost you several hundred dollars less.

There’s currently an early Lego Black Friday sale on best-selling sets if you’re looking to get ahead on holiday shopping with Black Friday deals. Me? I’ll be counting down until I can “Avengers, assemble” the heck out of this tower set. 

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It's not long now until Ahsoka premieres on Disney Plus. The long-awaited, live-action series starring Rosario Dawson is set to premiere on August 23, so what better way to build excitement than with the first official Lego sets inspired by the show? I just saw the Ahsoka Lego sets on display for the first time at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.

As part of SDCC, Lego has announced a slew of new sets across major partner franchises, but any Star Wars fan like myself is most excited about what the two Ahsoka sets could suggest about the upcoming story.

While recent Ashoka trailers have painted a clearer image that Ahsoka will be a continuation of Star Wars: Rebels, the animated Disney XD series, the Lego sets give us confirmation. Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle ($79.99, pre-order at Lego)  comes with 4 minifigures, including Sabine Wren, one of the main Rebels characters. 

Joining Ahsoka and Sabine are Professor Huyang, the architect droid from Clone Wars who helps younglings build their lightsabers, and Marrok, the Inquisitor who will most likely be the show's main villain. 

The shuttle comes with a minifigure-sized cockpit, two stud shooters and two storage compartments. Based on what I've seen in-person, the 601-brick set will be a fun build with distinct differences from other Lego Star Wars ships.

The second new Ahsoka-themed set is a 2-for-1 called New Republic E-Wing vs. Shin Hati’s Starfighter ($109.99, pre-order at Lego.) With the 1,056 bricks, you get you a pair of ships that will be featured in the Ahsoka series, plus four minifigures.

On display beneath Shin Hati’s Starfighter, Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Shin Hati look to be additional Ahsoka adversaries, while Morgan Elsbeth will surely be meddling in the search for a missing Grand Admiral Thrawn. 

Positioned with the New Republic E-Wing, Captain Porter and a yellow-and-blue New Republic Astromech Droid seem ready to take on the bad guys. Porter is an all-new Star Wars character set to appear in Ahsoka, so I expect we'll learn his backstory soon. 

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I found the Mandalorian Season 3 to be a bit of a mixed bag. Some episodes were properly dramatic and intriguing, while others fell flat and felt a bit like filler. And if I’m being honest, I’m done with Grogu, aka Baby Yoda. But I can’t fault the spaceships of the season. 

Star Wars has always had good spacecraft, which while firmly in the science-fantasy rather than science-fiction genre, still presented iconic designs. From the hamburger-shaped Millennium Falcon to the brutalist triangle of the Empire’s Star Destroyers, the ships of Star Wars have nearly always been scene-stealers. And this was true of the latest entry in The Mandalorian.

Not only did we get to see Bo-Katan Kryze's Gauntlet starfighter in action, but also a lot more of the excellent TIE Interceptor (an underappreciated TIE ship in my humble opinion) and the Fang fighter used by the Mandalorians. They look great on screen, so when I was offered a Lego set, made up of both the latter ships, courtesy of U.K. retailer Game, I snapped them up.

This is the way

Given adult Lego is most certainly a thing, I have no problem being a 36-year-old sifting through bricks and other parts to make a model. But I’ve never really been into Star Wars Lego. Nostalgia governs this viewpoint, with me getting misty-eyed over old and very much discontinued Castle and Space Lego sets; to me Star Wars Lego felt too rigid, conforming to licensed designs rather than offering something new and original.

Yet I found myself spending several two to three-hour sessions hunched over a table in my dimly-lit apartment piecing together the Fang fighter and TIE Interceptor. What I thought would be an overly modular experience reliant on custom parts, ended up being a more detailed and nuanced process. Everything from engines to panels on wings was built up and layered using parts that I recognize from my childhood in the early 1990s.

There was an unexpected complexity to the whole building project, with a heck of a lot of detail given to parts of the ship that can’t really be seen externally. I found myself wondering how on earth designers come up with such creations and filter them into easy-to-follow instructions; I’m sure they have all manner of CAD software and engineering or design degrees, but I was still left baffled.

All this focused the practical part of my mind, letting the rest of my thoughts wander, almost in a form of meditation. Again, I’m not really someone who indulges in adult Lego — I simply have too much other stuff already vying for my attention — but the timing of this Lego set’s arrival ended up being a minor metal-health marvel.

Breaking up and building up 

That’s because I had broken up with my girlfriend. Even for a near-emotionally dead drone, I found this to be a sad thing. And as I live alone I could have wallowed in my sadness.

Sure I have many games and gadgets to distract me, from God of War Ragnarok to the PSVR 2. But I often need to be in the right frame of mind to dig into such stuff. So I needed a more mundane distraction that yielded something.

I can’t sew, draw, or paint. My DIY skills are more destructive than constructive. And there’s only so much one can cook in a day. So I turned to the Lego Star Wars set, emptied some bricks and bits on my table, and dived into the surprisingly thick instruction books.

The pseudo-meditative state let me process my feelings without too much self-pity, and at the end of it I had two rather neat-looking models with several minifigures — I do appreciate a good minifigure for desk and windowsill decoration. I’m no doctor or psychologist, but for moments when you need to process something tough, I do think you could do a lot worse than cracking open a box of Lego rather than a crate beer.

As for the Fang fighter and TIE Interceptor themselves, I have to say I’m impressed. There’s a bounty of detail, especially on the Interceptor, with the Lego aesthetic really complementing the rugged, lived-in look of Star Wars' brand of sci-fi.

At $99/£89, the Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor set is far from a throwaway purchase. But I reckon Star Wars fans will get a kick out of it. And it’s worth looking out for various deals, as Star Wars Lego can often be discounted in sales events like Amazon Prime Day.

So while the column is about computer games that Tom's Guide has been and are playing, this week it’s been different for me, and my next steps will be to find somewhere to nearly display these Lego starfighters. A younger Roland would have taken them apart again and built something new. 

But I’m afraid those days of creativity are behind me, and my inspiration all comes out in the form of words for you dear reader, even if you might not agree with a good amount of them.

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