Hapori Tohu

A group of AFOLs in Denmark have set the Guinness World Record for the longest plastic toy train track, <a href='http://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-longest-lego-railway-includes-2-5-miles-of-505749562' target='offsite'>Gizmodo reports</a>. Interestingly enough, they didn't use 9V or Power Functions, but two and a half miles of old blue train track. Quite the accomplishment, and I'm surprised that much track even still exists out there!View the full article

We've resolved the issues with our database and turned the forums back online. We had to revert our members list to a backup from about a week ago, so if you changed your profile since then you'll have to add those changes back in. Other than that, everything else is fine. Thanks again for your patience.View the full article

Following the rules that every practical mechanical function can be recreated in Mindstorms and everything will eventually be built with Lego, I present Ralph's LEGO jukebox, a creation which mimics all the movements of a real jukebox and none of the aesthetics. Don't let its looks fool you: It may not be purist, but it's a solid and impressive creation nonetheless. check out the site for all the specs and some showcase videos.View the full article

Since late last night, we've been having some issues with the forum database. the Administration are looking into it and once we have more information we can share we'll let you all know. in the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding.View the full article

Another LEGO: Batman trailer has appeared for the upcoming direct-to-DVD movie. Seen here, it gives a glimpse of the Batcave and features voice acting for both Batman and Martian Manhunter. Check it out to get another glimpse at what to expect from the film.View the full article

At last, the Minifig-scale Tumbler has reached 10,000 supporters on CUUSOO. It took over 11 months, but this project finally advances to the review stage. You can check out LEGO's comments right over here on the CUUSOO page for the project. However, considering the quarterly reviews and development take a while, you might have to wait a bit before you can actually buy it.View the full article

The Clone Wars TV series may be over, but there's still some Star Wars coming to Cartoon Network. As IGN reports, The Yoda Chronicles will debut as a three part series on May 29th. The first part, titled The Phantom Clone, Yoda and some Padawans must stop Darth Sidious from creating a new super weapon. Seems interesting, and I'm sure it'll have plenty of LEGO humor.View the full article

The title of Professional LEGO Designer is one held by few individuals in this world, but Warren Elsmore is one of them, and this week he has offered an example of why he deserves it: a 180,000-brick model of the St. Pancras Railway Station and Hotel in London. The recreation took an estimated 500 hours of work to complete and will be on display at the Waterstones bookshop in Piccadilly, London in June. Follow the link above to read an article about Elsmore and his other creations, as well as to view images of this amazing piece of LEGO artistry!View the full article

Top hats, dirigibles, some sepia... There's no mistaking it. With the release of Lego Master Builder Academy Level 4, the brick has officially entered the world of steam. So strap on your goggles, get some pressure in your boiler, and head on over to this article for more information.View the full article

Toys 'R' Us has updated their site to include the summer Hero Factory sets, as you can see right here. They're not available online yet, but apparently they are at some stores across the USA. Remember that TRU's prices tend to be a little higher than MSRP, so if you don't mind waiting, you should be able to snag them cheaper in a little bit.View the full article

Yes, as you've come to expect every other month, the new issue of the LEGO Club Magazine has been showing up in member's mailboxes, and this one's got a special teaser for Hero Factory's summer sets online. You can view it on the LEGO Club website here.View the full article

Our friend Joshua over at Beyond the Brick let us know about a Kickstarter they recently got into gear. You can check it out right here. While it's already funded, you can still hop on board and get some nice perks while supporting the creation of an inside look into Brickworld Chicago taking place later this year. In addition to the DVD, you can get a magnet, a custom creation by Tyle 'Legohaulic' Clites, or invite someone onto their podcast!View the full article

As you may know, today is Star Wars Day. However, no-one other than Lucasfilm and Star Wars fans seems to be more obsessed with the date than LEGO, which has added another set to its database. You may recall the 10240 Red X-Wing set that was revealed in February. Well, now you can buy it on Shop.LEGO.com for 199.99 USD.View the full article

Bad news first: If you were hoping that Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles on iOS was a mobile version of the console Lego Star Wars games, this is not the game you are looking for. However, it's a pretty enjoyable game in its own right, according to a recent review of the game on TouchArcade. The game is free to play, and starting tomorrow can be played on the Lego Star Wars website. If you use your Lego ID, you'll be able to track progress in the game on both iOS and web versions. Android users can expect to see the game on their platform later this summer.View the full article

With the release of the new Series 10 Minifigures, LEGO has added an interesting twist to the task of the collector: a rare minifigure called Mr. Gold! This gold-painted, top-hat sporting figure has been randomly inserted into packages of Series 10 Minifigures now in circulation worldwide, so there's a chance you might find him if you're lucky. Click the link above to view the full announcement, along with a map showing where other people have already found Mr. Gold around the world. Only 68 have been found so far, so be on the lookout!View the full article

BZPower Member Bionicle Raptor has been making t-shirts for the community for a number of years now, with designs you make! This year is no different, and he wants your help! Head over to his blog to check out the rules. You've got until the end of May to come up with a design involving Takanuva, so get to it!View the full article

It's always interesting to see a MOC from a Lego employee. It helps answer such suspicions as; Do they actually like building? Are they actually good at it? Can they think outside of the box? With a quick MOC, Mr. Faber gives some insight into these unusual topics.View the full article

Today is the last day of April, and that means I've just finished putting together the latest episode of the BZPowercast. You can grab it here if you're still not subscribed via RSS or iTunes. Here's a summary of the episode: April showers bring April Powercasts - that's how it goes, right? Things start off this month with a Staff Interview with ChocolateFrogs. Then Windrider comes back for a How-To BZP about the Q&A forum. And then the episode rounds off with the next Bionicle comic dramatic reading from Hahli Husky, Janus, and friends. Talk to you again in May! View the full article

Although no information has been released about the launch date for the next Chima video game from LEGO, a new trailer has surfaced here. There's nothing incredibly special or new from the looks of it, but if you're looking forward to playing, it's a nice chance to see a bit of the game in action.View the full article

Galaxy Squad member Chuck Stonebreaker was patrolling the asteroid on foot when suddenly he gets attacked by a giant bug. But this member of the Green Squad isn't going to just back down, so he charges towards it with just his trusty blaster. This is the story of Galaxy Squad polybag Set #30231: Space Insectoid. Should you snatch this grub up, or toss it back to the hive? Read BZP Reporter Xccj's review in the Talkback Topic to help you decide. Presentation From the design of the box to the instruction manual, these are the first things you see before building the set. I don't normally review polybag sets, but this one was too cool not to show off. The front of the bag gives you a preview of the awesomeness; the green Galaxy Squad fig is facing off again a flying brick-built bug. What more can you ask for? Also interesting on the front is the Galaxy Squad logo, which shows a ship in the middle that splits in two, which is a neat design that I hadn't noticed until I picked up this set. The back of the back mostly has the legal information written on it, but there is a clear bar down the middle that lets you see the package's contents. Using this space, you could attempt to try and build the entire set inside the polybag, known in the AFOL community as Bag Builds. It can be a bit tricky and time consuming, but it's a fun activity if you really want to challenge yourself. But enough about the bag; most of us want to get straight to the contents. Building Half the fun is had building the set. How fun is it to build and how easy or challenging is it? The build is straightforward and fast. But since this is a polybag set, you can't expect much more from it. However, for the few pieces it has, it does utilize some nice SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques and other nice designs. In particular, the dark red coupling plate is placed in a way where it fits snugly and overlaps the tile wings, which adds stability to the design a bit. It's not a new concept breakthrough, but it shows that some thought certainly went into designing this small set. Set Design Now that the set is complete, we can critique how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here. This set comes with 27 pieces, as well as a few extras of some of the smaller elements. The colors vary, but in general the bug is lime green and dark red, which make for a nice, contrasting color scheme. Of particular interest is the 1x4 trans neon green tiles that make up the wings, because this is the first time this piece has ever been produced in this color. I'm sure it'll appear in future sets, but it's interesting to see a piece introduced in a polybag set. The minifigure included here is Chuck Stonebreaker of the Green Squad. He also appears in the more expensive Vermin Vaporizer set, and will also show up this summer in the cheaper Crater Creeper set, but he's still a cool fig. He has a detailed torso (printed both sides), leg print, and a double sided head, with a bearded grin on one side and a face mask on the other. He also has the new style space helmet, which is appearing in green for the first time. The green is actually the new shade called Bright Green, which is different from the shade of Classic Green (or as Bionicle fans may know it, Lewa Mata Green.) Bright Green has appeared in some sets like the constructible Green Lantern or the City Garbage Truck. It may not be easily compatible for Classic Green, but it works nicely with the light grey on Chuck. Next up is the bug. It's not the most appealing bug ever, and it doesn't have quite the same realistic look as some of the larger bug sets. But considering the size, it has a pretty amazing design. It has legs, pinchers, wings, and even a tail, which is all nice detail. I personally have a problem with the width / height proportions, since the bug feels like it's a plate too tall. But I can overlook this because it is just so well designed otherwise, considering how few parts it uses. This insectoid is sure to give Chuck a run for his money. Playability The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set function and is it enjoyable to play with? To be honest, one thing I don't expect much from in polybag sets is playability. But this set has a decent amount to be worth it. First off, it has plenty of role-play potential. Chuck has to face off against this bug on foot, and they're about evenly matched, so there's no clear winner here. Furthermore, the bug even has a moveable tail and moveable wings (which are held in place by the dark red coupling plate, making movement possible without accidentally snapping off the wing piece itself.) And the bug is also swooshable, which is a necessity for any flying vehicle or creature. There's even an easy grip on the tail to allow you to fly it around and attach Chuck. Now, if this were anything like Bionicle, then Chuck would be able to master the Insectoid and tame it, thus giving him a steed to ride into battle. There's even room for him to sit atop the bug! Will he fly on this bug through space, or is that seat reserved for one of the other bug figs from the theme? You decide! Final Thoughts Once it's all said and done, how does the set stack up? Should I get it? Pros What's to like? Chuck Stonebreaker is awesomeBug has a nice design for such a small setTrans Neon Green 1x4 tiles are newIncludes two opponents who are about evenly matched Cons What's not to like? Bug seems a plate too tallChuck's color is Bright Green and not Classic Green (Well, that's a con for me)Availability is likely limited compared to other Galaxy Squad sets Overall, this is an excellent example of what all polybags should strive for. It's a descent representation of the theme, and allows for the same kind of playability and building design as the larger sets, just on a smaller scale. Furthermore, it is totally affordable, so if you can find it in stores it should be listed at impulse prices. I believe that this polybag should be available within ToysRUs stores in the United States and Canada, and I'm sure it'll make appearances elsewhere. But at the same time, it probably won't see a wide distribution compared to the other sets in the theme. If you get the chance to pick this set up in stores, you should totally go for it! (But beware of buying it on the secondary market, because prices will surely be increased.) That's it for now, but stay tuned to BZPower for more set reviews and LEGO news! View the full article

Ready your wallets. With May the Fourth, or Star Wars Day, approaching, LEGO has announced some sales! On May 4th and 5th, shop.LEGO.com and LEGO stores will have free shipping for purchases over $49, a free Han Solo Hoth minifigure with purchases of $79+, a free LEGO Star Wars poster with Star Wars purchases, not to mention the fact that all LEGO Star Wars sets will be on sale.View the full article

The Smithsonian Magazine has an interesting and lengthy article about LEGO up on its website. While its main focus is how Mindstorms can be used to inspire students to pursue engineering, math, and science (it worked for me), there's a lot of other interesting info in there as well. It talks about their recent successes after being on the brink of bankruptcy and the wide range of toys and tie-ins the company is marketing these days. Go give it a read!View the full article

LEGO clearly wants all of my money. At an event in Portugal yesterday they announced 10237 Tower of Orthanc - an amazing playset based on the iconic location from the books and movie. It includes five minifigs, an eagle, an Ent, and tons of awesomeness. Check out the Talkback for pictures and full details! 10237 Tower of Orthanc Ages 14+. 2,359 pieces. US $199.99 CA $249.99 DE 199.99€ UK 169.99 £ DK 1699.00 DKK Build the The Lord of the Rings trilogy must-have model! Finally, collect one of the most instantly recognizable and iconic buildings of The Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Tower of Orthanc! Build all 6 highly detailed floors filled with fascinating movie-related details including the attic, library, alchemy room, Saruman's throne room, entrance hall and dungeon. This exclusive model stars in some of the most iconic scenes from The Lord of the Rings movies. Swoop down with the Great Eagle and rescue stranded Gandalf the Grey from his tower-top prison after his defeat at the hands of the white wizard, Saruman. Build the powerful, tree-like Ent, with poseable limbs and cool swinging arm function, then attack the Uruk-hai and Orc Pitmaster while Saruman and his servant Grima Wormtongue take refuge high in the tower. The Tower of Orthanc is a must-have model for any The Lord of the Rings collection! Includes a Great Eagle, buildable Ent figure and 5 minifigures with weapons: Saruman with kirtle outfit, Grima Wormtongue, Gandalf the Grey, an Uruk-hai and the Orc Pitmaster. Includes a Great Eagle, buildable Ent figure and 5 minifigures with weapons: Saruman with kirtle outfit, Grima Wormtongue, Gandalf the Grey, an Uruk-hai and the Orc Pitmaster Features 6 highly detailed floors with lots of functions, including a folding staircase, LEGO light brick palantir, opening entrance doors and a trap door Weapons include 5 staffs, knife, sword, shield and a long axe The attic features a folding staircase, the 3 staffs of the missing wizards, the 2 keys of the Two Towers, 2 maps and an Uruk-hai helmet, shield and sword The library features 2 books, 2 torches, 2 maps and 2 skulls The alchemy room features 2 torches, a bomb (being produced for the Battle of Helm's Deep), 2 potions, bottle, skull, gunpowder keg, pot, cauldron and a long axe Saruman's throne room features lamps, 2 bookcases with 3 potions, map, letter and the powerful palantir with a LEGO light brick The entrance hall features opening doors, trap door, 2 large banners, chandelier, statue and 2 axes The creepy dungeon features a chain, 2 bones, 2 skulls and a rat Buildable Ent features poseable limbs for holding a minifigure and a cool swinging arm function Attack the tower with the cool buildable and poseable Ent! Swoop to the rescue with the Great Eagle! Activate the LEGO light brick and make the palantir glow! Set the trap door and banish unwanted guests to the dungeon! Prepare the bomb for the Battle of Helm's Deep! Swing the Ent's arms to smash or grab things with the poseable fingers! Measures over 28" (73cm) high, 8" (21cm) wide and 6" (16cm) deep Ent stands over 9" (23cm) tall Available for sale directly through LEGO beginning July 2013 via shop.LEGO.com, LEGO Stores or via phone: US Contact Center 1-800-453-4652 CA (English) Contact Center 1-800-453-4652 CA (French) Contact Center 1-877-518-5346 European Contact Center 00-800-5346-1111 July can't come soon enough! Thanks as always to LEGO for sharing this information. I hope you all enjoy. View the full article

As of yesterday, a new LEGO game has been released for iOS devices, LEGO Batman: DC Super Heroes! Unlike its predecessors, DC Super Heroes is a full action title, featuring 80 playable characters, from Batman and Robin to Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and many more. Each character features different gadgets and abilities, and the game also allows you to choose between "classic" and "touch-based" controls. Check out the link to the iTunes App Store for the download (at a cost of $4.99 US), as well as more information and some screenshots.View the full article

1AM Gallery in San Francisco has a new exhibit beginning tomorrow, April 26th. Designing Outside the Lines takes a look at LEGO as an art form, featuring a number of talented builders and artists. Among them is BZPower's very own Brickthing, which is pretty awesome if you ask me. The exhibit runs until May 25th, so if you're in the Northern California area, you should make an attempt to stop by!View the full article