Ramblingbrick
ramblingbrick.bsky.social
Ramblingbrick
@ramblingbrick.bsky.social
Lego blog,
co host @extrapiecespodcast
New 2026 Botanicals Revealed.

After last week's reveal of the 11501 Bunch of Tulips at the Chinese International Import Expo, another three Botanical sets in the 2026 lineup have been revealed. These sets will be released on January 1, 2026, and cover the range of sets we are becoming accustomed…
New 2026 Botanicals Revealed.
After last week's reveal of the 11501 Bunch of Tulips at the Chinese International Import Expo, another three Botanical sets in the 2026 lineup have been revealed. These sets will be released on January 1, 2026, and cover the range of sets we are becoming accustomed to seeing in the Botanicals Range: a small cute bouquet, a potted succulent and a traditional indoor plant. Some sets are aimed at adults, while some aretargetted at younger builders. Read on for more.
ramblingbrick.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
LEGO® ICONS Prepares to Boldly Go. 10365

Normally a picture release of a large grey spaceship heralds the arrival of something from the LEGO Star Wars team. But this is much more exciting. After moving around a series of alternative toy brick companies over the years, the Star Trek License has…
LEGO® ICONS Prepares to Boldly Go. 10365
Normally a picture release of a large grey spaceship heralds the arrival of something from the LEGO Star Wars team. But this is much more exciting. After moving around a series of alternative toy brick companies over the years, the Star Trek License has finally come to rest with the LEGO Group, and I have to admit I am just a little bit excited. The 10356 USS Enterprise NCC-1701 D has 3600 pieces and will be released in time for Black Friday, on 28th November 2025 at LEGO.com/Star-Trek and LEGO Stores priced at $AUD599.99 /€379.99 / £349.99 / $USD399.99.
ramblingbrick.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
LEGO® Spring Festival, Ninjago and Botanical sets revealed at Chinese International Import Expo. Monkie Kid Absent from the Announcement.

The 2025 Chinese International Import Expo is now underway, and we have seen several sets across a range of themes revealed. These include Chinese New Year…
LEGO® Spring Festival, Ninjago and Botanical sets revealed at Chinese International Import Expo. Monkie Kid Absent from the Announcement.
The 2025 Chinese International Import Expo is now underway, and we have seen several sets across a range of themes revealed. These include Chinese New Year Fireworks, as well as a Galloping Horses Canvas for the Spring Festival; the first of the 15th Anniversary Ninjago sets , the four weapons blacksmith, and a Bouquet of Tulips, the first 2026 Botanical set to be revealed. These are sets due for release in January 2026. There was one theme missing, however.
ramblingbrick.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Get Your Brickvention 2026 Tickets: 50% Discount for LEGO Insiders!

The countdown is on for LEGO® fans! Tickets are now available for the Brickvention 2026 Public Expo, and the team organising the event are thrilled to announce an exclusive 50% discount on tickets for members of the LEGO® Insiders…
Get Your Brickvention 2026 Tickets: 50% Discount for LEGO Insiders!
The countdown is on for LEGO® fans! Tickets are now available for the Brickvention 2026 Public Expo, and the team organising the event are thrilled to announce an exclusive 50% discount on tickets for members of the LEGO® Insiders program. just for being part of the community. The public expo runs Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January 2026 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton (just outside the CBD of Melbourne, Australia). “For two decades, Brickvention has brought Melbourne an explosion of colour, creativity and community,” said Brickvention spokesperson Jason Cichon. 
ramblingbrick.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:54 AM
10366 LEGO® ICONS Tropical Aquarium 3: Customisation

We have been taking a look at the 10366 Tropical Aquarium, coming out in mid November 2025. This is a large, expensive set, quite unlike anything that the LEGO Group has produced at this scale before. It's not based on a renowned piece of…
10366 LEGO® ICONS Tropical Aquarium 3: Customisation
We have been taking a look at the 10366 Tropical Aquarium, coming out in mid November 2025. This is a large, expensive set, quite unlike anything that the LEGO Group has produced at this scale before. It's not based on a renowned piece of Architecture, it doesn't tie in with any preconceived cinematic universes, and neither does it follow up with one of the regular ICONs subthemes. It's a 52 litre fish tank, filled with corals, plants, and fish of unrealistic provenance. However, I must admit, it looks quite neat. Impressive even.
ramblingbrick.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Does the LEGO IDEAS review team look at competor brands? Or Vice versa?

I enjoy looking through all the ideas that are proposed and reviewed on LEGO ideas, and I have gotten the impression I'm not the only one. More and more am I seeing competing brands release sets that seem very closely related…
Does the LEGO IDEAS review team look at competor brands? Or Vice versa?
I enjoy looking through all the ideas that are proposed and reviewed on LEGO ideas, and I have gotten the impression I'm not the only one. More and more am I seeing competing brands release sets that seem very closely related to some LEGO ideas. Join me as I go over a handful of these. I am guessing that the LEGO IDEAS Review Team will not approve these under their own banner. They are very well aware of their competitors and they have easier targets to choose. This saddens me a bit, since the designs are all great, but let's face it more sets have always been rejected than accepted.
ramblingbrick.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
What did I learn from 10366 LEGO ICONS Tropical Aquarium?

The 1066 Tropical Aquarium will be released in mid November. In our previous article, we looked at the overall build experience. The set is the most expensive LEGO® Set that is not based on an external IP, such as a movie, or large piece of…
What did I learn from 10366 LEGO ICONS Tropical Aquarium?
The 1066 Tropical Aquarium will be released in mid November. In our previous article, we looked at the overall build experience. The set is the most expensive LEGO® Set that is not based on an external IP, such as a movie, or large piece of architecture. The final model is also quite large. I suspect this will be a model that has its ardent fans, but a lot of people will, quite rightly, be put off simply by the $AUD699.99/USD379.99/ €449.99 / £399.99 price tag. Despite the pricing, this set is not without its merits.
ramblingbrick.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
10366 Tropical Aquarium: Build Experience

The Tropical aquarium is a premium LEGO® set, which at first glance seeks to tie the neat parts usage that characterises the Botanicals range, with the less official 'Life Size Objects' sub-theme that we have seen in recent years across LEGO ICONS and…
10366 Tropical Aquarium: Build Experience
The Tropical aquarium is a premium LEGO® set, which at first glance seeks to tie the neat parts usage that characterises the Botanicals range, with the less official 'Life Size Objects' sub-theme that we have seen in recent years across LEGO ICONS and IDEAS. This represents a landmark in LEGO Set marketing: to date, it is the most expensive set released that does not tie in with any preexisting external intellectual property. I also recognise that if you are considering whether or not you are going to spend $AUD699.99/USD379.99/ €449.99 / £399.99…
ramblingbrick.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Goonies Never Say Die. Now they can say build?

It was the mid-1980s, and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment seemed to do no wrong. On the tail of E.T. the Extra terrestrial (1982)and Gremlins (1984), in 1985 Steven Spielberg's production company went on to present Back to the Future and The…
Goonies Never Say Die. Now they can say build?
It was the mid-1980s, and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment seemed to do no wrong. On the tail of E.T. the Extra terrestrial (1982)and Gremlins (1984), in 1985 Steven Spielberg's production company went on to present Back to the Future and The Goonies. While these are not the only films released by Amblin in that period, these four were all represented in LEGO Dimensions (released in 2015) - with various packs released over the years that the theme ran. A couple of these films have also had sets released under the LEGO Ideas label - Last month's LEGO Ideas Gizmo, from…
ramblingbrick.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Brickvention 2026 Convention Day Tickets Now on Sale

Great news: Tickets for the Brickvention 2026's Convention Day are now on sale. As Australia’s AFOL networking event, we expect to see a fantastic collection of models on display. By attending the Convention Day, you are among the first to see…
Brickvention 2026 Convention Day Tickets Now on Sale
Great news: Tickets for the Brickvention 2026's Convention Day are now on sale. As Australia’s AFOL networking event, we expect to see a fantastic collection of models on display. By attending the Convention Day, you are among the first to see them, to say nothing of the fun and celebrations of Brickvention’s 20th anniversary.
ramblingbrick.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Great Scott! The Delorean Time Machine gets the LEGO Speed Champions Treatment!

Let your mind drift back to the past. To a time when things were much simpler. Take yourself back to 2013. The Time Machine from Back to the Future was the fourth set to be released through the relatively new LEGO…
Great Scott! The Delorean Time Machine gets the LEGO Speed Champions Treatment!
Let your mind drift back to the past. To a time when things were much simpler. Take yourself back to 2013. The Time Machine from Back to the Future was the fourth set to be released through the relatively new LEGO Cusoo program. With 401 pieces and two minifigures, it was the only set released through what would become 'LEGO Ideas' that year. The set was on the market for around 18 months. And it was gone. Now, if you grew up in the 80s and 90s, Back to the Future is one of our cultural touch stones (even if the movie's initial release date is now further back than the time jump that Marty McFly experienced in that first movie).
ramblingbrick.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
10366 LEGO® Icons Tropical Aquarium Revealed

The latest LEGO® Icons set has been revealed, a 4154 piece model of a tropical aquarium. If you have been observing the range adult-focused LEGO models released over the past few years, you will have noticed a number of recurring , popular subjects for…
10366 LEGO® Icons Tropical Aquarium Revealed
The latest LEGO® Icons set has been revealed, a 4154 piece model of a tropical aquarium. If you have been observing the range adult-focused LEGO models released over the past few years, you will have noticed a number of recurring , popular subjects for realisation in LEGO models. One is the Botanical collection, debutingas ICONS sets in 2021, life size flower models have taken the world by storm, and (re) introduced LEGO Bricks to people who may not have picked one up for years. In parallel with this, life size real-world objects have become a trend that transcends third party IP: starting with the LEGO Ideas Typewriter, taking in a Globe of the World, Harry Potter artefacts, Disney Villain VHS cassettes, video game consoles and sports shoes.
ramblingbrick.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Lego® Voyagers Review: A Unique Co-op Puzzle Adventure

We first took a look at Lightbrick Studio's Builder's Journey back in 2021, and while that game has been updated a couple of times, the announcement of their latest game, LEGO Voyagers, back in June that really piqued my interest. We bought a…
Lego® Voyagers Review: A Unique Co-op Puzzle Adventure
We first took a look at Lightbrick Studio's Builder's Journey back in 2021, and while that game has been updated a couple of times, the announcement of their latest game, LEGO Voyagers, back in June that really piqued my interest. We bought a copy of the game from the Nintendo online store, and sat down with our regular games correspondent, Harry, as we played the game through over the course of a few nights. Read on, below the break, to read his review...
ramblingbrick.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
If anyone can, 31173 Tropical Toucan, can!

Birds are dinosaurs. This is no longer a weird statement but well established; birds are the only dinosaur species still alive today. It's no accident that Jurassic Park III starts with an opening shot of a raptor-like claw that turns out to belong to a…
If anyone can, 31173 Tropical Toucan, can!
Birds are dinosaurs. This is no longer a weird statement but well established; birds are the only dinosaur species still alive today. It's no accident that Jurassic Park III starts with an opening shot of a raptor-like claw that turns out to belong to a bird, but I digress. If you look carefully at birds you can see the connection to dinosaurs, but you also see that these are beautiful animals that see almost alien compared to ourselves with a range and variety that make my heart sing. The pattern of feathers with intricate colour patterns, the ability to puff up and move these feather jackets and then the ability to fly (for most of them)!
ramblingbrick.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:18 AM
10374 LEGO® Botanicals Bouquet of Pink Roses: More than just a recolour?

When you are on a good thing, stick to it. When 10328 Bouquet of Roses was released in January 2024, I suspect the LEGO Group knew they had a hit. The set periodically sells out, and compared to actual red roses, it offers…
10374 LEGO® Botanicals Bouquet of Pink Roses: More than just a recolour?
When you are on a good thing, stick to it. When 10328 Bouquet of Roses was released in January 2024, I suspect the LEGO Group knew they had a hit. The set periodically sells out, and compared to actual red roses, it offers pretty good value. Naturally, I was a little intrigued when I saw an updated ‘bouquet of pink roses’ looming on the horizon. This set has an almost identical part count - and what appears to be a couple of subtle differences. The set has 789 pieces and will be released on October 1st 2025, selling for…
ramblingbrick.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:23 AM
76785 LEGO® Wednesday: Thing’s Apartment (review)

Growing up in the 1970s and ‘80s meant that sitcoms from the 1960s were standard after school fare in Australia, and among these was the Addams Family. Occasionally it would alternate with the 1973 Cartoon, and eventually the inevitable slew of…
76785 LEGO® Wednesday: Thing’s Apartment (review)
Growing up in the 1970s and ‘80s meant that sitcoms from the 1960s were standard after school fare in Australia, and among these was the Addams Family. Occasionally it would alternate with the 1973 Cartoon, and eventually the inevitable slew of reunion specials that littered the prime time of the off seasons of the early 1980s television. There was something about the on screen chemistry between John Astin and Caroline Jones, to say nothing of her deadpan delivery of concepts that would shatter the sensibilities of a dormitory suburbia. Or perhaps it is just nostalgia calling.
ramblingbrick.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:45 AM
31175 Unicorn Castle Gave Me a Visual Sugar-Rush!

Do you know the feeling of having too much cake with icing and a soft drink? Perhaps you've seen the effect such a combination at a children's party? That is the feeling I got from this set. The highlight of this set would obviously be the unicorn.…
31175 Unicorn Castle Gave Me a Visual Sugar-Rush!
Do you know the feeling of having too much cake with icing and a soft drink? Perhaps you've seen the effect such a combination at a children's party? That is the feeling I got from this set. The highlight of this set would obviously be the unicorn. As it turns out, this singular unicorn shares its habitat with two pegasi! Although, is this really a habitat? Or something else? I felt confused when building this set, and perhaps that is a good thing. The 'due-to-license-issues-officially-not-my-little-pony' set, 31175 Unicorn Castle is retailing for AU$59.99/£34.99/$44.99/€39.99…
ramblingbrick.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Feeling old in a good way with 31174 Retro Telephone

It has been a little while since calling someone by phone actually involved 'dialling' their number. This term is still sometimes used, although I suspect the majority of humans in Australia have not had the experience of turning a rotary dial…
Feeling old in a good way with 31174 Retro Telephone
It has been a little while since calling someone by phone actually involved 'dialling' their number. This term is still sometimes used, although I suspect the majority of humans in Australia have not had the experience of turning a rotary dial on a phone to make a call since the late 1980's The LEGO Group provides us with a neat reminder of what phone calls used to look like with the new Creator 3in1 set 31174 Retro Telephone retailing for AU$39.99/£24.99/$29.99/€29.99 containing 383 parts, so you can have a bit of an idea of how it felt.
ramblingbrick.com
September 14, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Build a Basketball Poster with 43010 Nike Slam Dunk

We continue our look at the September Nike releases today with a look at 43010 Nike Slam Dunk. When I first saw pictures of this set, I felt it was setting out to imitate the posters of the 80s and 90s, with creative photography photography…
Build a Basketball Poster with 43010 Nike Slam Dunk
We continue our look at the September Nike releases today with a look at 43010 Nike Slam Dunk. When I first saw pictures of this set, I felt it was setting out to imitate the posters of the 80s and 90s, with creative photography photography capturing the action from around the court, the crowd looking on, with the Nike Sports Star front and centre. Does it succeed in this? Lets take a closer look.
ramblingbrick.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Melbourne Brick Show: LEGO® Fun Awaits This Weekend

Melbourne LEGO® Lovers, rejoice. MUGs, the Melbourne LEGO Users Group have their inaugural Melbourne Brick Show coming up this weekend. at the Coburg Town Hall. The show will be open from 9am -4pm Saturday; 9am-3pm Sunday. Tickets are available…
Melbourne Brick Show: LEGO® Fun Awaits This Weekend
Melbourne LEGO® Lovers, rejoice. MUGs, the Melbourne LEGO Users Group have their inaugural Melbourne Brick Show coming up this weekend. at the Coburg Town Hall. The show will be open from 9am -4pm Saturday; 9am-3pm Sunday. Tickets are available online here
ramblingbrick.com
September 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Score a basket with 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot

I have to admit, 6 months ago, I had no idea what to expect from the LEGO-NIKE collaboration. It could have been all about producing replica life-size sneaker models, as well as LEGO-branded sneakers and other apparel, as we saw with Adidas a few years…
Score a basket with 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot
I have to admit, 6 months ago, I had no idea what to expect from the LEGO-NIKE collaboration. It could have been all about producing replica life-size sneaker models, as well as LEGO-branded sneakers and other apparel, as we saw with Adidas a few years ago. However, we are also seeing some sets going in directions that we might not have expected. Branko took a look at the 43008 NIKE Dunk x LEGO set a little while ago, and today I will take a look at one of its younger brothers, the…
ramblingbrick.com
August 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Minifigures On Parade (MOPs) Three years On: Updating our collaborative build standard.

Time flies when you are having fun. Or have a lot going on around you. Or...and so on. I can't believe it is over 3 years since I published my original description of MOPs - Minifigures on Parade/ Minifigures…
Minifigures On Parade (MOPs) Three years On: Updating our collaborative build standard.
Time flies when you are having fun. Or have a lot going on around you. Or...and so on. I can't believe it is over 3 years since I published my original description of MOPs - Minifigures on Parade/ Minifigures on Patrol - back in July 2022. MOPs is a modular platform for community participation. I initially proposed an 8x16 plate, on a standardized base, including a raised 'middle 8' plate. Advantages of the format include the capacity to start simple, and build up, as well as the scope for storytelling within the space available.
ramblingbrick.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Creator 3in1 31166 Beautiful Horse – 3 Model Review

We have looked at a few creature builds over the last 2 years: the T. Rex, Panda, Kitten, Panda, Safari Animals, a Flamingo, and more - each coming with three options to build. One thing has been apparent: the number of brick designs in play has…
Creator 3in1 31166 Beautiful Horse – 3 Model Review
We have looked at a few creature builds over the last 2 years: the T. Rex, Panda, Kitten, Panda, Safari Animals, a Flamingo, and more - each coming with three options to build. One thing has been apparent: the number of brick designs in play has taken a quantum leap over the last few years. And with each set, the colour palette of these elements expands. Today, we will take a look at another: 31166 Beautiful Horse. Not only do we have the titular horse, but also a dear and bear to build.
ramblingbrick.com
August 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Two new Nike LEGO sets revealed: 43010 Slam Dunk and 43021 Dunk Trickshot

Two new sets have been added to the LEGO x Nike roster - due for release on 1st September 2025 the 43010 Slam Dunk and 43021 Dunk Trickshot bring some contrasting basketball builds, inspiring vibes from posters of years gone…
Two new Nike LEGO sets revealed: 43010 Slam Dunk and 43021 Dunk Trickshot
Two new sets have been added to the LEGO x Nike roster - due for release on 1st September 2025 the 43010 Slam Dunk and 43021 Dunk Trickshot bring some contrasting basketball builds, inspiring vibes from posters of years gone by, as well as capturing the sens of fun we have come to associate with some of the LEGO Groups greatest collaborative efforts.
ramblingbrick.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The LEGO Group and Aardman Partner to Inspire Creativity in Young Builders Through Stop Motion.

When my kids were a little younger, they would occaisionally use stop motion movies to bring their stories to life. Sometimes with LEGO minifigures, sometimes with plasticine, that illusion of movement…
The LEGO Group and Aardman Partner to Inspire Creativity in Young Builders Through Stop Motion.
When my kids were a little younger, they would occaisionally use stop motion movies to bring their stories to life. Sometimes with LEGO minifigures, sometimes with plasticine, that illusion of movement really helped to tell and sell a story. Today, the LEGO Group and multi-award-winning Aardman Animations, stop motion masters and creators of the Wallace & Gromit franchise, have announced a new partnership, to help inspire young builders and encourage creative storytelling using stop motion inspired by the LEGO® brick.
ramblingbrick.com
August 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM