LEGO® Monkie Kid review & MOCs: 80034 Nezha's Fire Ring

80034 Nezha's Fire Ring was part of the January 2022 wave of the LEGO® Monkie Kid theme. Let's take a look at the interesting elements to and build the set, before we have a play with some of the parts.

What are the new LEGO® parts for December 2022 and which sets contain the most?

Links to LEGO.com including Pick a Brick are affiliate links. We may earn a fee.

I've created a list showing the 22 new LEGO® elements added in December 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here.

LEGO® DOTS: Building with Bag Tags

It's no exaggeration to say that 2022 has been an exciting year for new elements introduced in the LEGO® DOTS theme. Throughout the year, we've seen the introduction of the charms system, bowed bricks for constructing frames, as well as stitch-on and adhesive patches.

LEGO® Super Mario™ review + MOCs: 71411 The Mighty Bowser

For the uninitiated, Mario’s archenemy is Bowser, a turtle like creature with dragon-like features. Also known as King Koopa, the big boss kidnapper of Princess Peach is depicted in LEGO® Super Mario™ set 71411 The Mighty Bowser at a suitably magnificent scale. 

Will this LEGO power-up set be collecting all of your gold coins? Let’s jump down the warp-pipe and see where it takes us, as I review its parts and build, and create some original MOCs.

LEGO® Monkie Kid review & MOCs: 80039 The Heavenly Realms

2022 saw the debut of LEGO® Monkie Kid Season 3, accompanied by the release of seven sets on 1 January. Six months later, 80039 The Heavenly Realms appeared; the largest of three more sets released in the summer wave. 

LEGO® ICONS™ review: 10307 Eiffel Tower

The LEGO® ICONS™ set 10307 Eiffel Tower comes with 10,001 parts, and is the tallest LEGO model to date. With previous Eiffel Tower sets counting 320 and 3428 parts, I’ve been given the task to find out if bigger is better.

LEGO® 10307 Eiffel Tower: Designer interview with Rok Žgalin Kobe

The next LEGO® ICONS™set will be the tallest LEGO set to date: a new version of that most iconic of landmarks, the Eiffel Tower. We got to speak with LEGO Senior Designer Rok Žgalin Kobe at Fan Media Days in Billund, Denmark in September. Rok discusses their approach, and the challenges of designing such a huge set. 

LEGO® DOTS 41957 Adhesive Patches Mega Pack review + MOC with part 80319

Glue and LEGO® bricks? 41957 Adhesive Patches Mega Pack brings this unholy combination to customers. Of course, we at New Elementary don't limit ourselves to adhering these patches to notebooks and folders. What have they to offer to MOC builders?

The set is packed in a sorting tray, with plenty of air inside. Useful, but I wonder if it is worth of all the extra plastic.

2022 Skærbæk Workshop

In September, it was such a thrill to return to the wonderful Skærbæk Fan Weekend in Denmark, 3 years on... like nothing had happened... and run another of our popular LEGO® building workshops! 50 participants from around the world were given 100 minutes to build whatever they liked – they simply had to include one or more of the special selection of 2022  elements that we provided. Bucketloads of random parts were also provided, and as you can imagine it's quite the challenge. Especially first thing on a Sunday morning after a Saturday night in Skærbæk.

Get a closer look at what they came up with later in the article - and we hope that it inspires your own building!

What are the new LEGO® parts for November 2022 and which sets contain the most?

I've created a list showing all 93 new LEGO® elements added in November 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here.

LEGO® Avatar 2023 reveal: 75575, 75576, 75577, 75578 & 75579

Official images of 5 LEGO® Avatar sets coming 1 January 2023, featuring scenes from the movie Avatar: The Way of Water, have been published on LEGO.com today: 75575 Ilu Discovery, 75576 Skimwing Adventure, 75577 Mako Submarine, 75578 Metkayina Reef Home and 75579 Payakan the Tulkun & Crabsuit. 

Links to LEGO.com are affiliate links; we may earn a fee.

Two of them are already available to preorder in the US: 75576 Skimwing Adventure and 75578 Metkayina Reef Home.

LEGO® NINJAGO® review & MOC: 71770 Zane’s Golden Dragon Jet

In this review, I take a look at one of the smaller sized sets from the most recent LEGO® NINJAGO® wave, 71770 Zane’s Golden Dragon Jet. It comprises the eponymous jet along with minifigures of Zane, Golden Dragon Cole and their foe, General Vangelis. 

Old Elementary: LEGO® Clikits – colourful icons

Remember LEGO® Clikits? Well if it passed you by you weren't the only one as it's not a theme that dominates 'vintage' collections. Clikits launched in 2003 and generated in excess of 90 sets before retiring in 2006. It was primarily aimed at girls, with lots of accessories like hair clips, combs, pencil cases, notelets, decorative containers and all the other paraphernalia a young girl apparently needed.  

For this article, I couldn't resist examining the complex world of Clikits colours. While we have no official LEGO colour charts from this time, we used the work of Ryan Howerter and their fantastic Colorstream resource to create this overview.

LEGO® Ideas review: 21337 Table Football

In February and March 2021, the LEGO® Ideas website ran a “We Love Sports'' contest. Table Football, designed by fan designer Donát Fehévári, was selected as winner, and will be released an official set on 1 November 2022. For those of you aware of the original submission, there is one massive change. The original was 11-a-side, and this is only 5-a-side! Why didn’t LEGO deliver on this? The short answer is, if they had to stick to 11-a-side, the set would not have been released at all.

LEGO® Ideas review + MOC: 21333 Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night

Vincent van Gogh is undeniably one of the most beloved painters in history. His paintings are adored by both the art professionals and the greater public, and the tragic aspects of his life affect the way they are perceived. Nonetheless, due to huge popularity his paintings adorn a mass of memorabilia from fridge magnets to calendars and lunch boxes, and via LEGO® Ideas program, a buildable miniature set.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Kev Levell

We're challenging our team of astro-engineers to create original LEGO® models using 'Space Tools' - the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets - and today is the final instalment!

As the Chief Flight Director of this exploration it falls to me to bring our mission to an end. The team has safely returned home, I've completed their debriefing, and once I present my findings I'll round out these proceedings with a few words of thanks.

From the selected tools I chose the Metal Detectors 4479 & 93106 and Radios 3962a, 3962b and 19220 as well as the 'T' Bar 84868.

LEGO® City review: 60353 Wild Animal Rescue Missions

LEGO® City introduced something quite original this year with the Missions series: there are no instructions, instead giving the builder a series of building challenges. Is this the thing I need to inspire me to finally start MOCing?

What are the new LEGO® parts for October 2022 and which sets contain the most?

I've created a list showing all 192 new LEGO® elements added in October 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here.

LEGO® Star Wars™ set review: 75331 The Razor Crest

In part 1 of our review, we took a look at the parts contained in LEGOⓇ Star Wars 75331 The Razor Crest and at 6187 pieces, there was a lot to unpack. Today our attention turns to the build of this Ultimate Collector Series model, and we even have some insight from the designers for you.

LEGO® Winter Village review: 10308 Holiday Main Street

September has almost gone, summer has definitely passed, and it's almost time to set up the Winter Village display. Since 2009, LEGO® has released new additions to the village annually and today I’ll have a closer look at the 14th instalment of the series: 10308 Holiday Main Street.

LEGO® Star Wars™ parts review: 75331 The Razor Crest

LEGO® Star Wars™ 75331 The Razor Crest is the latest addition to the Ultimate Collector Series line and the first UCS set to be based on a Star Wars TV show. It comprises 6187 pieces, making it the third-largest LEGO Star Wars set, narrowly beaten by last year’s 75313 AT-AT which contained 6749 parts and 75192 Millennium Falcon which still reigns supreme at a whopping 7513 pieces.  In this first of two articles reviewing the set, we will look at all the new and interesting parts it contains.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Ryan Harkin

The second of our two Glorious Galactic Guests joins our Parts Festival today to present some wonderful MOCs using a selection of the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets. Ryan Harkin is @brickmasterryan on Instagram.

New Elementary asked me to build something “not space” using a couple of the Classic Space tools from their seed selection. I chose the Axe (3835) and the Robot Arm (4735). Like Benny, my instant reaction was, “Spaceship?”. My next reaction was… well, I’m guessing you’ve seen the movie so you know how this ends.

LEGO® Minifigures review: 71034 Series 23

The LEGO® Minifigure theme keeps on bringing great new ideas. At the start of the year, 71032 Series 22 was released (reviewed by Kev Levell) and then in May I reviewed my favorite series to date, 71033 The Muppets. Today, I’ll examine the third series of 2022. 

Aside from the new minifig parts I’m happy to notice some interesting new elements, so let’s dive in.

LEGO® Avatar new parts review: 75571, 75572, 75573, 75574 and BrickHeadz 40554

We're pausing the Space Tools Parts Festival for a week as we have a thrilling look at the new range of LEGO® Avatar sets, coming 1 October 2022.

Today we land on the moon Pandora to explore the unique new recolours that grow here, and maybe even spot some wild moulds that have never been seen before!

Thirteen years after the first movie came into the cinemas, LEGO have decided to make four sets and one BrickHeadz depicting the second movie, Avatar - The Way of Water that is planned to be released in December this year.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Dana Knudson

The first of two Glorious Galactic Guests joins our Parts Festival today to present some wonderful MOCs using a selection of the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets. Dana Knudson is @Troublesbricking on Instagram.

Dana chose to utilise 3835 Axe from 1978 which has been made available in 3 colours, 3959 Space Gun/ Torch from 1979 which has been available in 11 colours, 4735 Robot Arm from 1985 which has been available in 9 colours, and 4349 Megaphone from 1982 which has been available in 10 colours. 

Our contest winners: Make a Wishbrick

It's time to announce the winners of our Make a Wishbrick contest, where we asked readers to dream up  ideas for a new LEGO® element - and then build it out of existing LEGO parts. We received an astonishing 276 entries, making this a tough one for our judges to decide as there could only be three recipients of a 10497 Galaxy Explorer and one winner of the top prize - 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum!

What are the new LEGO® parts for September 2022 and which sets contain the most?

I've created a list showing all 172 new LEGO® elements added in September 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here. 

But first, an update on changes to Pick a Brick, which saw new elements disappear from the service this year.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Thomas Jenkins

We're challenging our team of astro-engineers to create original LEGO® models using 'Space Tools' - the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets. 

Our parts festival continues this week as I examine two elements: 3838 Air Tanks and 3837 Shovel, both released in 1978, although it seems space shovels were only required for very large ships like 6929 Starfleet Voyager from 1981 and 6985 Cosmic Fleet Voyager from 1986.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Tim Goddard

Tim Goddard tools up as guest author this week, in our challenge to create original LEGO® models using 'Space Tools' - the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets.

In this instalment of New Elementary's exploration of minifig Space utensils, I look at the space guns / torches / loudhailers / blasters / megaphones. Call them what you will, they are certainly classic parts and are still using in LEGO sets today. Here is my collection!

Space Tools Parts Fest: Tom Loftus

We're challenging our team of astro-engineers to create original LEGO® models using 'Space Tools' - the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets.

For the next leg of our look at minifig space utensils, I'm exploring two elements: Chainsaw Body (2516) from 1990 and Control Panel (2342) introduced in 1986. 

LEGO® Technic review: 42144 Material Handler

Following LEGO® Technic 42128 Heavy-Duty Tow Truck last year, LEGO pneumatics are still going strong and are now present in 42144 Material Handler. As a model, it resembles a cross between 42006 Excavator and 42053 Volvo EW160E, clad in red. As a source of elements for your creations, let’s see what it delivers.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Caz Mockett

We're challenging our team of astro-engineers to create original LEGO® models using 'Space Tools' - the minifigure accessories found in Classic Space sets.

I chose to take a look at part 4360: Minifigure, Utensil Camera with Side Sight (Space Gun) which made its debut in black in two 1982 space-related releases, 6880 Surface Explorer and 6950 Mobile Rocket Transport.

LEGO® NINJAGO® review: 71774 Lloyd's Ultra Golden Dragon

Dragons are a common sight in the realm of LEGO® NINJAGO®. A quick search on Rebrickable shows 58 sets featuring a dragon. So the question will be: does 71774 Lloyd’s Ultra Golden Dragon have anything new to offer? With 998 parts, it is one of the largest dragon sets, and with 286 of these parts being in Pearl Gold, its shininess certainly stands out.

Space Tools Parts Fest: Introducing the elements

We have decided to celebrate the release of 10497 Galaxy Explorer with a LEGO® Space-themed Parts Festival. We have a series of builders lined up to deliver new insight and MOCs to you – for the coming weeks, every Thursday is Toolsday!

If you haven't read it already, see Caz's thoroughly excellent review of set 10497 which is available now, if it hasn't sold out already! Please consider using our affiliate links if buying from LEGO.com, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

What are the new LEGO® parts for August 2022 and which sets contain the most?

I've created a list showing all 410 new LEGO® elements added in August 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here.

LEGO® ICONS™ set review: 10305 Lion Knights' Castle

Last week we examined the numerous new and rare elements that appear in the upcoming 10305 Lion Knights' Castle. Today, we'll be taking a look at the final model and some of the innovative building techniques that bring it to life.

LEGO® ICONS™ review: 10290 Pickup Truck

Kevin J. Walter returns as a guest author today with a 2021 set that is so gorgeous we really felt it needed to be reviewed, better late than never! Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

When I first saw the announcement of the LEGO® Pickup Truck in August 2021, images of rural American farm life came into my mind. Old MacDonald had a ride! 

Its release last October was the third large-scale vehicle released in 2021 by the line formerly known as LEGO® Creator Expert (now LEGO® ICONS™), following 10295 Porsche 911 and 10279 Volkswagen T2 Camper Van.

The set contains 1,677 parts divided over 8 bags and has a nice little collection of props accompanying the pickup truck. Before we take a closer look at the build itself, let’s explore the new parts in this set.

The LEGO® 1x1x2/3 Plate with Open Stud

Is it a brick? Is it a plate? No, it's…both? 

Last December we were introduced to a new member of the 1x1 family: the LEGO® Minecraft candle, aka Plate 1 x 1 x 2/3 with Open Stud (86996). My initial reaction to this stocky newcomer was that it would undoubtedly be useful, but how exactly? Today it's my task to find out.

LEGO® ICONS™ parts review: 10305 Lion Knights' Castle

To mark the occasion of their 90th corporate anniversary, The LEGO Group is releasing several sets this year which pay tribute to historical fan-favourite products. The largest of these anniversary sets is 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle, which will retail for £344.99 / US$399.99 / 399.99€ / AU$599.99 from 8 August 2022 / LEGO® VIP members 3 August. If you're buying or pre-ordering it, please consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'.

With 4514 pieces, this set review needs two articles! Today we begin by examining the new and interesting elements included. 

LEGO® Technic review: 42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

The LEGO® Technic line includes what could be called the "modern large helicopter" range of sets: 9396 Helicopter, 42052 Heavy Lift Helicopter and 42113 Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (the latter can be considered a helicopter, and regardless of being cancelled by TLG, copies did get sold). Now, the fourth is approaching: 42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter. Will you give it permission to land?

LEGO® ICONS™ review: 10497 Galaxy Explorer

In 1979 The LEGO Group released a set which is still much loved by fans of the LEGO® Space theme, designed by the now-legendary Jens Nygård Knudsen. In the USA it was known as 497 Galaxy Explorer, while elsewhere it went by the name of 928 Space Cruiser And Moonbase. Nowadays, fans mostly refer to it as “Galaxy Explorer” or simply “928” since that was the number printed on the sides of both versions of the ship. 

Due for release on 1 August 2022 worldwide, the set will retail for £89.99 / US$99.99 / 99.99€ / AU$179.99 and contains 1254 pieces, giving a price to part value of 7.2p / 8.0c / 8.0c. If you are pre-ordering or buying this set, please consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'.

Contest: Make a Wishbrick

Contest now closed

It’s contest time! Did you know that there are more than 3700 unique LEGO® elements in the official LEGO inventory? That’s a big selection, but do you ever feel that it’s just not enough?

We’d love to see what new original part you could dream up, and to make this contest more challenging, we’re getting a bit meta: we want to see your dream element built out of LEGO bricks.  

Thanks to support from the LEGO Group, you could win a Sanctum Sanctorum or Galaxy Explorer!

LEGO® Super Mario Luigi's Mansion review: 71401 Haunt-and-Seek

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

The frightful foes of Luigi's Mansion return for New Elementary's final review of the January 2022 LEGO® Super Mario sets. With three more spooky enemies, seven clever gameplay modules and enough details to call the vile villa a home, Haunt-and-Seek is the ultimate Luigi's Mansion expansion.

What are the new LEGO® parts for July 2022 and which sets contain the most?

I've created a list showing all 56 new LEGO® elements added in July 2022, with links to which sets they come in so you can check for the ones you might be interested in. And for those of you who instead prefer our list of sets showing which contain the most new elements, click here.

LEGO® Speed Champions interview with Christopher Stamp: Iconic Movie and TV Vehicles

We were thrilled to be invited for a chat with LEGO® Speed Champions Design Manager Christopher Leslie Stamp about the upcoming sets 76911 007 Aston Martin DB5 and 79612 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, which we reviewed yesterday.
Kev Levell took the passenger's seat as Chris jumped behind the steering wheel and took us for a drive around the new sets and elements! The transcription has been edited for clarity, readability and narrative flow.

LEGO® Speed Champions review: 76911 007 Aston Martin DB5 & 76912 Fast and Furious Dodge Charger

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

In a surprising move, LEGO® Speed Champions have expanded their remit to include vehicles with a second license. The first two in this potential range of iconic movie & TV vehicles (if indeed this turns out to be a continuing feature) depict vehicles that LEGO has tackled in other themes before at larger scales.

76911 007 Aston Martin DB5

The release of the 10262 Creator Expert James Bond Aston Martin was just as surprising in 2018 as this smaller iteration is now. A subject that no-one expected to return, but is all the more welcome for that fact – especially at a more affordable price point.

LEGO® City parts review and MOCs: 60351 Rocket Launch Centre

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

The largest set in the new LEGO® City space range is a rocket launch site. You'll already have seen many reviews of 60351 Rocket Launch Centre I imagine, so highlighted here are all the new, exclusive and rare parts you'll find in the set. 

 

Then I threw all the new parts on a table and tried to see if I could fit a square peg in a round hole, before finally coming up with a couple of MOCs. The set is available right now priced £124.99 / $149.99 / 139.99€; if you're buying please consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'.

LEGO® Cloth Fest: Eero Okkonen

Some products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

In the first part of New Elementary's Cloth Fest, Áron Gerencsér - now a set designer, congrats Áron! - dived deep into the history of cloth parts in LEGO® sets. In this final part, I'll have a look at the connections of these parts, also presenting three new MOCs that use them as, well, clothing.

LEGO® Technic review and MOCs: 42137 Porsche Formula E 99x Electric

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

42137 Porsche Formula E 99X Electric is the third LEGOⓇ Technic Porsche and the first Technic model to be based on an electric vehicle. The set contains 422 pieces and launched at the start of 2022 priced at $49.99 / £44.99 / €49.99. If you're buying this set, consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'. 

 

Admittedly, I’m not a motorsport fan but I do enjoy interesting and unusual new LEGO pieces, and there are a few goodies contained within this set.

LEGO® Technic set review: 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

Ferrari's latest exclusive hypercar — the Daytona SP3 — is also the latest LEGO® Technic Ultimate car. 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3 shares familiar functions with earlier Ultimate 1:8-scale Technic cars while also bringing its own unique styling and technical construction. This majestic Maranello machine sets itself apart with immaculate attention to detail, masterful building techniques, and the excitement of a modern Ferarri hearkening back to the automaker's racing history.

This set review is the second look New Elementary takes at this biggest-ever Technic car following a detailed look at our favourite parts from this 3778-piece set. This set is on sale now since 1 June for £349.99 / US$399.99 / CA$499.99 / 399.99€ / AU$659.99. Adding this supercar to your garage? Consider using our affiliate links if you're buying from LEGO.com; New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'.

For our thoughts on the Daytona SP3's features, build techniques, and finished model, read on.