Review: 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine from LEGO® Icons

While the LEGO® Icons theme is primarily known for delivering intricate models intended for display, the new 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine instead attempts to deliver a model where function is as important as form. Promising a fully-playable game of pinball using just LEGO bricks, I was understandably curious to examine how the model was constructed.

We were given this product by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

11374 Arcade Pinball Machine

• Release date: 1 July 2026
• Pieces: 2274
• Ages: 18+

Price: 

• US$ 229.99 on LEGO.com US
• CA$ .99 on LEGO.com Canada
• GB£ 189.99 on LEGO.com UK
• AU$ 349.99 on LEGO.com Australia
• NZ$ .99 on LEGO.com New Zealand
• 209,99€ on LEGO.com Deutschland, Nederland, France, etc

Other countries click here

 

 

New mould

• Panel 1 x 4 x 2, No Studs (8012)

A new panel is introduced in the set, used to form the walls of the shooter lane and ramp. Effectively a taller version of Panel 1 x 4 x 2 with Rounded Corners (15207), it is provided in both Trans-Bright Green (6626356) and Trans-Light Blue (6588498).

Recolours

The set contains a handful of recoloured elements:

• 1x Helmet Classic, New Mold 2019 in Bright Light Blue (6615702 | 50665)
• 24x Tile 45° Cut 2 x 2 (Triangle) in Bright Light Blue (6586766 | 35787)
• 2x Technic Beam 2 x 5 L-Shape with Quarter Ellipse Thick in White (6598916 | 80286)
• 2x Slope 1 x 6 x 1 with 1 x 2 x 1/3 Cutout in Dark Purple (6615701 | 4569)
• 4x Slope 1 x 6 x 1 with 1 x 2 x 1/3 Cutout in Blue Violet (6615700 | 4569)
• 2x Panel 3 x 3 x 2 Quarter Round in Trans-Bright Green (6615698 | 3535)
• 2x Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter in Trans-Bright Green (6615699 | 25269)

Minifigures

The set introduces a complete Classic Space astronaut in Bright Light Blue, and an accompanying space baby.

This is the fourteenth available color of Classic Space astronaut. Interestingly, the helmet and torso were originally intended to appear in 71501 Game Island Tower, a cancelled LEGO® DREAMZzz™ set from 2025. Subsequently, the torso was partially repurposed for a shirt available from Build a Minifigure experiences in LEGO Brand Retail Stores in June 2025. 

Decorations

Several decorated elements have been introduced for the set, split between minifigure elements and printed tiles:

• 1x Torso with Classic Space Logo print in Bright Light Blue (6619809)
• 1x Baby / Toddler Body with Fixed Arms with Classic Space Logo print in Bright Light Blue (6609658)
• 2x Minifig Head Special, Baby with Helmet and Airtanks, Yellow Head Pattern, Face with White Pupils print in Bright Light Blue (6609657)
• 1x Tile 1 x 8 with Blue Violet, Medium Blue, Lime Shapes, White Arrow on Black Background print in Blue Violet (6590698)
• 1x Tile 2 x 6 with Purple/Orange 'MISSION' print  in Black (6590697)

A large sticker sheet is also included, with the majority of decals intended to add graphics to the sides of the pinball cabinet. While the graphics are certainly nice, I'd argue that the set holds up just as well without them applied, and that is the course I took.

Rare elements

The following elements are available in just a single additional set:

• 1x Technic Shock Absorber 11L with Internal Spring, Black Top in Light Bluish Gray (6483561 | 65151)
• 1x Technic Gear 20, One Way in Dark Bluish Gray (6576527 | 114913), introduced in 11380 Road Bike
• 20x Tile 45° Cut 2 x 2 (Triangle) in Blue Violet (6603895 | 35787)
• 1x Technic Brick 1 x 1 with Axle Hole in Yellow (6600190 | 73230)
  
• 4x Tile 1 x 1 with White Star print in Black (6585143 | 115708)
  
• 1x Technic Steering Arm 5 x 1 with Towball Socket in Red (6547151 | 31794)
  
• 1x Slope 1 x 6 x 1 with 1 x 2 x 1/3 Cutout in Yellow (6594127 | 4569)

A further two elements appear in two additional sets:

• 12x Tile 1 x 8 with Groove in Blue Violet (6596441 | 4162)
  
• 2x Wedge Plate 2 x 4 27° Right in Yellow (6527821 | 65426)
  

Building experience

The base of the pinball cabinet is built first, with exposed bars acting as connection points for the sections of playfield. A pair of legs elevate the rear of the model, so that the playfield sits at an incline.

Next, the bottom third of the playfield is assembled, consisting of the flippers and trough.

Reversing the playfield reveals the LEGO Technic mechanism that connects the flipper buttons on either side of the machine to the flippers. When a button is pressed, a gear rack is pushed inwards, rotating a gear connected to a flipper. Shock absorbers are used to provide button resistance.

Two additional sections complete the basic playfield, which incorporates arrows and space-themed imagery using a mix of plates and slopes. Several LEGO Technic pin holes and studs are left exposed, to facilitate adding obstacles to the playfield.

A variety of tiles are used to add detailing along the perimeter of the cabinet. Elements in the new 431 Blue Violet color are featured prominently, following the debut of the color earlier this year. It is also worth noting the completion of the plunger on the right side of the model, which uses the shock absorber to provide sufficient force to launch the ball.

The backbox is completed next, allowing the inclusion of additional space-themed details. A variety of angled plates and tiles are used to create an alien vista, as well as the “Mission Space” title text.

Finally, obstacles are added to the playfield. These include two spinners, a ramp, and an asteroid target. When the pinball collides with the asteroid target, it gradually moves the astronaut towards the space baby, providing a clear objective and visual way of gauging progression. 

Conclusion

When initial images of the set emerged, I was skeptical about whether it would deliver on its premise. Prior adult-oriented sets such as 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade and 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System have deliberately eschewed functional game mechanics in favor of merely visually emulating them.

Fortunately, this set diverges from previous offerings by delivering a fully-functional game that is not just enjoyable, but genuinely challenging. The model is sturdy enough to withstand numerous play sessions, and offers extrinsic motivation to the player via the moving astronaut. It's a very welcome departure from the display-centric sets that have dominated the LEGO Icons line.

At the same time, the set is not without flaws. The limited Classic Space theming feels like an afterthought, which is disappointing considering how overt most actual pinball machines are in their theming. In addition, I think the set misses an opportunity to encourage customizing the layout of the playfield, which would have added further replay value. 

US$229.99/ £189.99/ 209.99€/ AU$349.99

 

 

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