LEGO brings popular Build a Minifigure service to its online store with new beta
Today, the LEGO Group is bringing one of the more popular in-store experiences to its official online storefront. Builders have long been able to go into a retail location and craft their very own brick-built character, and now LEGO is giving its Build a Minifigure service the online treatment by rolling out a new beta program.
LEGO launches new online Build a Minifigure beta
If you’ve ever been to a retail LEGO Store, you’ll likely have seen or even taken advantage of the Pick a Brick-style minifigure building experience. So while today’s new addition to the official LEGO site is a new option for online shoppers, it is about as tried and true of a program as we’ve seen from the company.
For its online beta rollout, there are some things that are different. For starters, the new Build a Minifigure option will only be available in Europe and Asia for the time being. There’s no word yet if the limited locals will be expanded while the service is still in beta, or if it will make its way to the US and the rest of the world when it officially launches.
Then there are the actual accessories and pieces available for each of your custom characters. As of now, the actual assortment is limited compared to what you’d find in-store. There is a pretty decent number of heads, hairpieces, torsos, and even dual-molded legs, but you won’t be finding some of the more fun or eccentric bricks that have popped up at retail locations in the past. Accessories are also quite limited, but there are some interesting inclusions like the recent dachshund dog and more.
One of the perks of the in-store Build a Minifigure booths was the ability to skip building a character altogether and score a collection of the same pieces. So if you wanted 15 shields or a bunch of the same torso piece, most stores would look the other way. The online Build a Minifigure service on the other hand will require you to pick one of each element.
Pricing is also a bit different here. The official stateside costs haven’t been confirmed, but we know that creating your own character will start at £5.97 for a single figure. Then if you want to add additional minifigures, you’ll be able to customize two additional ones for £1.99 each.
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Review: LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) Q1 2023 selection
It’s the first month of the New Year, and with it, comes an absolute boatload of new LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) parts and characters! There are 13 “official” new characters introduced in the first quarter of 2023, making this one of the biggest cohorts yet.
These started popping up at Build-a-Minifigure stations here in Australia this week, and as usual, I went on the hunt for these new minifigure parts to add to my collection, and to put this review together, to help LEGO fans keep track of the selection.
I had to hunt for what’s close to a full set, as there weren’t many pre-made blister packs available, but instead, more minifigure parts were distributed and found within the Build a Minifigure Stations themselves, which I much prefer.
But sadly, I visited 2 different stores, and wasn’t able to find all the new torsos I wanted, and missed out on 2 characters – which I’m not particularly attached to. Check out this post to see the “proper” BAM Q1 2023 character configurations.
This time, I free-styled a bit more based on what I was able to find, so enjoy this look at the Q1 2023 LEGO Build-a-Minifigure selection, and some of the more interesting torsos, prints and accessories!
What are LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) exclusives?
In case you’re new to this, LEGO have been releasing new (and sometimes exclusives) into Build a Minifigure (BAM) stations that you’ll find at LEGO Stores. These are usually released on a quarterly basis, and are an intentional strategy to attract LEGO and Minifigure fans in-store.
You can customise your minifigures, and select a wig/hairpiece, head, torso, legs, and one accessory for these 3-pack blister packs which cost US$9.99 / AU$19.99.
If you want to get your hands on these, check your local LEGO Store, or if you’re in Australia and can’t get to a LEGO Certified Store, you can order them from the LEGO Certified Store’s website.
Some stores also send these new characters pre-packed, but that depends on your local store policy.
Lunar New Year 2023 Build-a-Minifigure characters
The Lunar New Year is coming up, and to commemorate it, there are 3 new characters introduced, a boy and a girl dressed in traditional Chinese outfits.
The girl’s torso isn’t new, as it debuted in 2022, and the boy’s torso is also repurposed from the Monkie Kid set 80037 Dragon of the East, so feel free to skip these if you already have them.
To commemorate 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit, we do get this new and exclusive blue Rabbit, an all-new recolour! Definitely look out for the Blue Rabbits if you spot a Build a Minifigure station.
There’s a brand new Panda Suit minifigure, which is the most interesting of the trio. There are some subtle changes to the Panda Suit, including a new updated Panda headgear, and a half-zipped up fur suit!
Here’s a look at the back, with some tiny fur tufts for details.
If you like Pandas, this one is a great pickup, as it’s been some time since we’ve had a Panda Suit minifigure, which was last seen in The LEGO Movie Minifigures Series. As you can see, there’s some slight differences with the Panda headgear printing, most noticeably around the eyes, and with the pink ears.
Fireworks Suit Minifigure
Another interesting addition, is a new Fireworks Costume minifigure, which would fit in well with Lunar New Year, as setting off fireworks is a big tradition, but this could also easily double as a New Year-themed minifigure, especially with his orange martini glass.
He’s dressed in a Crayon Costume, which we first saw in LEGO Movie Minifigures Series 2, and has starry streaks printed on the front and back.
Here’s a look at the back of the “crayon”.
Here’s a look at the minifigure under the suit, which has a “new” torso, which was previously available only with purchases of the Meet the Minifigures book. He’s dressed in a bright pink leather jacket, with a skull t-shirt on the inside, and a “TOUR” design motif on the back.
A pretty good pickup if you don’t own the Meet the Minifigure Book as the torso is quite unique.
It’s a little confusing why LEGO would opt for a Crayon Suit, instead of the existing Fireworks Suit from LEGO Minifigures Series 18. Maybe the latter is a retired mould, and not in production any more!
Sea Captain
For some really solid parts, we have this Sea Captain, with the dark green rain jacket, and rain hat from 21335 Motorised Lighthouse, as well as the inclusion of the LEGO Lute which we first saw in Series 22’s Troubadour, and in 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle.
Glad the lutes will be somewhat easier to obtain, and that the outfit from the Motorised Lighthouse also becomes much easier to re-create.
Strawberry Shortcake Costume
For those with a sweet tooth and enjoy creamy cakes, we also get a new Strawberry Shortcake Costume minifigure! She comes with a candy cane, another accessory that I’m glad will be much more accessible (after showing up with Series 23’s Sugar Fairy).
The cake suit is elaborately printed, and I love the graphic design of the strawberries and the buttercream on the outside. I’m quite partial to strawberry shortcakes, so I really appreciate this element being created!
Here’s a look at the back printing of the minifigure – the front and back of the torso share the same yellow and pink psychedelic swirl.
It’s a great companion to last year’s Chocolate Cake Costume minifigure, and it does suggest that we’ll likely see more cake-themed minifigures from BAM in the future!
Small Clown
A new and exclusive minifigure is this small clown, with a gorgeous new two-toned Harley Quinn hairpiece, in pink and coral which is an all-new recolour.
The torso is also new and excitingly, there’s a new brown French Bulldog to be found! I can totally see the French Bulldog being a really popular accessory because of how cute it looks, and how popular animals tend to be.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for this adorable Frenchie!
New Red Boat Costume
I couldn’t find the appropriate torso for the new Red Boat Costume minifigure, so I just slapped it on the small clown, but here’s a look at a red variant of the large boat costume that we first saw in Series 23’s Ferry Captain only months ago.
It’s a really cool new accessory, and very large, so it feels like you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck if you select these new red boats as your accessory.
Rabbit Magician
I’m not sure this is a magician, but she does have a snazzy new teal suit jacket, with a pink lapel and bowtie, which is a brand new torso.
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, so the return of Series 6’s Rabbit Suit headgear in Build a Minifigure Stations is a very welcome move.
Morning Glory Costume Minifigure
With Spring approaching for those in the Northern Hemisphere, we get a new flower-themed minifigure, this time taking inspiration from the Morning Glory family of flowers.
We get a new recoloured flower headgear, as well as some really nice printed details on the front and back of the torso.
We’ve had one previous Build a Minifigure flower exclusive, and together with Series 18’s Flowerpot Girl, it looks like a colourful minifigure garden that’s continuing to bloom.
Orange Brick Suit Minifigure
And last but not least, my pick of the Q1 2023 BAM selection – the all-new Orange Brick Suit minifgure! This will likely be one of the most popular minifigures from this wave, especially for LEGO Minifigure fans that have been diligently collecting these Brick Suit minifigures.
If you’re new to these Brick Suit minifigures, the brick suit is actually the entire torso, and you can select your own legs, and heads to complete the minifigure.
This is LEGO’s 6th Brick Suit Minifigure colour, and now that we’ve got so many of them, I really like how this series is coming together, especially when paired with same coloured wigs.
The Blue and Red ones were from LEGO Minifigures Series 18, the Green is from Series 20, and Teal and Bright Light Blue were from Build-a-Minifigure stations in previous waves.
And they look so good when the Brick Suit minifigures are all clicked and attached to one another!
And that’s it for the LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) Q1 2023 selection. With so many new characters, it almost feels like a complete LEGO Collectible Minifigures series, especially with the wealth of interesting recoloured elements.
That said, 13 is a big number, and I don’t think its necessary to collect ’em all, but instead, pick and choose which exclusive/new torsos and accessories that stand out to you, and hunt those down instead of completing them according to the official configurations.
To check out past releases, check out my older Build-a-Minifigure exclusives reviews!
What do you think of the Q1 2023 BAM minifigures? Have you seen or picked up any of these in the wild yet?
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Build-a-Minifigure: Spring 2022
It is again time for another great review of the build-a-minifigure Spring 2022.
My closest shop is the LEGO Store at the Mall of The Netherlands in Leidschendam (NL). So, also this time I visited it and here we are with the new spring collection from the build-a-minifigure station.
This review is just after the 2021 autumn tour, finally the COVID restriction dropped and all the parts are back in the station. So, you can build the minifigures yourself. Actually, some blisters are already fully assembled, so you can choose.
Since the parts are in the station, you can find some parts of the previous waves, but I choose as much as possible new parts.
In general, in this wave there is a medieval taste with castle theme minifigures. The link with the Castle theme is linked with the 90 years celebration of LEGO and the announcement expected for the LEGOCON 2022, where they will reveal the new LEGO Castle set.
As for the previous releases, I will give you a short description of the minifgures. Maybe, they will give you new ideas for MOCs and stories.
Continue reading and you will find pictures and description of the minifigures.
The Wizard
The first minifigure I want to present in this build-a-minifigure spring 2022 review is the wizard.
It is a new version of the blue wizard, with new print in the torso and legs.
The vest is full of stars and moons patter, it recalls a kind of stereotype of Merlin. A young Merlins with grey air. Actually, I found the minifigure already assembled, but I will change the face for my collection. The torso is detailed also with a pouch, a key, a brown shawl and a pendant.
The pattern and the details continues as well in the back of the minifigure.
It is a new version of the wizard of Minifigure Series 12.
Finally, the accessory is a tan owl with open wings. It is an exclusive of the build-a-minifigure station.
The Silver Falcon Guard
To keep the castle theme feeling, the next minifigure is a soldier of the new faction: Silver Falcon.
The front part has the chain mail with the front part of a red cloak. The legs have the lower part painted black as boots.
The back of the torso has the big silver falcon painted on the red cloak. There is the typical helmet in a new grey color and finally the shield with the falcon.
Of course, in the build-a-minifigure station you can have only one accessory and the shield is a must have. So, if you want to create your army, you have to find swords, bows and spears elsewhere.
The silver falvon minifigures in the BAM allows you to easily create your faction. You can have several at a reasonable price.
The Cowboy/Outlaw
Not a great minifigure, but a nice hat for the cowboy/outlaw minifigure.
In my opinion the minifigure is not so special, however there is the hat of the cowboy of the Minifigure series 18. The torso comes from the Jawa and it is completed with reddish brown legs.
As. kind of cowboy/outlaw the accessory is dynamite, a very well known part.
The Outlaw Girl
There is then the outlaw girl.
She has a nice torso with a mantle on the side which continues also in the back. Then, she has a double face: one with a mask and the other one without.
Very similar to the Chinese woman in the 2022 winter wave, the outlaw girls has a dedicated 2×2 tile with printed the bounty.
Finally, the minifigure has a nice headgear: a combination of hat and hair which recalls Jessie from Toy Story. A similar hat is also in the cowgirl of Vidiyo Series 2.
The Pirate Girl
Another nice minifgure in the build-a-minifigure spring 2022 wave is the pirate girl.
Again, I found it assembled with this pirate-like torso and the tricorn hat with red hair and I didn’t modify it. The tricorn is the same as the pirate girl of the Series 20 or again the pirate singer of Vidiyo Series 2.
The Noble Woman
To conclude the list there is a nobile woman: a lady with an oriental dress.
The body is a purple combination that I lately realised is coming from the karaoke mermaid of Vidiyo series 2, at least the torso. The legs are new and I guess they are an exclusive of the BAM station.
The prints is only in the back of the torso, where there are two Koi fish.
Finally there is the hair part with long hair well comb.
Final thought
Here we are at the end of this short review of the minifigures I found in this build-a-minifigure Spring 2022 station of the LEGO Store.
There are several interesting minifigure, my favourites are the wizard and the silver falcon soldier. As far as the other minifigures, I was not super impressed, but there are several parts in new color combination that looks great for new MOCs.
Among the minifigures there are several parts coming from the Vidiyo series. Of course, some have new color combination, but for others LEGO recycled.
Anyway, I like the build-a-minifigure stations a lot and I like to find new and old minifigures or parts. Luckily I live very close to the official LEGO store and I can get them quite easy, but I understand the concerns of other AFOLs who cannot easily find.
If you like my review and if you already have these minifigures, leave me a comment below. I like to know how you assemble them.
Build a mini что это
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Распродажи LEGO |
| Игра «Собери минифигурку» | |
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LEGO цитатник |
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Журнал «LEGO Самоделки» |
| Мини-каталоги LEGO |
Повсеместно, где открыты официальные магазины LEGO (не важно идет ли речь о Brand Retail или Certified Stores), одним из наиболее популярных вариантов досуга при посещении розничной сети является возможность собрать минифигурки по своему вкусу, которые можно использовать для игры и самоделок или – коллекционировать.
Даже в отечественной сети сертифицированных магазинов имеются соответствующие секции, где представлены на выбор различные детали ног, торсов, голов, причёсок и аксессуаров для минифигурок. И каждый посетитель может собрать любую понравившуюся ему вариацию.
Уникальность деталей Build-A-Minifigure состоит в том, что они обычно не используются в простых наборах, что делает их коллекционными. Я думаю, не ошибусь, сказав, что секция «Собери минифигурку» является самой посещаемой в любом магазине LEGO. Вокруг этих деталей всегда толпится любопытствующий народ.
Кто-то идёт сюда намерено в поисках бесчисленного количества жителей для своих самоделок. Кто-то, случайно зайдя в магазин, коротая время, увидел в этом идею дешёвого и уникального сувенира.
Но последние несколько лет многие фанаты регулярно посещают магазины с целью собрать уникальные и эксклюзивные минифигурки!
Конечно же, базой «Собери минифигурку» являются детали минифигурок, широко представленные в серийных наборах LEGO, чаще городской тематики.
Попадаются (в Европе и США довольно часто) и детали для сбора минифигурок серии Collectable minifigures – тех самых из закрытых пакетиков. Правда собрать полные комплекты серий CMF вряд ли удастся, поскольку в секцию «Собери минифигурку» завозят как правило детали давно вышедших, а не актуальных серий и часто в ограниченном количестве.
Но среди них часто встречаются совершенно особенные вещи. Так, например, привычные детали коллекционных минифигурок могут отличаться цветом принтов, хотя сам рисунок остаётся неизменным. В итоге перед нами вариативный, скажем, торсик, более нигде не встречающийся.
А некоторые детали (в первую очередь торсы) имеют и вовсе уникальные принты, созданные специально для этой секции.
В итоге получается, что секция «Собери минифигурку» позволяет создать довольно уникальные минифигурки, имеющие коллекционную ценность.
Во всем этом массиве отдельно выделяются комплекты минифигурок, созданные для сезонных праздников: Рождества, Дня Святого Валентина, Пасхи и Хэллоуина. Кроме того, сезонные новинки крайне быстро распродаются, и не смотря на большой тираж, это делает их эксклюзивными.
Такие минифигурки в последнее время даже официально относят к серии LEGO Brand Store, поскольку они больше нигде не встречаются ни в представленном законченном виде, ни в целом в каких-то наборах. При чем речь идёт как о минифигурке, так и ее отдельных деталях.
Конечно же, посетители магазина могут варьировать детали любым способом. Никаких ограничений для этого нет.
Но вот придуманные изначально целостные образы фигурок, до того, как их разделили на отдельные детали на радость покупателей, явно достойны пополнить коллекцию фанатов минифигурок. И конечно же их стоит отнести к официальным минифигуркам LEGO, в отличии от кастомных вариаций, которые тысячами и произвольно создают из деталей секции «Собери минифигурку» фанаты по всему миру.