Super Mario Lego Gets Some Power Ups!

Super Mario Lego Gets Some Power Ups!

Lego revealed some new details about their upcoming Super Mario theme. The bluetooth enabled Mario figure will be getting a variety of Power-Up Packs. These represent a small selection of the various suits that Mario has worn through the years. There is the original power up, the Fire Suit from Super Mario Bros (1985). A bit more recent is the Propeller Suit form the New Super Mario Bros (2009). The Cat Suit from Super Mario 3D World (2013). And the most recent, the Builder Suit which first appeared in Super Mario Maker (2015). Each one of these power ups give the Lego Mario some new powers. For instance the Cat Suit lets Mario earn coins by climbing up walls. It also seems that these packs also include unique sounds and animations. If this theme takes off the next round of Power-Ups should be interesting. Something from Super Mario Odyssey perhaps? Lego has a release date set for August 1st for these, so get saving now!

You can watch and learn more about these Power Ups and the Mario Suits below or over here: https://youtu.be/poS9QqFSTuo

Take A Spin With This Lego Solar System

Take A Spin With This Lego Solar System

The solar system is a magnificent display of physics and gravity. Huge planets spinning around the sun, each in their own orbit. Somehow not hitting each other in the process. Models that show how the solar system moves over time (an Orrery) can be extremely complicated. This Lego MOC of the Solar System is created by Thomas Rodger. There is a lot of math involved in trying to get the speeds of the planets as accurate as possible. And, that is with out Pluto! The designer has figured that this Lego Orrery is about 96.5% accurate. It uses one power functions motor to drive everything, which adds up to be about 4,000 Lego pieces. There are instructions on how to build this yourself that have been made available, but if you need to buy everything it will cost around $350-$600. Even though a lot of the pieces are common and cheap, there are some extremely rare ones found in the gear rack system. A very interesting note, is that brand new gears are needed. As any wear and tear will effect how this model works. Make sure to check out the video to see it in action!

You can find out more about this model, and how to get instructions on how to build it over here: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-38774/jollyrodger/8-planet-solar-system/

There is a neat video showing just how this Lego Solar System works, go watch it below or over here: https://youtu.be/CvNbTaAXOz4

A Motorized Lego Lighthouse

A Motorized Lego Lighthouse, Day and Night

A lonely lightkeeper keeping all those ships from crashing into nearby rocks is a job for the most hardy. After months alone a shift change is eagerly awaited. This Lego Lighthouse is created by Roses Must Build. The main feature of this build is that a lightbrick mounted in the tower can be turned. A hand crank is hidden among the rocks, but the whole model is cleverly wired up for Power Functions. Hiding behind one of the rocks you can access a hidden door that controls the Lighthouse. Make sure to check out the video below to see it work. This scene has been built in nano-scale so that a sense of imposing loneliness can be properly portrayed. For shift changes, and supply refills a short dock can be used. Built into the rocky island are some precarious stairs leading up the island. On top you can find a very classic cozy house, and attached Lighthouse, all in classic red and white colors.

A Motorized Lego Lighthouse, Lightkeeper

You can go find more details about this motorized lighthouse over on Lego Ideas: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/a8055a23-30d5-45a4-b046-7f5988722a3f

And, make sure to check out the video below, or over here: https://youtu.be/5W0N48JURiQ

The Lego Friends Visit Animal Park!

The Lego Friends Visit Animal Park! Lego Zoo MOC, Dolphins

Animal Park is a huge Lego creation built by Anne Mette Vestergård and Lasse Vestergård. This Lego Friends styled Zoo is full of plants and animals. Originally created in 2015, Animal Park got an update in 2020. The new version features new animals and new plants that were released after 2015. Animal Park was recently on display at Lego World in Copenhagen, Denmark. This is one of those massive Lego models that is best seen in person.

The Lego Friends Visit Animal Park! Lego Zoo MOC, Bears

Just like many theme parks and zoos around the world, this park features a train circling its border. Once inside the Lego Friends can enjoys a water show by the entrance fountains. Afterwards they can grab a bite to eat in the food court. Pizza is always a good choice!

The Lego Friends Visit Animal Park! Lego Zoo MOC, Polar Bears

This Lego zoo has all the animals. The bears are enjoying some fish, while the polar bears and their cubs are also having a fish snack. The penguins and seals seem happy, but may be a bit jealous watching the bears eat.

Lego Friends Zoo MOC, Detail

The Friends might spot some elk, a pack of wolves, some hungry panda bears, a few giraffes, some turtles, a flock of flamingos, and even some deer. Basically, any and all of the Lego animals are here.

Lego Friends Zoo MOC, Food Court Pizza

There are even a few secrets to look out for. Olaf from Frozen is hiding around the park, as is Sweet Mayhem from the Lego Movie 2. Before you finish the day, make sure to visit the ferris wheel, and catch a ride on the train!

The Lego Friends Visit Animal Park! Lego Zoo MOC

You can find more photos, and details about this Lego Animal Park over here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/74909731@N02/49863314732/

There is even a short video tour, although it is the original version of the park. You can find that below or over here: https://youtu.be/9f83t3Sv1WA

An Epic Imperial Outpost On Endor — Lego Star Wars

An Epic Imperial Outpost On Endor — Lego Star Wars

In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the Imperial Outpost on Endor is the location of the shield generator protecting the new Death Star. On the ground the Ewoks and Rebels fight to shut down the outpost, while the Imperials try to defend. This location has been recreated in Lego in Minifigure scale. The Lego Imperial Outpost is created by Maciej Szymański. The finished build features thousands and thousands of bricks. There are multiple giant trees, the landing pad, an Imperial Shuttle (Lambda-class T4a), an AT-AT Walker, two AT-ST Walkers, multiple speeder bikes, and a whole lot of Stormtroopers.

An Epic Imperial Outpost On Endor — Lego Star Wars — AT-ST

The Imperial Outpost is completely wired with multiple electric and mechanical features. The whole base is lit up at night with LEDs, which are all hidden away. No cords in sight on Endor. The Imperial Shuttle features raising wings, working landing gear, an opening ramp, and the shuttle can take off and land on the platform. The mechanical stuff is all achieved with well hidden Lego Power Functions motors. Check out the video below to see it all in action.

An Epic Imperial Outpost On Endor — Lego Star Wars — Shuttle At Night

The scale of this build is massive. The end model is over four feet tall. Beginning with the first plan the construction of this Lego build took around 13 years. This epic outpost is a finished build, there are no plans to recreate the bunkers, generators, or massive radar dish. It would triple the size, and become too unwieldy for a single person. Let alone the cost…

An Epic Imperial Outpost On Endor — Lego Star Wars — Designer

You can find a whole lot of photos and more information about this Imperial Outpost over here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmaclego/albums/72157629127778577

If you want to see video showing off the lights, power functions and every angle you can check it out below, or over here: https://youtu.be/6cAc_P6rn6o

Compile Code With This Lego Automaton

Compile Code With This Lego Automaton

Spending all day writing code can be a lonely experience, so why not build your own little office worker. You can watch him work all day, instead of doing your work. This is the “Office Worker Lego Automaton” created by JK Brickworks. This little build features one office worker, one office chair, a PC style computer tower, a monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, desk, mug, headphones, and a potted plant. All the stuff you need to compile code, pivot excel spread sheets, or play Doom. This Lego build is also an automaton. You can turn the crank and watch the little worker type. The design can even be motorized so he can work on his own. A neat feature is that the vignette can be modified to reflect your own settings. You can easily add duel monitors, change to a standing desk, change the speakers, change the potted plant, and modify the appearance of the worker. So compile code, commit to GitHub, and start debugging now with this Lego automaton.

Compile Code With This Lego Automaton - Office Worker - Instructions

A full set of instructions for building your own Lego Office Worker have been provided by JK Brickworks here: https://jkbrickworks.com/office-worker

There is even a full video showing off all the features, automation, and customizable options below, or over here: https://youtu.be/VpZxTXKQ6C4

Great Scott! A Lego Back To The Future Tensegrity Build

Great Scott! A Lego Back To The Future Tensegrity Build

Emmet Brown would approve of combining Lego and Tensegrity Sculptures. The concept of a system of tension that can support itself, while not actually interacting with itself is a neat idea. They often create optical illusions where heavy things can appear to be floating. This Lego Delorean is perfectly balanced and is ultimately being help up by just three strings. There have been some basic versions of this trick, but lately they have been more and more complicated/themed. This Lego Back To The Future Tensegrity build is the creation of hachiroku24. The theming is great. The base depicts part of a road, and the unpaved shoulder on the side. With Marty on a brick built hoverboard. He is connected to one of the stings, which is a clever way to make him look like he is really hovering. In the end this is a perfect way to display a Lego Back to the Future 2 themed Delorean.

You can find this “Tensegrity Delorean” over here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hachiroku24/49806179978/

A neat bonus is that hachiroku24 has provided video instructions on how to build this yourself. Showing how the support structure is built, and even showing how to balance everything at the end. Check out the video below, or over here: https://youtu.be/9HjtvKjwe0k

You Encountered A Lego Shiny Charizard!

You Encountered A Lego Shiny Charizard!

The Lego Shiny Charizard may be the rarest Pokémon of them all. Most Pokémon can be caught easily as long as you know where they are hiding. But, every once in a while you might see a super rare shiny version. These alternate color versions pop up so rarely that you may only catch one or two while playing the video game. This Lego Shiny Charizard is created by Tiago Catarino. They put in around 2,500 Lego pieces into this model. The stand out features are the brick built wings, and the flaming tail. The designer mentions creating an orange version of the Charizard, but only if their YouTube video gets enough likes.

You Encountered A Lego Shiny Charizard! Tail.

You can find (and capture) this Lego Charizard over here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/catarino0937/49813141216/

And, if you want to see a video with all the details, you can find that below, or over here: https://youtu.be/_J-6nRQOHyI

Zoom Around On This Life-Sized Lego Go-Kart

Zoom Around On This Life-Sized Lego Go-Kart, Mantis Hacks

Sometimes you get a crazy idea and just happen to have the rights tools to make that idea a reality. Over at Mantis Hacks they started with the idea to recreate a Technic Go-Kart model at five times the normal scale. The end result was huge but still not large enough for a human to use. For round two they made a few modifications and increased the scale to 8.34. After a lot of 3D printing (3 different printers!) and a lot of patience the Lego model was ready to go. A little bit of help with some glue and a few steel pieces the finished Go-Kart looks great. All the bits and pieces fit together, steering works, and the wheels turn. With a few planned modifications the Lego Go-Kart will eventually get an electric motor.

Life-Sized 3D Printed Lego Go-Kart, Mantis Hacks

Check out the full Lego Go-Kart YouTube video showing how everything was made and put together below or over here: https://youtu.be/Ae7XLg3RFWY

GLaDOS, Chell, And Wheatley – Portal 2 Lego

GLaDOS, Chell, And Wheatley - Portal 2 Lego

Lego Dimensions had a bunch of surprise licenses. One of their best was the Portal video game set. It featured a Minifigure of Chell, a Turret, and a Companion Cube. But, that little set left many people hoping for more. Thats why it is great to see the Lego Ideas submission called “Portal 2 – GLaDOS vs Chell and Wheatley” make its way to the top. This Lego build features the computer GLaDOS which is currently in charge of the Aperture Science Enrichment Center. Things have gone a bit poorly so Chell and Wheatley are there to make things better (or worse). GLaDOS is fully detailed, and yet surprisingly movable. There is even a hidden cake if you can find it. A Companion Cube and Turret compliment the scene which you can see in the video below.

GLaDOS, Chell, And Wheatley - Portal 2 Lego

Check out this Lego Portal 2 Lego Ideas submission over here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/83253ca7-1e0f-4a9d-afff-0de146cd1a16

Also check out this short video showing off the submission below or here: https://youtu.be/sdzp3Uw1hdo