Latest news with #BrickShop
The National
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The National
Review: Can Mattel's new Brick Shop line compete with Lego?
Mattel has released a new Hot Wheels range under its Brick Shop line this year. The collection includes seven buildable vehicles in three sizes, with models aimed at both display and play. All sets use a stud system compatible with Lego bricks. The range consists of the Speed Series, Elite Series and Premium Series. Each set includes a matching 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast car. The Speed Series includes the Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar, Maserati MC20 and '68 Camaro. Each set is in 1:32 scale, contains between 236 and 289 pieces, and is priced at $19.99. The Elite Series includes the Corvette Grand Sport, '90 Acura NSX and '62 Chevy Pickup. These sets are in 1:16 scale, contain between 858 and 918 pieces, and are priced at $49.99. Features include functional steering, opening elements and metal wheel covers. The Premium Series currently consists of one set, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. It is in 1:12 scale, has 1,600 pieces and is priced at $119.99. It includes opening gull-wing doors, metal parts and decals. So how does Mattel Brick Shop match up to Lego when it comes to build quality, diversity of pieces and overall appearance of the finished product? History Lego entered the dedicated display car segment in 2015 with its Speed Champions range, starting with Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche models in six-stud-wide form. A 2020 redesign to eight studs wide allowed for more accurate proportions and detailed interiors. Sets typically cost $24.99 to $29.99 and include 200 to 300 pieces. The change to eight studs brought a significant boost in popularity, with the models now bearing a closer resemblance to their real-world counterparts. For more advanced builds, Lego offers its Icons range (formerly Creator Expert), which has included the Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and, most recently, the Shelby Cobra. These sets generally cost between $150 and $250 and exceed 1,000 pieces, with more complex building techniques and display-focused features. In terms of pricing, Mattel's Speed Series comes in below Lego's Speed Champions, though with slightly fewer pieces, offset by the inclusion of a die-cast bonus car. The Elite Series sits between Speed Champions and Icons, offering larger scale and functional elements at a lower price than comparable Icons models. The Premium Series Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is markedly cheaper than Lego Icons cars of similar scale, while adding metal detailing and a die-cast counterpart. Mattel's previous brick-based Hot Wheels sets, produced under its Mega brand, used a different system with limited Lego compatibility and were aimed at younger children. Build quality Brick Shop sets use standard stud geometry, allowing full compatibility with Lego pieces. Colours and certain specialised parts differ, particularly those with integrated steering or metal detailing. One notable distinction is Mattel's extensive use of bespoke parts created for specific models. Lego seldom produces pieces for a single set, favouring versatility. This approach gives Brick Shop cars a smoother, more realistic appearance – often resembling a solid model rather than an assembly of bricks. Lego's designs, in contrast, embrace the visible brick-built aesthetic. Which should you buy? Mattel's Speed Series and Lego's Speed Champions cater to younger builders and casual buyers, offering enjoyable, compact builds. The Elite and Premium Series, alongside Lego's Icons line, target older hobbyists seeking larger, more complex models for display. At present, Brick Shop sets are more affordable, though they can be harder to find due to high demand. Lego, meanwhile, offers a far broader catalogue, including this year's tie-up with Formula One to produce all ten cars from the 2024 season, as well as film tie-ins such as Fast & Furious and James Bond 's Aston Martin DB5. Verdict As a collector who only began building brick-based cars this year, I regard the arrival of a credible Lego rival as a welcome one. While Lego remains my primary choice, limiting myself to its releases would mean just 15 to 20 builds a year. Mattel's Brick Shop debut offers a well-judged mix of classic and modern supercars in multiple scales to suit different levels of commitment. It has some way to go before matching Lego in stature, but it is well-positioned to appeal even to loyal fans of the Danish brand. For enthusiasts, more competition can only be positive. Lego remains the leader in brick-built cars, but the arrival of Mattel's Brick Shop means that lead may not go unchallenged.
Man of Many
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—19 July, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 19 Jul 2025 |Last Updated: 17 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. The week is over, July is halfway done, and wouldn't you know it—it's time for another round of our Staff Favourites! Each week, we try to show off some things that have brought us some joy in the hopes it'll help you find your own, and this week we're showcasing some delicious Tasmanian whiskey, a pint-sized collectable car, an ape wearing a tie, and some custom Adidas. Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set | Image: Mattel Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production When we posted about the news of Mattel dropping collector-focused brick sets on Man of Many's Instagram, the response was huge, so I took it as my sign to grab a set for myself. I told myself it was for the kids over the school holidays, but let's be real: I'll be the one building it while they watch (and honestly, I'm not mad about it). The build quality is surprisingly impressive. This one features 876 pieces and pays tribute to the iconic '90s ride with incredible attention to detail, from its scissor doors to the classic wedge profile. It's part of Mattel's new Brick Shop range, which also includes the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. All three are loaded with authentic touches and feel way more premium than you'd expect from a brick set. It's definitely got that collector energy, and now I'm tempted to grab the others and complete the set (or quietly drop hints between now and Father's Day wink). Favourite Article this Week: Our First Look at Link and Zelda in 2027's 'Legend of Zelda' Movie Donkey Kong Bonanza | Image: Nintendo Donkey Kong Goes Bananza Dean Blake – Entertainment & Tech Writer Donkey Kong has finally been let out of his cage, and he's literally tearing the scenery apart. In DK's big return to a starring role, he's diving deep into the bowels of the planet in Bananza, the first major single-player system-seller for Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. I got a chance to play a few hours of the game recently, and it was fantastic. DK feels great in the hands (which is no surprise if you've played this studio's prior game, Super Mario Odyssey), and has a number of new abilities in store: he can break the world apart around him, for one, but also climb most surfaces and, when the mood strikes just right, turn into an ostrich. No, I'm not kidding. He can also turn into a zebra and an even bigger ape with bananas in his hair, which is strange but you know, who cares? Doing so gives the big man access to some new abilities, like gliding, sprinting, and bashing things even harder. Oh, and he does it all with a human child on his shoulder. Confused yet? Well, that's just the beginning of where things get whacky with this one, but I don't think I want to spoil much else. Really, if you've already picked up a Switch 2 for Mario Kart you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to check out Bananza—and if you've been on the fence, this is a pretty damn good reason to make the jump to Nintendo's new system. Favourite Article this Week: Does the Nothing Phone (3) Justify its AUD$1,509 Price? Image: Scott Purcell / Man of Many Kicking It with the Three Stripes: Our Night with the adidas Superstar Scott Purcell – Co-Founder This week, Harry and I had the opportunity to head out to the adidas flagship store on Pitt St in Sydney to celebrate the return of a true icon: the adidas Superstar. The new 'Superstar: The Original' campaign is bringing back the legendary sneaker in two classic colourways, alongside the equally iconic Firebird Tracksuit. The global campaign features a star-studded cast including the likes of Missy Elliott, Jennie from BLACKPINK, and is narrated by the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. The event was a super fun getting to customise our own sneakers, and they even offered to embroider the back of our new jackets ahead of the night. In a moment of questionable genius, I opted for 'Man of Many' on mine, which made for some interesting conversations. Others were more clever, with one person getting 'It wasn't me' stitched on the back. While I'm not sure my attempt with a metallic scourer was a complete success as you can see in the photo, I can confirm these shoes are ridiculously comfortable. I've been wearing them all week since and this was my first proper foray into the world of adidas Superstars footwear. I think it's safe to say I'm a convert. Favourite Video this Week: DITL with the Dyson OnTrac Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey | Image: Rosevears Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey Alex Martinez – Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Tasmania's first crack at a bourbon-style whiskey is an ambitious and largely successful effort. Rosevears Batch 1 delivers a bold, grain-forward profile that proudly wears its local ingredients on its sleeve. The nose is rich with sweet corn and toasted cereal, backed by a punch of rye spice and oak. On the palate, it leans into classic bourbon notes – vanilla, caramel, and a touch of char. While it doesn't quite rival the depth of some seasoned Kentucky counterparts, Rosevears impresses with its authenticity and craftsmanship. As a debut, it sets a promising foundation for what's to come from this Tasmanian distillery. One for the curious bourbon enthusiast looking to explore Australian innovation – and why wouldn't you be? Favourite Article this Week: Ninja SLUSHi: The Uber-Cool Drink Maker You Need Right Now
Motor Trend
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Mattel's Brick Shop Is Trying to Get You to Leggo Your Lego Cars
If you haven't built anything out of Lego bricks since you were a kid, you might be surprised to learn how popular Lego is among adults today—and that Lego sets are an appreciating asset. That Lego Land Rover Defender we built (and crashed) a few years ago? It's gone up 12 percent. Our Volkswagen campervan is up 27 percent. Some sets are worth thousands of dollars, and Lego theft is feeding a thriving black market. So can you blame Mattel, the toy company that owns Hot Wheels, for wanting to get in on the action? Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mattel's Brick Shop. The Mattel Brick Shop will focus on cars, at least for starters. Each kit is accompanied by a matching 1:64-scale Hot Wheels vehicle and contains extra parts such as a second set of wheels to allow for a 'custom' version to be built. Brick Shop will offer kits in three levels of complexity. The Hot Wheels Speed Series, similar in scope to Lego's Speed Champions, will be the simplest, with 250 to 300 pieces in each 1:32-scale set. Initial offerings will include a Cadillac GTP racing car, Maserati MC20, and a hot-rodded '68 Chevy Camaro. The Elite Series of 1:16-scale cars contain 850 to 925 pieces and will start with a Corvette Grand Sport, a 1990 Acura NSX (at top), and a custom 1962 Chevrolet pickup. Top of the line is the Premium Series, which will offer a single 1,600-piece kit of a 1:12-scale Mercedes 300 SL with opening gullwing doors. Technically, Mattel is already a Lego competitor; they sell a Lego-compatible building toy called Mega Bloks, and they've even offered a Mega Blok car with a Hot Wheels tie-in. So what separates their new Brick Shop car models from other Mega Blok kits—or from a certain well-known Danish brand? Mattel tells us the new Brick Shop kits will have better brick fit than the current Mega Blok kits, which are designed to be easy for young kids to pull apart, similar to Lego's Duplo line. The new sets will have improved assembly instructions and will include metal parts, which also differentiates them from Lego sets. A look at the Brick Shop models shows a lot more custom shapes than you'll find in the Lego universe, which we think would affect the mixing-and-matching that gives Lego sets their unique look. It's hard to imagine how the Brick Shop pieces that recreate unique hood-to-fender crease of a 1962 Chevrolet pickup would be much use in building the vault at Gringott's. Now, if you or your kids are into Lego sets, you know how pricey they can be. A simple 250-piece Lego F1 racing car retails for $27, the 950-piece Ford Bronco lists for $65, and the 1,400-brick Technic Nissan Skyline GT-R goes for $140. Mattel's sets will be priced slightly lower, with Speed Series kits retailing for $19.99, Elite Series at $49.99, and the Premium Series priced at $119.99. (At least, that's the suggested retail price; is offering early access to the Speed Series Cadillac GTP racer at $21.59 and the Elite Series Corvette at $53.99.) Of course, Lego cars can go for a lot more. The 2,900-piece Lego Mercedes G500, with an articulating suspension, working gearbox and lockable differentials, and animated engine, sells for $250, while the top-of-the-line 3,800-piece Ferrari Daytona SP3 and 3,900-piece McLaren F1 list for $450. Mattel doesn't have anything that complicated in their lineup, but if the Brick Shop is successful, who knows? Maybe there's a 4,000-piece Ford Lightning pickup with working electric motors in Brick Shop's future. For now, though, Mattel expects the first Brick Shop kits to arrive in retail stores this summer.
