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CNN
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
The power of the brick
The power of the brick In this episode of Underscored Explores, we dive into the creative and captivating world of Lego, the iconic building blocks that have sparked imaginations for generations. With something for every age, skill level and interest, Lego has become more than just a toy; it's a culture. We meet passionate fans who've taken their love of Lego to the next level, from builders who've turned their hobby into a career to collectors with mind-blowing brick creations. Our journey takes us inside Lego's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, where we hope to capture some of the magic that fuels this global phenomenon.
CNN
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
The power of the brick
The Lego obsession and the power of the brick In this episode of Underscored Explores, we dive into the creative and captivating world of Lego, the iconic building blocks that have sparked imaginations for generations. With something for every age, skill level and interest, Lego has become more than just a toy; it's a culture. We meet passionate fans who've taken their love of Lego to the next level, from builders who've turned their hobby into a career to collectors with mind-blowing brick creations. Our journey takes us inside Lego's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, where we hope to capture some of the magic that fuels this global phenomenon.
CNN
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Lego's annual summer wave is here with 107 new sets. These are the 5 kits I'm building
The largest wave of new Lego sets in 2025 has just landed for August. While summer may be winding down over the next few weeks, Lego is just getting started with the season by launching its annual summer collection complete with a fresh batch of Star Wars starfighters, life-like botanical builds, motorized trains and so much more. But as someone who owns hundreds of Lego sets herself, there are only so many of the product launches I can consider buying or recommending. And with 107 new kits to keep in mind for August 1, I'm diving in to break down what's new, what I've already purchased and what I think is worth building. To start off August, I got up and ran to the Lego store to pick up some of these new sets that just landed on store shelves. It should be no surprise to see the latest from Lego Star Wars make the cut, but I also am ready to build new flower kits and the latest Transformers model. Lego Star Wars Jango Fett's Starship It's not an exaggeration when I say that I've been waiting over a decade for this set to come out. Lego hasn't released this starfighter from "Attack of the Clones" since back when Episode II first hit theaters over 20 years ago. The wait was worth it, as this was the first set I started assembling today. Love the details and the three included minifigures that are new for 2025. Lego Botanicals Hibiscus There's a new flower landing in the Lego Botanicals collection today with the first-ever Hibiscus model. I instantly fell in love with the unique pieces and interesting building techniques that allow this kit to stack up to a gorgeous display piece. It stands over 14 inches tall and includes 660 bricks. Lego Arcade Machine Lego has been stealing headlines lately for its gaming-inspired builds, like the new Game Boy set it just announced. This month, there's a new arcade machine kit that's even more appealing in my eyes. It features 468 pieces that assemble into a an arcade cabinet build that splits open to reveal a detailed gamer's room inside. Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees The last time Lego released a buildable bonsai tree, I ran out to buy the set the day it came out. Lego must know these Botanicals kits are my weakness, because there's a new kit on sale for August that includes a trio of mini bonsais. There's a ginkgo bonsai tree with yellow leaves, a black pine bonsai tree with green needles and a wisteria bonsai tree with hanging lilac flowers — all of which include their own miniature planter. Lego Icons Transformers: Soundwave Lego has been partnering with Hasbro to release these brick-built Transformers for years, and I am still shocked by just how amazing they are. Past ones like Optimius Prime and Bumblebee have been able to actually morph between car and robot modes, and this new Soundwave kit improves the process with an all-new audio brick that brings the Decepticon and his cassette player mode to life. Alongside all the new kits that I've actually picked up today, there are quite a few others I'll be looking into getting later in the year. After all, Lego gifts are always on my mind going into the winter holidays. Below, I'm shining the spotlight on some new collaborations with TV shows like 'One Piece,' kits straight out of video games like Fortnite and even highly detailed historic castle models. Lego Batman Forever Batmobile After seeing "Superman" earlier this summer, I am sold on future DC projects. But before I get too ahead of myself, this Lego set is here to take a look back at the Batman Forever movie from the late 1990s. It assembles a retro version of the Batmobile complete with a unique version of Bruce Wayne based on his appearance in the film. Lego One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship I can't believe that Lego is finally making anime-inspired sets. But the August wave of summer sets are here and so is a whole lineup of kits from the live action "One Piece." The Straw Hats' iconic pirate ship, The Going Merry, is easily my favorite from the collection. The five entirely new minifigures, nearly 1,400 included bricks and overall size of the model make this one of 2025's best kits and a solid value for fans of the Netflix show and original anime alike. Lego City Explorers' Arctic Polar Express Train Most Lego fans can agree that the company doesn't release enough trains. So when new kits like this incredible Arctic Polar Express Train do hit store shelves, it's worth highlighting. The $210 price tag may seem high for a kit with only 1,517 pieces, but it does include the motorized locomotive, plenty of track pieces for a customizable layout and six minifigures. Lego Speed Champions Lamborghini Revuelto and Huracán STO Speed Champions is back with another garage of brick-built supercars this month, which come headlined by this pair of Lamborghinis. I can't decide if I like the orange Revuelto or the blue Huracán STO better, but either one includes immaculate details that car enthusiast and Lego fans will both appreciate. Lego Creator 3-in-1 Medieval Horse Knight Castle Whether you remember building the original knights sets as a kid or you're just a fan of all things medieval, Lego Castle fans can rejoice this month. This nearly 1,400-piece castle includes can be assembled into three different models including the titular fortress, a jousting arena and a medieval town. Regardless of which build you assemble, there are six minifigures and two horses in the kit. Lego Fortnite Mecha Team Leader I am such a sucker for Lego Mecha. I've gone on record before saying that if the company makes a buildable robot, I am likely going to end up buying it. Since I just picked up the Soundwave figure above, this one is going to have to wait. This Fortnite set has still caught my eye, and assembles one of the tallest mechs the company has ever dared to make at nearly 18 inches tall, and backs it with posable limbs and a colorful design inspired by Voltron. Lego Neuschwanstein Castle For older Lego builders, the company's Architecture theme makes some of its most enticing kits. This new Neuschwanstein Castle set certainly fits the bill, with over 3,400 bricks that assemble into a detailed recreation of the iconic Bavarian castle. Lego Technic Volvo EC500 Hybrid Excavator One of the most expensive Lego sets in all of 2025, this Volvo excavator backs up its steep price tag with over 2,300 pieces to assemble this detailed and technically impressive construction tool. Motorized features also help make the price seem better, as they can recreate the real vehicle's operating arm features. There's also opening cabin doors, moving tracks and a rotating excavator body. Lego Star Wars Battle of Felucia Separatist MTT The summer wave of Lego sets includes several Star Wars builds, like this MTT vehicle. I wish I had room in my collection to buy this one right away, but it's definitely one of the kits I'll be eyeing for later on in the year. I adore the Battle Droid rack that deploys from the front and the slick blue and grey color scheme. The $160 is on the higher end, but the moment this goes on sale for the first time, I know I won't be able to stop myself from picking it up. Lego Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene It's been ages since Lego has made any kits based around the original "Spider-Man" movies starring Tobey Maguire. This one recreates one of the trilogy's most iconic moments, as Peter Parker tries to stop a subway train from crashing off the tracks. Being a comic book fan in New York City makes this set even cooler for me and is one I'll have to add to my Lego city sooner than later. Lego may release new sets periodically throughout the year, but the January New Year's launches and August waves some the most exciting. Known as its summer collection, this month has the largest lineup of new kits in all of 2025 so far. Unfortunately for Lego fans like myself, there are more kits worth your cash than ever, so narrowing down the 107 new releases to just 15 recommendations is tough. But when you have a Lego collection as large as mine, you have to pick and choose which kits are worth not just your money but also the physical space to display. Here at CNN Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don't just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. In the case of this shopping guide for the new 2025 Lego sets, you're getting recommendations from a lifelong Lego fan. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has been building Lego since before she could form full sentences. She has also been writing about Lego professionally for nearly a decade and has been collecting kits for almost twice as long. Altland is constantly buying new kits, so when she says she loves a kit and thinks it's worth buying, she's putting her money where her mouth is.
CBS News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
New Lego-themed store builds buzz in Sacramento's greenhaven neighborhood
Legos remain popular eight decades after they were first made, and now a new store is opening in Sacramento. We got an inside look at the newest place to play. Dylan Anderson is the general manager of a new Lego-themed store called Bricks and Minifigs in Sacramento's Greenhaven neighborhood. The store has shelves full of new products and will buy, sell, and trade used Legos. The variety seems endless, from pirates and Harry Potter to Fortnite and floral arrangements. Some Lego sets actually go up in value and are worth more than a thousand dollars. The grand opening is this weekend, but Lego fans of all ages are already coming in to take a look. "You're putting all these little pieces together, and eventually, it becomes something big and something that you can show off to everybody," one man said. The store has a community room where people can hold Lego parties and classes. They're also hoping to work with local schools to teach science and engineering lessons using Legos. "We can teach tensile strength, we can teach longitudinal rigidity or any other engineering concept," Anderson said. Whether it's picking up a handful of Legos in the bulk bin or starting a new set from scratch, there are countless ways to begin building memories. "You're imagination is the limit," Anderson said. Bricks and Minifigs is located in the Bel Air shopping center on Rush River Drive. The grand opening is this Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Nintendo's Game Boy Lego set is proof that nostalgia is serious business
The first Game Boy hit the market in 1989 and helped create a market for portable video games. Years later, in 2025, Nintendo is bringing back the iconic Game Boy – this time in the form of a Lego set. It's a 421-piece set that, when built, resembles a near 1:1 scale replica of Nintendo's iconic handheld console. The set includes buildable Game Pak cartridges for Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. It will be released on October 1 for $60 and is available for preorder at the Lego Store in the US. The original Game Boy was a game-changing system for Nintendo and the broader gaming industry. It became one of the most successful portable consoles of its time, making it possible for people to play video games on the go. In fact, the Game Boy set the template for every handheld console that followed. The Lego Game Boy set closely mirrors the original, featuring a D-pad, A and B buttons, and Start and Select buttons. It also includes contrast and volume dials on the sides. You can choose from three display options: a Nintendo start screen or gameplay scenes from the two included games. The first system in the Game Boy lineup had a two-inch screen and ran on an 8-bit processor. It looked chunky and came in a think grey coloured body. It used four AA batteries, allowing players to game anywhere. Although its black-and-white graphics weren't cutting-edge, the console helped establish a market for portable gaming, much like what the Walkman did for portable music players or the iPhone did for smartphones. Two key reasons for the Game Boy's success were its durable design and a massive library of games. In the US, Nintendo bundled Tetris with the console, and the game quickly became a sensation, attracting a new wave of consumers to gaming for the first time. Tetris proved to be a massive hit, selling 35 million units alongside the Game Boy. Other early titles that helped make the Game Boy popular included Super Mario Land, Alleyway, Baseball, and Tennis. The original Game Boy sold 1 million units within a few weeks of its release. While the Game Boy was a surprise hit, Nintendo didn't expect the device to achieve such massive commercial success. Even today, the Game Boy is instantly recognizable from a distance, much like the iPod. Game Boy has a prominent place at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C Developed by a team led by Satoru Okada and Gunpei Yokoi in Kyoto, the Game Boy is one of the finest examples of Yokoi's philosophy of 'lateral thinking with withered technology'—a do-more-with-less design principle that still defines Nintendo's approach today. It was designed to be simple, intuitive, and easy to use, requiring no training or prior knowledge to operate. With four buttons and a cross-shaped directional pad, you could start playing a game instantly as soon as you turned it on. Thanks to its greyscale screen, the battery could last for days of play. Its durable design made it sturdy enough to survive in the hands of kids and it would probably still work today. The Game Boy lineup, which spanned many models, went on to sell over 120 million units. Its success was so monumental that Nintendo capitalized on the portable form factor and effectively created an entirely new category of handheld gaming systems. Without the original Game Boy, there would be no Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, or even the Switch, all consoles designed to be played in the portable form factor. What made handheld consoles like the Game Boy so popular, and ultimately mainstream, was their exclusive library of games, titles that remained exclusive to Nintendo systems. The Lego Game Boy kit isn't Nintendo's first collaboration with the Lego Group. In the past, the two companies have teamed up to create a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) kit with a retro television, as well as Legend of Zelda and Super Mario-themed sets. The NES kit included a replica of the console, a game cartridge, a controller, and a TV, adding up to 2,646 bricks and carrying a hefty price tag of around $230. 👊 Now you're playing with power. Brick Power! #LEGO #LEGOGameBoy Pre-order today: — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 24, 2025 Both brands, Nintendo especially, thrive on nostalgia, re-releases, and remakes. The key market here is driven by a demographic shift: the first generation of consumers who were teens during the late '80s and early '90s are now entering their mid-thirties and forties. Nintendo understands how to market its products to this audience, with nostalgia playing an important role. Its distinctly Japanese identity, along with Japan's broader influence on global pop culture, also played a major role in the popularity of Nintendo's games and consoles in the West, particularly in the US and Europe. In recent years, Nintendo's reach has expanded, and its popularity has surged, attracting a new generation of consumers thanks to the success of the Switch and the company's efforts to diversify its business by entering new markets like theme parks and movies. However, the biggest reason Nintendo remains relevant is that the Kyoto-based company caters to a broad demographic, and its games are still fun to play and consistently maintain high quality. Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: ... Read More
