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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

LEGO Bionicle Skull Basher review! set 70793


Ancient undead Bionicle Minotaur deathclap demon GOGO! ^_^

LEGO 2015 Coinbank build & review! set 40155


Many of you saw this in my LEGO S@H haul some weeks back, and finally it has come to life!  Funky little thing, but actually not as good of a set (in my opinion) as I expected.

Videos:

LEGO Bionicle Mask Maker vs Skull Grinder build & review! 70795


The Summer 2015 Bionicle villain wave apparently began appearing in various stores a few weeks ago.  I'm sorry that I'm so frequently so late to the party, but I try to get new releases as quickly as reasonably possible.  Here's my first review from the line.

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay! JW Movie campaign pt. 2 + commentary


Today's LEGO Jurassic World festivities take us through Gyrosphere Valley, the second level in the title movie campaign.
Wanna know a secret?  I finished every campaign level for every movie and collected all of the amber awhile ago.  I just can't publish gameplay videos too frequently, lest I ignite too many flames of viewer protest!

LEGO Juniors Road Work Truck review! set 10683


Now this is one fantastic little set.  Good play value, good "volume of stuff" for the money, and very useful printed parts & first-ever recolors!

Mega Bloks Call of Duty SEAL Sub Recon set review!


One word:  Kinda boring.  Oops, that was two.

Friday, June 26, 2015

LEGO city update & walkthrough Jun. 2015! 246 sq. ft. layout!


In the past two months I've posted six update videos detailing changes in & additions to my layout, section by section.  Today I've put up a rare walkthrough cramming the contents of the entire city into one video :)

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay! JW Movie campaign pt. 1


It's Indominus time!  With Jurassic Park done (the first time through, at least), I've skipped ahead to the actual Jurassic World movie campaign, and so far, it is good.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

LEGO Lada Niva 4x4 custom MOC!


While tensions between the US & Russia have been on the rise in recent months, I've continued to see a lot of support & viewership from Russian LEGO fans, so I decided to do something specifically as a tribute & thanks to them for their support. LEGO over politics!

LEGO Friends Heartlake Skate Park review! set 41099


Yet another summer Friends set (and quite appropriate for the season), with more to come!

Mega Bloks large Build-A-Minion set reviewed!


The moment I saw one of these for sale I immediately began rushing to buy it, even before I had a chance to fully comprehend what I was looking at.  I'm glad I did.  This thing is great.  It's classic cutesy brick-built fun.

LEGO DC Super Heroes Batboat Harbor Pursuit review! set 76034


Welcome Deathstroke to the LEGO minifig universe!  Oh, and Batman's here, too, along with some other character.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

LEGO Ultra Agents Ultrasonic Showdown review! set 70171


Smallest LEGO subtheme release "wave" ever?  Nope, this one has a whole three sets!  I've got one in the pipeline with only two sets yet!

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay - finishing Jurassic Park!


The time has come for one thing to end and another to begin.  Here are the last two narrated gameplay videos for the Jurassic Park (1st movie) campaign in LEGO Jurassic World.  Blog viewers get to see the last one before anyone else :)  Next, I'm happily skipping up to the actual Jurassic World campaign to see how they handle that recent movie and also to pick up some of the really useful unlocks for free play!

Videos:

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Custom LEGO Minecraft Nether realm!


Hard to believe I started showing the first bits of work on this little block of LEGO real estate a full two months ago on Instagram.  My railway drawbridge and the entire LEGO set release season slowed things down, but I got back on track, stacked up the Bricklink hauls and got the first version of my LEGO Minecraft Nether world display, for now. It's 96 studs wide, 96 studs deep, and the walls are 39 bricks high.  I'd estimate around 4,000 parts were used.
(Really wish I hadn't filmed the Magma Cube. Like I said, I threw it together without even looking at a picture of a 'cube for reference, expecting to put it in a dark area in the back left. Argh.)

LEGO Mixels series 5 MAXes! Klinkers, Lixers, Frosticons


Bringing a close to the latest series of LEGO Mixels, here are all three of the Max combinations for the season in one video.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay part 3


Blog viewers get early access to this third gameplay video from the LEGO JW JP1 campaign.  The first half is a bit uninspired in my opinion, but then things steadily pick up, with my favorite moments  all coming in the last 6-7 minutes.

LEGO Friends Heartlake Private Jet review! set 41100


For folks who don't want to spend big bucks on the unwieldy collection of huge, specialized pieces known as set 41109, they made this significantly smaller plane that actually has comparable detailing & passenger capacity!

LEGO Chima Bladvic's Rumble Bear review! set 70225


Bladvic udrya, Bladvic machka!  No?  It's a WWE thing.  Anyhow, here's a summer 2015 LEGO Legends of Chima set review...

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay video #2


Sneaking in another gameplay video here, trying to be a little better than last time.  Ended up a good deal longer than I expected, though.  Had too much fun actually playing the game rather than focusing on the video ;)

LEGO Star Wars 2015 Naboo Starfighter review! set 75092


So, this is a thing LEGO made a long time ago.  They then made it again.  They then made it again, and again, and again.  Now they've made it yet again.  The most recent three versions are all quite very similar in outward appearance, showing that they're operating right near the limits of maximum design prowess, given the constraints of available shapes of pieces.  However, they have managed to continue to squeeze in incremental updates, and I feel this latest rendition really shines as an entire set, not just a recognizable model.

LEGO Friends Pop Star Show Stage review! set 41105


Introducing Livi, the new LEGO Friends character who gets somewhat of a sub-theme of her own this season.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

LEGO Jurassic World gameplay! JP pt. 1 Prologue + commentary


Plenty of folks have asked me to do gameplay videos, but I've been exceptionally reluctant  Finally I decided to give it a try.  Being new to this type of video, I will surely be making a lot of mistakes and need to fix a lot of things & grow a lot over time, just like I've done with my reviews & MOCs.

My intent as usual is to try to find my own style, not following any previously established examples.  What actually feels natural to me is focusing a little extra on the LEGO side of the visuals & gameplay, rather than the well-known scripts of the original source material.  There's just a ton of stuff in these games that anyone & everyone can & has talked about, and I want to bring something less common to the table, if possible.

Do note that this first-ever gameplay video does not mean the end of reviews, MOCs, and my city.  It does not mean I'm turning JANGBRiCKS into a gaming channel.  It's just some much-requested additional entertainment content, the key & operative word being "additional."

Mega Bloks Call of Duty Seal Specialist review


Finally another MB CoD set, but why so tiny, and why something from MW3?  Where are the AW sets already?!

LEGO Jurassic World Gallimimus Trap review! polybag 30320


Promotional polybag time!  In the US, this was a bit of a late release as initially a Gamestop exclusive preorder bonus for the LEGO Jurassic World game.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

LEGO Ninjago Summer 2015 collection - ALL sets together!


And so it comes to this.  With all of the latest wave of Ninjago sets reviewed, I've brought them all together on screen at once for a final recap!

LEGO Jurassic World sets vs. Movie - How'd they do?


This evening my wife & I watched the Jurassic World movie and quite enjoyed the experience.  However, it gave me a 2-hour opportunity to finally compare the LEGO JW sets to the actual source material.  Some things were spot-on, within reason.  Others?  Definitely not!  In this video I take one last look at the sets and give my thoughts on the good & the bad from a perspective of authenticity.

LEGO Ninjago The Cowler Dragon promotional polybag mini-review! set 30294


Major milestone here!  This is the very last of the Ninjago sets for summer 2015, unless they come up with something new by surprise!  I saved the littlest for last :)

LEGO Ninjago Cole's Blaster Bike review! 70733


Yet another summer 2015 LEGO Ninjago set, this one introducing Cole's major vehicle of the season.

LEGO Super Heroes Winter Soldier minifig polybag mini-review


This Marvel universe minifig has been making the rounds for quite awhile, but I just got my first one and thought I'd share a look at the figure inside.

Friday, June 12, 2015

LEGO City Deep Sea Exploration scene - ALL 2015 sets together!


Now here's a video I've been looking forward to presenting for over four months, since the production prototypes of these sets were first revealed!

I've put out all of the Summer 2015 LEGO City Deep Sea Exploration sub-theme sets, with a large simulated seabed forming a cohesive scene with all of the divers & submersibles out collecting salvaging treasures!  Directly above, the ship & plane float on the surface, while the helicopter comes in for a low hover.

My first time coming out of the LEGO dark ages, my favorite sets were those from the Town Divers subtheme, which spawned one of my first semi-serious MOC projects as an adult, an aquarium & oceanography research center (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4).  Imagine how happy I am to have it all come full circle!

All LEGO Ninjago Airjitsu Flyers reviewed!


In this one video you will see the details of each individual LEGO Ninjago Airjitsu flyer in the Summer wave:

  • 70739 Kai
  • 70740 Jay
  • 70741 Cole
  • 70742 Zane
  • 70743 Morro
  • 70744 Wrayth


I show the mechanics & components of one at length, including demonstrating high flights outdoors, then I focus on what makes each other set unique, including the figures, accessories, and exclusive printed plaques.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Custom LEGO Track Geometry Car


This is the fulfillment of a childhood wish!  It's inspired by the Plasser American (now Plasser & Theurer) line of self-powered track recording vehicles that have found use around the world like the EM-50, EM-80, EM-100, etc.  It's not intended to be a replica of any very specific car, though, instead drawing inspiration from a variety of models from the past few decades.

All LEGO City Summer 2015 Space sets together!


With of the summer 2015 LEGO City space exploration subtheme sets reviewed, the last of them has found its predetermined place down at the temporary display area of my city layout.  I think they look quite nice together, but it sure isn't a replacement for Classic Space.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Custom LEGO Batman vs. Superman Batmobile MOC (2nd look)


This is a MOC I originally revealed in September 2014, but given today's feverish worldwide first unveiling of the official 1:1 scale vehicle, I thought it'd be a good time to go back & see how well or poorly I did based on the few incomplete prop teasers & leaks I had for reference back then.

LEGO Friends Heartlake Grand Hotel review! set 41101


New LEGO Friends sets were released in many countries late last month and I'm continuing my review series with another of the BIG sets of the line!

LEGO City Astronaut & Space Utility Vehicle polybag review! set 30315


Another summer 2015 LEGO City sub-theme completed for me, Space this time!  Now I can finish up my quick temporary diorama of all of these together in my city :)

LEGO Ninjago Jay Walker One review! set 70731


Wouldn't you know, Jay Walker's Jay Walker One doesn't walk at all.

LEGO Mixels Series 5 Frosticons Snoof, Krog & Chilbo


Another series wrapped up, the second group we've gotten of Mixels Frosticons.  Given how early official, final series 6 photos showed up, I expect those to pop up in stores before we know it.

LEGO City Deep Sea Scuba Scooter review! set 60090


Finally the smallest of the Summer underwater theme sets, to finish the collection!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Sunday, June 7, 2015

FAQ: Where do I buy from & how do I get sets so "early?"


I buy the sets I review at full price from public retail physical and online stores. I am not given them.  If I have a set, it is released, and you could have bought it just like I did!



Q: Where do you buy from?
  • Amazon.com* (also Amazon.co.ukAmazon.jp, etc.)
  • LEGO Shop* (physical stores + online)
  • Target (physical stores + online)
  • Walmart (physical stores + online)
  • eBay* (be sure enable the 'Worldwide' option in searches)
  • Bricklink.com
  • ToyWiz
  • Items above marked with an asterisk ("*") are are affiliate links, meaning if you choose to click one and then buy something, you will pay normal prices with no additional markup, but I may get a tiny commission (typically around 50 cents), which I'll then usually apply towards the purchase of more sets to review or more parts for MOCs. No store or advertiser paid or even asked me to put these links here -- these are the places actually I buy from all the time, and I proactively chose to sign up for affiliate programs with a few of them.

!! If you cannot find a specific product at one of the above locations, try other places that sell toys, and also keep reading below !!

Q: How do you get sets "early" or before they were originally expected to be released?
  • All of the products you see me review I have bought at full retail price from public stores where anyone & everyone else can (see above).  There's no secret and I do not accept offers of free products to review on my channel before they're released. Period. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying to your face. If I bought an item, you could have bought it too.  When it's new product release season, viewers expect timely reviews. I check stores (both online and traditional) very regularly and aggressively to try to find items as soon as they're available.  Toys are never released at every location in the world at the same time, so if you see me review a set and you can't find it in stores in your region (and you know they stock the product line), just wait, but keep checking everywhere like I do, and it will surely show up.  If you can't find it online, it may have sold out already.  Again, be patient, keep checking, and it should re-appear.
  • Too many people look at the date on shop.LEGO.com (which is just another retail store) as being "the" release date and then refer to any store putting them out before that date as "early."  It's not the case at all.  Only a limited sub-set of licensed themes like Star Wars and new movie-related Super Heroes sets have embargo dates (before which sales are contractually disallowed). Everything else is fair game; once stores have the product, they can (and should) sell it.
Also, do note that LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.  I am not associated in business with Mattel, McFarlane Toys, or any manufacturer. Spread the word!

If you wish to challenge these assertions, please contact the manufacturers yourself to verify these truths at their sources.  I have explained my independent status very clearly and no longer waste my time engaging with conspiracy theorists who wish to assault my character, often for their own personal gain.

DISCLOSURE:  I am NOT under the employ of any of the above companies, and NONE of them have ever paid me to create content for them.

Ninety-Two

- 92 -

That is how many videos I've published on the JANGBRiCKS YouTube channel over the past month. Ninety-two!  Include new content on my Playmobil channel and the total rises to 108.  That's more than three for every single day, Monday through Sunday, every week.  Still another 40 or so brand new summer 2015 LEGO sets on hand to review (with more due to hit stores soon), plus around 25 sets from 2014 & before.

This isn't a marathon.  It's a 10,000 meter sprint!

LEGO DC Super Heroes Jokerland review! set 76035


The last Super Heroes set I reviewed left me scratching my temple, a bit confused and more than a little disappointed.  This one does neither.  This is one heckuva fun set.

Videos:

LEGO Medium Assault Laser Tank - custom MOC reboot


The Planetary Defense Force has not been forgotten!  This here is a re-imagining of one of my first brick-based MOCs of my modern LEGO era.

LEGO Friends Heartlake City Airport review! set 41109


LEGO's largest specialized aircraft pieces are back again, this time in lavender :)