BlockTales

Yep, from the same forum that brought you the Annual Caption Contest - It's the Build a Minifig - Mobile contest. Sadly, I couldn't judge this one but it's rules are simple: Build a vehicle for one the new Series 2 Collectable Minifigures to drive! If you win in your category, you win the minifigure and you are legible for the Grand Prize!

Also, whenever you refresh the page the banner changes!

I found this delightful new flash game on the interwebs. Well, it's not really a game, but a method of settling fights. You create a character and challenge me at this link and then become my pupil. Eventually, you will get more weapons, attributes and maybe even your own pupils!

At the beginning of the year (Or earlier in US Toys 'R' Us') a new deal with Disney spouted out the Toy Story line of toys. One of the larger sets in the first wave is this weeks review. It's 7592 - Construct-a-Buzz!

Buzz is essentially a Maxi-fig, as shown by his joint-less elbows. That button isn't a sticker by the way.

The centre Star Command Logo isn't either, although the Blue/Green/Red Buttons, the Name-tag and the Big Red Button are.

There is a exclusive recoloured piece in the set although it's invisible when Buzz isn't split into two.

The Martian Minifig is also very welcome.

The spare parts, though fairly standard pieces, are saved by their rare colours.

To infinite and beyond!

The Verdict

This set shouldn't really count as a set. It is more for show than for play and by now you could get the Martian in a variety of different sets. It's not a bad value for money either. The set is completely down to opinion from now on.

Yes! It's that time again! It's the BlockTales Set Reviews! And this week, we at BlockTales are reviewing the Lego Star Wars set, 7749 - Echo Base!

Here is an action shot of the set.

Here are the minifigs in a rather generous affair. Two Rebel Soldier, Two Snowtroopers and Han Solo in a Eskimo coat.

Here are the Rebel Soldiers and I am was surprised to find that the Rebels have the new Rebel Hoth visor, a piece that I believed to be exclusive to the Rebel Hoth Battle Pack.

And in a strange twist, it seems that Han Solo has a play feature! Notice the pulled down hood on the torso.

When you put on the hood, the pulled down hood disappears! What do you mean that's not impressive?

Here is the Tauntan. It is almost 100% exclusive pieces.

Here is the Tauntan. It is 100% exclusive pieces.

It has rather good facial features. Four nostrils. Bumps on the forehead.

It also features the same saddle hole as the lego horses.

Here is the Snowtrooper Turret. Rather impressive building techniques with the transparent base at work.

Here is the base of the Hoth Turret. It's modular so it can be placed in different places around the snow-mound.

It opens rather smoothly so you can place a gunman inside.

The top also opens to put someone on top.

I can't really get a good action pic of the firing gimmick so here is the picture on the box.

Here is the mechanism for the firing, complete with rare trans-blue knob (for wish of a better word). Nice to see that TLG caters for those who disassemble for parts.

Even the Snow mound has a play feature. You press this button here...

And then whoever is standing there is flung back as if they had just become victims to a concussion grenade.

There is a rather useful pile of spare parts with this set.

Including a new Rebel Hoth Visor.

The Verdict:

This set is bountiful with play features as well as brilliant parts. Overall a great set for about £20. Fully recommended, if you can find it that is.

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Random Points of Interest

I feel that this graphic on the box it too cool not to notice.

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Pre-Building Features

Is this piece new? There are several of these previously unseen pieces in this set.

Here is the Pre-Built Tauntan. I couldn't help but picture it.

Ah, Saturday noon and I have nothing to do - so I am going to be kind! This time we have one of the Star Wars 2010 launch sets: 8084 - Snowtrooper Battle Pack!

Here's the entire built set. Quite a bit for £9.99.

Here are the minifigures. Two more Snowtroopers for my army plus an Japanese Soldier FROM SPACE and a new AT-AT driver. All armed with something. It's quite uncommon for this many minifigures in a normal £9.99 set but of course, this is a battle pack.

Both the new figs have back printing. I suppose the Snowtrooper doesn't count but its useful to see what the back of his helmets like.

After some quick experimentation, it seems the the Japanese Soldier has a new faceprint. The one on the right is the Japanese Soldier's face and the one on the left is the common one. Spooky.

This is the Snowtrooper and his Swoop Speeder (Yes, that's the canon name!) Interestingly, the Swoop's build is identical to that of the one in the Battle of Endor set - Just recoloured.

This is the small outpost. It's a very simple build but works.

What really bugs me though is this gap here. WHAT IS IT FOR?!

This is the flick-fire cannon which, despite my hatred for flick-fires, looks quite cool. Especially with the two flick-fire pieces.

The spare parts are quite a standard affair.

The Verdict:

This set is a brilliant battle pack with two brand new exclusive minifigures. Well worth the £9.99. That's if you can actually find it any more.

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Random Stuff:

On a totally different note, the picture of the box with the minifig scale is exactly perfect!

And also, why shouldn't I be allowed to buy this set? Shouldn't it just be '8+'?