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  • Review: LEGO The Simpsons Krusty Burger #10352 – Fast Food Fun in Brick Form

    Review: LEGO The Simpsons Krusty Burger #10352 – Fast Food Fun in Brick Form

    Review: LEGO The Simpsons Krusty Burger #10352 – Fast Food Fun in Brick Form

    Fans of The Simpsons finally have a chance to add one of Springfield’s most iconic landmarks to their LEGO collection with Krusty Burger #10352. At 1,635 pieces, this build captures the humor and charm of the long-running series while packing in plenty of clever details that bring the restaurant to life. This is Lego’s 3rd major Simpsons release following The Simpsons House and Kwik-E-Mart Both of which are now long retired and both of which have become Very valuable collectors items.

    From the outside, Krusty Burger is instantly recognizable. The bright colors pop just as they do in the show. The separate giant Krusty Burger sign is a standout feature, looming over the restaurant just like it does in Springfield—a perfect mix of tacky and iconic that fans will love. Adding to the authenticity, “El Barto” graffiti is spray-painted on one of the exterior walls, a cheeky nod to Bart’s alter ego that gives the set extra personality. A working drive-thru window rounds out the exterior, making the build feel complete. This set is modular meaning it sits well on display both with other modular sets in a city like display or alone by itself.

    El Barto

    Inside, LEGO has packed the restaurant with terrific little touches that make this set shine. On one of the tables, you’ll find a Krusty Burger and a serving of fries, there’s seating galore for minifigures—plenty of booths and tables line the restaurant, giving it a bustling atmosphere when fully populated. Even a small bathroom has been included, a detail many sets would skip but that adds to the realism and playability. There is even a kids ball pit.

    Speaking of minifigs, the lineup here is strong but not perfect. You’ll get seven characters: Krusty himself, Lou, Homer, Bart, Lisa, the Squeaky Voiced Teen, and Sideshow Bob. This cast adds great variety—especially with fan-favorites like Sideshow Bob—but it’s a little disappointing that Marge and Maggie are missing. For a set of this size and price, having the full Simpsons family would have been ideal.

    And that brings us to one of the set’s few drawbacks: the price. At $210 for 1,635 pieces, the cost works out to nearly $0.13 per piece—on the higher side for a LEGO set of this size. The value feels more justified when you factor in the exclusive nature of the set (it’s only available directly from LEGO) and the sheer display presence it offers, but the price tag may still give some fans pause.

    Fortunately, there’s a silver lining: for a limited time, buyers will also receive a gift with purchase (GWP)—the Simpsons Living Room set. This bonus build includes the family’s iconic couch and TV in a compact 123-piece set, and it’s destined to become a collector’s item in its own right. Not only does it add value to the main purchase, but it also sweetens the deal by giving fans another instantly recognizable slice of The Simpsons universe.

    Verdict: The LEGO Simpsons Krusty Burger #10352 is a vibrant, detailed, and nostalgic addition to the LEGO lineup. From the giant Krusty Burger sign to the drive-thru and all the little details inside, it captures the humor of the series wonderfully. Much like many other 2025 releases from LEGO such as the Republic Juggernaut and Battle of Felucia, the price per piece of this set is well north of the usual $0.10/piece. While the price is a bit steep and the absence of Marge and Maggie is noticeable, the exclusive GWP makes it easier to recommend—especially for fans who’ve been waiting years to see Krusty Burger in brick form.

    View with the roof off
    Kitchen
    Eating area and kids ball pit
    Bathroom
  • Review: LEGO Money Tree #40648 – A Symbol of Prosperity in Brick Form

    Review: LEGO Money Tree #40648 – A Symbol of Prosperity in Brick Form

    LEGO has long created sets that blend cultural meaning with beautiful design, and Money Tree #40648 is a perfect example of that philosophy. With 336 pieces, this elegant build captures the symbolism of a money tree—a traditional symbol of good fortune, wealth, and positive energy—while delivering a striking display model that feels just as meaningful as it is beautiful.

    Originating from East Asian traditions, money trees are often given as gifts during Lunar New Year celebrations, weddings, and other important milestones. They represent prosperity, abundance, and the idea of wealth multiplying like the branches of a tree. LEGO’s version leans into that heritage, transforming the idea into a charming build that looks wonderful as a centerpiece or seasonal display.

    The most eye-catching element, without a doubt, is the shimmering gold. Dozens of golden coin-like elements hang from the branches, instantly evoking the image of luck and prosperity raining down. These gold accents contrast wonderfully against the lush green leaves, creating a canopy that feels vibrant and celebratory. The base of the model, built in bold red with subtle detailing, complements the gold beautifully. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes good fortune and happiness, making the pairing both visually stunning and culturally meaningful. Together, the red and gold make the set feel festive and full of life.

    While the build is fairly straightforward, there’s one area where builders might appreciate a tip: use the digital instructions. The printed manual, while serviceable, can make it a little tricky to see exactly where each decorative coin and green leaf piece attaches to the branches. The dense layering of parts means that certain angles are hard to distinguish on paper. The digital version, available through LEGO’s app, offers clearer angles, zoom functionality, and brighter colors, making it far easier to follow along. The more vibrant display on-screen also helps you appreciate how the reds and greens come together during the build, reducing any guesswork.

    Once assembled, the tree feels surprisingly substantial for its size. The branches fan out gracefully, with just enough flexibility to allow for a bit of personal arrangement. You can position the coins and leaves to create a fuller look, or tilt them slightly to mimic the natural droop of real tree branches. The end result is a model that looks dynamic, almost as if it’s swaying gently in the breeze.

    Unlike some larger LEGO botanical sets, the Money Tree has a compact footprint, making it easy to display on a desk, bookshelf, or as part of a holiday table arrangement. Despite its smaller size, it still radiates a sense of warmth and abundance—an effect that comes from both the build itself and the meaning behind it.

    Verdict: The LEGO Money Tree #40648 is more than just a decorative build. It’s a thoughtful nod to cultural tradition, a symbol of luck and prosperity, and a visually stunning display piece. With its golden details, vibrant red base, and symbolic charm, it makes for both a rewarding build and a meaningful gift. Best of all, this set is retiring soon, so if you’ve been considering it, now’s the time to scoop it up before it disappears from shelves.

    Additional information about Money Trees

    🌸 The Meaning of the Money Tree 🌸

    The money tree has deep roots in East Asian culture, where it’s seen as a symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and positive energy. Often given as a gift during Lunar New Year, weddings, and business openings, it represents the idea that wealth will “grow” like the leaves and branches of a flourishing tree. The red and gold colors often associated with money trees add another layer of meaning—red for happiness and luck, gold for wealth and success. LEGO’s version captures this tradition beautifully, making it both a decorative build and a thoughtful gift.

  • LEGO Despicable Me 4: Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion Review – A Fun Movie-Inspired Build

    LEGO Despicable Me 4: Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion Review – A Fun Movie-Inspired Build

    Review: LEGO Despicable Me 4 – Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion #75583

    LEGO has a knack for capturing movie magic in brick form, and with Despicable Me 4 Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion, they’ve built one of the most delightfully chaotic sets to date. Packed with play features, colorful details, and an impressive cast of minifigures, this set feels like the perfect blend of family fun and Minion mischief.

    At first glance, the mansion itself is striking. The tall, black exterior mirrors Gru’s famously gloomy house from the films, with its gothic silhouette towering over the build. But don’t be fooled by the dark façade—inside, it’s a playground of bright colors, clever gadgets, and unexpected surprises that perfectly reflect Gru’s eccentric personality and the Minions’ unstoppable silliness.

    One of the standout features is the girls rocket-themed bedroom, a dream space for Agnes, Edith and Margo. Baby Gru Jr. is an adorable addition to the lineup, bringing a fresh dynamic to the Despicable Me family. Alongside him, the set includes a whopping nine minifigures: Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, Agnes, Gru Jr., and three of the most beloved Minions—Mel, Jerry, and Tim. It’s rare to see such a complete lineup in a single box, making this set especially appealing to fans who want the full family all at once.

    Playability is the mansion’s strongest suit. Gru’s iconic spinning chair is faithfully recreated, giving kids and collectors alike a chance to reenact his master plans—or Minion disruptions. Around the house, gadgets and quirky furniture add layers of personality to each room, ensuring there’s something fun to discover at every angle.

    But the real magic happens outside. The treehouse is bright and playful, offering a burst of color that contrasts beautifully with the dark house. From the treehouse, a zip line stretches all the way down to the bongo-playing party area, where the Minions can let loose in classic fashion. This dynamic play feature perfectly encapsulates the balance of order and chaos in Gru’s world: a serious villainous lair on one side, and a full-blown Minion party on the other.

    Visually, the set is a treat. The deep blacks and purples of the house give it a menacing, storybook quality, but they’re cleverly softened by pops of color throughout the build. Bright greens, reds, and yellows spill out from the interiors and accessories, making the whole model feel alive and in motion. This contrast between darkness and vibrancy mirrors the movies themselves—where Gru’s grim exterior hides a heartwarming family at the center of it all.

    I was not a fan of how Gru looks in bigger form like from set #75582 Brick-built Gru and Minions, but this set looks and feels terrific. Lego has, in my opinion, done a fantastic job with the designs of the various minions, capturing their energy and silliness these MEGA minions are no exception.

    With so many minifigures, interactive features, and movie references, the set is not just a build but a storytelling experience. Whether it’s Gru hatching schemes from his chair, the girls racing down the zip line, or the Minions drumming up chaos in the party area, the mansion provides endless scenarios to recreate—or invent.

    Verdict: For any fan of the film franchise LEGO’s Despicable Me 4 Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion is a near-perfect translation of the franchise into bricks. It’s bold, colorful, and brimming with fun, and a tremendous amount of playability.

    Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion pictured with Minions Music Party Bus

  • Review: LEGO’s Shadow the Hedgehog #77000

    Review: LEGO’s Shadow the Hedgehog #77000

    Review: LEGO Shadow the Hedgehog #77000 – A Dark Masterpiece in the Helmet Series

    Every once in a while, a LEGO set comes along that feels less like a toy and more like a work of art. With Shadow the Hedgehog #77000, LEGO has achieved exactly that. Part of the ever-popular “Helmet Style” series, this 500+ piece model delivers not only a striking display but also a surprising emotional weight. For longtime Sonic fans, it’s a piece that captures the very essence of gaming’s most brooding antihero.

    What makes this set instantly stand out is its sharp, angular design. The lines of the build are bold and deliberate, giving Shadow an intensity that feels true to his character. His signature quills sweep backward with perfect symmetry, built from layered slopes and angled bricks that create the illusion of motion even in a static model. The deep black and crimson color scheme is executed beautifully, with LEGO capturing that unmistakable silhouette that makes Shadow instantly recognizable—even from across the room.

    But what elevates this set beyond aesthetics is how it embodies Shadow’s personality and backstory. I haven’t played a Sonic the Hedgehog game since the original game on Sega’s Genesis, nor have I seen any of the very popular movies, I only had a passing knowledge of who Shadow was but this model captivated me and made me look into who he was. Unlike the cheerful blue blur we all know, Shadow’s story is one of tragedy, loss, and inner conflict. Somehow, through a careful choice of shapes and shadows, the model conveys that darker tone. There’s a weight to the way the helmet-like structure frames his eyes, almost as though he’s caught between his heroic instincts and the pain of his past. It’s rare that a LEGO set feels emotional, but this one does.

    The build process itself reflects that same duality. On one hand, it’s methodical—piece after piece stacking into clean, almost industrial lines. On the other, there’s a kind of artistry in the subtle curves and sloping details that emerge as you go. By the time Shadow’s face takes shape, you feel like you’re not just building a helmet, but uncovering the character’s story layer by layer. I did have some difficulty fitting in some of the pieces, there was a few times where I knocked another piece or two loose while trying to get the quills into position.

    As part of the Helmet Series, Shadow the Hedgehog #77000 sits proudly alongside other iconic builds, but there’s something about this one that feels special. Maybe it’s the way the bold reds contrast so sharply against the black. Maybe it’s the menacing tilt of the brow, or the way the eyes seem to pierce forward from the stand. Whatever it is, it’s hard to put into words. The model has an indescribable quality to it—an energy that makes you stop and admire it just a little longer than the rest.

    The display base, consistent with the Helmet line, adds the final touch of polish. A small printed nameplate proudly labels the piece, making it feel less like a toy and more like a collectible statue. On a shelf, it commands attention, standing as both a LEGO triumph and a tribute to one of gaming’s most complex antiheroes.

    Verdict: LEGO Shadow the Hedgehog #77000 is, without question, one of the highlights of the Helmet series. It’s sleek, powerful, and dripping with character. For fans of Sonic, Shadow, or just great design in general, this set is an absolute must. Personally, it’s one of my favorites in the line—and honestly, it’s hard to explain why. Sometimes, a model is just awesome.

  • Lego’s Dobby the House Elf

    Lego’s Dobby the House Elf

    Review: LEGO Dobby the House Elf #76421 – A Magical Tribute to a Beloved Character For Harry Potter fans, LEGO has delivered a charming tribute Dobby the House Elf. At 403 pieces, this buildable figure brings one of the Wizarding World’s most endearing characters to life with detail, heart, and a dash of whimsy. While Dobby has appeared in minifigure form before, this is the first time LEGO has dedicated a full build to him—and the results are nothing short of delightful.

    Standing proudly on his display base, Dobby immediately captures attention with his expressive eyes, long ears, and mischievous smile. The designers have managed to balance accuracy with LEGO’s signature style, making him instantly recognizable while still retaining that playful brick-built charm. Unlike a static model, though, Dobby is fully posable, which adds an extra layer of interactivity. His head tilts, his arms move, and his fingers can be adjusted—perfect for recreating those iconic scenes where Dobby is torn between servitude and his desires to protect Harry Potter, the boy who lived.

    The accessories included are thoughtful nods to his story and add variety to how the figure can be displayed. Builders are given both a brick-built cake—reminiscent of his chaotic introduction in Chamber of Secrets—and Tom Riddle’s diary, complete with the tiny sock that granted his freedom from the Malfoys. The diary and sock can be swapped into Dobby’s hands, making it appear as though he’s proudly recreating the moment that set him free. This ability to switch between iconic props gives the set great display flexibility, depending on whether you prefer a lighthearted or sentimental touch.

    One of the standout presentation elements is the included display stand. At its base sits a sleek nameplate, elegantly printed in gold lettering with “Dobby” It elevates the model from a playful build to a genuine collector’s piece, worthy of being showcased alongside LEGO’s other Harry Potter display sets. The black base also frames the figure nicely, ensuring he looks just as good on a shelf as he does in a dedicated collection.

    But the most magical detail—and easily the highlight of the entire set—is hidden inside Dobby himself. When building the figure’s torso, you’ll discover a tiny golden heart placed within his chest. This literal heart of gold is a touching Easter egg that ties beautifully into the character’s personality. Dobby was one of my favorite characters in Harry Potter and his gold heart is one of those quiet LEGO details that may not be immediately visible on display but makes the build process feel special and meaningful.

    Dobby’s Heart of Gold 💛

    At 403 pieces, the build is approachable while still offering clever techniques. The head, in particular, uses creative connections to capture Dobby’s unique features, while the hands and arms showcase some inventive articulation. Younger builders will find the set fun and manageable, while adults will appreciate the display value and subtle references.

    Verdict: LEGO’s Dobby the House Elf #76421 is more than just a buildable figure—it’s a heartfelt tribute to one of the Wizarding World’s most beloved characters. With an original retail price of $34.99 US and at 403 pieces it’s a fair value at $.086/piece albeit a fair number of the pieces are the flowers on Aunt Petunia’s cake. With posability, iconic accessories, and that hidden golden heart, this set combines playfulness with sentimentality in a way that few LEGO builds manage. Whether you’re a Harry Potter superfan or just love LEGO’s knack for storytelling in brick form, Dobby deserves a spot in your collection.

  • LEGO Arcade Machine (#40805)

    Review: LEGO Arcade Machine #40805 – A Retro Gamer’s Dream in Brick Form

    LEGO has always excelled at capturing nostalgia in brick form, and with set #40805, the LEGO Arcade Machine, the company has taken a bold step into the golden age of gaming, when just a quarter allowed you to delve into a whole new world. At 468 pieces, this build packs a surprising amount of detail into a compact footprint, making it a must-have for both LEGO collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts alike. The size is big enough to incorporate all parts of a real stand up arcade machine of the 80’s yet it’s small enough that you can easily keep it on your desk or your mantle right below your Xbox Series X or next to your Switch 2.

    From the moment you open the box, the design direction is clear: this is a love letter to the 1980s arcade scene. The exterior looks like a scaled-down version of a cabinet you might have seen lining the walls of your local arcade decades ago or something similar to what you’d have seen in the 2015 Adam Sandler classic Pixels. The color scheme pops giving the set an authentic retro vibe that feels like it was ripped straight out of an ’80s game room. Stickers and printed elements help reinforce this theme, adding texture and detail to the otherwise smooth brickwork.

    But what truly sets this model apart is what’s hiding inside. Instead of leaving it as just a static arcade shell, LEGO has added a delightful twist: the machine opens to reveal a miniature gamer’s den. Swinging the panel aside unveils a cozy interior that feels like the dream hangout spot for any arcade fan. At its heart is a snug little couch, it’s the kind of space you can imagine yourself sinking into after a long day, controller in hand.

    And yes, there’s a controller right there on your couch, there’s also a minifig sized mini arcade machine inside the den complete with its own stickered screen and joystick. This clever touch adds a “game within a game” feel, blurring the lines between the brick-built arcade machine and the digital entertainment it represents. It’s a playful nod to the concept of escapism: inside an arcade cabinet, there’s another arcade cabinet waiting to be played.

    From a build perspective, the 468 pieces strike a nice balance between accessibility and challenge. The exterior comes together smoothly, with satisfying techniques that mimic the feel of a real arcade machine. The interior, meanwhile, keeps things interesting with its use of small parts to create furniture and accessories. LEGO has done a commendable job of ensuring that every piece feels purposeful, with very little filler.

    On display, the LEGO Arcade Machine #40805 stands out as both a conversation piece and a nostalgia trip. It captures the cultural essence of the 1980s while offering modern LEGO creativity. The secret den inside is my favorite part, it elevates it from being just another brick-built object to a set brimming with wit.

    Verdict: For fans of retro gaming and LEGO alike, #40805 is a delightful mash-up of two beloved hobbies. It’s quirky, creative, and endlessly charming—a miniature time machine back to the heyday of the 80’s arcade era.

    My time lapse build of Arcade Machine