Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Wrecking Ball Crane

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

  

Parts.  Angled Liftarm, Liftarms w/Frame, Thin Liftarms,

Large Flat Gear, Perpendicular Pin/Axle Connectors,

Chain, Half Bushings, Round Tiles, Axles, Axle w/Stop,

Axle w/Stud, Friction Pin/Axles, Bushings, Technic Ball,

Axle w/Pin Connector, Small Flat Gear, and Bars w/Stop.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8 {wrecking ball & piston} 1Gd8/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  It has some useful pieces, the 2L Bar w/Stop is always good to have, but I just feel it needs "more".  Again, the Blind Box thing doesn't help.  

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Road Roller

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Driving Ring

Extensions, Perpendicular Double Pin/Axle

Connector, Axles, Pin/Axles, Axle w/Stop, 3L

Axle/Pin, Friction Pins, Liftarm, Thin Liftarms,

Perpendicular Axle/Pin Connector, Axle w/Pin

Connector, Gears, Bushings, Curved Panel

("Comma"), Half Bushings, Tires, Rims, and

Perpendicular Split Axle/Pin Connector.

Build.  Frame (2Rh/2W).  [System is Light Bley.]

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I like the Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Driving Ring Extensions, and Perpendicular Split Axle/Pin Connector.  But beyond that there's not much to recommend here.

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Wheel Loader

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Panels, Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Thin Liftarms,

Perpendicular Pin/Axle Connectors, Axle/Pin

Connector w/Smooth Toggle Joint, Gear, Axle w/

Stop, Axles, 3L Axle/Pin, Pins, Axle/Pins, Axle

Connector, Worm Gear, Rims, and Tires.

Build.  Frame (2Rd/2B/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I like it, I just feel like it needs "more".  And the Blind Box thing doesn't help either.

Review: 30730 Pokemon Trainer Supplies Polybag

 This is one of two new for 2026 Pokemon polybag releases.  I found it recently in Target.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Inverted Curved Slopes, Rounded Plates w/Stud on Side, Plates,

Curved Studless Slopes, Printed Round Tiles, Round Plates w/3 Short Leaves,

2x2 Dome, Large Minifig Heads, Eggshells, Tiles w/Studs on Ends, Hinge

Plates, Clip Plates, Round Plates, Curved Cheese Slopes, Bricks, Travis

Bricks, Inkwells, Round Plates w/Flower Edge, 1x1 Domes, Double Curved

Slopes, Baby D Snots, Round Plates w/3 Long Leaves, Minifig Ice Cream,

Minifig Head, and Grass Tufts.  (Turns out I missed a piece when I was

dumping out the bag.   There's a second White Curved Cheese Slope.)

Build.  Three 1 Hit pieces of Cover, and two Stations.  

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)

   (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  There's some interesting colors and parts here -- I think those Rounded Plates w/Stud on Side are going to be put to lots of uses -- but ultimately it's a parts pack rather than a starter kit.

Review: 71851 Ninjago Kai's Dragon Mech Battle Pack

This is a new for 2026 set.  For some reason I thought it was a remake of an older set but it looks to be completely new.  Small mecha sets are always a good starting point for Frame creation, so let's see how this one fares.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Wings w/Bar.

Parts 2.  Cockpit, Chest Armor, Translucent Angular Plant Leaves, Brick w/Pinhole &

Plate, Inverted Slopes, Studless Slopes, Claw Plates, Clip Plate, Ball Joint Plates, Bar

Plates, Clip Claws, Clip Plates, Stadium Tiles, Cheese Slopes, and Pyramid Tiles.

Parts 3.  Brackets, Printed Round Tiles, Translucent Tiles, Ball

Joint Plates, Rounded Plates, Triple Slopes, Clip Plates, Friction

Pins, Minifig Weapon Hilt, Barbs, and Brick w/Studs on Side.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8/1B/2W) [Systems are Gold.] and Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  A nice selection of parts but over 20% of the quantity is wasted on minifigs.

Review: Star Wars 75448 Clone Shock Trooper Mech

This is a new for 2026 set.  I haven't reviewed many of the Star Wars/Super Hero mech sets recently.  Mainly because the pricing on them was crappy.  I have a bunch in my "To Do" pile but as the pricing was pretty good for this one I figured I'd take a shot.

Box.  MSRP is $14.99, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts 1.  4x7x1 Triple Inverted Slope, Bracket Brick, Chest

Armor, Printed Tile, Plate, Inverted Tile, Tiles w/Studs on

Ends, Double Studless Slope, Corner Plates, Large

Jumper, Grille Tile, Brackets, Ball Joint Plates, Cheese

Graters, Clip Plates, Bricks, Panel, Slopes w/Cutout, Round

Plates, Minifig Candle, Cheese Slopes, and Bar Claw.

Parts 2.  2x6x2/3 Bent Plates, Wedge Plates, Tile w/Studs on Edge,

Plates, Technic Plates, Studless Slopes, Bar Plates, Ball Joint Plates,

Corner Curved Slopes, Rounded Plates, Round Plates, Plate w/Pinhole,

Inverted Studless Slopes, Slopes w/Cutout, Studless Slopes w/Cutout,

Cheese Slopes, Bracket, Transparent Round Tiles, 1L Liftarms, Pin

w/Axleholder, Clip Bar Holders, Axle, Triggers, and Stud Shooter.

Parts 3.  2x6x2/3 Bent Plates, Brackets, Plates, 2x2x2/3 Plates w/2 Studs

on Side, Studless Slopes, Curved Slopes w/Studs, Double Curved

Wedges, Truncated Cones, Ball Joint Plates, Grille Tiles, Cheese

Slopes, Round Plates, Pin/Axles, and Studless Slopes w/Cutout.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8/2Rd/1Y/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  At.  (0)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +15 (A).  Plenty of good parts and a decent price for once.

Review: 76320 Iron Man & War Machine vs. Hammer Drones

This was released at the start of the third quarter of 2025.  I figured it would be a good starting point for MFZ:RA builds since it features two mechs as part of the set.

Box.  MSRP is $19.99, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Plates, Large Jumper, Dish, Brackets, Rounded Plates,

Ball Joint Plate, Clip Plate, Padlocks, Ingots, Printed Tile,

Translucent Round Plates, Jumper, Tiles, Cheese Slopes,

Round Plate w/Bar, Wedge Studless Slopes, Slopes w/Cutout,

Translucent Round Bricks, Travis Brick, Stud Shooter Triggers,

Transparent Minifig Neck Bracket, and Stud Shooter.

Parts 2. Plates, Large Jumpeer, Inverted Studless Slope, Dish, Rounded

Plates, Ingots, Jumper, Clip Plate, Ball Joint Plate, Large Cheese Slope,

Printed Tiles, Wedge Studless Slopes, Tiles, Cheese Slopes, Translucent

Round Plates, Padlocks, Round Plates w/Bar, Translucent Bars, Brackets,

Travis Brick, Translucent Round Bricks, and Stud w/Angled Bar.

Parts 3.  Translucent Projectiles, Hinge Plates, Ball Joint Plates, Bar Plate, Plates, Round Plates, Tiles, Clip Plates, Translucent Round Plates, Ingots, Studless Slopes, Cheese Slopes, Brackets, and Projectile Launcher.

Parts 4.  Plates, Ingots, Ball Joint Plates, Apollo Studs, Translucent Round Plates, Round Plates, Clip Plates, Tiles, Cheese Slopes, Studless Slopes, Brackets, Bricks w/Pinhole, Flick Missiles, Barraki Eyes, and Hinge Plates.

Build.  Two Frames (2Rd/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  At.  (0)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +15 (A). Two Frames out of the box with plenty of leftover bits. Not to mention plenty of Sand Blue, Sand Green, and Dark Blue pieces if you're just looking for parts. The score gets dinged a bit by the price but this is a solid set.