Crossover Blog?

It's been a while since I've mentioned any other blogs here.  I came across a new -- to me -- one called Origami Gaming that has recently started posting pictures of Lego builds and the instructions for same.  They also mention getting into Mobile Frame Zero as well.  I hope they're enjoying the experience, and welcome to the community.

Review: Make-It Blocks Space Rover

More backlog from my "To Be Reviewed" Pile, here's another older Make-It Blocks set. I bought this back before the changeover to $1.25 by Dollar Tree.

Box.  MSRP was $1.00 for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Brick, Plates, Bar Frame, Grille tile, Axle Plates, Bracket, Wheels, Cone, Bar

Plates, Clip Plates, Round Plate, Hubcaps, Round Bricks w/Fins, and Antennas.

Build.  Frame [2Rh+d8 (ground hammers) 2B (maneuver

rockets) 1Gd8 (no ranged weapons) 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?  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?  No.  (-5)

Score: +10 (A-).  Another one I should have paid more attention to, the Bar Frame has potential, Clip Plates are useful, and the Finned Bricks are always fun.

Review: Make-It Blocks Fire Truck

Digging into the backlog of my "To Be Reviewed" Pile, here's an older Make-It Blocks set.  I bought this back before the changeover to $1.25 by Dollar Tree.

Box.  MSRP was $1.00 for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Axle Plates, Bar Plate, Tile, Double Sided

Rounded Plate, Grille Tile, Tires, Rims, Corrugated Tile,

Clip Tile, Bracket, Translucent Panel, and Corner Panel.

Build.  There's not a lot here in terms of parts so I built the set.

  

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?  No.  (-5)

Score: +10 (A-).  I wish I paid more attention when this was on the shelves.  Clip Tiles are always great and that Double Sided Plate could be really useful.

Review: Mega Bloks CNC84 Halo Infinite Series 4 Blind Bag

There was a discussion last week on the MFZ Discord about there being micro starship designs included in the Halo blind bag releases from Mega Bloks.  This was precipitated by me posting a picture of the new Halo starship from Mega Bloks but that's a discussion for another time.  It was said that the starships were easier to find by touch due to having actual pieces in the bags instead of just minifigs and accessories.  This turns out to be true.  It also turns out that they sound different when shaken.  The bags with regular pieces in them have a louder, higher pitched rattle when you shake them.  Which leads to today's review.

Bag.  MSRP is $3.19, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.  Oh, and while this is

Series 4 of Halo Infinite blind bags, it's the 16th series of Halo blind bags.

Instructions.

Parts.  Angled Plate, Triple Slope Wedge, Plates, Clip Panels, Slope w/Studs,

Cheese Slope, Hinge Plates, Tile, Grille Tile, Bracket, Translucent Round

Tile, Bars w/Bar, Bar w/Tail, Clips w/Bar, Bar Clips, Translucent Bar, Bricks

w/Studs on Side, Brick w/Stud on Side and Opening in Back, and Clip Plate.

Build.  Apparently this is called a Sentinel.  I'm willing to say it's a "Frame-

in-a-Bag".  You could mount a System on each arm, the eye/sensor could

be a System, and you could pop the Grille Tile off the back or the Tile off

the head and use those locations to mount another System.  Or you could

use the base to mount some sort of System.  According to certain websites

the bag code for this, if you can find it which I couldn't, is 130226TC.

Size Comparison.  It fits nicely in the size range.

 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?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  Despite the score I think this is worth tracking down.

Review: 30590 Farm Garden & Scarecrow Polybag

I found this recently in the Toy section on a sidekick while shopping at Target.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.15 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts.  Minifig Hat, Crate, Round Plate, Minifig Pitchfork, Jumper, Rounded

 Plate, Plate, Minifig Pumpkin, Minifig Watering Jug, Round Brick, Brick, Minifig

Head Round Brick, Cone, Brick w/Studs on 2 Sides, Minifig Rabbit, Apollo Studs,

Inkwells, Clip Bar Holders, Plant Stem w/3 Leaves, Carrot Top, Leaf Plate,

Bucket Handles, Stem/Stalk/Vine w/Stud & Bar, Grass Stem, and Carrots.

Build.  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?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  Once again we have a City set with an awful Price/Parts ratio.

Review: 30435 Harry Potter Build Your Own Hogwart's Castle Polybag

I don't support the transphobic views expressed by J.K. Rowling.  They are antithetical to the beliefs of the Mobile Frame Zero community at large.  Trans rights are human rights.

I found this recently in the Toy section on a sidekick while shopping at Target.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.08 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts. Wedge Plate, Plates, Arch Bricks, Technic Bricks w/2 Pinholes, Corrugated Bricks, Headlight Bricks, Corner Slopes, Round Brick w/Pinholes, Round Brick, Transparent Slope, 2x2x2 Cone, Corner Bricks, Round Bricks, Cones, Minifig Ice Cream Cones, Rounded Plates, Printed Tile, Clip Plates, Jumper, Minifig Wands, Unicorn Horns, Cheese Slopes, and Minifig Frog.

 

Build.  Station and two 1 Hit pieces of Cover.

 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+).  It has a decent selection of parts and colors but I feel it needs more.

Review: 40513 Spooky VIP Add On Pack Polybag

This was a "Free with Purchase" giveaway for a $50 expenditure for VIP patrons in October at the Lego store.

Bag.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.08 Price per Piece.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Spiderweb w/Bar, Wagon Wheels, Printed Tiles, Axle Plates, Plates, Minifig Witch Hats, Fencing, Minifig Teddy Bears, Bricks w/Studs on Side, Arch w/Jumper, Minifig Lanterns, Minifig Space Ray Gun, Minifig Spiders, Translucent Lightning Bolts, Printed Round Tiles, Minifig Pumpkins, Minifig Brooms, and Wings.

Parts 2.  Printed Round Tiles, Flower Round Plates, Translucent Round Bricks, 

Plates w/Vertical Clip, Translucent Plates, Minifig Frogs, Minifig Bats, and Chains.

 

 Build.  Two 1 Hit pieces of cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Cover.  (0)
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: +15 (A).  If you wanted to assemble a Skeleton Army then this is the set for you.

Review: 40515 Pirate and Treasure VIP Add On Pack Polybag

This was a "Free with Purchase" giveaway for a $50 expenditure for VIP patrons in September at the Lego store.

Bag.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Minifigs.

Parts 1. Square Bar Plate, Minifig Ship's Wheel, Anchor, Printed

Flags, Shark Body, Fences, Cannon, Sword Leaves, Cannon Base,

Chest, Shark Head, Chest Lid, Parrots, Plate, Barrels, Chicken,

Clip Plates, Antenna, Minifig Lanterns, Minifig Bottles, Minifig

Cutlasses, Printed Tile, Technic Brick w/Pinhole, and Log Bricks.

Parts 2.  Round Plates, Plates, Ingots, Translucent Round Bricks, Round Bricks, 

 Apollo Studs, Gems, Frogs, Minifig Cups, Chains, and Minifig Sextant. 

Build.  2 Hit piece of Cover (The base six pieces are one Plate below

the minimum height for Cover, so it's not 3 Hits like it looks like.).

 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).  It has plenty of neat pieces but the availability is pretty limited.

Review: 30593 Ninjago Lloyd's Suit Mech Polybag

This is a "Free with purchase" giveaway for a $40 Ninjago expenditure during the first two weeks of October at the Lego store.  This is also the seventh of the thirteen sets I called out as interesting at the beginning of the year.

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

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts.  Plates, Studless Slope, Tile w/Studs, Technic Rotor Blade, 

Bar Plate, Ingots, Jumpers, Ball Joint Plates, Propeller Blades, 

Curved Slope w/Cutout, Studless Slope w/Cutout, Large Cheese 

Slopes, Cheese Slopes, Clip Plates, Rounded Plate, Technic 

 Connector w/Axle, Round Plates, Bracket, Log Bricks, Angled 

Technic Connector, Friction Pins, Axle Ball Joints, Exo-Force 

Arm, Minifig Katanas, Bar Clips, and Minifig Handlebar. 

Build.  Frame [2Rh+d8 (swords) 1B (armor) 1Y (sensor arm) 2W] 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?  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+).  It's a good start but I feel like it's a little thin in terms of useful parts.

Review: Miniso 1806-1 Construction 8 in 1 Roller

After the first 8 in 1 Construction review I figured I'd keep on reviewing them.  This is the only other set I've found so far.

Box. I paid $2.95 for this which gives a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.

 The other side of the instruction booklet.  

Parts.  Mudguards, Brackets, Panel, Tile, Plates, Studless Slope, Grille Tile, Axle Plate, Plate w/Vents, Arm Up Plate, Translucent Slope, Double Studless Slopes, Half Bushings, Bricks w/Pinhole, Brick w/Axle Hole -- note the curved edges on this brick -- Rims, Pulleys, Axle Connector w/Axle, Connector w/Pinhole, Ridged Axle Connector, Axle w/Stop, 2/3 Brick, Axle, and Tires. 

Build.  2Rh+d8 (hammers) 1Y (spotlight) 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?  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?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  I like it, I just feel like it needs a couple of Friction Pins to be awesome.

Review: Make-It Blocks 344183-2 Building Block Bot Yellow Polybag

I found these recently while shopping at Dollar Tree.  They're apparently so new they don't have a page on the website.  I feel like they're going for some sort of a Mixel / Technic crossbreed with these.  I've only found four different sets in this release so far.

Bag.  MSRP is $1.25 for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, 1x4 Bricks w/Pinholes, 1x2x2 Brick, Brick, 1x2 Bricks w/Pinhole,

Headlight Bricks, Gears, Knob (Cog/Gear/Wheel), Turntable Base, Turntable Top,

Connector w/Pinhole, Friction Pins, Printed Round Tiles, Axle Ball Joints, and Axle/Pins.

Build.  

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?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  This is basically just a palette swapped version of Wednesday's review.

Review: Make-It Blocks 344183-3 Building Block Bot Black Polybag

I found these recently while shopping at Dollar Tree.  They're apparently so new they don't have a page on the website.  I feel like they're going for some sort of a Mixel / Technic crossbreed with these.  I've only found four different sets in this release so far.

Bag.  MSRP is $1.25 for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

 

 Parts.  Plates, Printed Round tiles, 1x4 Bricks w/Pinholes, Brick, 1x2 Bricks w/

 Pinholes, 1x2x2 Brick, Gears, Turntable Base, Turntable Top, Knob (Cog/Gear/Wheel),

 Connectors w/Pinhole, Axle Ball Joints, Axle/Pins, Friction Pins, and Headlight Bricks.

Build. 

 

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?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  I like the Cog/Knob piece.  Contents are pretty similar to the first one I reviewed.