Review: Block Tech 24-2260 Anime Block Figure

These sets have been at 5 Below for a while.  I just decided to purchase this one and review it because I finally noticed it had White Banana pieces.  Let's see what else is in there.

Box.  MSRP is $5.00, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Door Rail Plates, Large Cheese Slopes, Studless Slopes, Double Slope, Plates, Grille Tile, Jumper, Vertical Clip Plates, Tooth Plates, Clip Tiles, Tiles, Round Tiles, Cheese Slopes, Round Plates, Apollo Stud. Quarter Circle Tiles, Minifig Telescope, Round Bricks, Horns, Branch, Barbs, and Clip Plates.

Parts 2.  Plates, Ball Joint Plates, Large Curved Bricks w/Cutout, Wedge

Plates, 2x2x2/3 Plate w/Studs on Side, Double Slope, Corner Plates,

Studless Slopes, 1x2x1.6 Bricks w/Studs on Side, Panels, Brackets, Tiles,

Double Studless Slopes, Curved Bricks w/Cutout, and Minifig Bananas.

 

Build.  IO Frigate with plenty of room for Systems.

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+).  Like Lego Brick Headz, which this is the Block Tech version of, this is a useful starter kit for IO ships.

Review: Hello Kitty US72-0700/FB Ice Cream Truck

I found these at one of my somewhat local 5 Below stores while I was looking for other sets.  As far as I know, these are discontinued.  I bought them because of that and due to a recent, short discussion of using Hello Kitty themed items in Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack.

Box.  MSRP is $5.00, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts 1.  Plates, Bar Studs (I haven't seen that version for a while.),

 Clip Plates, Round Plates, Swirl Tiles, Grille Tile, Transparent

Round Tiles, Transparent Tiles, Hubcaps, and Bar Claw.

 

 Parts 2.  These were inside the largest parts

 bag.  Windscreen, and Transparent Panel.

 

Parts 3.  Plates, Round Plate, Half Oval Plate, Tiles, Axle Plates, Bracket, Minifig Chairs, Cone, Printed Arches, Printed Bricks (Those 1x4s that look blank are printed on the ends.), Dome, Printed Slope, Printed Panel, and Transparent Panels. 
 

Parts 4.  Plates, Studless Slopes, Large Round Jumpers, Corner

Tiles, Bar Plate, Tiles, Curved Slope w/Cutout, Round Bricks,

Round Bricks (Old Style), Printed Tile, Bracket, Double Sided

Round Plate, Steering Wheel Base, Steering Wheel, and Wheels.

Build.  Two Soldier frames, a Station, and a 2 Hit piece 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+).  This turned out to be a decent set in terms of parts and colors.

Review: 30635 Friends Beach Cleanup Polybag

I found this in the Seasonal section at Target.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minidoll.

Parts.  Plates, Quarter Circle Plate, Fern Leaves, Arches, Minifig Surfboard,

Tile w/Studs, Wedge Plate, 1x4x2 Bar, Wedge Brick, Minifig Flippers, Minifig

Camera, Travis Brick, Printed Brick, Otter, Star Tile, Double Jumpers, Grille

Tile, Connector w/Axle, Apollo Studs, Swirl Tiles, Printed Round Tiles,

Transparent Studless Slope, Clip Bar Holder, Bar Clips, Bars, Tail/Plant Limb

w/Pin, Minifig Trash Can, Technic Brick, and Transparent Minifig Bottle.

 

Build.  1 Hit piece of Cover, Mini-Bot, Terrain.

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).  There are some neat pieces in this set but I'd say it's more of a parts pack.

Sales Alert: Black Friday

I had an inkling a few weeks ago that there might be some interesting Lego items on sale this Black Friday.  It looks like I wasn't wrong.  Here's a few sneak peaks.

Walmart

Iron Man Armory 76216 -- $45.00 ($0.09 Price per Piece)

Belle and the Beast’s Castle 43196 -- $45.00 ($0.09 Price per Piece)

Target

Mega Construx Pokemon Motion Pikachu -- $44.99 ($0.04 Price per Piece)

Fire Rescue & Police Chase 60319 -- $24.99 ($0.08 Price per Piece)

Friends Hair Salon 41743 -- $24.99 ($0.06 Price per Piece)

Star Wars Republic Fighter Tank 75342 -- $24.99 ($0.10 Price per Piece)

Lunar Roving Vehicle 60348 -- $24.99 ($0.09 Price per Piece)

plus

Up to 40% off select Lego sets.

Kohls

20% off select Lego sets.

If you want to take a deep dive, go to BlackFriday.Com.  Good hunting.

Review: Make-It Blocks Off Road Truck

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Plates, Axle Plates, Corner Plates, Tiles, Jumper, Grille Tile, Lamp-

holders, Bracket, Bar Plate, Large Cheese Slopes, Minifig Binoculars, Tires,

Rims, Transparent Cheese Slopes, Transparent Round Plates, and Bricks.

Build.  IO Cruiser (2Y) this time.

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 not a lot here in terms of "exciting" parts but basic parts are always useful in the long term.

Review: Make-It Blocks Fire Truck

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Transparent Brick, Plates, Mudguard Plates, Axle Plates,

Turntable Base, Turntable Top, Tiles, Grille Tiles, Cheese Slopes,

Transparent Tiles, Quarter Circle Tiles, Transparent Round Plates,

Clip Tiles, Hubcaps, Padlocks, Wheels, Taps, and Brackets.

Build.  IO Frigate.

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+).  Padlocks, Clip Tiles, and Taps all in one set is a pretty good deal.

Review: Make-It Blocks Tow Truck

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Transparent Brick, Plates, Mudguard Plates, Axle Plates, Tiles, Grille

Tiles, Transparent Tiles, Quarter Circle Tiles, Corner Plates, Brackets, Bar

Plate, Wheels, Studless Slopes, Hubcaps, Headlight Bricks, and Bricks.

Build.  Battle-Truck!

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+).  Not bad, but I feel like it needs a little more to be excellent.

Review: Make-It Blocks Train

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Plates, Mudguard Plate, Dome, Cone, Axle Plates, Round Plates, Bar Plates,

Grille Tile, Jumper, Clip Plate, Cheese Slopes, Cheese Graters, Studless Slopes,

Brackets, Translucent Round Plates, Wheels, Panels, and Curved Slopes w/Cutout.

Build.  IO Frigate.

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+).  I thought this might be a copy of an old Lego polybag but I don't have anything like it in my records.  It's a decent parts set.

Review: Make-It Blocks City Taxi

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Mudguard Plates, Plates, Cheese Graters, Grille Tiles, Hubcaps,

Tiles, Transparent Tiles, Transparent cheese Slopes, Large Cheese Slope, 

Wedge Studless Slopes, Brackets, Wheels, Axle Plates, and Door Rail Plate.

Parts 2.  The Windscreens were in smaller

bags inside the main bag for some reason.

 

Build.  Battlecart!  (2Rh/1B/1Gd8).

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+).  Plenty of "mini" Brackets in this set makes it a good parts source.

Review: Make-It Blocks City Car

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Plates, Tiles, Arches, Grille Tiles, Translucent Round Plates,

Quarter Circle Tiles, Translucent Round Tiles, Hubcaps, Translucent

Tiles, Axle Plates, Bricks w/Studs on side, and Wheels.

Parts 2.  The Windscreens were in smaller

bags inside the main bag for some reason.

Build.  Scout Mech (2Y).

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+).  This set has some good parts but I feel like it doesn't quite measure up to the ones I've reviewed so far.

The Road to PAX Unplugged 2023

We're a month out from PAX Unplugged!  I don't know about you but I'm getting pumped up for this year!  As I mentioned before, I'll have items for sale.  Here's a picture of the selection.

According to the PAXU website we'll be in Booth: 4054.  I'm not sure where in the building that will be located but, this year I should be running demonstrations in the booth.  I'll also organize a big game like I've done prior years.  I know we were super close to having enough people for two games at the same time last year, so let's see if we can make that happen this year!

Review: Make-It Blocks Crane

Make-It Blocks has another release for 2023 besides the buildings that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

Box.  MSRP is $1.25, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Translucent Brick, Mudguard Plates, Axle Plates, Plates, Jumper, Grille Tiles, Large Cheese Slope, Tiles, Turntable Base, Turntable Top, Tires, Brackets, Clip Tiles, Quarter Circle Tiles, Ball Joint Plate, Hubcaps, Translucent Round Tiles, Round Tiles, Translucent Tiles, Bar Plate, Taps, Hook Ball Joint, and Lightsaber Hilts.

Build.  Battlecart (2Rd+d8/2Ra).

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+).  Oh yeah.  Dark Bley Female Ball Joint Plates and Taps?  I'm running out and buying a bunch of this set too.

Battle Report: The Village 6

After a month off due to incompatible schedules, we managed to get together in the last weekend of October for another iteration of MFZ: Rapid Attack.  After sitting out for several years, I put "The Village" on the table for this game -- which was a Battle.

Me (6 Frames & 20 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 56 points.  (Scorpitaurs)
   Blue Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

   Yellow Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

   Brown Watchtower -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W.
   Lime Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Red Missile Monkey -- 2W + SSR (x3).

   White Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.

Tom (6 Frames & 24 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 48 points.

   Grey Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Blue Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Green Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Orange Hammer -- 2Rd/2B/1Y/2W.

   Red Hammer -- 2Rd/2B/1Y/2W.

   Yellow Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

Phungkyjams (7 Frames & 26 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (9 assets) = 27 points.  (Matoran)
   Red Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.
   Dark Red Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Sand Blue Light Guardian -- 2Rd/2Ra/1B/1Y/2W.
   Blue Static Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Green Commando -- 2Rh/1B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR (x2).
   Lime -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/2W.
   Black Closer -- 2Rh+d8/2Rd/1B/2W.

This is what the table looked like at the start of the game.

Events of Round 1 (DDC@11): My Brown frame captures Phungkyjams' first Station before the game starts.  My Red frame hits Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame for 6 with all three SSRs, Station Dance.  My Red frame then skitters West and captures Phungkyjams' second Station.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame hits the Red/White house for 4 while trying to hit my Brown frame.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame hits my Red frame for 2, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame recaptures his Station.  Phungkyjams' Green frame moves South to the Red/Blue house and hits the Blue/White house for 1, while trying to hit my Yellow frame.  Tom's Orange frame hits my White frame for 2.  In response my White frame skitters West and hammers Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Red frame hits Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 1 which then moves East to another tree.  Tom's Yellow frame hits my Yellow frame from afar for 3 and it jumps off the roof of the Blue/White house.  Tom's Grey frame hits Phungkyjams' Green frame for 2 with a SSR then moves South.  My Lime frame hits the tree in front of Phungkyjams' Lime frame, destroying it.

Me: 63 Points.

Tom: 48 points.

Phungkyjams: 21 points.

Events of Round 2 (DDC @ 9): My Red frame skitters in and captures Phungkyjams' Station.  Tom's Yellow frame hits my Red frame from afar for 2, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Green frame hits the Grey/Black house for 2 with a SSR trying to hit my Blue frame -- which then jumps down behind the house.  Phungkyjams' Black frame moves South and hits the Grey/Black house for 4.  Phungkyjams' Lime frame runs south and hits my Yellow frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Blue frame moves West and captures Phungkyjams' Station that was under my control.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame turns around and hits Tom's Blue frame for 3, Station Dance.  Tom's Green frame hits my White frame for 1.  Tom's Orange frame moves West and hits my White frame for 1, destroying it.  Tom's Red frame moves South and hits Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Grey frame moves Southeast and captures my Lime Station.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 42 points.

Phungkyjams: 15 points.

Events of Round 3 (DDC @ 6): My Lime frame hits Tom's Orange frame for 4.  Phungkyjams' Green frame moves South and captures my Yellow Station.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame turns around and  almost hits Tom's Blue frame for 2 but, Tom's Green frame was acting as Cover with two Defensive Systems.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame hits Tom's Green frame for 2, Station Dance.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 35 points.

Phungkyjams: 18 points.

Events of Round 4 (DDC @ 3):  Tom's Yellow frame hits the Black/White house for 1 while trying to hit my Lime frame.  Tom's Grey frame abandons my Lime Station, leaping Southeast over the Red/White house, and saws my Brown frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame moves North and hits Tom's Green frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame moves North and hits Tom's Green frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Black frame moves north and hits Toms' Blue frame for 1, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams' Red frame moves East and captures my Lime Station that Tom abandoned.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 28 points.

Phungkyjams: 21 points.

Here are several during and aftermath pictures.

Round 1

Round 1

Round 1

Round 2

Round 2

Round 2

Round 4

Round 3

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Battle.
• This was the first use of what I'm now calling "The Village" table-setting in 8 years.
• Of course it's changed since the last time it was used.
• The trees are a recent creation after a visit to the Pick-A-Brick Wall at my local Lego store.
• I'm still not happy with the houses, even after all these years.
• I actually spent an hour reworking them after the game.
• But the frangibility of the trees balances out the indestructible nature of the houses.
• And discussion after the game was over about moving the houses into the center should make this a more viable battlefield in the future.
• It's going to take a bunch of Bricklink orders to get this where I want it to be though.
• I picked out my squad and my loadouts right before the game started.
• For the second time in eight months I didn't put a new squad on the table.
• I may have missed some combat exchanges in my notes.
• This was a fun and competitive game.
• The smack talk started out pretty feisty but it lessened as the game went on.
• We were damn near silent in the last round, only calling out activations, as we all tried to figure out how to win the game.
• Flickr page.