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.

Review: 60484 Rides Gaming Car

The set in this review is from a new in 2026 City sub-line called Rides.  I think I've heard the term "Baby Racers" being used for them though.  I thought it might have a few interesting parts worth reviewing, so let's take a look.

 

Box.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.16 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Microfig.

Parts 1.  Plates, Printed Tile, Large Jumper, Corner

Tiles, Tiles w/Studs on Ends, Transparent Round

Tiles, Double Studless Slope, Grille Tile, Round

Tiles, Spoiler w/Base, Corrugated Brick, Clip

Plates, Wedge Tile, Transparent Lightning Bolt,

Transparent Windscreen, and Minifig Steering Wheel.

   

Parts 2.  Mudguard Bricks, Wheels, Brackets, Printed Tile

w/Studs across Center, Mudguard Plates, Axle Plates,

Translucent Brick, Large Cheese Slopes, Translucent Plate,

Bar Bar Holders, Plates, Wedge Tile, and Translucent Cones.

Build.  IO Escort Frigate (2Rpd+d8/2W)

[Systems are Dark Bley and Color Tagged.].

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+).  The chibi microfig is cute, the printed parts are nice, but the PpP is awful.

Review: 30736 Technic White Seaplane Polybag

I found this set last week at one of my local Targets.  Once again, I was really surprised because they had it on Clearance and this is the first time I've seen this set.  I'm always interested in Technic polybags, so let's give it a look.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

I paid $3.49 for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Angled Liftarms, Propellers, Axles, Friction Pins, Quarter

Ellipse Liftarms, Gears, Liftarms, Axle/Pins, Liftarms w/Axle Holes,

3L Axle/Pins, Axle Connectors, Axle Connectors w/Pinhole, Bushings,

Corner Axles w/Pinhole, Panel Fairings, and 3L Friction Pins.

Build.  IO Cruiser and RA Tank.
   

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 feel like I should have been able to get more from this set.  Still, plenty of useful parts.

Review: 30731 Animal Crossing Tom Nook and Flying Present Polybag

I found this at the same time I found last Wednesday's review.  I was going to pass on it but as it was marked down I decided to give it a try.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.15 Price per Piece.   I paid $3.49 for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts.  Plate w/Rounded Corners & Feet, Plates, Antenna,

Printed Tile, Printed Round Tiles, Tiles, Round Plates w/

Petals, Apollo Studs, Double Curved Slopes, Corner

Panels, Dome, Dome Bottom, Brick, Translucent

Panels, Flower Stems, and Small Corner Panel.

  

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?  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: -10 (C+).  Even on Clearance, it's not worth it.

Review: 30728 The Razor Crest Polybag

As it's May the Fourth, let's do a Star Wars review.  This is one of the "Free with Purchase" items from Lego for the event.  Hopefully it'll be more readily available once the movie drops.

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

Instructions.

Parts.  Round Bricks w/Pinholes, Truncated Cones, Driving Ring Extensions,

Plates, Round Plates, Rounded Plate w/Pinhole, Brackets, Brick, Inverted

Slope, Corner Tiles, Axle Plates, Round Brick, Corner Tiles w/Cutout, Bar

Plate, Door Rail Plate, Jumpers, Inverted Slopes w/Cutout, Quarter Domes,

Ingots, Studless Slopes, Cheese Graters, Clip Tiles, Tile w/Studs on Ends,

Bar Studs, Axle, Half Pins, Friction Pins, Curved Slopes, and Offset Plate.

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras+d8/2W).
 

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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Ship-in-a-Bag.  It fits IO scale and has some interesting building techniques.

Review: 30733 Sonic Badnik Skorp Polybag

I found this set earlier this week at one of my local Targets.  I was really surprised because they had it on Clearance and this is the first time I've seen this set.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.06 Price per Piece.  I paid $3.49 for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Rounded Plates, Rings w/Stud Holder, Double Sided Studless Slopes, Brackets, Plate 2x2x2/3 w/Studs on Side, Inverted Tile, Dishes, Double

Wedge Studless Slope, Curved Slope w/Wing End, Tiles w/Studs on Ends,

Plates, Half Circle Jumpers, Jumpers, Half Circle Tiles, Apollo Studs, Padlock,

Pyramid Tiles, Translucent Dishes, Round Tiles, Printed Round Tiles, Bars

w/Angled Stud, Bar Clips, Bricks w/Studs on Side, Bar Bar Holders, Unicorn

Horns, Truncated Cones, Cones, Bricks w/Stud on Side, and a Travis Brick.

Build.  Light Swarmer frame (2Rh+d8 [arm drills] 1Y [tail scanner] 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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Frame-in-a-Bag.  There are plenty of useful parts in here so I think this is worth tracking down.

Review: 30734 Speed Champions Mini F1 Academy Car Polybag

This was a "Gift with Purchase" with certain F1 Lego sets at the Lego Store for a limited time.  Let's hope it gets released in different distribution channels at some point.

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

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts.  Plates, Wedge Plates, Tile w/Studs in Center, Rims, Axle Plates,

Brick w/Pinhole & Plate, Slope, Studless Slope, Double Studless Slopes,

Tires, Tiles, Ingot, Jumpers, Half Round Tiles w/Stud, Wedge Studless

Slopes, Brackets, Tile Clip, Printed Tiles, Transparent Plates, Dome

Tops, Quarter Circle Tiles, Half Pins, and Minifig Crescent Blades.

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 like the colors, I like the parts, I just wish it was more available.

Review: 30716 Cute Easter Bunny Polybag

This is available at Walmart.  It was also a "Gift with Purchase" at Barnes & Noble and Lego for a limited time.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.97 for a $0.08 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

 

Parts.  Round Plates, Quarter Circle Studless Slopes, Plates, Bracket, Dome

Bottoms, Domes, Tiles, Cone, Rounded Plate, Bricks w/Studs on Side, Scroll

Bricks, Curved Slopes, Headlight Bricks, Slopes w/Cutout, Curved Slope w/

Cutout, Brackets, Tooth Plate, Cheese Slopes, Printed Round Tiles, Double

Curved Slopes, Heart Tiles, Inverted Studless Slopes, and Half Circle Tiles.

Build.  IO Frigate 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?  No.  (-5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I like the set.  I just feel like it needs at least another Curved Slope w/Cutout and 1x3 Plate to be really good.