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Tag: Lego

  • Woman can’t wait to build new Lego set—until she opens the box and realizes she’s been bamboozled: ‘At least you know what you’re having for dinner’

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    Lego collectors have a problem—specifically, a pasta problem.

    Across the internet, Lego fans are documenting a strange phenomenon. A customer will order a box of Lego, open it up, and then discover that their plastic bricks have been replaced with noodles.

    For example, in December 2025, one internet user said they purchased a box of Lego from Target. When they brought it home, they opened the box. They then discovered that, instead of their beloved toy, the cardboard was filled with conchiglie noodles.

    She’s not the only one. Across Reddit and other social media, users have documented Lego boxes that are instead filled with dry pasta.

    Now, it’s happened again. What’s going on?

    What Happened To This Woman’s Lego?

    In a slideshow with over 640,000 views, TikTok user Elise (@elise00250) shows the box for a Lego Tiny Plants set.

    “Tell me why I just bought a £35 Lego set all sealed up literally not been touched, all the bags completely sealed and l go to open one of the bags and it’s full of pasta,” Elise writes in the text overlaying the video. This equates to around $48 USD.

    “Lego has some explaining to do,” she adds.

    The images in the slideshow show paper bags that appear to be sealed. The bags clearly contain conchiglie pasta.

    In the comments section, Elise insists the bags have not been resealed. She adds that the Lego was purchased from British retailer B&M. Additionally, being gluten-free, she couldn’t even use the pasta.

    Why Is There Pasta In Lego Boxes?

    As previously reported by The Mary Sue, there’s no consensus as to why this is happening. That said, some internet users have theories.

    The most common theory is “return fraud.” This is where someone buys the product, then replaces the contents with something of a similar weight in order to return it to the store for credit. From there, they can either use or sell the contents.

    Some have speculated that this may be one of the reasons why it’s easy to find sealed packages of Lego without the box for sale online.

    Elise insists the bags have not been resealed. However, someone who is experienced in this practice may have developed methods for doing so that are nearly undetectable. They could have steamed the bags open and resealed them. Alternatively, they could have printed their own bags that match the Lego bags, then used them to package up pasta.

    Given the relatively high price of Lego and the low cost of pasta, it’s easy to see how even just a few successful attempts of this could net the scammer a major payday.

    But why pasta? Again, no one is sure. Some say its low cost, paired with its similar weight and sound in the box, may make it the ideal candidate for a Lego swap.

    In the comments section, users claimed that they had experienced something similar.

    “The same thing happened to me last year lol couldnt believe it hahaha,” said a user. “But Amazon gave me a refund.”

    “It happened the same thing to me , but i ordered it from a well known app,” recalled another. “But the problem is that i hadn’t opened it until 2 months later, so no refund and nothing just a very expensive bag of pasta.”

    “I bought a mario lego that was $200 after taxes im victoria drove home about 1 and half hours and opened the lego it was a bunch of random lego bags that did not go with the set,” recalled a third. “I balled my eyes out I didnt want to order it off lego and wait I saw it and wanted it and I didnt get what I want i open all big legos in store after purchase so it doesn’t happen again.”

    In a comment, Elise says she is currently pursuing a refund with the company.

    The Mary Sue reached out to Elise via TikTok direct message and comment and B&M via email.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Braden Bjella

    Braden Bjella is a culture writer. His work can be found in the Daily Dot, Mixmag, Electronic Beats, Schon! magazine, and more.

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    Braden Bjella

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  • LEGO Dropped Its Coolest Lunar New Year Sets Yet for the Year of the Horse—& They Start at $30

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    This LEGO set is no ordinary LEGO set. This one is interactive and customizable—plus, it doubles as wall art. To start, the eight firecrackers, which symbolize prosperity, have LEGO bricks inside that create a crackling noise when moved. Even more, the set reveals either a Spring Festival firework display or a scene with people welcoming the God of Fortune with just the push of a button. When one is not in use, you can display the other separately. A whole piece of intricate, unique wall art for $90 sounds like a steal to me, so be sure to buy one for your home and another to gift to a loved one.

    Age Requirement: 9+
    Pieces: 1,039

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    Katie Decker-Jacoby

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  • Best Animated Superhero Movies on HBO Max (January 2026)

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    Warner Bros. was once famed for their animation department. While originally devoted to theatrical shorts, the animators began devoting more time to television and film productions. These included superhero movies set in the DC Universe. Today, many of these films are available for streaming on HBO Max.

    What are the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max?

    Unfortunately, the full library of animated superhero movies made by Warner Bros. Animation is not freely available on HBO Max. In recent years, the streaming service has become infamous for cutting costs by not hosting the full Warner Archive. Despite this, there are still some great animated DC Comics movies available.

    Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

    There is considerable debate among superhero fans as to which of the many Batman movies is the best. Whenever these discussions happen, there is one dark horse candidate that some argue against purely because it is animated. That movie is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

    Ten years after beginning his war on crime, Batman encounters a new vigilante who doesn’t share his code against killing. This Phantasm begins targeting the gangsters of Gotham City, leading the Dark Knight to seek a common link. The trail leads to businessman Carl Beaumont, who is recently returned to Gotham City after a decade abroad. It also leads Bruce Wayne to reconnect with Beaumont’s daughter, Andrea, who almost got him to give up the superhero life before breaking their engagement without explanation.

    Produced by the same creative team behind Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm plays out like an extended episode of the show. The same moody orchestral music is on-hand, along with the series’ trademark Art Deco backgrounds painted on black paper. It is the script and the voice acting, however, that truly make the movie a classic.

    Kevin Conroy delivered many classic performances as the Dark Knight, but Mask of the Phantasm was his first truly great one. The scene in which Bruce Wayne pleads at his parents’ grave during a thunderstorm was truly groundbreaking for the time. Both in terms of portrayals of Batman and superhero animation aimed at adults.

    Dana Delaney also earned accolades for her performance as Andrea Beaumont. Many believe her work here led to her being cast as Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. And unsurprisingly, Mark Hamill delivers a perfect performance as The Joker.

    Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)

    For ages untold, the Green Lantern Corps has protected the universe. Now, the sun of their home base on the planet Oa is under attack by forces from the Anti-Matter universe. As the Corps prepare for the greatest battle in their history, a new recruit named Arisia questions her worthiness to be a Green Lantern. However, her spirits are boosted by veteran Lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro, who tell her tales of the challenges faced by other members of the Corps.

    There have been quite a few animated movies based upon the Green Lantern comics. However, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is easily the best. Part of this is due to the anthology format, which allows it to tell several stories within the frame of the larger conflict.

    The best of these is adapted from a comic by Watchmen creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It concerns an evil warrior known as Bolphunga the Unrelenting, who hunts the mightiest warriors in the universe. He seeks out a legendary Green Lantern called Mogo, and ultimately learns just why Mogo is respected and feared in equal measure.

    Green Lantern: Emerald Knights also boasts one of the most impressive voice casts of any animated superhero movie. Elisabeth Moss of The Handmaid’s Tale plays Arisia, while Jason Isaacs lends his voice to Sinestro. Henry Rollins plays the Green Lantern drill sergeant Killowog, while Bolphunga the Unrelenting is voiced by wrestling legend and They Live star Roddy Piper. It is Nathan Fillion’s performance as Hal Jordan, however, which anchors the film. It also led to Fillion recreating the role of Hal Jordan for the DC Animated Movie Universe, from 2013 to 2020.

    Justice League: Doom (2012)

    The immortal Vandal Savage has schemed to take over the world for millennia. His latest plan involves two elements. First, a Legion of Doom made up of the greatest enemies of the Justice League. Secondly, an attack from within using plans designed by Batman to stop his superhero allies should they ever get out of control.

    The villains divide and conquer, putting their archenemies in dire straits. The only thing that might save them is the efforts of Cyborg, the new recruit who was overlooked in Savage’s plans. But even if the superheroes save the day, will the Justice League recover from the revelation that it was Batman’s plans that almost killed them?

    Justice League: Doom is not set in the DC Animated Universe. This is made clear by the presence of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Hal Jordan and the absence of Hawkgirl. It also features a dramatically different animation style.

    However, the film was scripted by Justice League Unlimited producer Dwayne McDuffie and adapted from the classic Justice League storyline ‘Tower of Babel.’ The movie also featured many voice actors from the DC Animated Universe, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Tim Daly as Superman. This gives Justice League: Doom a familiar feeling, despite the darker tone and art direction. It also features some intense action scenes, such as The Flash reenacting the movie Speed on-foot, after being tagged with a velocity-sensitive bomb.

    The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

    The Lego Movie was a surprise smash when it was released in 2014. However, the film’s version of Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, was far and way the film’s breakout character. Three years later, he reprised the role in The Lego Batman Movie.

    The film finds Batman in a panic, as new Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon plans to restructure the GCPD so they don’t need Batman. This leads him to go over the edge to prove his worth and accidentally enable Joker’s jail-break from the Phantom Zone. However, with the help of his new adopted son, Robin, a new Batgirl, and his butler Alfred, Batman may learn the value of family and that he doesn’t need to do everything on his own.

    The Lego Batman Movie contains more of the same jokes about Lego figures from The Lego Movie. However, it also features a number of Easter eggs involving the DCU and DC Comics. Throw in a great ensemble including Michael Cera as Robin and Zach Galifianakis as Joker, and you have a movie that is as touching as it is funny.

    Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)

    Knowing the threat Darkseid poses to Earth, the Justice League and Teen Titans join forces to stop him once and for all. They fail. Most of the superheroes are killed in the battle or enslaved by the armies of Apokolips.

    Two years later, a depowered Superman tries to rebuild what was lost and save the Earth. With the aid of Lois Lane, Raven, Robin, and John Constantine, he will build a new superhero team. They will even draw upon the Suicide Squad in Earth’s darkest hour. However, it may be too late to save their universe, much less the Earth.

    Justice League Dark: Apokolips War was a coda for the first chapter of the DC Animated Movie Universe. It was also proof that WB Animation could produce adult superhero anime and do it well. Again, the movie featured a stunning script and a talented voice ensemble. The stand-out, however was Matt Ryan, recreating the role of John Constantine after playing him in live-action in the Arrowverse.

    How we picked the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max in 2026

    Beyond the question of whether it was available on HBO Max or not, three criteria informed this list. First, is the movie well-regarded and historically important? Second, is it adapted from a notable comic book story? Finally, does it feature great voice acting?

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    Matt Morrison

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  • Lego’s first Pokémon sets are now available for pre-order

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    We learned that Lego and Pokémon would be joining forces and the first results of their partnership are here. Pre-orders for all three kits are open now, with an expected ship date of February 27. As one might have guessed from the lightning bolts on the previous promotional image, one of the debut pocket monsters getting the brick treatment is , complete with a Poké Ball. The 2,050-piece kit can be built to show Pikachu either leaping out of the open Poké Ball into battle or at rest staring up at the builder, closed Poké Ball between his paws. The Pikachu kit costs $200.

    There’s also a 587-piece model of , which goes for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokémon: . This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650.

    Lego

    Before you leap to pre-order pages, however, here’s a word of caution. In Lego form, our little friends look…kinda strange? I’m not the biggest Lego builder, but I am a rather accomplished architect in Minecraft, so I am well aware of the innate challenge in constructing a rounded shape from square blocks. Take Pikachu, for instance. Part of his appeal is his chubby little cheeks. There are bricks with more rounded sides in this collection that hint at his usual rotundness, but the proportions of his face just feel a little off to me. I had the same reaction to the other figures as well, although Eevee seems to have fared a little better than the others. They’re all sort of cute, but not nearly so cute as they are in other formats. But like I said, Lego is not my personal block of choice, so perhaps I’m in the minority here! If you love these bricky pocket monsters, then roll on over to Lego’s website and snap up these kits faster than a Mewtwo.

    Image for the mini product module

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    Anna Washenko

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  • Elon Musk’s xAI raises £20bn despite Grok backlash, half of porn users have accessed sites without age checks – Tech Digest

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    Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company has raised $20bn in its latest funding round,
    the startup announced Tuesday, even as its marquee chatbot Grok faces backlash over generating sexualized, nonconsensual images of women and underage girls. xAI’s Series E funding round featured big-name investors, including Nvidia, Fidelity Management and Resource Company, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, and Valor Equity Partners – the private investment firm of Musk’s longtime friend and former Doge member Antonio Gracias. The Guardian

    Almost half of pornography users have accessed adult sites without government-mandated age checks since the measure came into force, new research shows. Since the law changed in July, 45% of 1,469 adults who use porn have gone on websites without age checks to avoid submitting their personal information, a poll by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation found. The research also showed that 29% of pornography users had used a VPN to avoid age checks on websites that do require them. Sky News

    The first Android security update of 2026 has now been confirmed. It includes a fix for a critical security vulnerability that exposes phones to attack. The good news is that the update will be available to Pixel owners within days. But the bad news is that another update is also now hitting Pixel phones, causing serious issues for users. The critical vulnerability patched in January’s Android update “is a flaw in Dolby’s DD+ Unified Decoder,” Jamf explains. And because “audio attachments and voice messages are decoded locally,” this “can be exploited without any user interaction.” Forbes


    Hisense has turned up to CES 2026 with two big swings at colour performance – and both involve adding an extra colour channel to the usual red, green, and blue recipe. The company says its next flagship LCD TV will use so-called RGB Mini LED Evo tech (which introduces cyan into its RGB Mini LED backlight system), while its latest true Micro LED set will add yellow at the sub-pixel level, forming RGBY. In other words, Hisense is betting that the path to punchier, purer colour is… more colours. After launching an RGB-backlit LCD TV in 2025, Hisense says its second-generation approach will be marketed as RGB Mini LED Evo, debuting in a 116-inch UXS model called the 116UXS. WhatHiFi

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    Chris Price

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  • Lego Smart Bricks introduce a new way to build — and they don’t require screens | TechCrunch

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    Lego announced its new Smart Play system at CES on Monday, adding interactive, responsive Legos to the famously analog franchise.

    The Smart Play system includes a 2×4 brick, Smart Tag tiles, and Smart Minifigures. The Smart Bricks and Minifigures can sense nearby Smart Tags, which are 2×2 studless tiles with unique digital IDs that tell the Bricks and Minifigures how to act.

    If the Smart Tag comes in a set for building a helicopter, for example, then the Smart Brick will light up and make propeller sounds that would help bring a helicopter to life. Its built-in accelerometer would make these lights and sounds more consistent with how you’re actually playing with the helicopter, since the Brick will be able to sense when the helicopter is zooming through the sky or turned upside down.

    Image Credits:LEGO

    The Smart Bricks are powered by a patented ASIC chip, which is smaller than the size of a single Lego stud. The chip uses near-field magnetic positioning to recognize the Tags around it, as well as a miniature speaker, accelerometer, and LED array. Lego also developed a Bluetooth-based protocol called BrickNet, which allows multiple Smart Bricks to recognize each other and operate in tandem. The company claims that BrickNet is protected by enhanced encryption and privacy controls (all of which is necessary, but imagine a world where hacking into toys wasn’t a concern!).

    There’s no setup required to pair the elements of the Smart Play system, making it easy for kids to get started — and parents will be pleased to note that there are no screens involved in the Smart system at all. However, Lego’s website says that there will be a Smart Tag for animating Lego toilets, so… there’s that.

    Lego’s first two Smart Play sets — which are both Star Wars-themed — will launch on March 1, though preorders open on Friday. The “Luke’s Red Five X-wing” building set will retail for $69.99, while the larger “Throne Room Duel and A-wing” set will cost $159.99. These sets use the Smart Play system to animate characters like Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, allowing them to interact with Smart Tags, which enable Lightsaber duels among other Star Wars-related capabilities.

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  • There Is So Much New Lego You Can Buy in January

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    A new year brings with it plenty of traditions, but one of the most threatening to our wallets each passing year is that, after months of relative peace and quiet, Lego just decides to put out tons of new sets every January 1. There are over 150 new sets hitting shelves today, so here’s our roundup of the biggest and best.

    January is one of the most important release months for Lego, so it’s no surprise that we’re getting releases from practically every line the brick-builder makes sets for, from brands like Star Wars and Marvel to staples like the Architecture, Ideas, and Icons lines. There are plenty of heavy hitters all over, but of course, one big highlight is Lego marking the end of Stranger Things yesterday with its lavish new set based on the Creel estate—a big set among plenty of big sets landing today. Read on for our breakdown of all the big releases coming starting today!

    Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Sets

    Lego is getting a little late on the Crossworlds collab train with its latest Sonic sets (or is it just chasing after its own Mario Kart sets?), as Silver, Knuckles, and the main man all hit the road.

    Lego Minecraft Sets

    Minecraft‘s offerings this month include sets big and small, as well as a few fun non-traditional builds, like a display model of a pixelated fox and another small diorama replicating the many environments of the game’s biomes.

    Lego Architecture Paris City of Love

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    © Lego

    The Architecture line gets a bit clever with its latest diorama, an artsy wall-art-style rendition of the Parisian skyline, featuring notable highlights like Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and more centered around the Eiffel Tower at its core. ($80, available here)

    Lego Stranger Things Sets

    After many years away, Stranger Things Lego is back in style in time for the show’s final episode. Not only is there the lavish Creel House, packed with fun features and minifigures inspired by the final season of the show, but if you aren’t quite in the mood for such a pricey set, there’s also a new set of BrickHeadz figurines inspired by the last episodes.

    Lego Marvel Super Heroes Sets

    After many a quiet month, the Marvel line is back in a big way this month with something touching every corner of the Marvel multiverse, from plenty of Spidey sets to movie stalwarts and a lavish new buildable Iron Man.

    Lego Ideas Love Birds

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    © Lego

    Valentine’s Day is just around the corner now, so the latest addition to Lego’s vast array of community-supported sets is a perfectly fitting set of little birds nestled on a branch to gift to your loved one. ($50, available here)

    Lego Ninjago Sets

    The year 2026 is a big one for Ninjago, as it looks back on 15 years of sets with a nostalgic wave that mixes up sets inspired by the latest season of the Dragons Rising show and recreations of classic sets complete with special bonus anniversary minifigures.

    Lego Star Wars Sets

    We’ve finally reached a year with a Star Wars theatrical release on the way for the first time in almost seven years, so it’s unsurprising that the Mandoverse is firmly the focus of this new wave—but Grogu aside, there’s fodder from the prequels and sequels to go with it, including a new buildable BB-8 to celebrate 10 years since his debut in The Force Awakens.

    Lego Art Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape

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    © Lego

    The latest Lego Art set takes a bit of a sideways step away from replicating iconic artwork from history with this original piece inspired by Japanese spring, with an idyllic view of Mount Fuji and a small temple alongside a 3D waterfall seeping out of the frame. ($140, available here)

    Lego Disney Sets

    The theme of the latest Disney princess sets is not minidolls, but mini… minis: little chibi brick-built figurines that give the feeling of almost like a little vinyl toy compared to the BrickHeadz/Funko comparison. But aside from the world of princesses, there are a few highlights, like a new buildable Olaf.

    Lego Speed Champions Sets

    It’s not too often that Speed Champions dips into licensed genre collabs, but this month’s wave has not one, but two: for kids, there’s a Champions-scaled build of Cars‘ Lightning McQueen, while for the kids at heart, there’s the latest Lego spin on the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future.

    Lego Collectible Minifigures Series 28

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    © Lego

    Lego’s latest wave of blind-box minifigures is perhaps somewhat controversial to anyone who dreaded the costume animal representation showing up as part of past waves… because this one is all about them. Fish, peacocks, monkeys, parrots, dogs, and dolphins, oh my—a veritable ark’s worth! ($5 per box, available here)

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • Surprise $600 Lord Of The Rings Lego Set Rumored To For 2026

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    A new year is almost here, which means more comically large new Lego sets to taunt our wallets. The latest leaked set is for Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings and its rumored to cost over $600. I’m looking forward to adding the Star Trek Enterprise to it and rounding up my irresponsible purchases for the year to $1,000.

    According to Brick Tap, Lego will release the new Lord of the Rings set on June 1, 2026. It’ll be priced between $600 and $650 and be a whopping 8,278 pieces. From the front, at least, it will seemingly look like a miniature recreation of the city of Gondor etched into the side of a mountain as it’s depicted in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films.

    If the leak is accurate, that would make Minas Tirith the sixth-biggest Lego set ever, just behind the new Star Wars Death Star. It would also be a couple thousand pieces more elaborate than the existing Lord of the Rings Rivendell set.

    According to Brick Tap, the set will also include 10 minifigures: Gandalf the White, Aragorn, Pippin, Denethor, Faramir, four Gondor soldiers, and Shadowfax. All it will be missing is an orc army to lay siege to the city. There is a Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr set but it’s sold separately and currently on backorder.

    The hope among some fans is that this signals Lego views Lord of the Rings as a well worth returning to, and that we will continue to get new sets from it like we have with Star Wars and Harry Potter. Personally, I hope it means we eventually get another Lord of the Rings Lego game. Maybe this time an open-world action-RPG.

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    Ethan Gach

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  • Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Captures Iconic Eras of Batman, Pre-Order Today – Xbox Wire

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    Summary

    • Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will launch on May 29, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S.
    • Standard and Deluxe Editon pre-orders are available today, and will receive The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit at launch.
    • New Heroes & Villains trailer spotlights Batman’s allies and Gotham City’s most infamous DC Super-Villains.
       

    The Caped Crusader, the World’s Greatest Detective, DC’s Dark Knight – whatever name you prefer, Batman has transcended the medium in which he was created and become modern day folklore; a tale we are all so familiar with, that stands shoulder to shoulder with ancient myths and legends… but this legend only comes out at night and has a really cool car.

    Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, and his character was so popular that he eventually POW-ed and SWOOSH-ed his way off the page and onto television screens in 1943.

    Starring in the pages of DC’s comics from 1939 to today, Batman also influenced TV, film, and animation for decades before the Dark Knight eventually found himself in video games. Gaming became a whole new medium for Batman where he headlined many celebrated and award-winning titles, including one of the most loved gaming franchises of all time. Even now, Batman finds new ways to excite audiences, such as audiobooks, theme-park rides, virtual reality, etc.

    In the decades that Batman has entertained fans, he has been reinvented, reimagined, and recast countless times, with each approach varying drastically; the camp and colorful exploits of the 1960’s Batman TV show is worlds apart from the noir of the 2022 film, ‘The Batman’. So, with so much variety in tone, how do you possibly bring it all together into one project? The answer: with Lego minifigures and bricks!

    Our latest trailer shares a new glimpse into the exciting world of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, where you will be able to experience the essential Batman story, from origin to legend. That’s right. In this one game, you are going to play through decades of Bruce Wayne’s life, from a young boy on an ill-fated trip to the movies with his parents, through his time as a fledgling crime-fighter taking on Gotham’s organized crime, all the way to becoming a legend as the leader of the Bat-Family.

    To do this, we put together a timeline of comics, movies, and TV shows to identify the recurring beats and distill down what we believe to be the definitive Batman myth. It immediately became apparent that, to do it justice, we would have to amalgamate a multitude of Batman media in a way that has never been done before.

    That means players will be able to wheel The Joker from ‘The Dark Knight’ film through gameplay reminiscent of the opening section of the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game, and take a version of Jim Gordon inspired by The Batman movie into Ace Chemicals for a confrontation with Red Hood One that mirrors not only the 1989 Batman film, but a number of iconic comics too.

    In a bid to make this game the most authentic as possible, we made it our duty to put fans first and attempt to pay respect to as much Batman media as we could.

    But wait, there are so many different versions of these beloved characters, how do you pick just one? Great question, reader. The new trailer shows off a fresh look at several playable characters joining the Caped Crusader in the fight to save Gotham City, including Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Catwoman, all equipped with their own unique skills and gadgets. We think you’ll especially enjoy Selina Kyle’s signature whip and drone kitten.

    You’ll also notice a number of new DC Super-Villains in the trailer. For some, we chose iterations we felt we could have the most fun with, for others we chose what we believe are the indisputably iconic portrayals. And for a special few, we wanted to have our cake and eat it too. Come on – how are we supposed to feature just one iteration of The Joker? And what are we supposed to do with the Penguin now that ‘The Batman’ has given us yet another iconic interpretation of Oswald Cobblepot?

    It’s impossible to choose, right? Well, with Bruce Wayne, we knew we were going to see him grow and evolve on his journey to become a crime-fighting legend, so we thought: why don’t we do that with some of the villains, too? In the game, the villains, the heroes, and Gotham City itself, all evolve with Batman, just like they have over the years. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an all-new Batman experience, but one that we promise will feel familiar, no matter who your favorite Batman is.

    Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is scheduled to launch on May 29, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S. Standard and Deluxe Edition pre-orders are available now and will receive The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit at launch, inspired by the acclaimed comic book series. Deluxe Edition pre-orders will also receive three-day early access to the game beginning on May 26, in addition to The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit.

    LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of the Dark Knight

    Warner Bros. Games


    5

    Full base game includes:

    • Main Story
    – Bruce Wayne’s journey from origin to legend as he trains with The League of Shadows, becomes the hero of Gotham City, and forges a new family of allies with Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl. Confront an ever-growing threat from across Batman’s Rogues Gallery as you face The Joker, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, and more.

    • 7 Playable Characters
    – Batman, Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul each bring unique skills and signature gadgets as you uncover crimes, complete challenges, and explore an immersive Gotham City full of secrets and surprises.

    • 100 Suits
    – Inspired by Batman’s 86-year legacy, you’ll find an array of Batsuits alongside individual outfits for every playable character.

    • 20+ Vehicles
    – A range of Batmobiles and Batcycles to drive around Gotham City’s open world in style. Including iconic rides like the legendary Tumbler.

    • 250+ Batcave Props & Trophies
    – Customize and display a wide range of items to personalize your Batcave and celebrate your achievements.

    Are you ready to build the legacy of the Dark Knight?

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    Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor

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  • Lego’s First ‘Star Trek’ Set Should Be a Sign of Great Things to Come

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    After what’s felt like years of waiting, hoping, and speculating, earlier this year, Lego finally confirmed it would be boldly going forward with a Star Trek set that has become the centerpiece of the brick-maker’s annual Thanksgiving celebrations. Can it live up to the hype?

    Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes. Lego’s first foray into Star Trek, the Enterprise-D from The Next Generation, is a fascinating tribute to the legendary series while also being an extremely compelling build experience for diehard Lego fans, packed with fun techniques to maintain Star Trek‘s famously smooth-lined starship design in the world of Lego. io9 recently received a review copy of the Enterprise from Lego, so we’re here to take you inside and see what makes it so good—and why we hope it means it’s the first of many.

    How long does it take to build Lego’s Star Trek Enterprise-D set?

    Clocking in at 3,600 pieces, the Lego Enterprise-D is a pretty sizeable model, resulting in a replica of the Galaxy-class starship and a sturdy display stand to pose it mid-flight on that measures around 23.5″ from fore to aft and 10.5″ tall (aided by the fact the ship is held at an upwards angle on its stand). While it is a major undertaking, the build is broken into three distinct sections: the secondary hull and the Enterprise‘s nacelles, the stand itself, and then half of the 30 bags in the set are dedicated to the main saucer.

    Given the nature of the Enterprise-D’s design, once you get going, there are a lot of similar techniques repeated over and over again, so if you’re a familiar builder, you can go pretty quickly and even duplicate some steps to speed up the process. Overall, though, if you’re taking things leisurely, you can be done in 9-10 hours… or around 12 episodes of Deep Space Nine, if you’re like me and like to put something on while you’re building (sorry TNG fans, but I’d recently just restarted a rewatch and decided to continue that rather than put on a more thematically appropriate bit of background noise!).

    How many minifigures are in Lego’s Star Trek Enterprise-D set?

    Even though the focus of the set is the ship replica rather than a playset environment, it would be a crime if Lego’s first Trek set didn’t go all in on minifigures. Thankfully, the Enterprise-D comes with nine minifigures to faithfully recreate the bridge crew you know and love: Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, La Forge, Data, Dr. Crusher, and Wesley Crusher in his famous jumper. Joining them to round out the set is a welcome but slightly oddball choice in Guinan, hostess of the Enterprise lounge Ten Forward, but she, like Wesley, breaks up the sea of similar Starfleet uniforms with some lovely unique elements to recreate her fashionable wardrobe.

    Each minifigure comes with an accessory, some more unique than others, even if they’re all appropriate. Wesley gets a very unique accessory in the form of a mini replica of the portable tractor beam generator from “The Naked Now,” as does Riker with his beloved trombone. Picard naturally comes with a teacup, Guinan has a green bottle of something from Ten Forward (it’s never explicitly noted what it is, but it seems like a nod to the Aldebaran whiskey Data offers Scotty in “Relics”), Data gets Spot the cat, and Geordi comes with an engineering kit. Perhaps the least interesting ones are ironically the most typically Star Trek: Worf gets a handheld phaser, which is cleverly constructed with a wedge piece and a handle, at least, while Deanna and Beverly get a PADD and medical tricorder… both of which are just printed 1×2 tiles. Which are fine and probably the best Lego could do at minifigure scale, but just kind of boring.

    What is nice is that, in a rare move, the Enterprise-D comes with a little separate stand to put the minifigures on in a row, complete with a cute little Next Generation title card (albeit as a sticker, rather than a printed piece). It’s a nice acquiescence to the fact that the build is more about the display model than the minifigures themselves, but it was still nice that Lego built something more structured to display them on, instead of just leaving them as-is.

    Is Lego’s Star Trek Enterprise-D set difficult to build?

    Building a Lego model out of a ship like the Enterprise-D is a risky endeavor, given its peculiar shaping and weight distribution, on top of the fact that, well, it’s mostly grey. But Lego puts a lot of interesting techniques in throughout the build to not only effectively capture the curvature and shaping of the Galaxy-class but also to keep your fingers busy and not have things blur into a long series of similar patterns being used to build similar-looking, similar-colored pieces.

    There are definitely a few places where more seasoned Lego builders can start duplicating builds to speed up the process: the build of the secondary hull of the Enterprise is split into two halves, for example, before you build the two nacelles that are identical in structure. Once you’ve built the skeleton of the main saucer, you’re then essentially repeating little plate sections of the hull to sandwich over it. While the repeating can be a bit, well, repetitive, there are enough interesting techniques used for experienced builders and enough simple patterning for Trek fans who might be embarking on their first-ever Lego build of this scale.

    On top of that, even though the Enterprise-D is a display set rather than a playset, the design team still snuck in a few fun little features and Easter eggs. The aforementioned main saucer section, for example, is secured into place by a little floating shuttlecraft coming in to dock at its aft shuttle bay—which can be removed so you can separate the saucer from the secondary hull to replicate the Galaxy-class’ unique feature. And even though you don’t get to build its iconic bridge, the center of the saucer does hold a little replica of the Enterprise‘s dedication plaque! Even as someone who is on the record on the D being far from my favorite Enterprise design, I couldn’t help but be charmed at just how well Lego managed to bring it faithfully to life.

    How much is Lego’s Star Trek Enterprise-D set? Is it worth the price?

    Alas, this is going to be the sticking point for a lot of Star Trek fans. At $400, the Enterprise-D may not be quite so eye-watering as some of Lego’s other recent set prices, but it’s still a big ask, and especially difficult considering it’s the first time (and potentially last) the company has tackled Star Trek. You’re definitely getting something that feels worth the price in terms of size and scope, but it’s not hard to wonder if Lego should’ve started out at a smaller scale or with different ideas beyond ship replicas to test the waters and see if Star Trek could become just as enduring a Lego series as Star Wars has, if the alternative was a very pricey one-off.

    We don’t know what the future for Lego Star Trek holds beyond the Enterprise-D—this could be the start of a yearly release schedule akin to Lego’s approach to Lord of the Rings, a line that exclusively stays in the upper echelons of adult-focused, high-end (and high-cost) sets. It’s undeniable that as a build experience and as a replica of one of the series’ most famous starships, the Enterprise-D is a Star Trek and Lego fan’s dream: it looks great, it’s a fun, big build, and it’s got a great collection of minifigures that feels complete in the way that, if this is it, at least you got everything you’d want.

    But it’s equally undeniable that a lot of Star Trek fans and a lot of Lego fans are going to be put off by Lego’s decision to go big as it did here to justify asking such a high price, in an age where the company’s products feel like they’re only getting pricier and pricier. There’s a lot more value in the Enterprise-D compared to some of 2025’s other big-ticket sets, sure, but $400 is still $400.

    If there was some kind of indication from Lego that this wouldn’t be it and that there would be more, smaller-scoped sets, it might be an easier pill to swallow, knowing Trek fans can wait and see what else the company does if they don’t want to throw down this much cash in one go. Even as great a set as it is, it’s a tough sell to anyone but some of the most diehard Star Trek fans without some Ferengi-level justification to your wallet.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • Lego Black Friday deals on Star Wars, Disney sets and more are already up to 41 percent off

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    Lego is cutting prices for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so now’s the time to find sets that make fantastic gifts. I’m a lifelong Lego lover, and my younger self would have squealed at some of the deals I’m seeing — as I’m betting is true for many of you. Throughout the month, I’ll be checking all the biggest online shopping centers in search of the biggest discounts on the best Lego sets available. We’ve already seen low prices on Disney and Harry Potter advent calendars your kids will love this December, plus beautiful botanicals and art pieces for yourself or the adults on your list. It’s only likely to get better, so keep checking regularly.

    We always recommend using a price tracker to determine if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. You’ll find Lego deals across the board this holiday season at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, but don’t overlook Lego’s own site. If you join the free Lego Insiders program, you’ll build up points with each purchase that you can redeem in the future, get special discounts and sometimes get exclusive gifts when you buy.

    While not a deal, arguably the hottest Lego for Black Friday will be the brand new Star Trek USS Enterprise set, which was announced recently. It has a whopping 3,600 pieces and will be a must-have for any Star Trek fans. The set will be available starting November 28 for $400.

    Best Lego Black Friday deals

    LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 43273 for $31 (32 percent off)

    Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 76456 for $31 (31 percent off)

    LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $140 (18 percent off)

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    LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Magical Unicorn Toy 31140 for $7 (32 percent off)

    LEGO City Donut Truck Toy 60452 for $16 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Race Car 76917 for $18 (28 percent off)

    LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $18 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid Building Set 10343 for $24 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave Framed Japanese Wall Art Building Set 31208 for $85 (15 percent off)

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    LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat 21349 for $80 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Icons Fountain Garden Building Set 10359 for $70 (30 percent off)

    LEGO Dreamzzz Izzie’s Dream Animals Toys 71481 for $24 (40 percent off)

    LEGO NINJAGO Dragon Stone Shrine 71819 for $79 (34 percent off)

    LEGO Harry Potter Mandrake Figure & Pot Plant Toy 76433 for $41 (41 percent off)

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    Valentina Palladino,Sam Chapman

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  • The Lego ‘Star Trek’ Set Is Here, and It’s Exactly What You Want

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    Open hailing frequencies to your wallet, because after a brief tease during Star Trek Day, it’s finally here—Lego’s first-ever official Star Trek set, celebrating one of the most beloved Starfleet flagships of all time.

    This morning Lego confirmed what many had expected after that brief tease of a minifigure Captain Picard a few months ago: it’s boldly going into the world of Star Trek with a replica of the USS Enterprise-D, as seen in The Next Generation. Clocking in at 3,600 pieces, the scale replica of the Enterprise-D is a faithful representation of the Galaxy-class starship, including a detachable saucer section to recreate the ship’s ability to separate into two autonomous craft and even a tiny little opening shuttle bay on the rear of the saucer, which houses two miniscule shuttlepods. Once built, including its stand, the model is around 10.5 inches tall, 23.5 inches long, and 18.5 inches wide.

    Lego Icons Star Trek: The Next Generation U.S.S. Enterprise-D Gallery

    Of course, aside from the stand featuring the technical data of the Enterprise-D (and angled so you can pose the ship in flight as it was often seen in TNG), the set also features nine minifigures recreating the primary cast of the show. You’ll get the previously teased Captain Jean-Luc Picard alongside Data, Geordi La Forge, Will Riker, Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, Worf, Guinan, and Will Crusher (yes, he’s wearing the jumper). As well as a separate display stand, they’ll also all come with a series of thematic accessories, from general Starfleet kit like a phaser, tricorder, PADD, or an engineering kit and a portable tractor beam generator, to some more character-specific touches, like a teacup for Picard, Riker’s trombone, a bottle for Guinan (it’s green, so maybe Aldebaran whiskey?), and Spot the cat for Data. D’aaw!

    Star Trek may live in a post-scarcity economic utopia, but alas, we don’t, which means you will have to cough up $400 if you want your own Enterprise-D when it releases on November 28—and gold-pressed Latinum is not an acceptable alternative, before you try your best Quark.

    © Lego

    In Ferengi spirit, perhaps then, Lego will sweeten the deal if you purchase the set online or from a Lego store between November 28 and December 1: a buildable 261-piece replica of one of the Enterprise‘s Type-15 shuttlepods (specifically the Onizuka). The shuttle will include an opening rear hatch and even an LCARS system displaying an amazing deep cut: the stardate 45076.3, dating it to the season five episode “Ensign Ro,” so it’s only fitting that the bonus also includes a minifigure of the feisty Bajoran ensign, Ro Laren.

    The Lego Icons Star Trek: The Next Generation USS Enterprise-D will be available to preorder here later this month.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • Ever Lego ‘Ideas’ Project That Is Currently in the Works

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    Lego Ideas has been on a roll lately, both in terms of what it’s been actually releasing and what’s made it through the review process to go from a crowd-supported fan idea to an actual Lego set. But we’ve seen a lot of the latter lately, to the point there’s actually quite a sizeable list of what’s in the pipeline… meaning it might be a while before we see a good few of these sets. Here’s a rundown of every approved Ideas project that’s currently not yet made it to shelves quite yet.

    N.B.: All the imagery below is of the original designs submitted by Lego Ideas users and not necessarily reflective of exactly how the final approved Lego set will eventually look.

    Love Birds

    © Lego

    The oldest approved set on the list, this design, by Ideas user Modular Maniac, won the “Build from the Heart” contest in February 2025 to create a Valentine’s-inspired set.

    Floating Sea Otter

    Lego Ideas Otter
    © Lego

    This adorable critter from Ideas user HisBrickMaterials was one of two sets to receive approval in March 2025 for the *Second* 2024 Review Stage, which shows you how long this process actually takes!

    Snoopy Campfire

    Lego Ideas Snoopy
    © Lego

    Ideas user Bossofdos64‘s set marks our first licensed crossover on the list of in-development sets, depicting the iconic dog and his bird pal Woodstock enjoying some campfire treats. This was the second set approved in the Second 2024 Review stage in March 2025.

    Sea Serpent

    Lego Ideas Castle Ship
    © Lego

    HallowedBrick02’s Lego Castle-inspired boat is another competition winner, from May 2025’s “A Twist of Nostalgia,” which asked Ideas users to create a small-scale set inspired by iconic classic Lego themes.

    Godzilla

    Lego Ideas Godzilla
    © Lego

    Two more licensed sets joined the party in June 2025 from the Third 2024 Review Stage candidates. First up is Ideas user MattE720’s meaty Godzilla, complete with his own jet of heat ray energy to attach to his mouth.

    Tintin Space Rocket

    Lego Ideas Tintin
    © Lego

    The other approved set from the Third 2024 Review stage was from Ideas user tkel86, inspired by the buckwild classic Tintin story “Destination Moon.”

    The X-Files: The Truth Is Out There

    Lego Ideas Xfiles
    © Lego

    Two winners, one large-scale and one smaller-scale, were confirmed in June 2025 for the “Build Your Nostalgia—90s Throwback!” competition. Unsurprisingly, two licensed sets hailing from the decade were picked, and in the large-scale category, Wetwired‘s replica of Mulder and Scully’s office and an iconic alien encounter scene was the winner.

    Wallace & Gromit

    Lego Ideas Wallace And Gromit
    © Lego

    The winner of the smaller-scale entries for the competition was Ideas user Pidelium’s thoroughly British entry, depicting Aardman’s beloved inventor and his canine pal on their motorbike as seen in the classic Wallace & Gromit short film, A Close Shave.

    Build, Paint, and Play!

    Lego Ideas Build Paint Play
    © Lego

    Although distinctly notWarhammer collaboration, Ideas user Doomslizer’s entry for the “Build Your Favorite Hobby” contest in September 2025 certainly feels inspired, with this fun mini replica of building and painting a small tabletop miniature.

    Vintage Sewing Machine

    Lego Ideas Sowing Machina
    © Lego

    Created by Ideas user BrickStability, this was also approved in September 2025 for another competition, “Timeless Creations.”

    Go Go Power Rangers Megazord

    Legoideaspowerrangers
    © Lego

    One of a whopping six sets approved from last week’s announcement for the First 2025 Review stage, and the first of four licensed approvals, this whopping Power Rangers Megazord build by TrumanBricks can even break down into the Mighty Morphin’ team’s individual zords.

    Ramen

    Legoideasramen
    © Lego

    Sometimes you just need a big bowl of something nice, nutritious, and comforting… except this one, by Ideas user Micdud, is very plastic and very inedible.

    E.T. the Extraterrestrial

    Legoideaset
    © Lego

    Another licensed set from October 2025’s First 2025 Review Stage, Ideas user lafabrick’s replica model of the iconic movie alien even comes with a flowerpot nestled in his arms.

    Smurf Village

    Legoideassmurfs
    © Lego

    The dramatically named Half Blood Baron developed this Smurfs-themed set, depicting various fungal houses from the diminutive blue creatures’ hometown.

    La Catrina

    Legoideascatrina
    © Lego

    The most thematically appropriately timed approval of the First 2025 Review Stage, Ideas user yop1172‘s Mexican Day of the Dead model is inspired by José Guadalupe Posada’s La Calavera Catrina, which has become a symbol of the holiday.

    Downton Abbey: Highclere Castle

    Legoideasdowntonabbey
    © Lego

    The final approved set from the First 2025 Review Stage, Ideas user BRO3 celebrates the beloved British drama series, featuring a whopping 15 minifigures representing Downton Abbey‘s vast ensemble cast, alongside a pretty detailed build of a manor facade.

    When Lego likes a submission but still wants more time to consider it—which can happen for myriad reasons, such as trying to find more time to negotiate with a license holder, among others—it will occasionally punt making a decision just yet by moving a set to “The Parking Lot.” Being put in the lot doesn’t necessarily mean a set is guaranteed to be approved eventually, but it does mean that Lego is at least interested in pursuing the potential for the submission to enter development.

    Camping Trip

    Lego Ideas Camping Trip
    © Lego

    This set by Terauma was the first among the four sets currently in the Parking Lot. It was moved there in June 2025 and was initially part of the Third 2024 Review Stage.

    Daft Punk Concert

    Legoideasdaftpunk
    © Lego

    The appropriately named Ideas user RobotRock developed this set, which was one of three sets moved to the Parking Lot as part of last week’s announcements for the First 2025 Review Stage.

    Golden Girls

    Legoideasgoldengirls
    © Lego

    This vignette featuring Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia on the kitchen “set” from the classic sitcom by Ideas user Martin_Studio was also moved to the Parking Lot from the First 2025 Review Stage.

    The Old Man and the Sea

    Legoideasoldmansea
    © Lego

    Iyan ha’s set inspired by the events of the 1952 Ernest Hemingway novella was the last of the three sets moved to the Parking Lot from the First 2025 Review Stage.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • 3 Critical Steps Companies Like LEGO Take to Manage Change

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    As I’ve written, you can’t just force sustainability. It is, after all, a big change.

    But it’s possible to make your business more sustainable with the right approach. Companies like Lego, Patagonia, and Unilever, have managed to successfully integrate sustainability into their businesses, and by studying their strategies, it’s possible to identify three key elements to a successful sustainability implementation.

    You’ll need a clear purpose that inspires action, incentives that reinforce values, and governance that ensures consistency over time. 

    Align With Your Purpose

    Policies and commitments gain meaning when they are paired with purpose. Purpose gives direction and meaning to collective work. And so driving real change in an organization means creating a shared mindset rooted in the company’s values, mission, and purpose.

    Bringing purpose into change management demands coherence between what the company communicates and what it actually does.

    Strategic choices, innovation processes, and relationships with stakeholders should align with the impact the organization seeks to generate. This alignment strengthens credibility, guides decision making and helps every team understand how their efforts contribute to broader impact. 

    Patagonia illustrates how purpose can shape practice. In 2022, the company transferred its ownership to two entities created to channel all profits toward environmental conservation. It also offers the Environmental Internship program, allowing employees to work with environmental organizations while maintaining their salary. These initiatives show how purpose can guide decisions, motivate participation, and nurture a culture grounded in impact. 

    Align Incentives With Purpose 

    Incentives reveal what truly matters to an organization. A shared purpose and belief is the foundation of change. But belief doesn’t define behavior. What gets measured and rewarded defines behavior.

    Integrating environmental and social criteria into performance and compensation systems helps create a culture where sustainability is managed with rigor and consistency. When sustainable results are part of performance evaluation, teams understand that their choices have tangible consequences.

    This approach encourages shared accountability, promotes collaboration, and strengthens the link between collective goals and individual contributions. It also ensures sustainability remains central to business priorities rather than confined to specialized departments. 

    LEGO advanced in this direction by introducing a carbon indicator tied to annual bonuses for salaried employees. This integration embeds emissions reduction into personal objectives and sends a clear signal: improving environmental performance contributes directly to the company’s success. Such measures turn sustainability into a visible, measurable, and motivating commitment. 

    Maintain Accountability With Governance 

    While incentives and purpose drive behavioral change, governance provides the third key ingredient: structure.

    Governance means defining responsibilities, setting oversight mechanisms, and integrating sustainability in decision-making beyond leadership cycles. Incorporating sustainability into governance strengthens alignment between business goals and the actions needed to achieve them. 

    A solid framework enhances coordination, facilitates progress tracking, and promotes accountability. It also positions sustainability as a strategic dimension of the business, integrated into long-term planning, risk management, and talent development. 

    Unilever exemplifies this approach. The company embeds sustainability into decision-making through dedicated committees and regular performance reviews. It also relies on an independent advisory council that brings external perspectives and ensures transparency. This model allows environmental and social objectives to be managed with the same rigor as financial results. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Antonio Vizcaya

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  • Hey You Guys, It’s Lego’s November Releases

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    November is always a very quiet month for Lego, coming after a big summer and fall calendar and sitting before that mountain of new sets that always comes in January. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some good stuff coming.

    Just two sets are releasing from Lego at the start of November (with a mystery third coming a little later in the month—more on that later), including the recently revealed Goonies set and a lavish brick-built aquarium. Read on to get more details, including what bonuses you can pick up this month with your purchases.

    Lego Ideas The Goonies

    © Lego

    The latest addition to the Lego Ideas line brings the beloved ’80s movie to life in the form of a very clever replica of One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship. One side faithfully recreates the exterior of the Inferno, while the other recreates a bunch of iconic scenes from throughout the film, from the famous skeleton organ to the litany of traps the kids face, and even a nod to the famous deleted octopus attack scene. On top of that, you get a whopping 12 minifigures, including all the Goonies—Brand, Andy, Data, Mouth, Mikey, Stef, Chunk, and Sloth—as well as the villainous Fratelli family and even the remains of Willy himself ($330, available here from 11/1 through 11/3 for Lego Insiders members, from 11/4 general release)

    Lego Icons Tropical Aquarium

    10366 Prod En Gb
    © Lego

    Lego’s other big release of the month is a very artsy aquarium set. There’s not much water to be found in this 3D model, save for a back plate within the “tank” itself, but it does come packed with a plethora of buildable underwater flora and fauna, including moveable corals, a scuttling sea crab, and even a moving, wiggling fish. Clocking in at over 4,000 pieces, it’s a hefty size, with the final model coming in at over 20.5 inches wide—you’ll have to get rid of your actual fish tank if you want to display this! ($480, available here from 11/13 through 11/15 for Lego Insiders members, from 11/16 general release)

    Lego Gifts With Purchase In November 2025

    Although there aren’t many new Lego sets available this month, you can get a few extra goodies this month based on what you’re picking up. Both the Goonies set and the Tropical Aquarium will both receive their own special bonuses for grabbing them—the former will get a small replica of the Walshes’ attic (we waxed lyrical about it here), while the latter gets a very cute buildable fish tank filter, complete with fish food. Also still running through early November is the Disney Classic Animation Scenes gift, a small buildable TV set that includes swappable ‘screens’ representing the classic Disney logo or moments from Toy Story and The Lion King. Check out all the details below:

    • Lego Disney Classic Animation Scenes: Free with purchases over $130 until November 11 (or while stocks last)
    • Lego Goonies Walshes’ Attic: Free with purchases of Lego Ideas The Goonies between November 1 and November 7 (or while stocks last)
    • Lego Fish Tanker Filter and Fish Food: Free with purchases of Lego Icons Tropical Aquarium between November 13 and November 19 (or while stocks last)

    Lego Black Friday 2025 Set Reveal

    Lego Black Friday
    © Lego

    Lego traditionally always releases a new set on Black Friday, timed with the unveiling of its sales for the annual event. We’ll be learning more about it next week on November 6, when Lego will hold a livestream to reveal the new set, as well as its accompanying gift with purchase bonus. The company invites fans to “jump aboard” to discover the new set, which has already prompted plenty of speculation—something with a nautical theme? The recently teased and highly anticipated Star Trek set? Something to do with Stranger Things, to tie in with the launch of the final season around the same time? We’ll find out soon.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • This Tiny Lego ‘Goonies’ Set Makes the Big One Even Better

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    As glorious as Lego’s upcoming set based on The Goonies is, it’s actually better than you think. Here’s why. Last week, Lego revealed a massive new set based on the hit 1985 film. On the one side, it’s One-Eyed Willy’s ship from the end of the film. On the other side, multiple rooms capture stages of the adventure the characters go on throughout the story. It’s basically everything you love about The Goonies in one beautiful build. But, there are a few scenes missing, and it turns out Lego is bringing one extra room to life.

    If you buy The Goonies set starting next month, it will come with a second set of the Walsh attic. What the heck is that? Well, the attic is where the whole adventure starts. The place where Mikey brings his friends to look at his dad’s collection of artifacts, and they discover the first clues of the adventure. It’s a small set, only 179 pieces, but it’s so nerdy and specific that we are almost more excited about it than the full thing. Here are some images before we geek out fully.

    If you’re a fan of The Goonies, you probably have all the same feelings I do. Let’s start with the painting. That you can own, in Lego, the painting that Mouth sticks his tongue through is almost worth the cost of both sets. At least in my opinion. That has to be one of the funniest and best little Lego creations in forever.

    And that’s only part of it. There’s the pirate hat they pass around. There’s the “laser beams” that Chunk plays with. Of course, there’s also the framed map that starts this whole thing. And we love the addition of the poster for the Lighthouse Diner. Which we don’t think is in the movie, especially since it promotes “Veal Scallopini,” a funny nod to the film. (And is oddly spelled wrong?)

    Also, never in my wildest dreams did I think I needed mini-figs of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, but now it’s all I want in the world. But no Rosalita? Come on.

    Basically, this set is a dream for a Goonies fan. A must-buy even without the bigger set. But that it comes with it for free makes that bigger set even better. You can pre-order The Goonies Lego set (which comes with the attic set for a limited time) starting on November 1 for Lego VIPs and November 4 for everyone else.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    Germain Lussier

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  • Lego’s ‘Goonies’ Set Is a Massive Ship

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    Lego certainly loves itself a ship—from Pirates of the Caribbean to One Piece (and of course, all those classic Lego Pirate sets of yore), if the brick builder knows one thing, it’s how to make an impressive vessel. So perhaps The Goonies is the perfect movie for Lego to set its eyes on for its latest, lavish set.

    Today Lego revealed its next release in the fan-design-supported Lego Ideas line will be a huge, 2,912-piece set inspired by the Inferno from the film. One side will faithfully recreate the exterior of the pirate ship commanded by the infamous One-Eyed Willy, while the other will feature vignettes of key scenes from throughout the film. Think the recent Lego Star Wars Death Star, but pirate-ship-shaped and also not $1000 (“just” $310!).

    Lego Ideas The Goonies Gallery

    The replica of the Inferno houses a recreation of Willy’s boulder traps and spike pits, the iconic skeleton organ, and even a nod to the octopus attack scene that was famously cut from the original film. And on top of the set itself, you’ll also get 12 minifigures, giving you not just the Goonies themselves—Brand, Andy, Data, Mouth, Mikey, Stef, and Chunk (and of course Sloth, too)—but also the villainous Fratelli family in the form of Mama Fratelli, Francis, and Jake. To cap it all off, because it would be neither a Lego Goonies set nor a Lego pirate ship set without a skeleton, you also get the remains of One-Eyed Willy too!

    The Lego Ideas Goonies set will be available from November 1 through November 3 for members of the Lego Insiders program, before going on general sale November 4, and will retail for $330. You can find more details here.

    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    James Whitbrook

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  • Toys Aren’t Just For Kids Anymore

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    Toys for adults have become a multi-billion dollar industry and growing…

    In 2025, the toy industry is seeing a surprising shift, toys aren’t just for kids anymore. Driven by Gen Z’s mix of nostalgia, mental health awareness, and a desire for meaningful play, the adult toy and collectible market is booming. Brands like Jellycat, Labubu, and new favorites such as Crybaby are leading the charge, offering comfort, collectibility, and emotional resonance for a generation seeking joy in small, tactile experiences.

    RELATED: A Fun Habit Can Help Calm Anxiety

    Jellycat, the British plush toy brand, has become a cultural touchstone for Gen Z. Known for its ultra-soft plush designs and whimsical characters, Jellycat appeals not just to children but to young adults craving comfort. Limited-edition releases, soft textures, and quirky designs make them a must-have, while social media buzz—especially on TikTok—fuels the frenzy, with thousands of posts showing collections and trades. These toys aren’t just playthings; they’re emotional anchors in an unpredictable world.

    Pop Mart’s Labubu, with its mischievous rabbit-like grin, continues to dominate the collectible toy market. Its blind-box format drives repeat purchases and collecting habits, turning casual buyers into devoted fans. Alongside Labubu, the Crybaby line has emerged, offering characters that express a wide range of emotions. This focus on feelings resonates with Gen Z’s emphasis on mental health and emotional expression, while the rarity of certain figures fuels excitement and social sharing.

    Adult-focused LEGO sets are also experiencing a renaissance. Intricate builds like the LEGO Ninjago and LEGO Creator sets provide stress relief, creative stimulation, and a dose of “newstalgia”—a chance for adults to reconnect with childhood memories in a more sophisticated, satisfying way. Similarly, collectible designer figures, from anime characters to limited-edition art toys, offer exclusivity and aesthetic appeal, satisfying Gen Z’s desire for unique, culturally relevant items that also double as décor or status symbols.

    Yes, cow-themed toys are trending. From interactive plushes like FurReal Maggie the Feed & Follow Cow to playful games such as “Cows in Space,” these whimsical designs appeal to Gen Z’s love for quirky, unconventional toys. They also highlight the fun, playful side of adult collecting, showing that not all toys need to be serious or display-only.

    As the holiday season approaches, these toys are set to dominate gift lists. From Jellycat plushies to Labubu, Crybaby, LEGO sets, and designer figures, Gen Z is redefining what makes a meaningful gift. Small luxuries, nostalgic items, and interactive collectibles combine to create experiences that resonate deeply, making these toys some of the most sought-after items of the year.

    RELATED: The Rise Of The Pickle Flavor

    This movement is part of the larger “kidult” trend, where adults engage with toys for emotional comfort, creative expression, and nostalgia. Adults now account for nearly 28% of global toy sales, with the market expanding into a $114.4 billion industry. Plush toys, collectibles, and innovative new designs like Crybaby and designer figures offer solace, joy, and a sense of connection.

    The adult toy and collectible market is more than a trend—it’s a cultural shift. Gen Z is embracing toys for comfort, creativity, and emotional expression, with brands like Jellycat, Labubu, Crybaby, LEGO, and designer figures leading the way. This holiday season, these items aren’t just toys—they’re expressions of identity, care, and the joy of rediscovering childhood magic in an adult world.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • Prime Day Lego deals: Star Wars and Super Mario sets now up to 30 percent off for Day 2

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    With October Prime Day comes deals on all sorts of things, including tech and toys. Amazon has used the event to kickstart the holiday shopping season for the past few years, making it a good time to pick up early gifts for less and stock up on things for yourself without spending full price. Maybe you haven’t even thought about the holidays yet, but it’s worth giving the latest Prime Day Lego deals a look. A number of Lego sets from the Super Mario and Star Wars collections are already on sale for up to 38 percent off.

    When shopping for Lego sets on Amazon, we highly recommend checking a price tracker like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel before buying. It’s not difficult to find Lego sets “on sale” at Amazon, but often those discounted prices have been around for a long time. We’ve clocked “deals” in which the sale price has been available for months already, going back as far as late spring and early summer 2025. Here, we’re mostly highlighting discounts on new Lego sets, recent price drops and record-low (and close to them) prices on popular Lego sets from franchises like Star Wars, Super Mario and others.

    Best Amazon Prime Day Lego deals

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    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

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    Valentina Palladino

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  • Prime Day Lego deals: Get up to 30 percent off Star Wars and Super Mario sets

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    October Prime Day is here, and Amazon is awash with discounts to consider. Amazon uses October Prime Day to kickstart the holiday shopping season — even if you haven’t even thought about the holidays yet, you should give the latest Prime Day Lego deals a look. A number of Lego sets from the Super Mario and Star Wars collections are already on sale for up to 38 percent off.

    When shopping for Lego sets on Amazon, we highly recommend checking a price tracker like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel before buying. It’s not difficult to find Lego sets “on sale” at Amazon, but often those discounted prices have been around for a long time. We’ve clocked “deals” in which the sale price has been available for months already, going back as far as late spring and early summer 2025. Here, we’re mostly highlighting discounts on new Lego sets, recent price drops and record-low (and close to them) prices on popular Lego sets from franchises like Star Wars, Super Mario and others.

    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-lego-deals-get-up-to-30-percent-off-star-wars-and-super-mario-sets-121513345.html?src=rss

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    Valentina Palladino

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