LEGO Videogame Tie-Ins - Rumors & Discussion

[Karalora]

4 minutes ago, Yoggington said:

300 smackers!

Why I could buy two and a half X-jets for that!

Yeah, but what would you do with half an X-jet? *rimshot*

[RichardGoring]

18 minutes ago, Karalora said:

Yeah, but what would you do with half an X-jet? *rimshot*

Call it a v-jet? Or a ^-jet?

[VincentLord]

I have wanted Zelda sets for the majority of my lifetime and I am really pleased with what I see. Both models look really good, and the amount of prints and molds is fantastic. However, it does seem to me like LEGO threw two mutually exclusive $200 (accounting for their recent 'enthusiastic' pricing) sets into one box and decided to call $300 a deal, which I find hard to swallow. The amount of stuff you're getting here simultaneously is just too little for me to justify this, even though I am exactly the demographic for this set. It's everything I could have wanted out of a Deku Tree, and I know the price is inflated by the generous quantity of molds and prints, but I just cannot see how this is worth what they're asking for it, even compared to other current licensed sets.

[Karalora]

7 minutes ago, VincentLord said:

I have wanted Zelda sets for the majority of my lifetime and I am really pleased with what I see. Both models look really good, and the amount of prints and molds is fantastic. However, it does seem to me like LEGO threw two mutually exclusive $200 (accounting for their recent 'enthusiastic' pricing) sets into one box and decided to call $300 a deal, which I find hard to swallow. The amount of stuff you're getting here simultaneously is just too little for me to justify this, even though I am exactly the demographic for this set. It's everything I could have wanted out of a Deku Tree, and I know the price is inflated by the generous quantity of molds and prints, but I just cannot see how this is worth what they're asking for it, even compared to other current licensed sets.

I've been speculating that this was a very difficult, and possibly unusually expensive, license for LEGO to acquire. Nintendo is known to be protective of their trademarks, and Zelda in particular is one they can get quite finicky about because the fans take it so seriously (far more seriously than it takes itself IMO).

Here's hoping it at least sells well enough to open the gates for more, hopefully more affordable, sets in this franchise. There are so many unique visuals in the Zelda series that would be delightful to build.

[Robert8]

Why do the minifigures look so  knock-offy? 

[RichardGoring]

16 minutes ago, Karalora said:

Here's hoping it at least sells well enough to open the gates for more, hopefully more affordable, sets in this franchise. There are so many unique visuals in the Zelda series that would be delightful to build.

The problem is that if it sells well at this price point, then they know they can charge at this level again and people will buy it.

[Karalora]

5 minutes ago, RichardGoring said:

The problem is that if it sells well at this price point, then they know they can charge at this level again and people will buy it.

That's the rub, isn't it? You can only give the one set a thumbs-up or thumbs-down in its entirety. But we can keep our fingers crossed...when we're not using them to build, that is!

[JohnTPT17]

12 minutes ago, Karalora said:

You can only give the one set a thumbs-up or thumbs-down in its entirety.

Unless you Bricklink the minifigs/new parts - and Lego has access to all of that data since they own the site. Though I do agree with the above points - I don't want only large, expensive Zelda sets; I also want (and would prefer) smaller ones, especially now that new molds have been made for the important parts (I can only dream of reusing the OoT Link's hair/hat for a darker green Twilight Princess version...)

It is worth nothing that 26% of the voters on the poll on brickset have said that they won't get the set because it's too expensive, though. So it will be interesting to see how much this set sells...

[The_Fiery_Rooster]

Honestly, very torn by the final model here. Both forms look great, but like everyone else here, the price is pretty high for what's here. I've only played BotW and TotK, and I just don't feel like the Deku Tree is the best choice of model to represent BotW. For the sake of the 2 in 1 I guess it was the best choice, and it is an important location in both games, but it's not what comes to mind when I think of these games. I hope we're getting more Zelda sets in the future, because if we are, then I won't bother to get this.

Also, am I the only one who is confused on what color the Master Sword is? The box pics make it look purple, but in the studio pictures it looks a lot more blue. I can't seem to match it to any current Lego colors either, but maybe I'm missing something.

(check the minifig pics listed here to get the best look: https://www.newelementary.com/2024/05/revealed-lego-legend-of-zelda-77092.html)

[Karalora]

1 hour ago, JohnTPT17 said:

Unless you Bricklink the minifigs/new parts - and Lego has access to all of that data since they own the site. Though I do agree with the above points - I don't want only large, expensive Zelda sets; I also want (and would prefer) smaller ones, especially now that new molds have been made for the important parts (I can only dream of reusing the OoT Link's hair/hat for a darker green Twilight Princess version...)

It is worth nothing that 26% of the voters on the poll on brickset have said that they won't get the set because it's too expensive, though. So it will be interesting to see how much this set sells...

True enough...although they can't really gauge interest in sets per se based on people just buying unique parts and minifigures on BL. It might seem obvious, but corporate folks can be remarkably clueless in how they interpret sales data that doesn't immediately point to the answer they're hoping for.

[cosmic]

3 hours ago, Robert8 said:

Why do the minifigures look so  knock-offy? 

i disagree, I enjoy the quality of detail and really enjoy how they were executed. But maybe that's what you mean? It's unusual for Lego to provide such attention to detail, so perhaps the knock off essence is the peculiarity of leg detailing and arm detailing, matched with newly moulded accessories, in anything outside of a CMF Series.

Woah, lot's to comment on here. New moulds for the Ocarina, Links OoT hair, BoTW hair, Zelda's BoTW hair, the Master Sword, I believe that's it? But we also get dual molded arms and legs, plus leg printing. Still, I can't help but notice how empty the interior to the tree is for both buids. The Great Deku tree was basically a dungeon in Ocarina of Time, it feels awkward seeing it can only really fit 1 treasure chest and a couple of figures. Especially at this price point. At $300 i'd love to have both tree's built simultaneously. And if it only fits 1 tree at a time, I'd wish it was bulkier and had more interior space. We do have a lot of new moulds, but it feels like the actual scale and quantity of what he have is overpriced. A common sentiment, but I can't help but express it. 

Not happy about the price, but I love the characters we get to add into the world. Hetsu, 2 Korok's Navi, and the Deku Tree Sprout are all lovely inclusions. Kind of wish Hetsu had a sticker or printed belly piece but that may have brought the price to a meager $600 Rupees so thankfully they didn't do that. Also the Deku Tree Sprout looks kind of awkward and a little funny in front of the actual Deku Tree. Wish i could have both built at once, or that this was cheap enough to get 2 copies of.

Hopefully we end up getting a CMF for this theme. I don't need the Fire Temple and Water temple armors for Link to be in said CMF, we can just get them as figures in sets. But I would like to get Ganon with a new headpiece, a Gerudo warrior or 2, some Breath of the Wild skins, some Sheikah Warriors, and some Zora to fill out the Series. Very excited about where this theme is headed. Hope it sells well.

[Karalora]

5 minutes ago, cosmic said:

i disagree, I enjoy the quality of detail and really enjoy how they were executed. But maybe that's what you mean? It's unusual for Lego to provide such attention to detail, so perhaps the knock off essence is the peculiarity of leg detailing and arm detailing, matched with newly moulded accessories, in anything outside of a CMF Series.

The hair color on OoT Link is a little startling, as well as the puffiness of the bangs--those are both uncharacteristic for LEGO, but they do match the game design pretty well. I think people tend to forget just how saturated the palette in OoT really is, probably because some of the most memorable (i.e. traumatic) moments take place in darker or color-tinted environments.

[cosmic]

8 hours ago, Karalora said:

The hair color on OoT Link is a little startling, as well as the puffiness of the bangs--those are both uncharacteristic for LEGO, but they do match the game design pretty well. I think people tend to forget just how saturated the palette in OoT really is, probably because some of the most memorable (i.e. traumatic) moments take place in darker or color-tinted environments.

This is a perspective I have not yet considered. I appreciate that. However I must say, the figures to me are just fine if not great. It's a minor detail (in my opinion), that the hair colors don't match. I honestly just can't get over the price. Should be at least $20 cheaper. But as much as I complain I just know I'm going to buy it directly from Lego next time they have double VIP points...

 

edit: meant to say $50 cheaper lol. Should have been between $200-$250. Lol

Edited May 29, 2024 by cosmic

[SoupOrFishOil]

This was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see this for months!

I agree with pretty much everyone else. It's a neat set, but a weird choice. They must have really wanted the 2-in-1 feature for these two games in particular. The minifigures, new molds, and prints are all really cool. But I'll need to see reviews before forking over that much money for this set.

[Agent Kallus]

9 hours ago, JohnTPT17 said:

I also noticed this little blurb on brickset:

"It's worth mentioning that regardless of which version you choose to build, you will have the ability to construct both the Master Sword pedestal and Link’s House as smaller models."

That does feel like a nice consolation, so no matter which build you go with, there's somewhere for the other minifigures to hang out. It really does help the set feel very premium - it's just the less interesting subject/high price that are holding me back.

It does help a little but it still feels very steep. I know Ninjago sets are often better value than is standard due to being an original theme but it's crazy to me that the tournament temple city is £30 less but looks so much bigger and grander in every way ( model, piece count, fig count everythin. Legos price conversions aren't always consistent so I was hoping almost expecting it be around £200 which still wouldn't be a jaw droppingly good price but would be decent considering the extra parts for the other build option.

9 hours ago, Lyichir said:

Lots of printed parts too, though that's tended to be the case most of the time with these videogame-inspired themes.

I remember reading somewhere that the video games team had set themselves a rule of no stickers as far as they can get away with it, it was from a designer but I can't remember if it was Chi Wing Lee on Instagram or James May on Brickset.

Obviously there are exceptions ( I remember messing up my stickers slightly on the tall neck) but may that's due to it counting internally as an icons set rather than a video game theme ( like Sonic, Animals crossing,  Mario ( obviously mario also has pre applied stickers but they're a different kettle of worms) or Minecraft).

5 hours ago, Karalora said:

Here's hoping it at least sells well enough to open the gates for more, hopefully more affordable, sets in this franchise. There are so many unique visuals in the Zelda series that would be delightful to build.

I, perhaps naively optimistically, got the impression from the write up than they don't intend for this to be the only Zelda set. I could really see all those dedicated moulds reused.

Maybe a CMF next year? D&D got it's set abs then a CMF in the next few months and we don't know what next year's licenced CMF/CMFs will be yet. Though a proper line of decently priced playsets could be even better ( or both, but if not a CMF then they should give that slot to Doctor Who please )

6 minutes ago, SoupOrFishOil said:

This was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see this for months!

I agree with pretty much everyone else. It's a neat set, but a weird choice. They must have really wanted the 2-in-1 feature for these two games in particular. The minifigures, new molds, and prints are all really cool. But I'll need to see reviews before forking over that much money for this set.

 I do like the 2 in 1 idea but I can't help but wonder how much less they would have coat as separate sets?

[Bobdapeach]

5 hours ago, Karalora said:

I've been speculating that this was a very difficult, and possibly unusually expensive, license for LEGO to acquire. Nintendo is known to be protective of their trademarks, and Zelda in particular is one they can get quite finicky about because the fans take it so seriously (far more seriously than it takes itself IMO).

Here's hoping it at least sells well enough to open the gates for more, hopefully more affordable, sets in this franchise. There are so many unique visuals in the Zelda series that would be delightful to build.

Nah I don't think so. They've licensed the IP out multiple times for spin off titles, Koei Tecmo for Hyrule Warriors, and even the Indie developer who made Crypt of the Necromancer for Cadence of Hyrule. I doubt the licensing fee was that high to justify such a price - I mean, they're also making a Zelda movie. I'd say there are IP's they're way more protective of than Zelda.

Regardless, I do think this price is way too high, like incredibly high. 2,500 pieces for however much it costs in your country ($450 AUD here for me), and looking at the set, so many of the pieces are small parts, it's a huge rip off. LEGO Diagon Alley and Barad-dur have ~3,000 MORE pieces, and only cost an extra $250, Diagon Alley even comes with SEVENTEEN minifigures.

I was considering buying this before reveal, but for this price, unless it goes on a nice sale, I'm not that desperate not pick it up. I vote with my wallet and this ain't it, fam. I'll stick to my (not as) overpriced Jurassic Park and Animal Crossing themes haha. It's sad, because this is a set I'd love to pick up, but it's just not worth it, IMO.

[RichardGoring]

Do we know if this is LEGO Store exclusive? If it eventually makes it to widespread release I suspect it's a good candidate for one we'll see on sale.

But there will still be plenty of people buying it day one at full price.

[LDM]

I just want the sword. The deku tree is really bare bones and doesnt look great as a stand alone model.

[Karalora]

3 hours ago, Bobdapeach said:

Nah I don't think so. They've licensed the IP out multiple times for spin off titles, Koei Tecmo for Hyrule Warriors, and even the Indie developer who made Crypt of the Necromancer for Cadence of Hyrule. I doubt the licensing fee was that high to justify such a price - I mean, they're also making a Zelda movie. I'd say there are IP's they're way more protective of than Zelda.

Nintendo still controls distribution of the video game spinoffs, and the movie is still in pre-pre-pre-production, so we have no idea what that's going to look like or how much input Nintendo will insist upon. Probably not representative examples, in other words. In any case, even if they didn't overcharge for the license, I still get the impression that the development road for this set was a lot longer and more difficult than usual. How long ago did they start auto-nixing LoZ concepts on IDEAS? A few years, right? That suggests to me that the set has been in development at least that long. I don't know how long the cycle usually is, but that seems excessive. I imagine Nintendo drove a pretty hard bargain to make sure the characters and signature items looked right, which would mean meticulous design standards for the new molds and prints, and maybe a certain amount of trial and error before they got it just right.

And maybe there is an element here of the company going "Those game nerds are so hungry they'll pay whatever we ask for any crumbs we choose to throw," but that strikes me as out of character for them. TLG does not have a reputation of abusing customer trust and it seems weird that they would start now when this is bound to be a very high-profile set among the AFOL collectors.

I don't fault anyone for going "Phew, too rich for my blood" and giving it a miss, but I don't think anything sinister is involved with the pricing. It's just very far to the specialty end as these things go.

[Agent Kallus]

One think that is both interesting and promising is that this is a The Legend of Zelda set, it may just sound as if I'm stating the obvious here but what I mean is that it is categorised as a TLoZ set not an Icons set, unlike the PAC set or the newer LotR sets or the Dune set or transformers set or the (more recent) Back to the future set or the Horizon Zero Dawn set or the Atari set.

This suggests to me that we might get not just another big D2C set but perhaps a play theme.

Obviously this could mean nothing but I thought it was interesting to point out none the less.

[The_Fiery_Rooster]

26 minutes ago, Agent Kallus said:

One think that is both interesting and promising is that this is a The Legend of Zelda set, it may just sound as if I'm stating the obvious here but what I mean is that it is categorised as a TLoZ set not an Icons set, unlike the PAC set or the newer LotR sets or the Dune set or transformers set or the (more recent) Back to the future set or the Horizon Zero Dawn set or the Atari set.

This suggests to me that we might get not just another big D2C set but perhaps a play theme.

Obviously this could mean nothing but I thought it was interesting to point out none the less.

Well, LotR does have its own theme page on Lego.com, but you're correct on the others. I suspect the reason is that LotR also has the brickheadz, but I agree that it means we're getting more and hopefully soon. Another thing to look out for is if Transformers gets its own page when Bumblebee is revealed, but if not, I do think it's likely we'll get some general retail TLoZ products. Hopefully not brickheadz though.

Edited May 29, 2024 by The_Fiery_Rooster

[JohnTPT17]

I find it interesting that most of the conversation about this set is now revolving around it's price. Funnily enough, it kinda reminds me of that recent viral "Star Wars Hotel" video, in a sense. Just looking at one point, there's a poll on Nintendolife about the new set, and while nearly 2/3 of the respondents have positive feelings towards the set, just as many people (62%) think that the set is overpriced. Now, I don't fullly agree with that - some people are saying that the set should cost between $90 and $120, which is ridiculous - but it does sound like the price is a major sticking point for most people. If they are able to pull a Sonic out of this and adapt it into a cheaper playset series, anchored by this big D2C, then I think it will be a lot more successful in the long term. It would definitely help with this particular branch of the fandom:

58 minutes ago, Agent Kallus said:

One think that is both interesting and promising is that this is a The Legend of Zelda set, it may just sound as if I'm stating the obvious here but what I mean is that it is categorised as a TLoZ set not an Icons set, unlike the PAC set or the newer LotR sets or the Dune set or transformers set or the (more recent) Back to the future set or the Horizon Zero Dawn set or the Atari set.

This suggests to me that we might get not just another big D2C set but perhaps a play theme.

Obviously this could mean nothing but I thought it was interesting to point out none the less.

Good point! Hopefully that does mean we get more things to come. Heck, even if it is just some Brickheadz, if they include the new Master Sword and Hylian Shield molds, that might be enough to keep it on my radar.

 

[Karalora]

58 minutes ago, Agent Kallus said:

This suggests to me that we might get not just another big D2C set but perhaps a play theme.

Oh, yes, please. (And maybe a CMF line or two to bulk out the character roster?) Any of the 3D games could support an entire theme on its own, and even the 2D games have some extremely iconic moments and visuals and/or gimmicks that would be fun to brickify.

[Meaf]

19 hours ago, The_Fiery_Rooster said:

Also, am I the only one who is confused on what color the Master Sword is? The box pics make it look purple, but in the studio pictures it looks a lot more blue. I can't seem to match it to any current Lego colors either, but maybe I'm missing something.

(check the minifig pics listed here to get the best look: https://www.newelementary.com/2024/05/revealed-lego-legend-of-zelda-77092.html)

Oh huh that is interesting. I'm hoping it's closer to blue personally but I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that. Maybe they're just trying to be accurate to the games  (for those who don't know, the color has changed between games for some reason).

[Karalora]

Haven't there been parts in an inbetween blue-violet shade before? It would be interesting to see that revived; I think it would suit the Master Sword very well.