Megablocks go Blue!

[Lordofdragonss]

I found this pics on Smurf BBS:

They are making this sets because of new Smurfs movie in 2011. maybe Lego will get this licence in time anyway? We all know how people love thos blue creatures right? We could get a Lego mushrooms already!

EDIT: Pictures fixed

Edited May 24, 2010 by Lordofdragonss

[Matn]

Unfortunately, the pictures don't work when used outside that website. So I also searched them; here's the link: http://bluebuddies.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/2398.html (refresh your page if they don't turn up right away).

I have to admit, I like them in a way. Yes, there are many big parts, but it's the Smurfs! I loved them as a child, I have a massive amount of figures of them. These figures resemble them very well, so well that this new toy line actually looks just the same as my figures and their accessories, and their houses, just with some studs on them! Looking at these pictures brings back memories... But I'm not excited for the film. It's a Belgian thing, it has nothing to do with America, then why bother making an American film about them? Oh, yeah and it's MegaBloks.

Edited May 23, 2010 by Matn

[legitimatealex]

What ticks me off about this is that all the people in that forum call them Smurf 'lego' even though they're Megablocks...As my parents learned early on in childhood: there is a difference.

[Peppermint_M]

I am sure there were once generic brick sets for building things for the old smurf figures that I came across once. Will post if I ever find them again.

Those look Duplo sized brick to me...

[Joey Lock]

I don't understand why Megabloks did this. Its not even Bricks.

[Ezechielle]

I don't find these Mega Bloks sets so interesting... I mean, the studs are just ugly and fans will always prefer the Schleich Smurfs toys. About the film... well... as I don't trust Hollywood and the American cinema industry, I doubt it will be very interesting; and as a Belgian, I fear to see it completely "lost"...

[Lordofdragonss]

The best pieces from this sets are the leaf pieces. They looks so cute!

And from film pictures I must say they really going to do a great job- The smurfs looks good and Gargamel and hos Azrael are just adorable!

Edited May 24, 2010 by Lordofdragonss

[larry marak]

MegaBloks got the license because 1. they were willing to pay more than Lego for it and 2. they are the most experienced manufacturer of "duplo" scale elements. Remember Ritvik toys (Rita and Vic Bertrand) invented the "Mega" scale building block system. It was only after Lego started cloning Mega with their Duplo sets that Mega Brands started issuing blocks on the "micro" (Lego system) scale. MB still dominates the young children's building block market world wide, and Lego is trying hard this year to acquire some of Mega's shelf space.

[user]

Oh god! I hope lego doesn't adopt this theme it would be horrid! I don't have much against the blue midgets but a lego theme would end up being an over <insert that tiresome argument> mess. These for example, The managed to make megarubbish even worse and more <insert that tiresome argument> before.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/398090...85674d2f7_o.gif

Funny image but it's rather big...

Edited May 31, 2010 by Siegfried
Pic to link

[Siegfried]

Remember Ritvik toys (Rita and Vic Bertrand) invented the "Mega" scale building block system. It was only after Lego started cloning Mega with their Duplo sets that Mega Brands started issuing blocks on the "micro" (Lego system) scale.

Yeah? I can't find anything to support that. The best I could find was this which says quite the opposite.

[Peppermint_M]

Yes, Duplo first appeared in 1969, I have a Duplo rattle that was first manufactured in 1984, when Ritavik was first displaying their bricks.

As you mean the "mega" scaled bricks, well there is Quatro. Quatro was first sold in 2004 and then discontinued in 2006.

So for super large bricks Mega does have the history, but for all the rest, it is fighting for a market share with Lego.

Duplo is the bricks four times the size of system, and Quatro is bigger again.

(source gtplanet)

[Oky]

I actually kinda like these, but that's probably just their resemblance with the smurf figurines from my childhood. I actually wouldn't mind a Lego Smurfs theme, but these Megabloks ones aren't very good in terms of building sets. But then again, they're the equivalent to Duplo.

And now I got their theme song stuck in my head. La La Lalalala, La Lalalala ...

Great.

[Dunjohn]

There's a Smurfs movie coming out?

*checks internet*

Dear God, it sounds awful. Central Park? Really? What is this, the 1980s?

I quite like the look of the Megabloks sets. I won't be getting them, but as standalones, they're quite cute.

[larry marak]

There's a Smurfs movie coming out?

brace yourself for all sorts of product placement commercials (ala the Toy Story 3 tie-ins that are all over the tube) and Smurf Huggies, Smurf Satin Jackets, Smurf children's games, maybe even a Blue Lager from Sam Adams brewery.

[brickzone]

I think these will have some appeal for kids who would go for a playmobil style static plastic play model, but would enjoy mixing their existing Lego/Megablocks with these scenes.

I'm not in absolute opposition to <insert that tiresome argument> parts or "toy-like" parts if it is a case of construction toys muscling in on other toy market segments. I'm only opposed to such parts if they are *replacing* detailed building blocks.

It's the same reason I think Racers are a great idea even if I don't care for them myself - it is great if some kids are getting these rather than toy cars! Far more versatile! The same goes for Duplo stuff, even the likes of the Disney Cars theme (although a bit more customisability of the models would have been preferable). Better to see this stuff as a building toy (even a "pseudo" one) than static plastic toys.

Duplo is the bricks four times the size of system, and Quatro is bigger again.

Actually Duplo is double the size of System, and Quatro quadruple the size, hence the names.

In terms of scale, each dimension is doubled for Duplo bricks and quadrupled for Quatro. Along each side a Duplo 2x2 is twice the size of a System 2x2 (Duplo 2x2 is four system studs long on either side). Four times the area on each side/top/bottom of course and in terms of absolute volume, a Duplo 2x2 is eight times the size of a System 2x2, but the category that counts is the relationship for any given dimension (height, length, width) which is doubled for Duplo.

[lightningtiger]

Well my favorite Smurf was Handy Smurf - Brainy always gave me the you-know-whats !

But why $#@$%$ Megablocks again wasn't Iron Man 2 bad enough !

I'm a conformist! everyone !

[vexorian]

Well my favorite Smurf was Handy Smurf - Brainy always gave me the you-know-whats !

But why $#@$%$ Megablocks again wasn't Iron Man 2 bad enough !

I'm a conformist! everyone !

I don't really care about the license but those sets are just ...wrong, they seem like they would put a smurfs playmobil sets on a stud plate...

[larry marak]

Thanks for correcting me on the earlier appearance of Duplo scale. As I rapidly approach senescence (I'll be 60 August 5) there seems to be more and more fuzz accumulating between the crevasses of my cerebrum!!!!

Larry the Elder

[Siegfried]

As I rapidly approach senescence (I'll be 60 August 5) there seems to be more and more fuzz accumulating between the crevasses of my cerebrum!!!!

Larry the Elder

In future I'll be sure to give you the respect that your advancing years deserves.

[Sir Gecko]

We could get a Lego mushrooms already!

BrickForge makes Mushrooms for Minifigs.

~SG

[robuko]

Smurfs are cool.

I saw the Megabloks Smurf sets yesterday in Toys R Us in Tsim Sha Tsui. They are minifig scale, not Duplo sized, though Gargamel is massive in comparison to the Smurfs. My impression was that the minifig moulding and printing quality (all I am really interested in) was not that great, but all the set concepts were good, and they would be good playsets for children. Clearly not aimed at AFOLs. I would definitely buy these if they were impulse sized, but the cheapest set were US$10-15. The format is the smaller sets come with only 1 or 2 minifigures, and a lot of megablocks <insert that tiresome argument> stuff I probably wouldn't want, for houses etc.

Edit - on investigation, there are impulse sets available, just they weren't for sale yesterday. I just want Papa Smurf and Smurfette, though, who only come in the bigger sets.

smurf range

Edited July 13, 2011 by robuko

[Sokratesz]

What ticks me off about this is that all the people in that forum call them Smurf 'lego' even though they're Megablocks...As my parents learned early on in childhood: there is a difference.

Yeah its annoying as hell. They use 'LEGO' to address the entire collection of plastic construction toys >.>

[simonjedi]

I'm honestly more surprised that megabloks consider THE SMURFS of all things to be a potential best selling line.

[dr_spock]

There is a Smurf movie coming out and that can help drive mechandising like MegaBlocks Smurf.

[perplexingArticulator]

Heh, I do so love watching Mega Bloks' habit of hastily snapping up pretty much every licence they can grab, even (or especially) the more unlikely ones like this. It never ceases to amuse (except that time they snagged Thomas the Tank Engine after LEGO was through with it, that just hurt). From what I recall about LEGO's concerns about licencing which eventually had a hand in the creation of BIONICLE, it'll probably come back to bite Mega Bloks in the rear eventually. Concerning the sets themselves... yeah, that's some pretty rampant juniorisation even for Mega Bloks. It might be the result of the photography, but the plastic just doesn't look right either. Also, I find great amusement in how the minifigs look very little like Mega Bloks figures; trying to divorce ourselves from our primary product are we, Mega Bloks?