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LEGO Ninjago Samurai Mech review

(Written by Geneva – gid617)

My brother got the #9448 LEGO Ninjago Samurai Mech just recently, which is one of the new summer Ninjago sets, and also one of the coolest!  Naturally, he was in a big hurry to open it, so I didn’t quite get the all-the-pieces-laid-out-ever-so-neatly picture that I would have liked. 🙂

But first things first; the box! It’s actually pretty big: although, inside is mostly empty space. And the back is quite nice – especially with Snike going through the air! (You can click on images for larger view.)
 

Evidently the set was complicated enough to have two instruction booklets (most LEGO sets do these days) and three bags full of pieces.

Bag Number One makes the body, Number Two the legs, and Number Three the hands and head of the Samurai Mech.

And there is also a small sticker-page:

Below is a random instruction-page, and also the back of the first booklet (the reason for the last page saying 14 while the “random page” says 28/29 is that the instructions start with #1 again once you get to the second bag).

In the middle of the second instruction-booklet there is a Ninjago weapons poster, with Lloyd and the ninja on the previous page and the new characters on the following page.

The inventory at the back of the booklet gives the all-pieces-laid-out picture, which really helps if you have a piece going missing.

The end of the second booklet includes more Ninjago posters: the new Ninjago sets, new Spinjitzu spinners, and on the next page a picture with the ninja vehicles jumping out of a laptop, iPhone, etc. Still waiting for that to happen in real life… 🙄

Ok, we’re done with all the paper. On to the Samurai Mech! Somehow I’m never quite content with a LEGO set until I’ve changed it a little. So here is the original Samurai Mech and below my “edited” version.

For one thing, we took off the claws on the right hand. They’re a nice addition to the set piece-wise, but the Samurai Mech just looks too strange with those massive claws. So they were the first to go. And then, for those of us who watch the show, there never was a water-blaster on the left (which really doesn’t seem to have much point to it anyways – Samurai X isn’t fighting Lava Monsters!). So that was replaced with another cannon. And then we changed the cannon so that it’s not quite so high up in the air.

The back of the Samurai Mech is the least impressive part, especially with the blasters the way they are. But add a couple flames. . .  now it looks more like the real thing! If the set had come with the flames in the back and dark gray round flat tiles (maybe they don’t exist yet in that color), so that you could switch it from flying to not-flying mode, I would really have liked that.

The Samurai Mech also has several nice features. For one thing; the head opens and the Mech can maintain balance even with opened position.

An additional interesting detail is the Japanese symbols on the sticker located on the right arm (maybe it’s supposed to be on the left arm). Personally, I don’t like stickers that much, but they do add some nice detail here. 

Also, the arms and legs can all be moved (and in all different directions!), so that allows you to pose the Mech in almost any stance. Yet another thing that I haven’t mentioned is the fact that it includes a snake-catapult, and of course the minifigs, which adds to the set’s playability.

Overall, the LEGO Ninjago Samurai Mech is an awesome set, with a lot of details and a realistic looking size – although it would never fit on the deck of the Destiny’s Bounty! Here is also a nice video-review by DoctorBrikDady that provides some additional details you might like:

The one main problem I have with the Samurai Mech is that it can only hold one minifigure; you can’t put Lloyd in along with Samurai X, although, as long as he has the dragon, I suppose that isn’t a problem. Also, flames on the back would have made for a nice added detail. On the other hand, it has an excellent color-scheme, and is a very nice looking robot, with plenty of defensive armor to ward of those pesky snakes! It also has a nice price-per-piece ratio at less than 9 cents/piece, and has several interesting pieces. Although you won’t ever be able to build a house out of it, it’s excellent for red, dark-red and gold details!  😀

So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Ninjago Samurai Mech? And do you like any of my modifications, or would you like to share some of your own? Feel free to discuss in the comment section below!  😉

You might also want to head over to the LEGO Ninjago section for more news and discussions, or check out some of the most recent posts:

{ 48 comments… add one }
  • NRG Jay July 22, 2012, 11:14 AM

    Yesss, first comment! Wow, great review gid17! Planning on getting it already but, you’ve spurred me on even more!

  • legolotr (Nick) July 22, 2012, 11:20 AM

    Someone should have a battle between this and the lex luthor mech. :mrgreen:

    • Pythor953 July 22, 2012, 1:31 PM

      Personally I think battling it against the fangpyre mech would suit it better.

      • legolotr (Nick) July 22, 2012, 8:33 PM

        Three way battle!!! :mrgreen:

  • CD's Lego Blog July 22, 2012, 11:35 AM

    Awesome set! Great review!

  • zane zx July 22, 2012, 11:39 AM

    nice post! I have Destiny’s Bounty and you r right…it won’t(I dont have the mech but in the movie)

  • Jacob July 22, 2012, 11:49 AM

    I was a fan of the Exo-Force line, and though I still think Ninjas with vehicles defeat the point of having Ninjas to begin with, I still knew I wanted the set when I first saw it.

  • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 12:56 PM

    Nice post Geneva! Mind sending me a copy for my website?

    • legolotr (Nick) July 22, 2012, 1:07 PM

      She probably won’t answer till tomorrow.

    • admin July 22, 2012, 1:34 PM

      Please note that Geneva usually isn’t online on Sundays, so you would probably hear from her tomorrow. Also, please note that copying an article is a really bad idea. You can have your website shut down. However you can ask her to write another article on the topic, or you can use exerts from an article linking back to the original. 😉

      • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 1:38 PM

        But can’t I use the original article the one she wrote before you edited it? 😕

        • admin July 22, 2012, 1:40 PM

          I actually don’t really need to edit her articles. All I do is insert the pictures where she wants them and do a little formatting. Geneva is an excellent writer! 😀

          • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 1:43 PM

            But you change the articles a little right? But could she send me her original copy?

            • admin July 22, 2012, 2:11 PM

              As I said; Geneva’s articles need no editing. I may do some formatting, but editing is either non-existent or very minimal. Sure, she can send you her article. You guys do as you like. I’m just pointing out that you could get in trouble for copying articles from other websites. If I remember correctly they need to be at least 30% different from the original to not be considered a copy. 😉

    • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 6:51 PM

      Never mind! I thinking of another story idea 😉

  • josh July 22, 2012, 3:16 PM

    DoctorBrikDady is my favorite reviewer!

  • love that set! great review! 😉 and is youre brother like a kid or an adult like u? 😕

    • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 3:45 PM

      She is not an adult she is a tfol

  • oh oops! 😳 i forgot to read who did this post i thought admin did! 😳 😳

    • admin July 22, 2012, 7:07 PM

      I was wondering about that comment… no problem… it’s clear it was a mix-up. Geneva is the queen of Ninjago, so she writes pretty much all of the Ninjago posts. I’m also learning from her. 😉

  • Taryn (Ninja of Electronics) July 22, 2012, 6:08 PM

    Geneva is a really good writer. I think the water gun is a funny addition. Why does lego give you extra parts in a set is a mystry to me

    • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 6:53 PM

      Well, they usually give you extra pieces in case you loose some of the small pieces!

  • nace10 (Noah M.) July 22, 2012, 6:56 PM

    One of the best posts on the site! You should write more reviews!

    • ntk743 July 22, 2012, 6:57 PM

      I agree!

    • gid617 July 25, 2012, 2:33 PM

      Not going to repeat all my coments but thanks for the compliments 😉

  • Kai NRG Inferno July 26, 2012, 3:39 AM

    I dont really like samurai mech 👿 because it would be much better if it came with lloyd zx and probably a snake general. I prefer epic dragon battle MMMMUUUUCCCCCCHHHHHH more. 😀

    • gid617 July 26, 2012, 1:21 PM

      You can only have so many minifigs. . . 😉 And it is the only place you can get snike. . . 😀

      • woo hoo July 27, 2012, 10:48 AM

        o well can he not have his own comment :’@

      • Kai NRG Inferno July 27, 2012, 3:46 PM

        True I guess your right.

  • woo hoo July 27, 2012, 10:47 AM

    i love samuri mech 😀

    • Kai NRG Inferno July 27, 2012, 3:47 PM

      Hi woo hoo I think I know you from somewhere…..

  • woo hoo July 27, 2012, 10:52 AM

    :mrgreen:

    • Kai NRG Inferno July 29, 2012, 3:03 AM

      Congrats you got a brickblogger account now you can comment on the awesomest thing ever NNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Ben Lego July 27, 2012, 2:15 PM

    I like the ultra sonic raider.I am gowing to
    Vromot and.I will bring the ultra sonic raider whth us.

  • Amy L July 29, 2012, 10:32 PM

    Heya! I love this review, I was already checking out this product when I first saw it on tv but now with this review I got it today. I was just wondering what piece did you use to move the cannon lower? I would like to do that too as the default looks too funny.

    • gid617 July 30, 2012, 11:20 AM

      It’s the same piece, just stuk it in a different hole. Instead of coming out the top, the cannon now goes out sideways. Does that make sense? 😕 😉

  • ntk743 July 31, 2012, 2:40 PM

    New contest on Ninja of Ninjago website!

    Anyone can enter!

  • Kai NRG Inferno August 1, 2012, 7:34 AM

    It would be cool if you did a epic dragon battle and ultra sonic raider review (lasha’s bite cycle is’nt brilliant) cos this review was awesome.

    • gid617 August 4, 2012, 1:09 PM

      I would love to, but I do have to have the sets! 😉

  • ntk743 August 2, 2012, 9:16 AM

    Contest 2 on Ninja of Ninjago site! Anyone can enter 😉 and
    everyone should enter!!! 😀

  • Dude August 5, 2012, 7:13 PM

    I Just got that set and your details are nice i actually made my own so as you saw in episode 11&12 sensei had a seat so itook of the cannon and gave him one! nice review i would post a pic on it but i don’t know ho so..

    • gid617 August 8, 2012, 7:18 AM

      Yeah, my brother tryed to do a seat, but it’s a bit complicated! 😉 😀

  • Dude August 5, 2012, 7:16 PM

    Sryy abou the typing mistake i was hurrying it should be this i took and off 😀

  • Jay-the best ninja (even as a microfig) August 26, 2012, 12:53 AM

    This is an awesome set. My friend just got it, and there are hardly any similarities between it and the show version.

  • pia August 28, 2012, 3:17 PM

    hi, admin do you know if the stone army is real for ninjago if it is real does it come out in january.

    • admin August 28, 2012, 9:19 PM

      Pia, yes, the stone army is real. As far as if they will ever be in any LEGO sets, we will have to wait to find that out. Usually by November we should have at least some rumors of what will come in January. 😉

  • nrg jay September 12, 2012, 10:36 AM

    loid zx eto kruto

  • LittleNinjaJay December 7, 2012, 5:12 PM

    I am asking for this set for Christmas! I really want the Epic Dragon Battle but it costs to much 🙁
    I really want this set so badly! 😀

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