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LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance Coming!

by Thita (admin) on May 23, 2023

in LEGO Technic

The LEGO Group has unveiled today a new #42158 LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance model, a STEM space-themed product designed to encourage children to learn more about engineering.

Just two years ago, Perseverance landed on Mars and started its epic journey to seek signs of ancient life and collect samples from the mysterious red planet. This new LEGO Technic model of the rover allows builders aged 10+ to understand the awesome feats of engineering that make this vehicle so adept for Martian exploration and learn about how the rover’s features and functions work.

The LEGO Technic model features 360° steering and a movable arm, plus fully articulated suspension that lets the rover travel across uneven surfaces on all 6 wheels. And just like its real-life counterpart, the LEGO Technic model is joined by a replica mission companion Ingenuity Helicopter. The set comes with 1,132 pieces, and measurements are as follows: over 9 in. (23 cm) high, 12.5 in. (32 cm) long, and 9 in. (23 cm) wide

“Working on this model has been both challenging and exciting” said Luke Cragin, Designer at the LEGO Group. “I’ve always felt passionate about space, and the design process let me explore my interest as I recreated the incredible engineering developed by the pioneering team at NASA. We hope the model’s features and functions will help introduce young space lovers to the world of engineering and encourage them to reach for the stars in the future.”

The augmented reality app called Technic AR will give fans a holistic experience both physically and digitally. They will be able to discover exciting, educational content getting to know the real-life vehicle and its mission on Mars. Through the app, it’s also possible to pull an overview of the weather on Mars on demand or learn about the environment and the rover’s mission.

The #42158 LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance is going to be available from June 1st at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop. Prices are as follows: £84.99 / €89.99 / $99.99 / 899.0 CNY /1999.9 TRY / 39990.0 HUF / 129.99 CAD. For more information, visit the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

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LEGO Icons PAC-MAN Arcade Set Coming Soon!

by Thita (admin) on May 22, 2023

in LEGO Exclusives

The LEGO Group and Bandai Namco are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of PAC-MAN with the reveal of the new vintage #10323 LEGO ICONS PAC-MAN Arcade set – one of the most famous and nostalgic arcade games of all time.

Originally released on May 22, 1980, by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (previously Namco) in Japan, the PAC-MAN video game became a cultural icon. After 40 years of being a part of pop culture worldwide through games, TV shows, music, and more, the LEGO Group has collaborated with Bandai Namco to bring the 80s classic back in brick form. This collaboration led to the unique discovery that PAC-MAN’s famous yellow color was inspired by the LEGO Group’s signature color.

The new LEGO set design shows an arcade version of PAC-MAN and allows you to recreate some of the legendary ghost-munching moves of the game. In addition, builders can create large colorful brick versions of PAC-MAN, BLINKY, and CLYDE that rotate on a base and can be displayed on top of the cabinet or separately.

Once complete – you can light up the coin slot with the included light-brick, plus there is a small vignette of a female minifigure playing PAC-MAN on an arcade, hidden inside of the cabinet. The model measures 12.5 in. (32 cm) high, 10 in. (25 cm) wide, and 7 in. (17 cm) deep, and the set comes with 2,651 pieces.

PAC-MAN FUN FACTS:

On May 22nd, 1980, the first focus test was held for PAC-MAN, where members of the public got to see the yellow character for the first time.
PAC-MAN is yellow, as designer Mr. Iwatani was inspired by the iconic yellow of the LEGO brick.
The character shape is based on a pizza with a slice missing.
The game was released in Japan on June 29, 1980 – before being made available in the rest of the world.
A PAC-MAN cartoon hit appeared on TV screens in the 80s.
Buckner & Garcia released the hit single “PAC-MAN Fever”, which went as high as 9th place on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in March 1982.
In 1993, Billy Mitchell of Florida became the first person to ever achieve the game’s perfect score of 3,333,360 points. In order to achieve a perfect score, the player would have to clear all 256 stages without a single miss, and consume all PAC-DOTs, fruits, and ghosts (consume 4 ghosts with each POWER PELLET).
In recognition of PAC-MAN’s 1980 release, where it installed 293,822 arcade units within 7 years, the Guinness World Records acknowledged the game as the “Most Successful Coin-Operated Game” in the world.

Describing the process of designing the new set, Sven Franic, LEGO Designer comments: “A cultural icon for the past 40 years, it was a delight to bring PAC-MAN to brick life. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to bring classic gaming experiences to life. Our team of talented designers worked tirelessly to capture the essence of the beloved PAC-MAN arcade machine in brick form, from PAC-MAN himself to the colorful, maze-like environment he inhabits. Every detail was carefully considered and crafted, resulting in a one-of-a-kind LEGO creation that captures the magic of the original game while adding a playful new twist and a couple of Easter eggs – in true video game style. We are thrilled to share this incredible build with the world and cannot wait to see the joy it brings to fans of all ages.”

Adding on the collaboration, Aadil Tayouga, Director of Licensing and Business Strategy at Bandai Namco Europe says: “Bandai Namco and the LEGO group share a lot of common values, notably aiming at providing fun for all people through quality products. In addition to these values, since PAC-MAN yellow was actually inspired by the LEGO Group yellow, it made the connection even more natural. It has been a tremendous collaboration with the passionate teams at the LEGO Group and we hope that fans will enjoy this kit.”

LEGO VIP members will have early access to purchase the #10323 LEGO PAC-MAN Arcade set from the 1st of June from official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop, and the set will be available to all from the 4th of June at the recommended retail price of $269.99 / €269.99 / £229.99/349.99 CAD/399.99 AUD/6299.9 TRY/114990.0 HUF/2299.0 CNY. For more information, visit the LEGO Icons section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? Are you excited about the new PAC-MAN set? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance Coming!

LEGO Icons PAC-MAN Arcade Set Coming Soon!

PAC-MAN FUN FACTS:

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