New SW Pics & NY Toy Fair 2011 Pics & Videos

EB’s KimT reports on new SW pics, uncovered by Grogall (hurray).  If you are a Star Wars fan, do head over to this EB thread to see more pics.

I’m expecting more and more pics from the NY toy fair to surface while I’m in bed, so here are some links for your convenience… seeing as we have already seen a fair number of the sets from the German toy fair, I’m just looking out for those we haven’t seen yet…

  • The FBTB guys are at the fair so look out for updates on FBTB from the RSS feed on the right, or check FBTB’s flickr account.  The guys estimate that they’ll start uploading pics around 12 noon EST on Sunday February 13.
  • KimT also shared this link to Sir Steve’s Guide which already has pics from the toy fair.

Yodanews is posting videos of the LEGO presentation… here is the Millennium Falcon HD one, I’m sure more will be posted so be sure to check their youtube channel for more k?

Unfortunately the Harry Potter one isn’t clear… I’m sure the HD version will be all over the internet by tmr…

UPDATE: Didn’t take too long, here are pics of the HP sets we haven’t seen before, i.e. Forbidden Forest & The Knight Bus, thanks to Matn from EB who also shared the link to the site he found them from The Pop Culture Network folder.  The folder seems to have loads of pics, but I’m too tired to browse thru all. 

Hasbro’s Transformers Fight For Construction Glory

News of Hasbro’s new Transformer series of construction toys seem to be making quite a splash.  I’d always thought it’ll be cool to have the Transformer toys in LEGO form… perhaps with Optimus Prime as a UCS set… sadly, it’s not to be since Hasbro has gotten the licence… the consolation?  It’s LEGO bricks compatible so perhaps the Transformers will be visiting my LEGO town after all. 😛

Here are some pics and a summary of what to expect from this line:

  • The new line called Kre-O that’s compatible with Lego blocks.
  • The line will launch with 12 Transformers sets including Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.
  • Each Transformer set comes with two sets of instructions so the same bricks build the vehicle version of the Transformer as well as the robot version.
  • Prices range from $6.99 to $59.99.
  • Hasbro plans to expand Kre-Os to its other brands eventually.

What do you think?  Will you get some sets to play with?  I’ll probably get one at least to try out the quality and playability before deciding if I would get more… of course, if it was LEGO Transformers, then there wouldn’t be any hesitation… alas… 😦  Oh well, more official set pics and prices from Tformers if you are interested.  I actually think some of the sets look pretty good.

And how about the Dr Who range of LEGO compatible toys that I blogged about some time ago?  I found a review of the Dr Who playsets by Active Dad and thought some of you (from UK?)might be interested to know more… after seeing more of the sets, I’ve to admit I’m no longer interested.  LEGO still rocks for me. 😀

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=12902487 and pic from http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/toy-fair-2011-coverage-speed-stars-and-little-bit-of-everything-else/20812/

LEGO News Release for New York Toy Fair

Not many surprises here, but I thought some of the USD pricing information could be new…

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LEGO Systems Unveils New Collection at 2011 American International Toy Fair

– From the first preschool building experience to the final click of a brick on a themed model to the roll of the dice, children of all ages have so many ways to creatively play –

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — American International Toy Fair– LEGO Systems, Inc., makers of the world’s leading construction toys, unveils its largest collection of build and play toys ever – including 170 new products for children of all ages – at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Children’s imaginations will be sparked by open-ended building sets, themes such as ninjas, aliens and a desert quest, the celebration of stories and characters from the big and small screen, and a growing collection of build-and-play board games. New products are displayed at Booth #1335 in Hall 3B of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, February 13-16.

“This year, we’re continuing to over-deliver on what children always expect from a classic LEGO building experience through a new collection and new themes, but we’re also finding ways to put a LEGO spin on new play experiences,” said Soren Torp Laursen, president, LEGO Systems.  “Last year, we successfully added board games to our business and brought new users into the brand, which we’re continuing again with the new Ninjago franchise that blends three play patterns into one property to engage builders, action-oriented kids and gamers in a compelling story that can lead them from their favorite play pattern potentially into another.”  

Preschool Building (ages 1 1/2+)

The largest LEGO® DUPLO® line ever offers youngsters so many ways to play. Highlights include Play with Letters ($29.99), encouraging free-form building and learning. A new collection of “My First” DUPLO sets – My First LEGO DUPLO Set ($14.99), My First Supermarket ($19.99), My First Zoo ($24.99) and My First Fire Station ($29.99) – combine building and role play, while fostering creativity and imagination. New LEGO DUPLO brand collections inspired by Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 and Disney’s Winnie the Pooh let children recreate favorite scenes and role play with beloved characters from the upcoming feature films ($14.99 – $49.99).

Classic LEGO Building (ages 4+)

Open-ended LEGO Bricks & More boxes, buckets and tubs offer a versatile collection of LEGO bricks and elements to set imaginations in motion, while providing building instructions and photo inspiration for a variety of different models to bring children’s big ideas to life ($9.99 – $19.99).  LEGO CREATOR™ kits ($5.99 – $39.99) offer children who like to build and re-build 3-in-1 building instructions for multiple models from the same kit in cool themes like vehicles, houses and animals, with a fourth building instruction available online. Minifigures added to the new Log Cabin ($29.99) and Lighthouse Island ($39.99) add role play fun. Skilled builders rise to the LEGO TECHNIC® challenge of building new kits that replicate real-life machinery ($10.99 – $59.99).  

LEGO Themes (ages 5+)

Builders master the lost martial art of Spinjitzu to save the world from Garmadon’s skeleton army in new LEGO NINJAGO, which combines classic LEGO construction with social and virtual gaming experiences under one story line to engage any child in the experience. Eight building sets ($4.99 – $69.99) and six collectible spinners ($9.99 each) are available now. Five more building sets ($19.99 – $119.99) and eight collectible spinner sets ($9.99 each) will launch later in the year. Virtual gaming that integrates to the play will be available through LEGO BATTLES: NINJAGO on Nintendo DS in April and through the first product-inspired zone in LEGO Universe, the company’s massively multiplayer online game.

Builders outsmart mummies on a treasure hunt with six LEGO PHARAOH’S QUEST sets ($4.99 – $99.99), available now. Aliens invade Earth and builders save the planet using seven sets from the LEGO ALIEN CONQUEST collection ($4.99 – $89.99), available in August. Three LEGO ATLANTIS sets ($4.99 – $19.99), available now, and two more ($29.99, $69.99) in August continue the story of exploring inside of the lost, underwater city. Construction turns back time to the medieval village in four new LEGO KINGDOMS sets ($9.99 – $69.99).

Downtown action and adventure continues to build in LEGO CITY. A collection of Police themed sets ($9.99 – $99.99) keeps the city safe, while people work and relax dock- and beach-side with the Harbor collection ($4.99 – $89.99). CITY dwellers look to the stars as astronauts blast into the galaxy with the help of the Space collection ($9.99 – $69.99). Collectors will rejoice over 48 never-before-seen LEGO Minifigures, each sold separately in unmarked packaging ($2.99 each). LEGO RACERS zoom around faster than ever with new Tiny Turbos sets ($5.99).  

Licensed Building Fun (Ages 6+)

Excitement builds as a collection of LEGO sets inspired by Disney-Pixar’s Cars, the world-renowned film franchise set to speed to the top of the charts with the June premiere of Cars 2, race into builders hands in May ($9.99 – $69.99).  In May, building sets inspired by classic Disney Pirates of the Caribbean films and the fourth installment in the film franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, sail onto shelves ($11.99 – $119.99).  The story and characters also come to life in May with LEGO PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: The Video Game.

LEGO STAR WARS™ continues to inspire creativity in children and collectors as new models from classic episodes and the animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ($11.99 – $139.99).  The blockbuster video game franchise expands with LEGO STAR WARS III: THE CLONE WARS in March.

Building adventure returns to Hogwarts™ with best-selling LEGO HARRY POTTER™ as favorite characters meet three more constructible locations, available in June ($11.99 – $49.99), to support the final film’s premiere.  

LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants™ is back with wacky new building adventures from two Bikini Bottom stories – HEROIC HEROES OF THE DEEP and GLOVE WORLD  – available in August ($14.99 and $19.99).

Construction (Ages 5+)

Constructible action figure play reaches a fever pitch as the LEGO HERO FACTORY ramps up production to build robotic heroes to help diffuse and squash an onslaught of missions coming in from across the planet. 6 new villains create a need for the heroes to become bigger and stronger and to create vehicles to help the cause ($7.99 – $29.99).

LEGO Games (ages 6+)

LEGO Games, the world’s first collection of board games to build, play and change, continue to build game nights to new heights. Two new games in March ($9.99 and $14.99) and four new games in August ($9.99 – $34.99) offer a LEGO twist on classic board game play patterns of strategy, luck, memory and logic.

Game enthusiasts will love HEROICA, a build-and-play adventure gaming platform featuring four new games launching in August ($14.99 – $29.99). Every game is a unique strategic mission to build and explore in fantasy settings, full of obstacles and treasures. Games can be played individually, or combined to create a new and different adventure game challenge.  

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children.  The company is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: “Only the best is good enough.”  Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com

LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, NINJAGO and TECHNIC are trademarks of the LEGO Group.  © 2011 The LEGO Group.

STAR WARS, THE CLONE WARS and related character names are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s111)

©2011 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. Created by Stephen Hillenburg.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lego-systems-unveils-new-collection-at-2011-american-international-toy-fair-115885299.html

Summer 2011 Spongebob Sets

Hmm… don’t think there are many Spongebob fans among AFOLs (judging by the length of the EB 2011 sets thread vs the Star Wars one)… but for those who were curious ever since hearing about 3816 Glove World and 3815 Heroic Heroes of the Deep… 🙂

3816: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_SvZKGtymdxw/TUw-G5gh67I/AAAAAAAAC98/917G3nk_H3k/foto20.png

3815: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_SvZKGtymdxw/TUw-IAAmYNI/AAAAAAAAC-I/cam5K71uHw4/foto22.png

Source: Shared by EB’s Lordofdragonss

Pic of Star Wars Advent Calendar (7958)

So it didn’t take so long huh? And the mystery fig in the advent calendar that Huw mentioned is… drumroll…

*spoiler alert*

Yoda in santa outfit!

Here you go! 😉

Source: Thanks to R4-G9 from Brickset from sharing: http://theclonenews.freeblog.hu/archives/2011/02/08/sz/

More Summer 2011 Set Pics

UPDATE: Don’t forget you can see close-ups of 2011 Summer Star Wars minifigs, see pics of minifig Series 5, get more info on upcoming DK Ideas, Star Wars & Harry Potter books and the LEGO Collector’s Guide too.  Not to mention the pics of POTC sets… almost there!  We are missing the advents, modular, winter & TRU exclusives… for now. 🙂 

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Kris Kelvin continues with more pics for Cars, Star Wars, Kingdoms and Technic sets… yippee!  Some simple touched-up pics below.  For earlier pics, do read my earlier post that also included links to EB’s discussion forums.   

Cars – 8484 Ultimate Building Lightning McQueen & 8487 Flo’s V8 Cafe

Star Wars – 7961 Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator, 7962 Anakin’s & Sebulba’s Podracers, 7964 Republic Frigate

Kingdoms – 7189 Mill Village Raid (box art)

Technic – 8109 Flatbed Truck

New Pics of Summer 2011 HP, City, Cars & Star Wars Sets

EB member Kris Kelvin shared pics of the summer 2011 sets such as

  • Harry Potter Battle of Hogwarts (4867): Click here for more
  • City sets Power Boat Transporter (4643) and Marina (4644): Click here for more
  • Cars set Mack’s Team Truck (8486): Click here for more (I can’t tell from the pic, but remember that Huw mentioned no stickers? Hope that’s true! I’ll hate for this set to be all stickered…)
  • Star Wars Sets Sith Nightspeeder (7957), Millennium Falcon (7965), Ewok Attack (7956): Click here for more

And over in the EB Technic forum, backbone shared pics of the summer 2011 creator and technic sets: Click here

Along with the earlier batch of pics from the German Toy Fair, I think it’s time to start shortlisting the sets you want to get in 2011?  (That’s Ninjago, Aliens Conquest, Heroica (board games), Pharaoh’s Quest, Kingdoms, Atlantis, Collectible Minifig Series 5 & Atlantis pics and/or videos)  I’ll recommend using Brickset to set up a ‘want’ list: 2011 sets  🙂

P.S: I enhanced the original pics so it’s easier to make out the details. 🙂