LEGO® Monkie Kid review: 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Hideout

Thomas Jenkins has already reviewed the largest offering of the January 2023 wave of LEGO® Monkie Kid sets, 80045 Monkey King Ultra Mech, and I have taken a look at 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech and 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet in a combined review, plus 80043 Yellow Tusk Elephant. Today it is the turn of 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Hideout. 

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
LEGO® Monkie Kid 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Hideout
US$139.99/ £89.99/ 99.99€/ AU$169.99
1582 parts
1st January 2023
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New moulds in 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Hideout

This set offers us a handful of new moulds:

• 1x Neckwear Eagle Beak in Bright Light Orange (6365499) - also found in 80045
• 4x Finger with clip in Pearl Gold (6426622) - unique here in Pearl Gold, but also in Black in 76243 Rocket Mech Armor

This new family mould also appears in 80043 and 80045:

• 1x Weapon Pack in Pearl Gold (6410229) 

Recoloured & printed elements

The following recoloured and printed elements are all unique to this set, unless otherwise stated:

• 2x Tile Round 2x2 with Bottom Stud Holder in Bright Green (6422433 | 14769)
• 2x Wedge Plate 8x3 Left (6190040 | 50305) and 2x Right (6425442 | 50304) in Green
• 2x Tile 45° Cut 2x2 in Dark Purple (6424624 | 35787) - also in 41732 Downtown Flower and Design Stores
• 1x Plate Special 2x2 with Only 2 studs in Bright Bluish Green/Dark Turquoise (6422225 | 33909)
• 2x Brick Curved, 3x1 with 1/3 Inverted Cutout in Dark Turquoise (6425443 | 70681)
• 2x Launcher, Plate Special 1x2 with Mini Blaster Square in Bright Pink (6418082 | 69754)
• 4x Flag 2x2 Square, Flared Clip Edge [Thick Clips] in Sand Yellow/Dark Tan (6365489 | 80326)
• 1x New Printed Kitten in Medium Azure (Mo) (6417775 | 80686)
• 2x New Printed Tile 1x2 with Pigsy's Head in Medium Nougat (6417774 | 3069) - also due to be included in a polybag, 30656 Monkey King Marketplace - which is probably why this is the only decorated element in this set which is not a sticker
• 1x Weapon Hilt Symmetric in Red (6422224 | 66909) - also appears in 80045

Rare elements

These elements have been seen in one other set:

• 1x Wedge Plate 6x12 Left in Sand Yellow/Dark Tan (6425446 | 30355) - only previously seen in 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg! 
• 4x Hinge Plate 1x4 Swivel Top / Base - Hollow Clip [Complete Assembly] in Bright Yellowish Green/Lime (6416707 | 1927) - also in 76910 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro and Aston Martin Vantage GT3
• 1x Plant, Carrot Top in Glow in Dark White (6365597 | 33183) - just in 75571 Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch
• 1x Dish 2x2 Inverted [Radar] in Satin Trans-Dark Blue/Trans-Dark Blue Opal (6337409 | 35395) - only in 40478 Mini Disney Castle
• 1x Brick Curved, 3x1 with 1/3 Inverted Cutout in Dark Stone Grey/Dark Bluish Gray (6388127 | 70681) - additionally in 10307 Eiffel Tower 
• 3x Slope Curved 2x2 with Stud Notches in Sand Green (6416005 | 66956) - only previously seen in Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch
• 1x Headwear Accessory Braid in Bright Bluish Green/ Dark Turquoise (6397822 | 80681) - also in 60339 Double Loop Stunt Arena
• 4x Brick Special 1x4 with Groove in Sand Green (6407809 | 2653) - only otherwise in 21336 The Office

The following elements have been in two other sets:

• 1x Wedge Plate 6x12 Right in Sand Yellow/Dark Tan (6426230 | 30356) - only in Welcome to Apocalypseburg! and 75810 The Upside Down 
• 2x Wedge Plate 2x2 Right in Dark Green/Green (6385279 | 24307) - in 21332 The Globe and 40564 Winter Elves Scene
• 1x Plant, Carrot in White (6164293 | 20086) - just in 10305 Lion Knight's Castle and 10290 Pickup Truck
• 23x Plate Special 1x2 Rounded with 2 Open Studs in Sand Green (6303004 | 35480) - additionally in 40521 Mini Disney The Haunted Mansion and Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch
• 4x Brick Curved 1x1x2/3 Double Curved Top, No Studs in Dark Red (6341471 | 49307) - also seen in 71399 Luigi’s Mansion Entryway Expansion Set and 43202 The Madrigal House
• 3x Tile 1x3 in Medium Nougat (6365746 | 63864) - also in 71402-9 Coin Coffer and The Office
• 1x Wedge Curved 4 x 4 No Top Studs in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6335830 | 47753) - also in 75322 Hoth AT-ST and 76193 The Guardians’ Ship 
• 2x Wedge Curved 16x4 Triple in Sand Green (6381682 | 45301) - also in 10280 Flower Bouquet and Welcome to Apocalypseburg!

The following have been seen in three other sets:

• 3x Tile Special 1x2 with Sloped Walls AKA Money/Gold Bar [Ingot] in Dark Orange (6396922 | 99563) - also in 76956 T. rex Breakout, 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum and 10306 Atari 2600
• 2x Brick Curved 1x1x2/3 Double Curved Top, No Studs in Reddish Brown (6371437 | 49307) - 41700 Beach Glamping, 75338 Ambush on Ferrix and 71410-8 Waddlewing
• 2x Brick Curved 1x1x2/3 Double Curved Top, No Studs in Bright Purple/ Dark Pink (6334833 | 49307) - in 41722 Horse Show Trailer, 41444 Heartlake City Organic Café and 43201 Isabela's Magical Door
• 1x Animal, Chicken with Red Comb Pattern, Black Eyes print in Dark Orange (6319680 | 69977) - also in 60344 Chicken Henhouse, 41721 Organic Farm and 60352 City Advent Calendar 2022
• 2x Wedge Plate 2x2 Left in Dark Green/Green (6385276 | 24299) - also in The Globe, 40571 Wintertime Polar Bears and 10308 Holiday Main Street
• 2x Tile Special 2x3 Pentagonal in Bright Green (6334125 | 35341) - previously only in 80020 White Dragon Horse Jet which Aron Gerencsér reviewed for us in February 2021- also now coming in 80041 and 80043
• 1x Minifig Head (No Face), Reddish Brown World Map Missing Japan, Hawaii print in Brick Yellow/Tan (6407746 | 79608) - also in 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, The Office and 43193 Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana's Storybook Adventures
• 3x Brick Arch 1x5x4 Inverted in Medium Stone Grey/Light Bluish Gray (6310881 | 30099) - seen in 80039 The Heavenly Realms, 80024 The Legendary Flower Fruit Mountain and 75291 Death Star Final Duel 
• 1x Wave/Flame with Clip in Transparent Bright Green/ Trans-Bright Green (6375785 | 80519) - also in 80035 Monkie Kid's Galactic Explorer, 80033 Evil Macaque’s Mech and 80037 Dragon of the East 
• 4x Plate Special 1x2 with Pin Hole in Dark Stone Grey/Dark Bluish Gray (6396058 | 28809) - additionally in 21333 The Starry Night, 75331 The Razor Crest and 75573 Floating Mountains: Site 26 & RDA Samson
• 1x Wedge Sloped 45° 3x3 Left (6331863 | 42862) and Right (6331861 | 48165) in Dark Tan  - also in 80106 Story of Nian, 76191 Infinity Gauntlet and 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival

The following have been seen in four other sets:

• 1x Wedge Plate 8x8 Cut Corner in Dark Tan (6395743 | 30504) - in 76408 12 Grimmauld Place, 76402 Hogwarts: Dumbledore’s Office and 76401 Hogwarts Courtyard: Sirius’s Rescue and now in 80040
• 14x Equipment Candle Stick in Bright Green (6328327 | 37762) - previously in 60345 Farmers Market Van, 21189 The Skeleton Dungeon, The Office and 80107 Spring Lantern Festival
• 1x Tile 1x3 in Dark Turquoise (6213787 | 63864) - also in 60319 Fire Rescue & Police Chase, 40536 Miles Morales, 75572 Jake & Neytiri’s First Banshee Flight and 41683 Forest Horseback Riding Center
• 2x Tile Round 1x1 with Hollow Bar in Earth Green/Dark Green (6392975 | 31561) - also in 21189 The Skeleton Dungeon, 71410-8 Waddlewing, 41775-4 Dinosaur Unikitty and one of the Unikitty! Series 1 figures
• 1x Tile Special 1x2 with Sloped Walls AKA Money / Gold Bar [Ingot] in Bright Red/ Red (6394880 | 99563) - seen in 31206 The Rolling Stones, 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, 76225 Miles Morales and 76230 Venom
• 2x Plate Round 1x1 with Open Stud and Bar on Underside - Long Space in Dark Stone Grey/ Dark Bluish Gray (6392597 | 79194) - also in 76832 XL5 Spaceship, 76831 Zurg Battle, 76216 Iron Man Armory and 10307 Eiffel Tower
• 1x Slope 45° 2x4 in Sand Green (6351392 | 3037) - in 6402 Hogwarts: Dumbledore’s Office, 76387 Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter, 76389 Hogwarts Chamber Of Secrets and 9483 Agent Mater’s Escape
• 1x Plate Special 2x6x2/3. With Four Studs on Side, One Support Wall on Bottom in Sand Green (6227190 | 87609) - also in 21326 Winnie the Pooh, 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg!, 75255 Yoda and 21042 Statue of Liberty

Minifigures in Monkie Kid's Team Hideout

Let's take a look at the notable minifigure elements which are included in the set:

Monkie Kid

Monkie Kid's hair and head have been in a handful of other MK releases, but his torso and legs are new prints unique to this set:

• 1x New Printed Torso in Bright Light Orange (6429234)
• 1x New Printed Legs, dual moulded in Red and Black (6417764) 

Pigsy

Pigsy comprises the following newly printed elements, which also appear in 80043:

• 1x New Printed Torso in Dark Purple (6427306)
• 1x New Printed Medium Legs in Dark Blue (6420206)

Mei

Mei's head and hair have been included in several other Monkie Kid sets, her torso and legs are new prints, unique here:

• 1x New Printed Torso in White with Spring Yellowish Green arms (6429266)
• 1x New Printed Legs in White, dual-moulded with Black (6417766) 

Sandy

Sandy's head, torso and legs are unique in this set, but his bushy beard has been seen in a few other Monkie Kid releases:

• 1x New Printed Head in Medium Azure (6417767) - single-sided but I show the full print in the rear view
• 1x New Printed Torso in Dark Purple with Bright Green Arms and Medium Azure Hands (6428261)
• 1x New Printed Legs in White with Light Bluish Gray Hips (6417769) 

Lee

Lee's head and legs are rare, the torso is a unique new print:

• 1x Minifig Head Bird-Watcher, Eyelashes, Beauty Mark, Peach Lips, Open Mouth Smile/ Closed Mouth Smirk Print in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6372016) - in 2 other sets, 71032-9 Collectible Minifigure Series 22 Bird-Watcher and Lion Knight's Castle
• 1x New Printed Torso in White (6428466) 
• 1x Hips and Dark Turquoise Legs in Dark Turquoise (6397830) - in 3 other sets, 60339 Double Loop Stunt Arena, 80011 Red Son's Inferno Truck and 80015 Monkie Kid's Cloud Roadster

The Golden-Winged Eagle

The Dark Turquoise hair is covered among the rare elements listed above, and the beak neckwear is a new mould, also covered above. The head, torso and legs (also included in 80045) are:

• 1x New Printed Head in Light Aqua (6417770) -  single-sided but I show the full print in the rear view
• 1x New Printed Torso in Light Aqua (6428990)
• 1x New Printed Legs in Black (6417772)

The build

The set is aimed at the 9+ age range and so the building techniques are a little bit more complex than some of the cheaper models in this wave. It was an enjoyable build experience with not much repetition along the way. The instructions are in two large booklets, but the design is very modular, with several of the bags making up completely stand-alone models, so this could easily be shared as a family build if the instructions are downloaded onto a phone or tablet. 

When completed, the modules we have are a blacksmith's forge, the Mountain hideout with a cave garage beneath (for Monkie Kid's flying delivery bike) and a platform above for one of the modules to sit on (a temple is the default). There is a small angled section with bamboo and a well, then the more open side of the hideout with a market stall, fish stall and Pigsy's noodle bar. The market stall and noodle bar are also based around 8x8 plates and sit on the main construction attached with jumper plates. Finally, there is a small shrine and rock face.

The instructions show illustrations of how the various modules could be arranged, so I thought I would put together this animation of this. The three main sections can also be swapped left to right, although the shrine and a small wedge-shaped section are used as "bookends" for the whole model.

The modules each have open backs to allow for easy access during play, with a few interior details to add interest.

There is a very nice mechanism under the main mountain which allows the bamboo at the front to swing open and "launch" Monkie Kid's flying delivery bike. It was fun to discover how it was put together, and it works very well - the bike has to be pulled gently off its mooring, but kids with small hands should have no trouble being able to do that in the slightly restricted space of the cave.

Another clever build was the abacus which uses LEGO Technic bushes hanging on fencing foils, supported by headlight bricks, to represent the counters. I love the Wooden Duck picture which is hanging on the wall nearby.

Another image in the instruction manual offers the suggestion that this set can be combined with 80036 City of Lanterns. Fortunately, I haven't yet MOC'ed my copy into oblivion, so I can recreate it here for you to see - there are plenty of other combinations which could be tried out, I'm sure you will have fun swapping things about to your satisfaction!

MOCs inspired by 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Headquarters

The modular nature of the set got me thinking about making some more little builds to add to the scene. I still have quite a few pieces left from my reviews of 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech, 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet and 80043 Yellow Tusk Elephant, so some of them came in very useful.

First up, I thought that the Monkie Kid crew would need somewhere to contain any baddies who might attack their hideout, once they had been captured. So I recoloured the cage from 80043 to house the  Yellow Tusk Elephant who has been taken prisoner after a failed attempt at attacking the base!

The module has the 1x2 Technic bricks with 2 pin holes situated in the same place as the other builds so that it will be compatible with the main model.

Then I thought I should make a temple for all those lovely shiny gold elements which were left over from the Elephant set as well. I used some other elements from Mei's Dragon Jet to construct the roof and green canopy at the rear.

And here are the two modules added to the rest of the set. It's an easy module standard to follow, so I'm sure you will be able to think of other things to make which would fit in with the set.

Conclusion

With 1582 pieces, and a price per part value of 5.7p / 8.8c / 6.3c, this is a fairly substantial set which I feel offers good value for money, particularly for the UK and Europe. Once again in this wave, US customers seem to be paying comparatively more for their bricks - looking at a rough exchange rate against the Euro, the US price would be around $106 rather than a cent under $140! Even compared to Sterling, they appear to be paying about $30 over the odds. 

Pricing aside, I think the set will provide some imaginative play scenarios with its interactive features and interchangeable modules, especially if used in conjunction with other modular LEGO Monkie Kid sets. The parts selection offers some nice rarer elements as well as some unique minifigure parts.

READ MORE: Review of LEGO® ICONS™ Modular Building 10312 Jazz Club

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