LEGO® Friends review: 41744 Sports Center

Continuing our look at the June 2023 wave of  LEGO® Friends sets, 41744 Sports Center offers a small range of new recolours, a colourful selection of lesser-seen elements and a build that makes great use of all 832 parts.

 

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
LEGO® Friends 41744 Sports Center
US$94.99/ £84.99/ 94.99€/ AU$149.99
832 parts
1 June 2023
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Recoloured elements in 41744 Sports Center

There are no new moulds in the set so we'll dive straight into recolours, starting with two exclusive Dark Azure elements.

• 4x Wedge 4 x 4 Fractured Polygon Top (6440423 | 28625). I can see these going straight into some fantasy builds as bio-luminescent geological formations.
• 3x Brick Curved 4 x 6 with 2 x 4 Cut-out (6438913 | 78522). Every time I see this part in inventory lists I think its some awesome new 2x3 double curved slope. Alas, it's just the big double slope of maxi-figure face fame - still, nice to see it in more colours.

1x Plate 6 x 14 in Dark Azure (6438916 | 3456) Is also new and exclusive. It seemed rather dull to photograph individually so alongside it I’ve placed some other Dark Azure parts of interest. 

All of the following appear in 2 other sets or less:

• 1x Tile 1 x 3 (6412744 | 63864) - New for summer 2023, it also appears in 41749 News Van
• 2x Plate Round Corner 5 x 5 with 4 x 4 Round Cut-out (6365941 | 80015) - Having spent a fair bit of time analysing this part, I'm always happy to see it show up
• 1x Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted (6382585 | 32803) 
• 1x Wedge Plate 3 x 3 Cut Corner (6369498 | 2450)

Some Vibrant Yellow/ Neon Yellow next; expect GBC displays to be even more eye-catching from now on!

• 1x Sports Soccer Ball (6439433 | 72824) - Appears in one other set, 40634 Icons of Play
• 1x Tile 2 x 4 with Groove (6432185 | 87079) - Appears in one other set, 60374 Fire Command Truck
• 1x Tile 1 x 2 with Groove (6392235 | 3069) - Appears in one other set, 60371 Emergency Vehicles HQ

From one vibrant shade to another, these Vibrant Coral plates might tempt some exo-planet landscape builders:

• 1x Plate 8 x 16 (6380629 | 92438) - Exclusive recolour
• 1x Plate 10 x 10 with Rounded End in Vibrant Coral (6438917 | 80031) - Exclusive recolour
• 1x Plate 8 x 8 with Rounded End in Vibrant Coral (6429606 | 41948) - Appears in one other set

A welcome palate cleanser after all that colour are these lesser-seen white elements:

• 1x Cable, Flexible 21L with 2 Connectors and Bars (6409728 | 2630) - New for 2023, in 4 other sets
• 2x Windscreen 2 x 6 x 2 Train without Glass (6057505 | 13760) - In 3 other sets
• 2x Brick Round Corner 5 x 5 x 1 with Bottom Cut-outs (6334516 | 76795) - In 3 other sets
• 2x Door 3 x 5 in White (6409780 | 2657) - In 3 other sets
• 5x Plate Round Corner 5 x 5 with 4 x 4 Round Cut-out (6399559 | 80015) - In 4 other sets
• 1x Plate 3 x 3 Corner (6428165 | 77844) - In 9 other sets - by now this part is pretty common but I feel its still new enough to include here

Eyes rested? Now for a feast of some rare and/or interesting odds and ends:

• 1x Tile 8 x 16 with Bottom Tubes in Bright Green (6289428 | 90498) - First appearance in a set - although has been available unprinted on Pick a Brick since 2019
• 1x Arm Skeleton [Bent / 2 Clips] in Light Bluish Gray (6363108 | 49752) - In 2 other sets
• 2x Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud in Light Aqua (6382504 | 6141) - In 2 other sets
• 1x Plate Round Corners Double 4 x 6 with 2 x 2 Cut-out and 2 x 6 Raised Studs in Bright Green (6402103 | 89681) - In 2 other sets
• 1x Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud in Light Aqua (6335549 | 3062) - In 3 other sets
• 3x Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 2/3 with 8 Studs on 3 Sides in Bright Pink (6345505 | 67329) - In 3 other sets
• 2x Cupboard 2 x 3 x 5 in Orange (6409779 | 2656) - In 3 other sets
• 1x Plate Special 4 x 4 with 3 x 3 Quarter Round Cut-out in Tan (6371465 | 35044) - In 3 other sets
• 2x Cupboard 2 x 3 x 2 with Hollow Studs in Dark Turquoise (6405560 | 92410) - In a total of 6 sets but only 3 in the modern teal era. Formerly 4532a, it appeared in 3 sets in 2001 and 2002
• 2x Plate Special 1 x 4 Rounded with 2 Open Studs in Black (6428167 | 77845) - Now in 5 other sets, but still pretty new and exciting to see

Decorated parts in Friends set 41744

Rounding off the parts section of this article, here are the exclusive prints:

• 1x Tile 1 x 2 with Smartphone, Graph/Glucose Monitor print in Vibrant Coral (6435092 | 103341)
• 1x Dish 6 x 6 Inverted (Radar) with Dark Blue/Coral Football print (Soccer) in White (6435157 | 103403)

I like the printed dish – it clearly represents a football on the finished sports center, but without that context I think it's versatile enough for other uses.

With a fairly large quantity of stickers, you do miss out on some detail if - like me - you choose not to apply them to the model. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how complete the set looked despite their absence. My favourite detail here is the fogged up mirror that a Mini-doll has tried to wipe clear.

Mini-dolls In 41744 Sports Center

Four mini-dolls are included, each sporting (ha) some noteworthy elements: 

Ivana

• 1x Mini-doll, Head, No. 388 in Warm Tan (6435150 | 103396) - Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with Blue/Lime/Coral Shirt, Shield, Dark Blue Collar print, Warm Tan Arms and Hands in Warm Tan (6443294 | 73141) - Exclusive
• 2x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with White Socks, Coral Shoes print in Bright Yellowish Green/ Lime (6442688 | 2277) - Exclusive

Leo

• 1x Mini-doll Torso Boy with Blue/Lime/Coral Shirt, Shield, Dark Blue Collar print, Medium Nougat Arms and Hands in Medium Nougat (6443401 | 73161) - Exclusive
• 2x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Light Nougat Legs, Coral/White/Blue shoes print in Bright Blue/ Blue (6443403 | 2277) - Exclusive

Niko

• 1x Hair Mid Length, Parted in Black (6420572 | 3277)
• 1x Mini-doll Head with Black Eyebrows, Reddish Brown Eyes, Open Mouth, Dark Tan Lips in Warm Tan (6416616 | 101222) - Appears in Two Other 2023 Friends Sets
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Boy with Blue/Lime/Coral Shirt, Shield, Dark Blue Collar print, Warm Tan Arms and Hands in Warm Tan (6444521 | 73161) - Exclusive
• 2x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with White Socks, Coral Shoes print in Bright Yellowish Green/ Lime (6442688 | 2277) - Exclusive

Hanna

• 1x Hair Long with Bun in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6442996 | 2633) - Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll, Head, No. 387 in Light Nougat (6435153 | 103399) - Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with Blue/Lime/Coral Shirt, Shield, Dark Blue Collar print, Light Nougat Arms and Hands in Light Nougat (6443045 | 73141) - Exclusive
• 2x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Light Nougat Legs, Coral/White/Blue shoes print in Bright Blue/ Blue (6443403 | 2277) - Exclusive

Since mini-dolls can't have double-sided faces, the set also includes are two additional heads for Nikko and Hannah:

• 1x Mini-doll, Head, No. 384 in Warm Tan (6435147 | 103393) - Exclusive
• 1x Mini, Head, No. 385 in Light Nougat (6435152 | 103398) - Exclusive

This angle highlights Hannah's arm print a little better. It's a blood-sugar monitor to go with the 1x2 printed tile we saw earlier.

The completed Sports Center

The build process was pretty uneventful. All the neat part usage and techniques are visible on the completed model, so let's jump straight to it.

Starting with the side builds, the best of the bunch is the scoreboard. An efficient little build, standing on a small semicircular base along with some greenery, a trophy stand and a small spot for target practice. Unfortunately, not applying stickers is pretty problematic here as the scoreboard is permanently blank!

The basketball hoop and catapult can be played with separately or used as interchangeable modules on the playing field.

The field's 8x16 footprint is rather small but the pair of 'mini-doll movers' and the modularity make up for its size. Maneuvering both figures at once is a little tricky as the field tends to slide around. Some rubber contact points on the base would've been nice. However, I'm not sure there would have been a good way to include these without adding unnecessary bulk. 

Since its all modular, you can also mix and match for more sporting combinations. Remove the goal posts, add a net and you're all set for a game of tennis. You could also repurpose the catapult for solo tennis practice or use the goal posts to play hockey with the sticks from the sports center.

Speaking of which, lets take a look at the main thing you pay for.

Large panel elements account for the majority of the structure's bulk. Sometimes reliance on big parts can lead to decently sized builds with little substance, but thankfully that is not the case here. Plates, SNOT bricks and tiles are interspersed for some lary-yet-cohesive colour blocking. The brick-built sign adds extra height and dynamism and I appreciate the simple tree and seating area. 

The back of the sign is a bit unsightly but that's probably consistent with how such things look in reality. Inside we see that the parts budget wasn't just spent on an empty shell - a significant number is used for details too. Note the tiled floor in the shower and the Minions tuft hair used for the black hairdryer nozzle. The two machines in the gym are quite intricate but it's parts well spent in my opinion.

The focus on detail over bulk does have its drawbacks. For one thing, there's no access to the upper level - unless you count the climbing area, but the Health & Safety department would probably object to that idea.

Although, they seem content to let poor Niko run until he drops... to the ground floor! An extra stud or two of floor space up here would've been appreciated. Alternatively, for a quick fix, rotating the treadmill 90° is an option.

The climbing room includes rows of lockers for small accessories and a spinning column for figures to conquer. Because mini-dolls can't turn their hands, they end up in some uncomfortable looking positions when clinging to the safety rope - but perhaps that actually adds realism? Either way, its fun to spin them around and see them 'climb' the dark azure monolith.

Also note the row of trophies, I enjoy the fact a third can be made from the spare parts which explains the empty spot. I'm now wondering what other sets have 'spots for spares' - readers, let us know!

Closing Thoughts

Parts-wise, the set doesn't offer a great deal of new elements, but as a general parts pack there's a good selection of shapes and colours to bolster a growing collection. Understandably the set's focus, and its biggest strength, is playability. It offers a huge variety of activities for Heartlake City residents (and us big figs) to enjoy.

While far from a bargain, the set does represent better value for money as a playset compared to some other sets, although I'd still recommend looking out for a discount if you can. 

 

Hardly anything feels superfluous or over-engineered. Pretty much every element used is for meaningful aesthetics or things mini-dolls can interact with. It would have been nice to have a bit more depth to the building and/or a way for figures to access the second floor but I'm glad the focus was kept on the details. 

READ MORE: Meet LEGO® parts 73763, 73764 & 3863: A worm gear family

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