Like some kind of speed-crazed blue rodent, LEGO® Sonic the Hedgehog™ sets aren't slowing down. Now officially in the second year of playsets, the video game theme released three sets in August 2024: 76997 Tails' Adventure Boat, 76998 Knuckles and the Master Emerald Shrine, and 76999 Super Sonic vs. Egg Drillster; each packed with recolours, new prints, and more rare elements.
That might be as expected, but were you expecting a new LEGO® Technic brick mould? Neither was New Elementary! Read on to see how The LEGO Group has stepped it up in each of the newest Sonic sets.
Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.
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76997 Tails' Adventure Boat
US$54.99/ £54.99/ 54.99€/ AU$89.99
393 parts
Release Date: 1 August 2024
New mould: white 1x3 LEGO Technic brick
- 2x Technic Brick 1x3 with Holes in White (6476051 | 5565)
That's right, there's a new Technic brick in two sets in this LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog wave. As a longstanding classic middle ground between the Technic System and LEGO System, Technic bricks predate Technic liftarms by 18 years.
New additions to the format have appeared irregularly since the introduction of LEGO Technic in 1977; for example in 1996 the 1x2 brick with holes centered on the studs (32000) as opposed to the original style of pin holes between stud intervals.
This new 1x3 brick bears similarity to part 32000, as few Technic-to-LEGO System crossover pieces have their studs and pin holes aligned. One key difference with the 1x3 is its bottom side, which features "nail rail" antistuds allowing for greater half-module offset flexibility; a totally new inclusion on standard Technic bricks.
The similarities to existing elements begs the question of why these parts are included in Sonic sets. Many implementations could be tackled by a 1x1 Technic brick and/or the aforementioned 1x2, including those in this Sonic wave, so we expect this part to be used in future sets in a way that the older parts couldn't. Watch for our set and build reviews of this wave, to see how these parts are used in Tails' boat and one of Eggman's Badnik robots.
New recolour
- 2x Cylinder Hemisphere 7 x 7 Flat (Pod Half) with 2 Pin Holes in Transparent Bright Orange/ Trans-Orange (6500765 | 1974)
Since the inception of LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog playsets, the speed sphere has been a prominent centerpiece. Tom Loftus explored LEGO part 1974 last August, proving it to be a versatile and playful part even with just two proper connection points. One year ago, these minifigure capsules only came in trans-light blue or printed red for non-minifigure usage. That's because the trans-blue yo-yo halves matched an encapsulated blue Sonic; now this flashy trans-orange colour supports Tails, a playable character who has achieved similar speed capabilities to Sonic for nearly the whole franchise's history. After all, this set is all about Tails' boat, he ought to have some spinny speedy fun too.
New printed computer screens
- 1x Tile 2 x 4 with Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Video Game Pattern in White (6478991 | 87079)
- 1x Tile, Modified 2 x 2 Inverted with Blue Circle Sonic Shield and Dark Blue Striped Screen with Buttons Pattern in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6478993 | 11203)
You'd think Tails would need maritime and vessel data to command his adventure boat, but instead the captain is gaming on the bridge, where a classic piece of Sonic video gaming history is front-and-center. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is a game released in 1993, and this over 30-year callback refers to a reskin of Puyo Puyo for Sega consoles. The game is perfectly represented by this tile, with its two-player versus mode showing characteristics similar to Tetris and Dr. Mario which inspired Puyo Puyo developer Compile.
The other new computer print is a more-recognizable piece from Sonic games, a blue shield power-up which can make the difference between finishing a level or losing all your golden rings. This modernized style with smooth, round shapes replaces the shield's true-to-game pixelated pattern in LEGO Ideas 21331 Green Hill Zone (as reviewed by Áron Gerencsér, now a product designer for LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog).
Not pictured is this set's third new print with the boat's name, a 1x6 white tile with "SEA FOX II, EST. 1992" text and a Tails logo (6478992 | 6636).
Minifigures
For a set featuring Miles Prower, aka Tails, effort has been made to provide a unique variant of the twin-tailed fox. This version of Tails features a new face with a winking eye and slanted grin (6492805).
Sonic appears identical to his appearances in previous playsets, as does Tocky the turtle from 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman's Death Egg Robot.
Rare parts
- 2x Wedge 10 x 3 Right in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6306742 | 50956)
- 2x Wedge 10 x 3 Left in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6306741 | 50955)
- 2x Technic, Panel Fairing # 8 Very Small Smooth Short, Side B in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6430392 | 2389)
- 2x Technic, Panel Fairing # 7 Very Small Smooth Short, Side A in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6430389 | 2387)
- 2x Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger Horizontal End in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6500764 | 53028)
- 1x Brick, Round 1 x 1 with Stylized White 'CHAOS COLA' on Dark Red Background and Bright Pink Circles Pattern in Bright Red/ Red (6452585 | 3062pb078)
- 2x (+1 extra) Tile, Round 1 x 1 with White Eye Partially Closed with Black Half Circle Pupil and Line Pattern in Flame Yellowish Orange/ Bright Light Orange (6474296 | 98138pb388)
- 1x Tile 1 x 2 with Control Panel with Dark Turquoise Button, Black Directional Pad, Bright Green and Lime Screen with Rectangles Pattern in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6443187 | 3069bpb1185)
Most of these parts, from three or fewer sets, are recent recolours of existing parts or prints made specifically for the Sonic theme. The large yellow wedge bricks shown here were introduced in LEGO® Friends 41433 Party Boat (as reviewed by Cityson in 2021), making two of their three set appearances as parts of boat hulls.
The 1x2 control panel tile appearance in this set and 76991 Tails' Workshop and Tornado Plane isn't a coincidence. This tile is Tails' most oft-used gadget, the Miles Electric. The all-in-one handheld computer usually has two blue antennae sticking out of it, but otherwise this tile is quite accurate to the various design used in half a dozen games and more.
76998 Knuckles and the Master Emerald Shrine
US$34.99/ £29.99/ 34.99€/ AU$59.99
325 parts
Release Date: 1 August 2024
New mould: red 1x3 LEGO Technic brick
- 2x Technic Brick 1x3 with Holes in Bright Red/ Red (6494104 | 5565)
This new mould arrives in two basic colours: white in the aforementioned 76997 Tails' Adventure Boat and red here in 76998 Knuckles and the Master Emerald Shrine. The evil Eggman's signature colour is red, so naturally this part matches the colour scheme in one of the mad scientist's Eggrobo Badnik. Fittingly, this set's designer Áron Gerencsér is no stranger to building red robots.
Similar to this part's first appearance in this wave, a 1x2 Technic brick with two holes (32000) could have been used with minimal effect upon the model's stability, but as other set designers have mentioned in the past, they love including new parts as a nod to the fans.
New recolour: dark tan stairs
- Stairs 7 x 4 x 6 Straight Open in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6506126 | 30134)
This stairs shape has been around since 1996 and in its nearly 30-year run it has rarely deviated from black, dark bluish grey, or reddish brown coloring. Most other colours have only been used in just one set each, but architectural builders may hope for this useful, wood-toned dark tan version could appear in more upcoming sets or on Pick a Brick in December 2024.
New prints: Eggrobo
- 1x Windscreen 4 x 4 x 1 2/3 Canopy Half Sphere with Bar Handle with Red Eyes, Yellow Cheeks, and Dark Grey Mouth Badnik Pattern in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6478984 | 18990)
- 4x (+1 extra) Tile, Round 1x1 with White Circle with Line Pattern in Black (6478985 | 98138)
Similar to its usage in many variations of Iron Man's Hulkbuster, this 4x4 round canopy is quickly becoming the face of many robots. This set's new prints all go on the Eggrobo enemy robot.
Counter to the specific robot face, the 1x1 tiles have a versatile pattern which MOC builders may find useful as eyes, screw heads, and other details.
Minifigures
Amy Rose makes her second set appearance with no changes, meanwhile Knuckles has been updated with a gritted teeth face pattern (6492337). Picky the piglet is the reluctant pilot of the Eggrobo, also appearing a second time after joining Amy in 76992 Amy's Animal Rescue Island.
Rare parts
- 1x Tile, Modified 1 x 2 Wedge Right (6510151 | 5092)
- 1x Tile, Modified 1 x 2 Wedge Left (6510138 | 5091)
- 1x Brick, Round 1 x 1 with Stylized White 'CHAOS COLA' on Dark Red Background and Bright Pink Circles Pattern in Bright Red/ Red (6452585 | 3062pb078)
- 1x Large Figure Hand Left, Super Mario Fist with Bar (6506160 | 1753)
Naturally the rare parts in this wave of Sonic the Hedgehog sets tend to be recently-introduced parts or theme-specific. The flat 1x2 wedge tiles are new for this year and fill a popular niche, as they're already in over two dozen sets in thirteen colours.
Chaos Cola is of course specific to the LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog sets, as "chaos" is prevalent throughout the series — chaos emeralds, chaos energy, even a character named Chaos are just the tip of the Sonic Chaos iceberg.
Finally, one odd fist without it's right-handed counterpart make up the Eggrobo's non-wielding hand. Now it's clear this part, formerly known for Princess Peach's cat suit, isn't limited to the LEGO® Super Mario™ theme anymore.
76999 Super Sonic vs. Egg Drillster
US$79.99/ £69.99/ 79.99€/ AU$129.99
590 parts
Release Date: 1 August 2024
New minifigures
Super Sonic is all-new for his LEGO debut in this eponymous set, with a new head mould with Sonic's spikes upturned (6515445). His torso (6493454) and legs (6479474) are similar to other recent versions of Sonic, both replacing blue plastic with yellow for Sonic's Saiyan-like transformation.
Apart from snooping on Eggman as usual, Super Sonic also has Sonic's usual back printing as well with extra spikes and a comically small tail, a common sight on minifigures of this theme.
Shadow the Hedgehog, a Robotnik family experiment-turned-frenemy to Sonic is one of several characters to receive an updated face in this wave. Here his face has been updated to include gritted teeth (6492806) instead of a closed mouth.
The remaining characters, Dr. Eggman, Pecky the penguin, and Pocky the rabbit are all unchanged from their previous few appearances.
Recolours
- 2x Cylinder Hemisphere 7 x 7 Flat (Pod Half) with 2 Pin Holes in Transparent Yellow/ Trans-Yellow (6501531 | 1974)
- 1x Engine, Smooth Large, 2 x 2 Thin Top Plate in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6492232 | 4868b)
- 1x Cone Spiral Jagged - Step Drill in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6501530 | 64713)
- 4x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 3 x 9 in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6501529 | 3916)
Warm tones are in fashion for recolours of this wave, with the speed sphere also taking on a translucent yellow hue to accommodate Super Sonic.
The standard jet engine, present since 1985 in one form or another, gets its first metallic colouring, meanwhile the Power Miners drill makes a rare appearance in a nonmetallic colour.
The 3x9 quarter ellipse liftarms remain a Sonic the Hedgehog theme exclusive, now available in their second colour apart from 2023's blue.
New prints: Maria Robotnik & Egg Pawn
This set isn't the first to dive deep into Sonic the Hedgehog's deep lore, but this portrait does more than most references do.
- 1x Road Sign Clip-on 2 x 2 Square with Shadow the Hedgehog and Maria Robotnik Portrait Pattern (6478989 | 30258)
- 1x Windscreen 4 x 4 x 1 2/3 Canopy Half Sphere with Bar Handle with Metallic Blue Eyes and Mouth, Yellow Nose Badnik Pattern in Bright Red/ Red (6478988 | 18990)
Shadow the Hedgehog is known for being edgy, much of which can be attributed to the difficult loss of his friend Maria Robotnik, pictured here. Yes, that's the same Robotnik family Dr. Eggman is a part of, as he's Maria's cousin. Dr. Robotnik focused more on robotics than friendships, giving us this set's second unique print for another Badnik, an Egg Pawn.
This set also includes one copy of the light bluish grey inverted 2x2 tile with blue shield power-up pattern (6478993) seen in 76997 Tails' Adventure Boat above.
Rare parts
- 1x Technic, Panel Curved #62 4 x 5 Tapered Right in Bright Red/ Red (6362557 | 80274)
- 1x Technic, Panel Curved #63 4 x 5 Tapered Left in Bright Red/ Red (6362558 | 80278)
- 1x Cylinder Hemisphere 7 x 7 Flat (Pod Half) with 2 Pin Holes with Black Outlined Yellow Star on Blue Circle Pattern in Bright Red/ Red (6507989 | 1974pb01)
- 1x Bar Holder with Handle in Bright Red/ Red (6456644 | 23443)
- 1x Minifigure, Weapon Hilt Smooth Extended in Bright Red/ Red (6422224 | 66909)
- 4x Tile, Modified Facet 2 x 2 in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6441095 | 27263)
The rare parts here, again, are recently-introduced elements or specific to the LEGO Sonic theme, like the star-spangled red yo-yo half.
Last year's 80044 Monkie Kid's Team Hideout (as reviewed by Caz Mockett), introduced the theme's iconic weapon hilt in red, now loaned to Sonic the Hedgehog, while the medium-sized Technic triangle panels have only been seen in LEGO Technic 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3, which I reviewed last year.
Conclusion
Now that the Sonic the Hedgehog theme has reached maturity in its second year, greater variations on the theme's iconic parts are seeing the light of day. More variety in speed sphere halves are solidifying the elements' place as iconic play elements, while alternate expressions for characters and a super-powered version of Sonic will add to collectors' enjoyment or chagrin. Finally, no one expected new Technic bricks in this wave, but it's clear their full potential has yet to be tapped.
I'll take a closer look at the construction of all sets in the near future.
READ MORE: LEGO® Marvel review: 76297 Dancing Groot
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Love these sorts of article on New Elementary
ReplyDeleteGlad you love what we do, we do too!
DeleteNice overview!
ReplyDeleteThe 1x3 Technic brick is definitely the star of this wave, as by far the most versatile piece to be introduced. Yes, for a lot of purposes a 1x2 and 1x1 Technic brick would serve a similar purpose, but this benefits from being compact and sturdy, with no extra parts needed to lock them together—great for small builds or microscale!. And with three Technic holes, it'll be naturally compatibIe with a lot of Technic parts—a few that come to mind are the hip joints for recent Ninjago and Monkie Kid mechs.
A fun fact I saw someone mention on Twitter is that printed photo piece with Maria Robotnik is the first time she's been featured on any Sonic merch, despite her being a pretty pivotal character in Shadow's backstory.
The Technic 1x3 brick is certainly the star, even if it could have been replaced in these sets. I wonder what necessitated their creation.
DeleteI didn't realize that about Maria Robotnik! Seeing her in LEGO merch was mind-blowing enough, but her omission from all Sonic merch over 23 years does her place in the story a disservice. I know The LEGO Group has some of the most passionate fans working on this theme, so it's no surprise they're doing a great job. I'm a sucker for this Mean Bean Machine tile!
Happy 15th anniversary to the Power Miners drill pieces, a surprisingly long-lived set of molds.
ReplyDeleteYes!! For such a specialised mould - sure sign that it is just awesome.
DeleteWill the 1x3 technic brick ever appear in a technic set?
ReplyDeleteIt better!!!
DeleteI wonder? To me it seems like Technic is so liftarm-focused that it wouldn't surprise me to see this new 1x3 brick used in non-technic builds more often. I could see a big mech or crane using it, with the studs and anti-studs allowing really robust construction.
DeleteI need that new Eggrobo dome to make a M.A.S.K. T-Bob MOC!
ReplyDeleteThe 80s vibes are strong in these sets indeed!
DeleteI think the inclusion of Maria on the printed tile is a nod to the upcoming Sonic 3 film--which appears to feature Shadow's backstory prominently, including Maria.
ReplyDelete