It’s been a while since we posted anything new, but that’s changing, and there are a lot of new and very interesting sets coming out. I’m also nearly done with a new site design that will roll out next week. I’m most excited about the new Atlantis sets as the new Kingdoms line from LEGO. Kingdoms is replacing the Castle series, and it has a feel to it that goes back to some of the classic sets.
This is going to be a very short review of the LEGO Kingdoms 7955 Wizard set, since it’s an “impulse” set consisting of less than 20 pieces and is meant to compliment the larger sets, but it’s a good start to the upcoming reviews we are posting. I’m also testing out a new camera so the color might be off slightly. I’m using two different 32×32 baseplates which is why the gray seems off on one.
The LEGO Kingdoms line is meant to replace the Castle series in 2010, and it does so with two factions – the Green Dragon and Red Lion factions. These are more of a medieval style setting, and rely much less on fantasy. From the sets I have, there are wizards (or sorcerers if you prefer), unicorns, and dragons, and nothing else that points to a fantasy setting – no trolls, dwarves, etc.
By the Numbers:
Set: 7955 Wizard (Kingdoms)
Year of Release: 2010
Type: Impulse minifig set
# of Pieces: 19
# of Extra pieces: 2 1×1 rounds
# of Minifigs and what kind: 1 – Wizard + little green dragon
Stickers? No – book/scroll is printed.
Price: $3.99 MSRP, Available at Amazon.com (US) and Amazon.co.uk (UK) (price may vary depending on seller) or through the official LEGO Shop Online, and Toys R US.
Ages: 6-12
Time to Complete: Less than 5 minutes
Box Art:
Remember: click on the photos to see larger images at flickr
Full LEGO Kingdoms Wizard 7955 gallery at flickr
Set Instructions:
– (US) Service.LEGO.com – download and print the instructions
The Minifig:
(apologies for the color settings – these are photos of the same minifig)
The Parts:
Photos of the Assembly:
Extra pieces:
Completed:
Thoughts – Pricing, Design, and Build:
Worth the price, and well designed given the constraint on the number of parts.
Thoughts – Parts:
It’s an impulse set – meant to retail for a low price and to add to larger sets, so there’s not a lot to it. However, for $3.99 you do get quite a bit – a Wizard mini-fig (minifig) with magic wand, a book of spells on a moving/tilting podium/pedestal, a couple of transparent beakers/magic potions, and most of all, a small green dragon mascot. Definitely worth the price. The wizard’s hat, beard, and spellbook are nice touches that make this stand out. You get two extra transparent 1×1 round plates (which if you have any of the transportation/Power Miners sets you probably already have them).
Thoughts – Minifigs:
As befitting an impulse set, you are getting one minifig, of the Green Dragon Wizard. You could argue that you are getting two – the Wizard and the little green dragon mascot. The Wizard’s pants are printed, but the chest piece is not since it’s covered up by a beard. There is only one face – it is not a double-sided or double-printed head. Definitely worth it and possibly the only way to get this minifig.
Thoughts – Swoosh factor, playability and integration with other sets:
Not much to say – it’s mean to integrate with other sets in the Kindgom line, particularly the Green Dragon faction. I can see LEGO fans buying this and sticking them around their computer displays/computer desks.
Conclusion:
It’s an impulse set that retails for less than $5 (although some third parties on Amazon and eBay are selling for much higher). It’s definitely worth the price, since it comes with a wizard and small green dragon that takes up a 1×1 stud, along with an open, printed spell book (more of a scroll really). It’s exactly what the pictures show – 19 LEGO pieces including a minifig and a small dragon.
I would like a $10 – $20 Wizard’s set that is more of a room in a castle setting. Of course, that could still happen – the Kingdoms line is off to a good start, and there is no reason why a “Wizard’s Lair” couldn’t be added to the line by LEGO down the road. I’m thinking in terms of more potions/beakers, spell books and scrolls, chests, perhaps a dedicated perch for the dragon mascot, some kind of stained glass, a tub, etc. I may have to sit down and work out my own version of this and post it.