“There’s too many of them!” Is a phrase no true Lego fan has ever uttered when hearing about new Lego. Which is just as well, because Lego has revealed five new Star Wars Smart Play sets to join the first three announced earlier this month.
These latest additions are compatible with the Smart Brick Stuff previously reported on. Though be aware that these sets don’t include one in the box. Instead, they’re designed to expand your dynamic Lego Star Wars universe. In short: pair a Smart Brick from the previously announced trio with these new Smart Tags and Minifigures and you’ll be able to bring even more famous Star Wars scenes to life. It’s enough to make even C-3PO smile.
In descending order of how much they’ll make your wallet feel like it’s being Force-choked by Darth Vader, the sets are: Millennium Falcon ($99.99/£89.99 • 885 pieces), Mos Eisley Cantina ($79.99/£69.99 • 666 pieces), Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training ($69.99/£59.99 • 440 pieces), AT-ST Attack on Endor ($49.99/£44.99 • 347 pieces), and Luke’s Landspeeder ($39.99/£34.99 • 215 pieces).
You can pre-order them now. They’ll then be hurled your way by a giant Lego Ewok trebuchet on 1 March. Or possibly shipped by courier. Definitely one of those.
I have you now
As noted, none of these sets includes a Smart Brick. But if one is nearby, the bundled Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures will respond accordingly. And there’s at least one of each in every set. Many such interactions are of the PEW PEW PEW variety as you swoosh ships around until physics intervenes and you accidentally launch one into a wall. But Lego has put thought into giving this system more surprises.
The Falcon opens up so Luke can practice his lightsaber skills and play holochess. The cantina Dewback snores when laid on its side, and Greedo sings – badly – when placed next to the band. No wonder Han shot him. (Er, spoilers, I guess.) There’s also something quietly excellent about AT-ST Attack on Endor including a ‘Smart Wicket’ while leaving the Empire minifigs resolutely non-smart. Which, to be fair, mirrors their relative competence in Return of the Jedi.
Compromises remain. The Smart Minifigure torsos and legs cannot be separated, limiting customisation. Prices are undeniably high, though not wildly out of line with equivalent Star Wars Lego. And the absence of a Smart Brick and charger in every box will irritate some buyers. However, the alternative is a future where everyone owns stacks of proprietary chargers. So I hope Lego starts selling Smart Bricks separately – and soon.
Still, these sets stand up well enough without any smarts at all. And when you do add a Smart Brick, they become one of Lego’s rare experiments with tech that doesn’t feel like it should be sealed in carbonite, shipped to a galaxy far, far away, and quietly fed to a sarlacc.
- Now read: The best thing about the Lego Smart Brick is also its biggest flaw
