Daniel – Blocks – the monthly LEGO magazine for fans

How LEGO Pirates changed everything when it debuted in 1989

Daniel — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

In 1989, LEGO launched the transformative LEGO Pirates theme, with the flagship set 6285 Black Seas Barracuda. It marked a significant shift in the LEGO Group's design philosophy and storytelling, introducing new pieces, expressive minifigures, and a focus on immersive narratives. This innovative concept spurred lasting success and shaped the brand's future.

The LEGO SMART Brick has been 60 years in the making

Daniel — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 15:39:03 +0000

The LEGO Group's new SMART Bricks and SMART Play platform mark a 60-year ambition to integrate electronics into LEGO bricks. While the current technology has taken a decade to realise, early concepts focused on creating conductive bricks and eliminating wires for power transmission. Designers explored various methods to achieve this, revealing a long history of innovation in enhancing play experiences.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings 40761 Smeagol & Deagol – the Blocks review

Daniel — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000

The LEGO 40761 Smeagol & Deagol set is a free gift with purchase of 10354 The Lord of the Rings: The Shire until April 8, unless stock runs out. Unfortunately, the set feels incomplete and disconnected from the parent model, though it features two exclusive minifigures appealing to collectors.

LEGO 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-Dûr – meet the minifigures

Daniel — Wed, 15 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

LEGO 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-Dûr is an epic, towering set – and includes a selection of appealing minifigures, including Sauron himself. Find out which LEGO characters make this set such a tempting precious… It’s not long until……

Which was the best year for LEGO sets?

Daniel — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Daniel Konstanski ponders a controversial question... which year was the best for LEGO sets? I often have to drive several hours to job sites for my non-LEGO-related day job as an engineer, which gives me time to ponder questions. Sometimes……

How do you choose a favourite LEGO set?

Daniel — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Daniel Konstanski thinks about how to answer the almost impossible question – what is your all-time favourite LEGO set? I had the pleasure of briefly participating in the 2019 Beyond the Brick 24-hour livestream to raise money for charity. Despite……

Building big LEGO models in the 1990s

Daniel — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Today there is a wealth of reference material for aspiring LEGO builders, but back in the late 1990s that wasn't the case... High school was an interesting time for me as a LEGO maniac in the late 1990s. The brick……

Hallmark Keepsake – LEGO Christmas Elf Minifigure 2021 review

Daniel — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Hallmark continues to offer oversized LEGO minifigure ornaments in the decoration collection, with this festive LEGO Christmas collectible depicting the Collectible Minifigures Elf with Teddy Bear. For Christmas 2021, Hallmark’s storied Keepsake ornament line features among its many entries new……

Hallmark Keepsake – LEGO DC Wonder Woman 2021 review

Daniel — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 10:40:13 +0000

Hallmark continues to offer oversized LEGO minifigure ornaments in the decoration collection, with this LEGO DC Justice League collectible depicting the heroic Wonder Woman with her lassoo of truth. For Christmas 2021, Hallmark’s storied Keepsake ornament line features among its……

Hallmark Keepsake – LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Minifigure 2021 review

Daniel — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Hallmark continues to offer oversized LEGO minifigure ornaments in the decoration collection, with this LEGO Star Wars collectible depicting Darth Vader in his Death Star holiday sweater. For Christmas 2021, Hallmark’s storied Keepsake ornament line features among its many entries……