How does the freebie LEGO Pokémon set, 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection, measure up? Find out in the Blocks review, an expert opinion on the new model.
LEGO Pokémon is finally here, with a new collection of LEGO sets available to preorder ahead of their launch on February 27. When you buy 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise from LEGO.com you will get 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection for free (as long as stock is available in your region). The massive set depicts three Kanto region starters, so it’s an appropriate bonus gift. There is also a second freebie bonus set – 40911 Mini Pokémon Center, reviewed here.
Theme: Pokémon
Price: Free with 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise at LEGO.com
Recommended age: 18+
Pieces: 312
Minifigures: 0
Fledgling Pokémon trainers have two targets – to catch ’em all and to collect enough gym badges to challenge the Elite Four. The latter provides trainers with an opportunity to test their team against expert trainers who specialise, whilst in earlier Pokémon games getting hold of each badge also allowed you to use specific hidden moves to progress in the overworld.
Just as 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise, the largest set of the inaugural LEGO Pokémon wave, is a homage to the original games and the starters you can pick, 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection provides an opportunity to get all eight brick-built badges from the very first Pokémon region.
Upgrade your LEGO hobby! If you take out a subscription to Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, you’ll get each issue first and at a discount, plus other perks including a free digital subscription and the chance to win LEGO prizes every month.
The model starts with the case. Inverted brackets alongside the outside set up the blue panelling, but otherwise the case build process is repetitive, stacking the same combination of bracket, brick and 1×2 plate for the border on both halves of the case.
2×2 triangular tiles in blue and dark blue add details and a smooth finish to the outside of the case, whilst the Poké ball clasp design perfectly adds some different colours to the model.
Four windscreen elements provide a window inside the case, which has space for all eight badges. Gold plates with a single stud are embedded within the case to hold the badges in place, adding a touch of opulence.
The case’s black backdrop is ideal for the colourful collection. Each badge is broadly accurate in shaping and colour to the source material, although the monochromatic Volcano badge loses some of the layering and the Cascade badge is a bit plain.
The number of pieces used to create each badge ranges from six (the Earth and Soul badge) to twenty (Thunder badge). The Thunder and Rainbow badges both use clips attached to each bar of the base modified plate to connect various plates, offering the most developed builds.
Seven of the eight badges use at least one sticker, and of which three require placing a sticker on a round plate. Ensuring these stickers are central can be a challenge. The Boulder badge is also tricky, which uses five stickers and relies on matching up the lines to create a neat, finished item.
40892 is only available with purchases of 72153 whilst stocks last. Despite this limited release and given LEGO Pokémon is only just beginning, there will hopefully be a chance for these badges to appear in another form in the future. The concept lends itself to being repeated in models that bring together various brick-built objects, like 43227 Disney Villain Icons, that are potentially themed by region to allow fans to pick their nostalgia-ridden favourite.
The first wave of LEGO Pokémon models has gone back to the game series’ roots, and 40892 is a charming little display set. Getting a copy is a challenge, but long-term Pokémon fans will be mostly delighted to have this model on display, proving they’re on their way to becoming the best builder there ever was.
SCORE: 66
VERDICT: Although the badges aren’t perfect, once set inside the case the collection looks good – as long as you have managed to get the stickers on right.