Kicking off Toy Fair on an fun and VERY early foot, the LEGO group hosted its annual sneak preview where invited members of the press, among others, got a chance to have some breakfast and check out their new releases in all of their glory before the full hustle and bustle of the expo could begin.
This year’s event had a few new properties, both licensed and original, such as The Simpsons, LEGO Movie, and Ultra Agents; a cool new line mixing amazing looking tech based sets with a world building iOS app.
There were a number of items on hand that were on display but had a strict no photography rule complete with positioned guards to make sure peoples didn’t get sneaky.
The embargoed items were from the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy and Ninja Turtles films as well as the popular Minecraft video games!
Guardians had a couple of ships including Star-Lord’s Milano and one set even had a buildable Groot! The Turtles items were sewer and street sets. Minecraft lends itself so well to the LEGO brand and the set shows looked like something right out of the game!
Here is some more information for the individual lines as well as corresponding galleries.
Classic Building (Ages 5+)
LEGO CREATOR™ kits ($4.99-$89.99) offer three models in one box with themes such as vehicles, creatures, and structures, enabling children to build, play, and then rebuild their creations. Experienced builders enjoy the challenge of LEGO Technic® sets, such as the Desert Racer ($19.99) and Cargo Plane ($139.99), featuring detailed functionality that mimics real world counterparts, plus two building instructions for maximum play value.
Themed Building (Ages 5+)
With LEGO CITY, younger builders create and role play as the everyday downtown heroes they know and love. Nine new sets in the Transportation theme ($9.99-$29.99) are joined by three Trains kits—Train Station ($64.99), High-Speed Passenger Train($149.99) and Cargo Train ($199.99). The evergreen Police theme returns with new models ($6.99-$99.99) and builders create and explore adventure with sets from the Arctic ($6.99-$89.99).
Inspired by “The LEGO Movie” is a collection of 17 building sets recreating iconic characters and scenes, like Super Cycle Chase ($49.99) where Emmet and WyldStyle escape the Robo Police. A series of “Creative Armada” kits such as the Trash Chomper, Ice Cream Machine and Castle Cavalry ($29.99 each) offer 2-models-in-1 box.
Six new LEGO Ultra Agents sets build a hero team of super agents working to capture futuristic villains ($11.99-$99.99). Exclusive digital content combines physical play with a first-person mission based game for iOS and Android devices.
LEGO Legends of CHIMA combines role play, social competitive play, digital and video game play where builders compete via heroic animal characters, such as a lion, gorilla or crocodile, to obtain the power of CHI, fueled by a hit television series on Cartoon Network. Twenty-six new kits, from ripcord-powered Speedorz ($12.99 each) to building sets like Eagle Legend Beast ($9.99) and the Flying Phoenix Fire Temple ($119.99). LEGO Ninjago, the original LEGO property centered on four young Ninjas mastering the art of Spinjitzu introduces nine new sets ($11.99-$119.99) tied to content airing on Cartoon Network this year.
Fans of all ages will want to collect 48 never-before-seen LEGO Minifigures via three new series releasing in 2014, one of which commemorates the 25th anniversary of television’s longest running animated series, THE SIMPSONS™ ($3.99 each).
Building takes a wacky turn with LEGO Mixels™, a new franchise co-developed with Cartoon Network, consisting of animated shorts that premiere this month, a rich web hub, a gaming app and a collection of 27 collectible building kits that provide a mini character creation experience representing the versatility and interchangeability of the property. Kits launch in three waves beginning in March ($4.99 each).
Licensed Building Fun (Ages 5+)
Seven LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ sets based on the Nickelodeon animated television series and live action feature film recreate the adventures of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael ($12.99-$99.99).
The LEGO HERO FACTORY is where heroes are designed, built and equipped to accomplish any mission that beams in from across the universe. Builders assemble articulated action figures ($9.99-$34.99) that coincide with an online game and free mobile app that tell the story of an invasion from below.
