US readers can currently pick up the villainous pot plant for $53.99 at Amazon instead of $60. Meanwhile, UK fans can grab the Lego set for £43.49 via Amazon rather than £57.99. Either way, that's the Lego Piranha Plant's lowest price. I've never seen the kit get such a big discount Stateside, and it's only received that discount once across the pond.

It's unclear how long this offer will last, but it suddenly feels like we don't have to wait until this month's Prime Day Lego deals to snag a bargain.

Should you buy the Lego Piranha Plant?

This kit looks great in pictures, but it's even better in person. The Lego Piranha Plant is full of character despite only being 540 pieces strong. 

While some may have preferred a larger, more articulated version, its modest size makes it a fairly stress-free build. Even if you're not a diehard Lego builder and don't have the best Lego sets on your shelf at home, you'll get on well with this one. Indeed, members of the GamesRadar+ team have bought the kit for themselves… and a Lego Piranha Plant actually sits on the desk next to me in the office. Seeing it and its goofy grin always cheers me up.

Actually, I think that the only Super Mario set able to match it is the (much larger) Mighty Bowser.

Will it drop further in price? Possibly, but I can't see that happening until a major sale. And even then, my answer depends on where you are in the world. It could dip even more in the UK because the Lego Piranha Plant has enjoyed a few discounts there before, but in the US it's only just reached that level. As such, I'd be surprised if it dropped much more when Amazon's Lego deals get started later this month.

For more savings, be sure to check in with our Prime Day gaming deals page. As for suitable presents for the gamer in your life, don't miss these essential gifts for gamers.

A diorama with almost 1,500 pieces under its belt, the Lego Jaws set has two different display options; you can either let the shark loose on the heroes' boat (the Orca, complete with minifigures for the beast to chow down on) or show it off on its own stand.

No matter how you choose to terrorize the brick seas, Lego Jaws will be available to pre-order from early August for $149.99 / £129.99 at Lego. If you're a member of the free Insider program (e.g. you've signed in to the Lego store), you'll be able to grab it from August 3. Everyone else will have to wait until August 6 like the salty sea dogs they are.

Let's get a closer look at this behemoth, shall we?

Lego Jaws

Much like the D&D set from earlier this year, Lego Jaws was conceived by a fan as part of Lego Ideas (whereby users submit designs that might be turned into an actual kit if they receive enough votes). That outside perspective might be why it does something a little different to the best Lego sets. Unlike other dioramas, this feels like a two-in-one; there's the classic 'action' scene, complete with a quote plaque, and the separate shark display. 

Fans of the movie will immediately recognize the former: it depicts the good ship Orca on a bricky sea base, complete with a submerged shark rearing up to take a bite. Crewed by minifigure versions of the film's main characters (Police Chief Brody, old sea dog Quint, and marine biologist Hooper), the roof can be removed to reveal a cabin crammed with references and accessories. The craft, which is big enough to hang over the base's edge, also has an adjustable boom and rigging.

However, if you'd prefer something a little more understated, you can show off the shark in all its glory on a separate stand that comes with the Jaws logo.

You can see all this in action during Lego's 90-second film that recreates the movie's most memorable moments… albeit with a family-friendly Lego spin.

The fan that originally dreamt up this idea, Johnny Campbell, says "Jaws is my favorite movie of all-time, so I really wanted to recreate it in Lego bricks. Lego building has always been a part of my life in some shape or form but in order to get all of the finer details, I actually freeze-framed Jaws as I watched it so that I could catch a glimpse of the finer details taking notes as I went along. It is just mind-blowing that my design is now an official Lego set. I can't wait to stand in a Lego shop looking at the shelves and seeing a set that I have been involved with and watching someone buying it. It’s every Lego fan’s dream!"

Although the Jaws set won't feature in the sale, there will definitely be some must-have discounts in this month's Prime Day Lego deals. I'd be surprised if that didn't include reductions on the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Compared to the other sets, Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities has more little bits of detail more often without it ever feeling like there's too much.

Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities features

• One of the smallest sets
• Cheaper than other Animal Crossing kits
• Only one minifigure

Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities is the smallest (and one of the cheapest) kits in the Animal Crossing range at launch. It includes just a single minifigure and a handful of blocky islands that you can arrange howsoever you want... or combine with other kits such as Lego Kappn's Island Boat Tour.

It does have plenty of accessories and extras, though. Iconic elements from the games like diggable fossils, bugs to catch, and tools to use can be found inside the box.

Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities build

• Finished in under an hour
• Easy to construct
• Very few tricky parts

This kit has the benefit of being the simplest build out of all the Lego Animal Crossing sets I've made beyond the 'gift with purchase' set featuring Maple. The modular little island chunks are smaller in size than the rest of the sets, and it makes it a relatively quick and simple build to make one, move to the next, make that one, and so on. The most complex the build gets is a little mechanical piece to simulate an Animal Crossing villager crossing over some water by way of a pole – it's built into the side of the water and the pole can be pushed back and forth. 

All told, it took 40 minutes or so, and that was with me being lackadaisical.

Part of that simplicity is likely due to the fact that the entire set comes in at a whopping 164 pieces. It is just not a big kit, and won't give the best Lego sets a run for their money in terms of size. It's a startlingly quick build, and even while distracted, I managed to put it together in under an hour.

Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities design

• Utterly delightful
• Crammed with nods to the games
• A good way to judge if you'll like other sets

In some ways, Bunnie's Outdoor Activities feels like the perfect starting point for anyone looking to determine if the LEGO Animal Crossing line is something they might be interested in. It's easy to build, has all of the hallmarks of the larger sets like a coin hidden under a boulder and a stick inside the tree in addition to the fact that it's easily and incredibly customizable. If you like what this set is doing, the ways in which it is designed and built, then you are almost certainly going to like what the rest of the line has to offer.

And because of the aforementioned modularity and speed at putting it together, you can swap the little bases around to create whatever sort of combination you like without much effort. The initial instructions set it in an L shape, but straightening it out so it can sit on the mantle above my fireplace was no trouble at all.

Should you buy Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities?

It does seem worth noting that the target audience here is not really me; it's someone the age of my children. That's not just me hypothesizing, either. The box notes it's for 6+, and all of the marketing photos and copy are aimed toward kids that age. Realizing this after the fact, I showed the completed set to my oldest child, and I'm pleased to report that they were ecstatic and immediately asked if they could help build the next one. It certainly helps that they have been playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but I do also think that it speaks to the quality of the Lego Animal Crossing set as well.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities

This set was constructed in roughly 40 minutes, with particular attention being paid to how easy the instructions were to understand, whether the process was challenging or not, and how the kit compares to others in the range.

If you want more information on our process, see our 'how we test' guide.

If you're looking to save as much as you can, check out these Lego deals. You can also get other recommendations through our guide to must-have Lego Star Wars sets.

Lego Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House features

• Biggest and most expensive kit so far
• Comes with lots of accessories
• Buildings are facades, like dollhouses

This kit is the biggest and most complex of Lego Animal Crossing's first wave; it's roughly double the size of Isabelle's House Visit... and is double the price as a result. However, it does feature two building facades (the iconic Nook's Cranny store alongside Rosie's House) that can be flipped around to reveal what's inside. Two minifigures and plenty of accessories are included too, alongside flowers and an orange tree for good measure.

At the time of writing, this is the only way to get the Tom Nook minifig.

Lego Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House build

• Will only take a couple hours
• It's a bigger set, but not complex
• Lots of intricate detail

Despite being one of the largest sets in the Animal Crossing line, Nook is actually fairly tame in terms of complexity. Having put together several of them, it seems like the designers really went for specificity when it came to complexity over anything mechanical or unusual. The little quilt design, for example, on Rosie's bed is individually colored Lego bricks, as are the little flags outside the shop doors. The little multicolored awnings to either side are made from a series of layered bricks, meanwhile, as are the roofs of each building. It's not particularly complicated, but it is intricate, and it adds a certain charm to the whole thing. Due to the little tidbits, the set took nearly two hours to complete, but I wasn't exactly trying to speed my way through.

That intricacy is really what sets Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House apart from the rest of the line, if I'm being honest. It's not my favorite build I've done from the line – that is actually Lego Bunnie's Outdoor Activities, which is one of the smaller sets. But it has the largest amount of fine detail compared to the rest of them. I find that it's these smaller details that really go a long way. The fact that the little recycling bin opens up and there's a carrot in there, for example. There's an entire little tea party with an umbrella. And the aforementioned flags outside Nook's Cranny and Rosie's quilt aren't exactly amazing on their own, but those little touches add up when there are so many of them combined together as part of the whole.

Lego Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House design

• Lots of customization options
• A focal point when combined with other kits
• Brings the entire range together

In addition to the usual Lego Animal Crossing modularity where the bases with scenes on them can be connected in any kind of way, the open backs of both homes allow for some significant customization within. The building guide actually suggests multiple different layouts for Rosie's home, for example, and it's up to the builder to decide how best to go about decorating inside. Nook's itself is more straightforward, but given the setup with multiple different pieces that can hold smaller ones – the drawer under the cash register, the fridge with shelves, the barrel for rakes and the like, and the explicit openings in the window display – there is certainly plenty of opportunity to play around beyond the designed specifications.

Of the Lego Animal Crossing sets I've built, the Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House set also has the benefit of including the only characters that actually excite me. It's not exactly a new phenomenon for the more popular characters in a franchise to appear in the more expensive sets, but at least it makes sense that Tom Nook would appear with… well, the store he owns. But Rosie also happens to be a favorite of mine, and I suspect I'm not alone, so the combination of these two together is hard to turn down even at the higher price point.

When it comes to Lego sets like this that are both somewhat expensive and aimed at children, it can be a struggle to fully recommend them. While it's not the same cost as, say, a Nintendo Switch, it does cost a not-insignificant amount, and is effectively a model kit at best. I'm not entirely convinced that the ability to swap in a different window shape into Rosie's home is worth the money.

But when it comes to the Lego Animal Crossing line, which is so obviously designed to be built together and exist as part of a modular ecosystem of sorts, it does feel like the Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House set is the obvious focal point for any larger group of them. You can have just about any of the other sets together with this one, be it Lego Kappn's Island Boat Tour or Isabelle's House Visit, and have something akin to a functional Lego Animal Crossing town, but if you don't have the Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House set, it's all a bit disjointed. I know from experience; this was the last Lego Animal Crossing set that I built, and the rest of them didn't quite work together without this one as a keystone.

Should you buy Lego Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House?

If you're going to build more than one Lego Animal Crossing set, you really should get this one as well. If you're just going to go about it piecemeal, or have a specific set you want all on its lonesome, that's probably fine. But the Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House set is a must-have for anyone that really wants to fully embrace the game's vibes. 

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested Lego Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House

This set was built over the course of a single, two-hour session. As well as noting difficult or enjoyable aspects of the build, we were sure to compare the kit to other sets in the range - not to mention how they all look together.

For more on our process, see our 'how we test' guide.

Want to save as much as possible? Don't miss these Lego deals. You can also get other recommendations via our guide to the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Announced as part of Hasbro's Star Wars The Black Series line, 'The Stranger' electronic helmet is a life-size, wearable piece with interior illumination and an hour-long display mode. As usual for Black Series, it also features highly detailed weathering and an adjustable fit so that everyone can stick The Acolyte villain's armor on their noggin. You'll be able to pre-order yours now for $99.99 from Hasbro Pulse today as of 1PM EST.

Behold, the helmet of Darth Teeth (listen, I know that's not their name, but I'm sticking with it - bite me).

There isn't a firm release date for this one yet, but it'll launch at the latest by 'Fall 2025' according to the press release. These replicas normally list a worst-case launch window and come out much sooner, so don't panic just yet. It'll also cost $100, which is pricier than most Star Wars gifts but still cheaper than other Black Series collectibles have been in the past.

So far as the design goes, The Stranger helmet leans hard into what Black Series replicas are best at; down and dirty weathering. This thing is beaten to within an inch of its life, and the range always excels when that's the brief. 

A display mode (activated by holding down a side button for three seconds) is also a nice touch. I may be wrong, but I don't think we've seen that before. 

Speaking of getting a good look, this is the best glimpse we've had of the Sith's helm – before now, it's been cloaked in shadow. Its rusty, hastily-mended aesthetic makes me wonder if the Dark Side-user in question has half-inched it from someone else, or stumbled upon it in their travels.

Still reeling from the latest Acolyte episode's twist? You're not alone. The Acolyte has revealed its Sith, but Star Wars fans think there's more to it than that.

For more from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss these Lego Star Wars sets. As for catching up on the show, don't miss the best Disney Plus sign-up deals.

Luckily, it delivers – and then some. The Nerf N-Series Pinpoint isn't necessarily the best Nerf gun ever made, but it's a contender. You could even argue that it wipes the floor with old long-range blasters.

If this is a sign of what's to come with N-Series, color me excited.

Nerf N-Series Pinpoint features & design

• Long-range blaster
• Uses N-Series darts
• Bolt-action, with 10-dart clip

Nerf's N-Series is a hard reset of its product line, so Pinpoint fills the long-range category previously occupied by blasters like Pharaoh, Longshot CS-6, and Longstrike. You can clearly trace that lineage thanks to its physical design and even the firing mechanism; just as its predecessors did, this one features a bolt-action primer, scope, long stock, extended barrel, and multi-dart magazine.

Pinpoint also utilizes the range's N1 darts rather than a 'long-range' alternative, as per the Ultra series. These have been designed with distance, accuracy, and safety in mind, so are a good fit for a toy that describes itself as "high-performance." You're getting 18 of those darts here overall, and 10 fit within the easy-release mag.

So far as aesthetics go, Pinpoint boasts that same white, blue, and orange colorway present throughout N-Series. It's something of a love-it-or-hate-it scheme, but there's no denying how sleek this blaster is in every other sense. It looks lighter and more aerodynamic than previous sniper rifles, with numerous sections having been carved away to drop that weight as much as possible. This gives it a more 'sci-fi' appearance than its siblings.

Personally, the design spoke to me. It felt chic and modern, but without looking like an actual weapon; the Pinpoint is clearly the work of fantasy rather than being based on real-world inspirations.

Nerf N-Series Pinpoint performance

• Incredibly accurate
• Satisfying to use
• Mostly reliable (very occasional jams)

How a blaster looks is just part of its appeal; the other is how it feels to fire. Happily, the Nerf N-Series Pinpoint nails that aspect. This is a joy to use thanks to an incredibly satisfying bolt-action mechanism, and the weighty ka-clunk of it never fails to make me smile. Although it's obviously child-safe, you also get the impression that it's firing with some welly when you pull the trigger.

The 10-dart magazine, released via an easy-to-use toggle, is equally gratifying to drop and re-equip. There's something weirdly fun about slamming the mag back into place with an audible click.

Fortunately, Pinpoint's performance lives up to this. As with all N-Series blasters, it's surprisingly accurate thanks to those new darts. You'll actually hit what you aim at a lot of the time, unlike previous models. Is it the only one capable of long-distance shooting? No. But it's probably the most satisfying. Plus, it's the most accurate N-Series blaster I've tried at distance so far. It was able to knock my poor Warhammer Spanna Grot plushie off his perch across a decent-sized room in the GamesRadar+ office, whereas the Nerf N-Series Infinite was not… even after multiple attempts. 

That's partially because the scope is, in an unexpected twist, helpful. 

I know. I was legitimately shocked. 

Most of the time, scopes are plonked onto Nerf blasters to look cool rather than be of any real use. But here, it genuinely helps you aim. When combined with how comfortable this toy was to use even for a lanky grown-up like me, the Pinpoint is firing on all cylinders. Metaphorically, at least.

My one complaint is the very occasional jam. Every now and then, a dart would get caught in the mechanism and become squished beyond rescue for reasons beyond me. I couldn't say why, or how, and I assume I hadn't primed the thing properly – but it was frustrating nonetheless. Is Pinpoint worth avoiding as a result? Not at all. But be aware it's not perfect, and there may be hiccups in the heat of the moment.

Should you buy the Nerf N-Series Pinpoint?

This is a tremendously effective blaster thanks to the new N1 darts. Namely, it'll hit the target you're firing at most of the time – even at a distance.

More importantly, though, it's a lot of fun to mess around with. Almost everything about the N-Series Pinpoint is satisfying. Regardless of whether you're pulling the bolt-action mechanism into place, lining up a shot through the sights, or slamming a magazine of fresh darts into place, it'll put a stupid grin on your face. And at that price? Phew. This one's got a lot going for it.

Alright, so the odd jam stops this from being a full five-star toy. It's not going to beat the Infinite for capacity either. However, it isn't far off being perfect – and I'd go so far as to say the Pinpoint is Nerf's best long-range blaster to date.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Nerf N-Series Pinpoint

I mess about with the Nerf N-Series Pinpoint over the course of two weeks, testing its range and attempting to hit a variety of targets at different distances. I also directly compared the blaster to predecessors like the Longstrike.

For more on our testing process, see the GamesRadar+ hardware policy. 

For more fun at home, don't miss the best water guns or these board games for families.

Based on the upcoming 'Rebuild the Galaxy' series that sees Star Wars history mixed up in what-if scenarios, the new Lego Millennium Falcon is an evil spin on Han Solo's ride that comes in Sith black and red. Speaking of which, it also features numerous dark side wielders… including the meme-worthy Darth Jar Jar, Darth Rey, and a bounty hunter version of C-3PO. Available to pre-order for $179.99 / £159.99 at Lego ahead of an August 1 release, the Lego Dark Falcon seems to be a makeover for the existing (and soon to be retired) Rise of Skywalker kit.

A TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up is also available to pre-order, weighing in at $109.99 / £94.99 at Lego. This one does exactly what it says on the tin; it allows you to swap the bodies and wings of both starfighters.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of each set.

Lego The Dark Falcon

Based on the ship as it appears in Rebuild the Galaxy, the Dark Falcon repaints the ship with a black and red colorway that's much more menacing. (The cockpit is doused in scarlet from the red glass panels, for example.) It's also more kitted out than the 'real' version, which often features on lists of the best Lego sets; alongside the usual cannons, its radar dish fires a Death Star-esque laser beam.

Like the Rise of Skywalker kit before it, this playset comes with multiple minifigures. There are six, to be precise; Darth Jar Jar from the infamous online theory, Darth Rey as she appeared in Episode 9's trippy vision, Darth Dev (who I can only assume is the brother of the show's hero thanks to their shared surname, Greebling), a bounty-hunting C-3PO, Jedi Vader in his white suit, and Beach Luke complete with a box of blue milk. It's utterly bizarre and wonderful as a result.

This has around 200 more pieces than its predecessor – but it's roughly the same size. Some of those bonus bricks presumably go toward the interior featuring "Darth Jar Jar’s throne, the command center, hyperdrive, entertainment area, and jail cell" as per the official listing on the Lego store.

I'm quite keen on this design, and it's a really fun mix-up from the norm. Is it a novelty? Yeah, probably. I'm not sure I'd want something we may see once and never again in pride of place on my shelf, either. But I suspect this will go down very well with the target audience – kids. It's perfect for imaginative play because the concept alone raises so many questions, and I'd love to see more of these mashups going forward. It would be cool if it combined a couple of ships as per the X-Wing/TIE combo below, but as Batman fans already know, everything's cooler in black. Or very, very dark gray.

Lego TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up

As the name would suggest, this Rebuild the Galaxy kit allows you to make a normal TIE Fighter and X-Wing… or smush them together into an unholy mix. 

Let's be honest – everyone's going to do the latter.

While these newcomers aren't as detailed (or big, in the case of the TIE) as the old X-Wing Starfighter and Imperial TIE Fighter Lego Star Wars sets, they're actually your only way to get those ships in Lego form now that the latter two have been retired. That'll make it an attractive proposition for collectors and kids alike. 

Even though this set skews a tiny bit younger than the Dark Falcon and is smaller on the whole, it still fetches a hefty price. However, it does something we've not seen from Lego Star Wars before, and that counts for a lot. 

While the X-Wing seems the same as – or an improvement on – the old one, I'd argue that the TIE is a step backward. It's smaller and blockier, and the cockpit opts for a printed front rather than the more premium, see-through plastic panels we got before. 

Still, we'll probably get another classic TIE (and mid-sized X-Wing) kit before long. Accordingly, anyone who just wants the ships for their shelf may want to hang on rather than grab this one.

Want to save as much as possible on the bricks from Billund? Check out our roundup of Lego deals, or prepare for the upcoming sales with our guide to Prime Day Lego deals 2024.

Designed as part of the midi-ship range, this version of everyone's favorite piece of junk is smaller and more affordable than other versions without compromising on quality. In fact, I'd argue that it'll become the go-to Lego Millennium Falcon for most people – and the one I'll always recommend first. 

Is it perfect? Not quite, but almost. Plus, you simply won't care once it's finished and on your shelf. There are no two ways about it; the Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) kit is gorgeous, and one of the best Lego Star Wars sets around.

Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) features

• More affordable Falcon
• Smaller than other versions, but still a good size
• Not a playset – this one's for display

Mid and high-end versions of the Falcon exist already, so what does this one do that's different? To begin with, it's smaller – a lot smaller. As part of the midi-ship range, it's only 9.5 inches (24cm) long and just over 900 pieces. That means you don't need a small studio apartment to show it off like you would the Lego UCS Millennium Falcon. 

Secondly, it's less expensive than either of the existing models. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's 'cheap,' but it is a good bit more affordable than the Rise of Skywalker or Ultimate Collector Series kits. In fact, you're saving between $85 / £75 and $765 / £660 respectively. You can't do much better.

It's worth noting that this is a display piece, too. Unlike the Rise of Skywalker kit, the Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) can't be 'played with' by the young padawans amongst you; it's rooted to the stand.

Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) build

• Will only take a couple hours
• A satisfying and (mostly) easy build
• Can be fiddly

By and large, putting this thing together won't take you very long. I was able to build the Lego Millennium Falcon in roughly two to three hours, and I definitely could have sped things up. Split between 11 bags of bits, it's a laid-back build for the most part that can be completed over the course of an evening – or a session watching your favorite Star Wars movies. 

It can be fiddly in places, though. The exhaust is a great example. That iconic blue of the engine uses a ridged tube attached to the ship's body by clips stuffed into both ends, but getting those clips where they were supposed to be was a headache (and a more literal pain for my fingers, actually). 

It often took me a moment to figure out where pieces should go as well, because the instructions only display the thinnest white line around the relevant pieces to help you differentiate between them. That means you've got to play spot the difference between diagrams.

However, these are niggles in what is otherwise a very pleasant experience. There's a lot of snapping panels together to form the Falcon's curves, for example, and the weighty 'click' of clipping chassis parts into place is oddly satisfying. 

Oh, and by the way? There are no stickers in sight. This kit uses printed-on designs whenever necessary.

Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) design

• Striking display piece
• Goldilocks zone of 'just big enough'
• No detail feels lost despite size

I'm often wary of smaller kits because detail can get lost in translation. (I love the Lego Tantive IV midi-ship, but it's a good example if you ask me.) This Lego Millennium Falcon, though? It isn't suffering from that in the slightest. Despite working with a more modest number of pieces, it captures the look, battered feel, and proportions of Han Solo's ship with impressive accuracy. Cleverly placed greebles (random bits that don't serve any purpose other than to look industrial/cool) do a lot of the heavy lifting, and add to the hodge-podge demeanor of the ship. It's the same approach that made Lego Boarding the Tantive IV so effective.

The insides show an attention to detail only the best Lego sets lay claim to as well. Namely, you'll find recreations of scenes from the movies inside that use studs to represent the characters, be it R2-D2 and Chewbacca's dejarik game from A New Hope or Han and Leia's iconic kiss in Empire Strikes Back. It's a small touch and completely unnecessary because it's all covered up in short order, but that's kind of the point – it shows so much love for the source material. I remember thinking something similar about the excellent Lego Rivendell set and its Eye of Sauron that disappeared beneath Elrond's council.

The one compromise I wasn't keen on can be found near the cockpit. While the painted-on cockpit itself is fine, there's a small gap between the neck pieces and the ship body that bothers me more than it should. I imagine this was a compromise based on the shape of the neck itself, and it's not a big deal on the whole, but still. It felt as if I'd missed a bit, or put something on wrong. 

It doesn't detract from the final look once everything is said and done, though. This is an impressive piece that, for my money, is only matched by the Star Destroyer in the midi line. I'd say it'll be the gold standard going forward.

Having it on a stand for added stability helps it feel more secure no matter where it lives, too. It's a classy look, and one that reinforces that this is a display piece – not a toy.

Should you buy the Lego Millennium Falcon (75375)?

There have been many Lego Millennium Falcon sets before this one, but it does the legacy justice. I have a suspicion that it'll become the go-to version most people buy thanks to its more reasonable price and modest size. There are few signs of compromise in its design, either.

Is it flawless? No. I'm a little disappointed it didn't come with at least one minifigure, either. But on the whole, this is a fantastic kit that, yes – has it where it counts.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Lego Millennium Falcon (75375)

I spent a handful of evenings putting together the Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) set, divided into half-an-hour slots or so. I took far too many notes during this process, and paid particular attention to how the kit compared to its predecessors. There may have been some Han Solo quotes thrown in there for good measure.

For more, check out our guide to how we test products. 

Looking for the perfect present for fans of a galaxy far, far away? Don't miss these Star Wars gifts or the best Star Wars board games.

Available to pre-order for $89.99 / £79.99 at Lego, the Lego Minecraft Crafting Table is something of a 2-in-1 affair. The outside forms a 6-inch model of the iconic crafting table but like an ore block, you have to crack it open to get to the diamonds inside. Once you pop off the sides, the table reveals a diorama of a Minecraft world that is positively jam-packed with details that’ll delight any long-time fan. 

Despite its relatively diminutive size, the set manages to represent 12 different biomes ranging from the basic Plains to spooky Deep Dark (although I’ll admit I’m a tad salty they don’t have Mushroom Fields). Across its 1,195 pieces, it has also 5 distinct mini-builds which will apparently house a number of “hidden Easter Eggs” for builders to reveal while they assemble it.

Additionally, the Lego Minecraft Crafting Table houses eight dinky microfigures including player characters like Steve and Alex as well as mobs like a skeleton, a witch, a pig, a cow, a villager, and a Creeper. Sure, you’ll be able to shake up your display by dotting these guys around your scene but you can also customize your build with stickers. Some of these stickers play it straight with the Minecraft logo or a Create New World button but others feature silly inside jokes like “Now in 3D!”.

If you’re eager to get crafting your very own Crafting Table, you’re going to have to hold out until August 1. However, now is a really good time to get your pre-order in. Side note: while this set isn’t a Lego store exclusive, if you opt to pick it up from Lego directly you can nab yourself 640 Lego Insider Points. 

Want ideas of something to build in the meantime? Check out the best Lego sets or our guide to the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Lego Great Deku Tree is a 2-in-1 kit that can be used to make either the woodland spirit from Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. Both versions are surprisingly distinct, too; even though a lot of pieces must be reused, the two builds are unique enough to look like separate Lego Legend of Zelda sets. They're stuffed with more than a little fan-service, too.

I've dug into the details below, but here's the headline: the Lego Great Deku Tree is due to launch this September 1. Unlike many newly-announced kits, you can also pre-order the set already for $299.99 at the Lego store (or £259.99 at Lego if you're based in the UK). 

Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1

This kit has been rumored for quite some time, and it's creating just as many waves as we thought it might. Lego's been clever here with that 2-in-one approach; it's appealing to fans both new and old without having to compromise for either.

Honestly, the thing that impresses me the most about this 2,500-piece set is how different it ends up looking depending on which version you choose. For starters, it's amazing how much the Great Deku Tree itself transforms thanks to a handful of cleverly-placed bricks and some more colorful leaves. Even though the overall shape remains the same, those extra touches transform the glum N64 iteration into the more vibrant Switch equivalent.

In addition, the environment itself feels as if it's come from another box entirely. You've got the murky, swamp-like Kokiri Forest on one hand (complete with Deku Baba plants and Link's childhood home) and the brighter, ruin-strewn woodland from Breath of the Wild on the other. 

I'm taken aback by the number of alternate minifigures as well. Besides Tears of the Kingdom Zelda, you're able to build kid/adult Link from Ocarina of Time alongside the blue-topped version from Breath of the Wild. I initially suspected that these would use the same heads and employ different bodies/legs, but as it turns out, they're entirely separate minifigs. It's an unnecessary touch that's cool because it wasn't needed.

The same goes for all of the many Easter eggs scattered throughout. Alongside more obvious nods like Hestu and his maracas, you can find the likes of a time-telling Sheikah Stone, a golden Skulltula, tiny Koroks, and a cooking station for Link to use if you look closely enough. 

I suspect there will be a lot of demand for this one when it launches this September 1, so it may be wise to get your pre-order in now.

For recommendations on what to build next, check out the best Lego sets or our guide to the best Lego Star Wars sets.