LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge review

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge may be the smallest set in the new Sonic the Hedgehog range, but it packs an unexpectedly impressive punch.

As an entry-level set, 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge does exactly what it should, providing a small sampler of all the various play features and build styles across the rest of the range, while keeping the piece count low and the price as affordable as possible. While it may lack the pizzazz of some of the bigger sets, 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge is a perfect distillation of what LEGO Sonic is all about, and is a great place for LEGO Sonic fans to start building a collection.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge set details —

Theme: LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Set name: 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge Release: August 1, 2023

Price: £24.99 / $34.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 292 Minifigures: 1

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge —

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge will be available at LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores, as well as from third-party retailers, on August 1, 2023. Check back after launch for the best prices.

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— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge build —

The LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog range is a little eclectic at times. To emulate Sonic’s super speed, pieces are borrowed from the LEGO City Stuntz subtheme, while mech and robot design bear the hallmarks of similar NINJAGO offerings, and certain beach-themed play features feel like they’re ripped straight from LEGO Friends.

Condensing these various disparate types of play down into a single set with under 300 pieces is no mean feat, but 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge hits the nail on the head perfectly. Fittingly for a Sonic the Hedgehog set, this entry-level offering covers a lot of ground as quickly as possible.

The build starts, as is the case with the majority of LEGO Sonic sets, with the construction of Sonic’s eponymous speed sphere and launcher. Mileage may literally vary with the launcher as some builders are going to get more out of it than others, as it involves slamming a fist down on a collection of LEGO pieces with as much force as possible, and that’s just not going to appeal to some builders.

The good news is that this launcher is better used in 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge than in any other set. Here, because of the small piece count, Sonic has a ramp to dash up, a bridge to zoom under, and no more. In larger Sonic sets, such as 76994 Sonic’s Green Hill Zone Loop Challenge, the launcher isn’t nearly powerful or accurate enough to work well with a lengthy obstacle course, but here, it’s perfect. It does exactly what it needs to, and no more.

The launcher, though, isn’t going to be for everyone, and 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge also accommodates those LEGO Sonic enthusiasts who’d rather dig in with some slower-paced roleplaying. The set comes with a deckchair and table, a chili dog (naturally), a small fridge, and most impressively of all, a DJ deck, complete with two palm trees.

Music has long been the lifeblood of the Sonic video game franchise, and the inclusion of two working turntables, with vinyl records bearing Sonic’s likeness, is very welcome. There’s also a nice Easter egg in the form of a Chaos Cola drinks can, a deep-cut reference to billboards from the Sonic Adventure games. Plus, a new element in the form of yellow rings for Sonic to collect, and a mainstay of the Sonic franchise: a ring box, which Sonic can smash to get a few extra rings.

It’s also worth pointing out one very important thing that is missing from this set: stickers. There isn’t a single sticker in any of the new LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog sets, a fact that’s particularly welcome with this, the smallest set in the range. The Chaos Cola logo is printed, the vinyl records are printed, and even the front of the ring box is printed.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge characters —

76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge comes with three characters: one minifigure, one small animal companion, and one brick-built robot.

The main draw is, naturally, the Sonic the Hedgehog minifigure, who has been ever so slightly tweaked from his previous appearances in LEGO Dimensions’ 71244 Sonic the Hedgehog Level Pack and LEGO Ideas’ 21331 Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone.

This Sonic features the same legs as the Ideas set, complete with printed buckles on the sides, but a more elongated decal and green eyes to match the ‘modern’ Sonic design that is currently the default for SEGA’s mascot. The changes are so minimal that casual fans won’t care, but to Sonic fans, these slight amendments make a world of difference.

A Sonic playtime would be nothing without robot badniks to smash, and this set comes with arguably the most famous of the lot: a brick-built Moto bug, complete with a compartment in the top to store a tiny animal that Sonic must set free.

The included Flicky Bluebird is also perhaps the most recognisable Sonic animal in distress, meaning that if Sonic fans are looking to pick up a single LEGO Sonic set and call it a day, this one has plenty of familiar iconography crammed into its small package.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge price —

At £24.99, 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge is the cheapest Sonic LEGO set to date, and it’s also quite impressive value for money. This is by no means a huge set, but there’s a lot in here given its low price point, especially considering the inclusion of a large ramp that typically increases the overall cost of a set.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge pictures —

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge pros and cons —

76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge may be the smallest LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog set, but it packs a lot in, offering a small taste of everything else that the wider range has to offer at an affordable, entry-level price tag.

76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge pros	76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge cons
A lot of different content packed into a small set	The speed sphere launcher can be tempermental
Speed sphere and launcher are at their best in this set	The build is over fairly quickly
No stickers	Not enough rings

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge —

For those looking for a Sonic LEGO set who’d rather have another minifigure than the speed sphere for which this set is named, a solid alternative is 76991 Tails’ Workshop and Tornado Plane, which is slightly more expensive but comes with Sonic’s best buddy Tails and a biplane.

Alternatively, those who’d like a set that makes better use of the ramp element and aren’t too fussed about the Sonic branding could consider the LEGO City Stuntz set 60360 Spinning Stunt Challenge, which includes two motorbikes and a couple of rings to jump through. It’s also worth bearing in mind that this and the rest of the Stuntz sets are theoretically compatible with Sonic’s launcher, for those wanting to give Sonic a bit more to do.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76990 Sonic’s Speed Sphere Challenge FAQs —