LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot review

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot recreates one of the most iconic moments from Sonic the Hedgehog’s long and storied career in video games.

In a range that is primarily aimed at younger builders, the Death Egg Robot itself provides the most satisfying, involved build experience of anything in the first wave of Sonic sets, and is a solid mech that is easily the equal of any of the LEGO Group’s other robot builds at this price point.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot set details —

Theme: LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Set name: 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot Release: August 1, 2023

Price: £57.99 / $59.99 / €64.99 Pieces: 615 Minifigures: 2

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot —

76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot will be available for purchase from LEGO.com and LEGO stores, as well as third-party retailers, from August 1, 2023. Be sure to check back after the set has released for the best deals.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot build —

Sonic the Hedgehog is about two things: running fast, and smashing robots. He’s smashed plenty of robots in his long and storied career, but none are as memorable as the Death Egg Robot, a large facsimile of its creator, Doctor Ivo Robotnik (better known in modern times as Dr. Eggman).

Older fans will remember this robot as the final boss in Sonic 2 on the SEGA Master System, while younger fans will know it as the final boss from the Sonic 2 movie. A version of this mech appeared in Viv Grannell’s original proposal for a LEGO Ideas set, but this was notably missing from the finished 21331 Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone.

As such a famous piece of Sonic the Hedgehog iconography, any LEGO set that finally does adapt the Death Egg Robot needs to do it right. Thankfully, 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot has done just that, delivering a tremendously satisfying, meaty build which is probably the highlight of the new wave of LEGO Sonic sets.

How much the Death Egg Robot’s stud launcher and hidden compartment will be of use to any particular builder will depend entirely on their priorities: this is a fun set for more play-oriented fans to mess around with, but it’s also a perfect display piece. For those looking to finally complete 21331 Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone, this will sit perfectly on the shelf next to the Ideas set.

If there’s a downside to this set, it’s that nothing else quite comes close to matching the Death Egg Robot’s mean and mighty presence. There’s a small capsule containing some trapped animals – a mainstay of the Sonic game experience – but it doesn’t exactly look like its video game source material.

Sonic comes with the same speed sphere and launcher as is present in several other LEGO Sonic sets, along with a lacklustre ramp that Sonic absolutely does not get any air time from. Theoretically, the launcher can be used to bash Sonic’s speed sphere into the front of the Death Egg Robot, upon which a hidden compartment on the mech’s back will break off, revealing trapped animals.

In practice, the launcher just doesn’t have the power needed to hit the robot hard enough. This is one fight that Dr. Eggman has most decidedly won.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot characters —

There are two minifigures included in this set, along with a trio of cutesy animals for Sonic to rescue, and a brick-built assistant for Dr. Eggman.

The Sonic minifigure has been slightly updated from his appearance in 21331 Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone. As the LEGO Ideas set is based on ‘classic’ Sonic and the main Sonic theme instead reflects his ‘modern’ incarnation, this minifigure has an elongated stomach design on his torso, and green eyes.

Dr. Eggman has received a full upgrade from his appearance in the LEGO Ideas set, but whether this is an improvement or not will come down to personal taste. On the one hand, this minifigure is pitch perfect, recreating Robotnik’s moustache and goggles flawlessly. On the other hand, there is a certain charm in the final incarnation of Grannell’s concept for a brick-built Eggman that is only present in the Ideas version of the character.

An odd inclusion is a brick-built Cubot, one of Eggman’s henchmen. For those who haven’t checked in on Sonic since the ‘90s, Cubot and Orbot are the modern equivalent of Scratch and Grounder from the original Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon series.

It’s peculiar, then, considering that Cubot is one half of a double act, that he appears in the set all by himself. Nevertheless, as big an omission as Orbot might be, the Cubot provided here is an ingenious little build, using a rollerskate for eyes.

Rounding out the set are a trio of cutesy animals that can either be stuffed into a capsule, trapped in the back of the Death Egg Robot, or simply left free to roam unhindered by Eggman’s dastardly plans.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot price —

76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot costs £57.99 in the UK, $59.99 in the US, and €64.99 in the EU. This makes the set a far better deal on one side of the Atlantic than the other, but regardless, this is one of the more expensive Sonic sets available.

Of the new sets, though, this is by far the build experience that will appeal to older fans most, so while 76994 Sonic’s Green Hill Zone Loop Challenge might have more pieces, this set is probably going to feel like a more substantial experience once completed.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot pictures —

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot pros and cons —

76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot is tremendously enjoyable to put together and is both a satisfying display piece and an excellent plaything. The chunky robot is more than capable of standing toe-to-toe (although not necessarily shoulder-to-shoulder given its short stature) with any other LEGO mech, even if the accompanying builds feel a little lacklustre by comparison.

76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot pros	76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot cons
Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot is wonderfully chunky	Animal containment capsule is small
Probably the most satisfying build of the LEGO Sonic range	Speed sphere and launcher aren’t used well
Cubot is a fun build	No Orbot

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

Please help to support Brick Fanatics by purchasing your LEGO through our affiliate links.

— Alternatives to LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot —

Those looking for a displayable Sonic the Hedgehog set at around the same price point may wish to consider the older 21331 Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone. This set has a more involved build and looks great on the shelf, but the two sets also pair quite well together.

For those looking for an alternative mech, the NINJAGO range has several that will do the job well. 71785 Jay’s Titan Mech is a little more expensive and features a taller, leaner design, but it’s an impressive sight that wears its anime and video game influences on its sleeve (right next to a massive sword).

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot FAQs —