August 2020 LEGO Buyer’s Guide – Ideas, Star Wars, Art and NES
August 2020 sees a whole range of LEGO sets released across themes including Star Wars, Art, Ideas and Super Mario. With so much out in one go, enjoy this buyer’s guide with some highlights to make sure you don’t miss out on the best of what is available
While each month sees at least a few new LEGO sets released, August 1, 2020 is a big day, in terms of sets released, size of the new sets and the number of 18+ sets for ‘grown-ups’. LEGO Star Wars, Art, Ideas, Super Mario and Monkie Kid all have new releases gracing the shelves – both physical and online – with lots of appealing options to choose from.
We’re pretty excited about a few of these sets in particular, so much so that a number of them venture on to our Top 20 LEGO Sets List, the up-to-date expert guide on the very best LEGO sets currently available.
To help make those all-important LEGO shopping decisions in the first week of August and beyond, here is the very best of what LEGO.com is releasing this month.
Modern art, reimagined
LEGO Art 31197 Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe
Theme: LEGO Art Price: £114.99 / $119.99 / €116.97 Pieces: 3341 Available: Now
An entirely new LEGO theme for adults has launched, with the simple title ‘LEGO Art’. Of the four sets that are launching the theme, it is 31197 Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe that stands out for, where the other trio of sets capture pop culture icons, 31197 is a genuine piece of art being translated into LEGO form. Whether the theme lasts for a long time or not, it makes for an intriguing and truly unique LEGO set.
LEGO Art offers the opportunity to relax by simply following a pattern, adding single studs to baseplates until an image forms depicting a pop culture icon. To make the experience more immersive, the set comes with an audio commentary to enjoy while building.
Did you know?
- Four different colour configurations are possible using the elements in the box.
- To make taking the set apart easier, each LEGO Art set includes a new brick separator piece.
- The original piece that the LEGO set is based on was a silkscreen print.
All the right notes
Theme: Ideas Price: £319.99 / $349.99 / €349.99 Pieces: 3662 Available: Now
For those looking to make an extravagant purchase and be rewarded with an absolutely one-of-a-kind LEGO build, 21323 Grand Piano hits all the right notes. For a hefty price-tag, this set’s 3,662 elements and included Powered Up motor capture a classic musical instrument in both look and function. As well as building a beautiful replica, the set also offers a fascinating crossover between physical and digital play, with internal workings that mimic the real thing, and a corresponding app to play pre-programmed music to.
Did you know?
- LEGO designers working on the set replicated the functions of a real piano – play the keys to activate the hammers inside.
- The 25-key keyboard is removable.
- Donny Chen came up with the original concept and an original composition he wrote is included in the set.
Walk this way
Theme: Star Wars Price: £139.99 / $159.99 / €146.21 Pieces: 1267 Available: Now
It has been six years since the last minifigure suitable AT-AT Walker arrived in the LEGO Star Wars theme, meaning that this is a welcome return from the lumbering Imperial vehicle. Something about this particular vehicle lends itself to a toy really, really well, and big kids will be delighted to have the opportunity to own a LEGO version again.
Given the constant improvements that are made in the LEGO Star Wars theme, this version promises to be more authentic and detailed than ever before. It also includes a better minifigure roster than previous editions, with two Snowtroopers and two AT-AT Drivers appropriately included.
Did you know?
- With 1,267 pieces, this is the largest LEGO AT-AT ever released.
- The included Speeder Bike fits inside the AT-AT.
- Dark tan hands were introduced to the Snowtrooper in 2019.
A new level of play
LEGO 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System
Theme: Super Mario Price: £209.99 / $229.99 / €229.99 Pieces: 2646 Available: Now
It’s a NES. A LEGO NES. Really, a LEGO NES. It is very unusual for the LEGO Group to make 1:1 replicas of real-life objects, but given the love that so many have for this console, it is a great choice for this sort of model.
As well as the NES, this set builds an old style television. By cranking a handle in the side, the level will move along and Mario can be manipulated to traverse the terrain. It’s wonderfully low-tech, but those looking to enhance the experience digitally can add in the figure from 71360 Adventures with Mario Starter Course to add music and reactions.
Did you know?
- The set includes an exclusive 8-bit Mario element.
- This LEGO NES arrives 35 years after the console originally launched.
- The cartridge can actually be placed inside the console.
Fan-driven, fan favourite
LEGO Star Wars 75280 501st Legion Clone Troopers
Theme: Star Wars Price: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 285 Available: Now
The 501st Legion is back, looking better than ever. With the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars satisfying fans in a way that modern Star Wars often doesn’t quite manage, it is only right that the LEGO Group captures the moment with a set featuring Anakin’s 501st Legion Clone Troopers.
While the AT-RT and Barc Speeder are welcome, this set is all about the minifigures, which feature intricate printing to offer the most detailed version of these desirable troopers so far. It’s not a case of whether to buy this set, but how many times to buy it.
Did you know?
- The set was part of a fan-driven campaign that saw thousands of comments left on social media.
- This is the first appearance of 501st Clone Troopers in minifigure form since 2013.
- This wave of sets marks a new design and skin tone for the Clone Trooper minifigure’s face.
Monkey business
LEGO Monkie Kid BrickHeadz 40381 Monkey King
Theme: Monkie Kid Price: £9.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 Pieces: 175 Available: Now
Monkie Kid is a huge theme, packed with expensive sets. Aside from 80012 Monkey King Warrior Mech, wider fans of the LEGO lifestyle can live without most of the sets, but it’s hard to argue that the aesthetic of the theme, especially the central figure, the Monkey King, is really appealing.
That’s where 40381 Monkey King comes in. This desk-sized display model is the perfect companion for fans who would love a taste of the ornate character without having a huge, several-hundred-piece model getting in the way of their computer monitor.
Did you know?
- LEGO Monkie Kid was developed specifically for the Chinese market.
- BrickHeadz disappeared for a year, with occasional sets popping up again this year for special characters and occasions.
- Monkie Kid is inspired by Journey to the West, the 16th Century Chinese novel.
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