Five things we learned from LEGO at the International Toy Fair

International Toy Fair is wrapping up this weekend, and despite photography not being permitted, the LEGO Group still gave fans a few reveals

This year’s International Toy Fair, taking place in Nuremberg, Germany, might not be the treasure trove of information that fans have come to expect, but it has provided a few reveals and teased some things to look forward to later this year. Here are five things that LEGO fans have learned from the event this year, despite the restrictions placed on media outlets.

1. The new Jurassic World theme might give a sense of deja vu

Like Jurassic Park, Jurassic World was a very ‘toy-etic’ film. Dinosaurs have always been a popular concept for toys, but having the enclosures and vehicles to combine with them really added to the play pattern. In the case of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and seemingly in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, there is little in the way of memorable locations or vehicles. The new film is set on an island where everything has been destroyed or is in disrepair. If 75928 Blue’s Helicopter Pursuit is anything to go by, focused as it is on a big blue vehicle, then this year’s Jurassic World is going to look a lot like 2015’s Jurassic World theme.

 

2. Power Functions 2.0 and Appmobiles

Technology is going to be a topic of conversation when the summer sets launch, with the new LEGO City trains – 60197 Passenger Train and 60198 Cargo Train – using a new, upgraded version of Power Functions, imaginatively dubbed Power Functions 2.0. LEGO DC Super Heroes will also be getting in on the idea of bringing builds to life, with 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile allowing fans to drive a LEGO Batmobile remotely for the first time. This is a great concept, and one that is sure to hold appeal for pop culture addicts outside of the AFOL realm. The only possible drawback, as is always the case with such products, is how long the compatible app will be supported for.

3. LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron teased

Unfortunately this set was not on display for photography, but LEGO Technic will continue to release desirable super cars, with the Bugatti Chiron landing on August 1. With 3,599 pieces, this should be an impressive release and the LEGO Group is no doubt expecting the kind of success enjoyed by 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. As well as appealing to the most dedicated Technic aficionados, these unique collaborations also tend to appeal to LEGO System fans with a passion for cars.

4. Unikitty!

The LEGO Movie introduced a whole host of memorable characters, with Unikitty being one of the best. The unicorn-cat combo creature had her own TV series launch on Cartoon Network, leading fans to hope for a tie-in product line. It is now confirmed that there will be a series of blind bags, with 12 different collectible Unikitty builds to collect (build is a term used loosely, but she is certainly not a minifigure either). The only drawback to this new theme is that it is a reminder of that last Unikitty variant from The LEGO Movie theme that you never tracked down, and now can’t even remember which one it was.

5. Disney are way too protective of the Star Wars and Marvel franchises

Okay, so this is not really something new that LEGO fans learned, rather something that was reiterated at Toy Fair. Despite a launch date of March 1, the LEGO Group is still not revealing the sets based on Avengers: Infinity War. The Solo: A Star Wars Story sets are due for release on April 20, which is only two and a half months away – why not reveal the sets and build some anticipation? Amazingly, both Disney and the LEGO Group insist that leaked product images are a terrible thing that has a negative impact of some sort – yet by withholding official product reveals for such a long time, fans who would otherwise avoid such material become more tempted to seek it out.

What was your favourite reveal from International Toy Fair? What are you most looking forward to being released during 2018? Share your thoughts in the comments below, on Facebook or on Twitter.