LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech review

Are two exclusive LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog minifigures enough to make 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech an essential purchase?

The launch of a full LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog theme earlier this year included four initial sets to kickstart the blue blur’s own collection, with a handful of additional models released in the following months. Those builds will soon be joined by two more sets on January 1, 2024, with the arrival of 76995 Shadow the Hedgehog Escape (already out in the US and reviewed here) and 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech.

The latter sees a pair of fan-favourite characters included as exclusive minifigures, expanding the LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog universe once again, while also delivering a different kind of construction experience. 

76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech consists of a hulking red mech to match its anthropomorphic echidna pilot, plus the legendary Master Emerald, while Rouge the Bat receives her own brick-built glider for stealing the gigantic precious gem.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech
set details —

Theme: LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Set name: 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech Release: January 1, 2024 

Price: £29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99 Pieces: 276

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’
Guardian Mech —

76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech is due to be released on January 1, 2024 and will be available to buy from LEGO.com, LEGO Stores and some third-party retailers.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech build —

The LEGO Group has released numerous mech-based builds over the years, with minifigures sat in the cockpit of essentially enlarged mechanised versions of themselves. That usually means an oversized body and limbs with a tiny head poking out, which can sometimes work depending on the specific character the build is based around.

For some, such as 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech, the choice is slightly more baffling. While mechs have appeared many times in the Sonic the Hedgehog universe, they’ve tended to be clunking Dr. Eggman constructs, piloted by the villainous scientist as part of one of his hare-brained schemes.

Placing a minifigure of Knuckles inside a large mechanical version of himself (complete with big white fists) doesn’t really seem to make much sense. Okay, so 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech is a toy and needs to have some inherent play value, but we’d have preferred to see a new metal monster from the twisted brain of Dr. Eggman or possibly a playset of Knuckles’ tropical home, Angel Island.

As it is, 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech delivers just what it’s supposed to (but no more), with poseable arms, legs and sturdy feet, shoulder and back ‘quills’ that can be repositioned as required, two printed shield pieces, plus dual stud-shooting blasters. Alas, the elbows and knees lack any sort of hinges, limiting some display options, and the model itself seems to lack the overall bulk, detail and solid feel of other recent mechs such as 76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda.

A small but fragile handle at the front of 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech can be folded down to allow for a minifigure to sit inside, but annoyingly Knuckles’ fists have to be raised well out of the way in order to do so and the character is unable to actually hold on to the handle. Likewise, the mech’s own fists could have been much larger and exaggerated to reference the power contained within them and they lack moveable fingers for holding objects.

Viewing 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech from the back also makes the model look slightly incomplete, as if a brick-based rocket pack should have come with the set or at the very least some way for Knuckles to possibly carry the Master Emerald around with him to deter would-be thieves.

Speaking of which, Rouge the Bat receives her own mini glider, although it’s yet another head-scratcher of a build as the character already has wings and can fly. The only real use for the inclusion of the small vehicle in 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech is to allow her to pick up the Master Emerald and make off with the massive jewel, which contains a few smaller green gem elements hidden inside.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech minifigures —

Let’s just cut to the chase – here’s the real reason why Sonic the Hedgehog fans will be picking up this set. 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech comes with two new and (for now) exclusive minifigures in the shape of Knuckles the Echidna and Rouge the Bat.

First appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994, sometime Sonic rival Knuckles looks just the job, with a new dual-moulded and printed head piece, complete with large red dreadlock-like quills. The headstrong Knuckles also boasts a printed torso and a colourful pair of dual-moulded legs to round out his impressive design. Although the minifigure does have his own small white hands, they’re enhanced by two new fist elements that the character can hold, similar to Wolverine’s claws in 71039 Marvel Series 2.

Rouge the Bat is also a must-have minifigure, with the character’s debut benefiting from a new dual-moulded and printed head piece, printed torso and dual-moulded printed legs too. The jewel thief and part-time government spy (yes) also receives a pair of purple batwings, yet another new element making its appearance in 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech. Both Knuckles the Echidna and Rouge the Bat will be essential purchases for LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog fans looking to expand and complete their collection of video game-based minifigures.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech price —

It’s hard to grumble at the price of 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech, with the set coming in at £29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99 for 276 pieces, which includes two exclusive minifigures, a basic mech, a small glider and the Master Emerald. While it’ll only take you around 40 minutes to construct the set, the resulting play value for fans of a certain age will arguably last much longer.

Sure, for £10 / $15 / €15 more you could always pick up the much more satisfying 76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda, but the draw of several new elements here and the chance to grab both Knuckles and Rouge the Bat will be enough of a reason for most builders to buy the model.

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian
Mech pictures —

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech 
pros and cons —

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog fans looking to pick up an affordable set with some limited play value may well be tempted to add 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech to their shopping baskets. However, the mech’s lack of poseability or additional features make it a less-than-ideal debut for the model’s title character.

Fortunately, 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech manages to redeem itself (just) with two fantastic and exclusive minifigures. The characters of Knuckles and Rouge the Bat are perfectly immortalised in minifigure form, accurately capturing the look and attitude of both anthropomorphic animals.

76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech pros	76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech cons
Fantastic (and exclusive) Knuckles and Rouge the Bat minifigures	Mech lacks poseability and detail
Price point is reasonable	Set can be constructed in under 40 minutes
Some basic play features for younger builders	An odd choice for a mech-based set

This set was provided by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech —

When it comes to alternative LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog sets, you’re in luck. There are currently eight models available in the theme, such as 76993 Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman’s Death Egg Robot, with 76995 Shadow the Hedgehog Escape also due to arrive on January 1, 2024.

When it comes to much more satisfying mech builds for a similar price, we’d definitely recommend the likes of 76247 The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda, 71808 Kai’s Elemental Fire Mech (out January 1, 2024) and 76245 Ghost Rider Mech & Bike. 

— LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog 76996 Knuckles’ Guardian Mech FAQs —