LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech review

80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech is the latest in the ever-expanding range of LEGO Monkie Kid mechs, but isn’t tied down by its headline feature.

Launching in a wave with the biggest LEGO Monkie Kid mech to date in 80045 Monkey King Ultra Mech, the odds of 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech providing an equal or better experience aren’t in its favour. Fortunately, it’s a fraction of the price, consequently setting expectations accordingly.

With ‘Combi’ in the name, 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech might imply a heavy reliance on the combining feature that requires spending another £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 on 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet. However, first impressions can be deceiving.

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech set details —

Theme: LEGO Monkie Kid Set name: 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech Release date: January 1, 2023

lego

Price: £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 Pieces: 277 Minifigures: 2

LEGO: Available now

— Where to buy LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech

LEGO 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech, and the rest of LEGO Monkie Kid’s 2023 selection, is available on LEGO.com worldwide. However, they may also be in select LEGO Stores, though a more reliable shopping experience will likely be limited to LEGO.com since the theme was scaled back.

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— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech build —

Since 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech is a smaller set, there’s not a great deal to the build to mention compared to the likes of 80043 Yellow Tusk Elephant, 80044 Monkie Kid’s Team Hideout and 80045 Monkey King Ultra Mech. Especially when stacked up against the much larger mech, 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech might appear to be a lacklustre experience without something to combine it with.

However, that’s simply not the case. This suitably chunky mech offers a complete experience with an apt amount of detail and evidence of thoughtful choices throughout the design process that has allowed for exceptional balance, even when holding the massive weaponry provided. Those weapons include a giant sword and an enlarged Monkey King’s staff, both of which can be stored on the back, which will be used for another feature later in this review.

Despite the elbows being deliberately stuck at an angle, there’s a surprising amount of poseability in this mech and the appearance of knee joints is nothing short of a shock compared to other LEGO mechs, even to more expensive models.

As demonstrated in the below images, this mech has great balance and plenty of opportunities for dynamic posing. The addition of stud shooters as the thumbs works well too and their position makes them easy to use and reload in play.

There’s only room for one minifigure in the cockpit of the mech but that can be remedied with the purchase of 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet for the same price as the base build. The combination feature that forms the name of 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech suggests a much heavier reliance on this feature than is the case though.

While 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet isn’t too impressive on its own, as you can read in our review of that model, the two combined are a sight to behold and worth doing if you happen upon both. However, there’s no need to purchase the second set to complete 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech‘s package as the main model is worthwhile on its own.

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech characters —

There are only two minifigures in 80040 Monkie Kid Combi Mech, one less than 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet for the same price. That said, the Ink Demon is likely to be a welcome addition to the legion of them that you’ll collect in the 2023 LEGO Monkie Kid sets.

Monkie Kid’s minifigure was also only featured previously in 80034 Nezha’s Fire Ring and it’s an excellent minifigure that is welcome in such a small and inexpensive set. It fits the technological nature of the mech too, adding to the appeal.

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech price —

At £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99, 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech‘s asking price feels fair, though another Ink Demon minifigure wouldn’t have gone unappreciated. As the base build needed for the combining feature between 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech and 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet, we’d advise picking up this one first and deciding if another model at the same price is worth the cost, as this model is good value on its own – especially for those without a Monkie Kid mech.

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech pictures —

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech pros and cons —

80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech is a substantial experience and a good first step for anyone wanting to get a taste of LEGO Monkie Kid, presenting a dynamic, detailed and overall fun model with a few surprises in store. For instance, the small battlefield section with a catapult can be attached to 80044 Monkie Kid’s Team Hideout.

For those who already have a LEGO Monkie Kid mech, you can probably skip 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech unless you’re planning on picking up 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet – but for first-timers to the theme, 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech is a great introduction. Don’t be put off by the name: the set isn’t reliant on the combining feature, and stands absolutely fine on its own.

80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech pros80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech cons
A vast amount of posing optionsAnother minifigure would have been appreciated
Worth the asking price, even with another model needed for the main feature

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO Monkie Kid sets using our affiliate links.

— LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech FAQs —

How long does it take to build LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech?

80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech should take you around 30 minutes to put together, and the same can be said for its partner model, 80041 Mei’s Dragon Jet, making for a round hour of building time to combine the two sets.

How many pieces are in LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech?

There are 277 pieces in 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech. The vast majority go towards the mech, with a few saved for the catapult and landscape section.

How big is LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech?

It will depend on what position the mech is posed in, but standing up straight with arms extended, LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech measures 13 cm tall, 13 cm wide and about 5cm deep.

How much does LEGO Monkie Kid 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech cost?

You can pick up 80040 Monkie Kid’s Combi Mech for £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 from LEGO.com.

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