LEGO August 1 releases: Everything you need to know before you buy

August 1 is set to be a big day for LEGO releases, so we’ve rounded up a selection of the sets you need to know about – both good and bad.

Dozens of LEGO sets are launching on August 1, with some like LEGO Animal Crossing that were released months ago and others more recently. With so many on the way, it can be hard to know where you should be putting your day one LEGO budget, and which ones might not be worth your time and money.

We’ve rounded up a selection of the most talked-about LEGO sets – with the exception of LEGO Star Wars, which will have a dedicated article coming soon. Keep your eyes out for that and, in the meantime, dive into our guide on everything you need to know before you buy on August 1.

LEGO 40805 Arcade Machine

Seemingly taking its cue from 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade comes a diminutive gaming cabinet that’s packed with secrets. Launching at £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 for 468 pieces, 40805 Arcade Machine offers up a retro display model that can be opened up to display a gamer’s room inside, one that includes plenty of nods to the past.

The interior of the LEGO set features a buildable mini arcade game station complete with various consoles, a computer, a sofa and a minifigure with a remote control, as well as subtle references to the likes of Junkbot, Galaxy Explorer, LEGO Insectoids, Out Run, and much more.

“At first glance I wasn’t impressed – looked more like a rejected GWP. But then I saw the pictures of the inside, and honestly, that elevated the whole thing to another level. Sure, it’s nothing ground-breaking, but it is a fun set that for once doesn’t break the bank.”

Brickset commenter

Pros of 40805 Arcade Machine	Cons of 40805 Arcade Machine
Full of retro gaming and LEGO references	Quite a few stickers
Detailed exterior and interior	Minifigure could have been more imaginative
Working coin slot feature

Our verdict: A nostalgia-filled build that’s bursting with multiple nods to classic video games and LEGO themes from yesteryear.

LEGO Marvel 76317 Peter Parker’s Apartment

Part of a new mini modular LEGO Marvel subtheme, 76317 Peter Parker’s Apartment is essentially a companion set for both 76311 Miles Morales vs. The Spot and 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp. The 394-piece model can be yours for £44.99 / $54.99 / €499.99 and features the building itself, as well as a spider robot and four minifigures.

Thanks to open studs and Technic pin connections, the sets can be placed either on top of each other or side-by-side, offering fans a number of play and display options. While the price-to-piece count isn’t that great, many Marvel fans will most likely wait until 76317 Peter Parker’s Apartment is offered at a discount before picking it up.

“Peter’s Apartment looks underwhelming. The build is too flat and the detailing of the interior and exterior lacks variety. The main draw of this set is clearly the minifigures (great selection, by the way) so I’ll probably wait for a discount before I purchase.”

Brickset commenter

Pros of 76317 Peter Parker’s Apartment	Cons of 76317 Peter Parker’s Apartment
Plenty of detail packed into the building	A basic but effective model
Solid minifigure selection	Not much room inside the building
Potential for future expansion	Price may not be easy for some to swallow

Our verdict: Yet another pricey LEGO Marvel model, but one that at least paves the way for even more potential mini modular builds to come.

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle

Following hot on the heels of the recently retired 31120 Medieval Castle comes a brand new Creator 3-in-1 fortress, this time anchored around brick-built animals and two new factions: the horse knights and serpent knights. At first glance, the building itself looks a little bit smaller and more simplistic than its predecessor, but there are still details to enjoy here.

The horses look pretty charming if you’re into brick-built animals (a staple of the Creator 3-in-1 theme), while the minifigures will be a big draw for Castle collectors too. The two alternate builds offer a little more longevity from a value perspective too, as with all Creator 3-in-1 sets, but the real potential of 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle will likely be in how the community adapts its pieces for alternate or combo builds. Watch this space..

“Compared to its predecessor, the castle looks small. Although I do like how the sections can be configured to create different layouts. Think I will [Pick a Brick] the minifigures and wait for Rebrickable builds to appear before buying multiple sets.”

UnderstandingOdd6728 on reddit

Pros of 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle	Cons of 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle
It’s a more affordable LEGO Castle	Not quite as comprehensive as the last Creator 3-in-1 castle
Introduces two new Castle factions	Only one serpent knight
Alternate builds look as strong as the main set

Our verdict: Castle fans will turn up day one regardless, but if you’re on the fence, wait to see what comes of this one on Rebrickable.

LEGO Technic 42213 Ford Bronco SUV

LEGO Technic fans can look forward to some serious off-road modelmaking come August 1, when 42213 Ford Bronco SUV screeches into view. The 943-piece set will retail for £54.99 / $64.99 / €59.99 and includes a brick-built recreation of the red and black vehicle, one that boasts all kinds of realistic features and attention-to-detail.

As with similar LEGO Technic sets, 42213 Ford Bronco SUV has working suspension, spread across a front axle and live rear, as well as a V6 engine, opening doors, roof rack with two traction boards and steering via the spare wheel at the back of the car.

“For Technic novices, this set has a clear structure and moderate difficulty. It is easier to use with the LEGO Builder App; and off-road fans will also be satisfied with its rich details and playability. Whether it is for learning, entertainment or collection, Ford Bronco is a recommended entry-level mechanical set.”

BrickBling

Pros of 42213 Ford Bronco SUV	Cons of 42213 Ford Bronco SUV
Impressive level of LEGO Technic engineering	No electrical components or Control+ functionality
Clear structure for novice builders
Rich details and playability

Our verdict: A LEGO Technic set that should prove to be a satisfying building experience for newcomers and more mature modelmakers alike.

LEGO Botanicals 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees

709 pieces gets you not one, not two, but three plants to build in 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees, offering decent value for money at its price tag of £54.99 / $64.99 / €59.99. Despite being smaller than its larger sibling 10381 Bonsai Tree, the LEGO designers haven’t skimped on detail, offering the same clever parts usage and creativity that the LEGO Botanicals has come to represent.

All three builds are ready to display, with their own pots to perch on a shelf. 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees recreate three different real-life trees in impressive detail, especially for the scale.

“10373 Mini Bonsai Trees might not make the same bold statement as its larger predecessor, but it absolutely holds its own. With three well-designed trees, satisfying and tactile builds, and some classic LEGO creativity on show, this is a set that celebrates variety, elegance, and thoughtful part usage.”

Brick Fanatics

Pros of 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees	Cons of 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees
Consistently good design across all three trees	Not as big a statement as 10281 Bonsai Tree
Good value for money
Classic LEGO Botanicals creativity

Our verdict: A colourful trio that will work both alongside and instead of the larger 10281 Bonsai Tree.

LEGO Fortnite 77078 Mecha Team Leader

One of the biggest LEGO mechs ever designed is coming next month in the form of the huge and imposing 77078 Mecha Team Leader. LEGO Fortnite’s biggest build yet is based on the outfit of the same name, which has also been the star of multiple live events in the battle royale model. Suffice to say that this is an incredibly popular character in Fortnite, and a matching LEGO set was inevitable.

The LEGO designers have taken the inevitable build one step further, though, utilising the new XL joints featured in the huge T. rex skeleton from earlier this year. Now, they’re used to their full potential in a posable mech build, and it even comes with a minifigure of Mecha Team Leader and a code for two outfits for use within LEGO Fortnite.

“This feels like the spiritual successor to the Voltron set. No matter what you think about Fortnite, you have to admit that this set is top-notch.”

fallbunn001 on reddit

Pros of 77078 Mecha Team Leader	Cons of 77078 Mecha Team Leader
There are lots of recognisable Easter eggs	Just one minifigure for the price
It puts the new XL joints to great use
Embraces the chaotic colour scheme of Mecha Team Leader for an iconic build

Our verdict: LEGO Fortnite’s new 77078 Mecha Team Leader has impressed Fortnite and LEGO fans alike, finally realising the true potential of the new XL joint elements, while embracing the crazy colour scheme wholeheartedly.

LEGO Marvel 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust

76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust is finally joining its companion, 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust, on August 1, after being revealed back in April. The brick-built busts attempt to tap into the same market as the LEGO Helmet Collection, but failed to gain the same appeal among fans, at least in early reactions.

The proportions and style feel slightly off, although the inclusion of the mechanical legs is a fun detail that immediately confirms what version of Spider-Man this set is based on. However, for the price and with perceived design flaws, it’s probably best to wait around for a discount – if you buy at all.

“This and the Iron Man Bust are just huge Ls for the LEGO Group. They’re hideous and not sure who the target audience is.”

Spaceolympian50, reddit

Pros of 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust	Cons of 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust
New type of displayable Marvel build…	…but do we need this as well as helmets?
Exclusive minifigure	Proportions around the neck and head are undersized
	Overpriced

Our verdict: A skippable addition to the LEGO Marvel theme, with too many flaws to justify the price.

LEGO Super Mario 72039 Bowser’s Castle

LEGO Super Mario continues to explore the world of Mario Kart this summer, and Bowser’s Castle is one of the most iconic locations for tracks in the game series. The recognisable tracks have been referenced in the new 72039 Bowser’s Castle, complete with Bowser and Yoshi in new vehicles for £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99.

Similar to the other Mario Kart track sets, the build, aside from the vehicles and figures, consists of an archway with a few obstacles, evoking the aesthetic of Bowser’s Castle, though not quite as grandly as the previous castle builds not based on Mario Kart.

“This is not worth the $100 price, despite a good price-per-piece ratio. The characters are easy to find, the karts aren’t overly interesting and the design of Bowser’s Castle feels made just for the play features, rather than to display or play around with. It feels lacklustre, especially when 72042 Prince Florian & Castle Bowser comes out on the same day.”

just2good

Pros of 72039 Bowser’s Castle	Cons of 72039 Bowser’s Castle
A good amount of play features	It can’t stack up to other Bowser’s Castle sets
Two new kart designs	It falls apart more than intended in play
	The characters are both easy-to-find in other, less expensive sets

Our verdict: 72039 Bowser’s Castle can’t quite live up to the legacy left by the many other builds of the fortress, especially when a more interesting Super Mario castle creation is launching on the same day.

LEGO Speed Champions 77237 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

The first ever LEGO Dodge in the Speed Champions theme breaks the mold, with no stickers included in the set. Instead, 77237 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat prefers to build all the details, with printed elements for the finer details. That leaves builders with a fascinating experience, ending up with an eye-catching look that stands out on a shelf of Speed Champions sets.

It certainly offers a sleeker look than some others of its kind, leaning into the blocky shape of the real car. For fans of American muscle cars, 77237 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is an impressive homage to an iconic vehicle.

“There’s a clear intent to brick-build the details. It’s great to see this level of design effort in sets that don’t rely on liveries or heavy decoration. I really hope we see more like this.”

Racing Bricks

Pros of 77237 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat	Cons of 77237 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
Fascinating build techniques	Different aesthetic to the rest of the LEGO Speed Champions theme
Punchy colour
No stickers

Our verdict: A must-have for LEGO Speed Champions fans.

LEGO Marvel 76321 Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene

Who could have guessed we’d see a LEGO Marvel set based on Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 in 2025, a full 21 years on from the original movie? Well, anyone who’s been paying attention to how much this theme has been dialling into nostalgia over the past few years at the expense of sets tied to recent films, which have generally underperformed at the box office.

Still, it’s nice to see the Super Heroes team expand beyond the Infinity Saga into more retro content, and 76321 Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene certainly fulfils that promise with all the main characters from the 2004 film (even if they don’t necessarily make perfect sense for the scene at hand). There’s a high price tag for this one, but it’s one Spidey fans will probably be happy to pay for this scene and these characters.

“It’s only 393 pieces with four minifigures with a lot of new parts here, but at the same time it’s $55. So right out of the gate it is very expensive for what it is, there’s no sugar coating that, and as much as I love Spider-Man Raimi films and all the sets that go with them, this set is definitely overpriced for what’s here. But it’s still a really cool set and I just cannot believe the LEGO Group made this.”

MiniSuperHeroesToday

Pros of 76321 Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene	Cons of 76321 Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene
Solid minifigures, particularly Spider-Man and Doc Ock	Relatively costly for what’s in the box
A welcome throwback to arguably the best Spidey movie	A short section of track would have been nice
Detailed subway car that resembles the source material	Should Doc Ock’s outfit be green or brown?

Our verdict: We said ‘bring us LEGO sets of Spider-Man 2’ and the LEGO Group has
delivered. Spidey fans will find it difficult to resist grabbing this one straight away…

LEGO Animal Crossing 77056 Blathers’s Museum Collection

LEGO Animal Crossing is finally adding the iconic museum to pair with Celeste’s minifigure from earlier this year. The 543- piece 77056 Blathers’s Museum Collection isn’t the biggest of the theme’s summer sets, but the piece count still allows for a substantial museum that is no mere facade.

There’s a hefty interior to this museum, representing every collection of items from the games, including an insect display, an aquarium and a huge Triceratops fossil on display. The museum’s in-house coffee shop is even represented, though without Brewster to make the coffee. This set has two minifigures and 543 pieces for £74.99 / $79.99 / €79.99.

First impressions of the museum following its reveal note the lack of Brewster despite the inclusion of the museum’s coffee shop, but fans are still pleased that the museum’s interior represents all the item collections in the games, yet there’s still plenty of room for expansion.

“It’s a bit disappointing to see that the larger piece count didn’t go to the museum and the biggest set of the wave is a bit of a letdown, but I’m not upset by the museum build at all. They managed to fit in a ton of stuff, and the hinges on the side for display purposes is great. The only thing I don’t like is the roost being crammed into the corner. I’d rather they had just not included it, and instead have the roost be its own set.”

Bobdapeach on Eurobricks

Pros of 77056 Blathers’s Museum Collection	Cons of 77056 Blathers’s Museum Collection
A good interior representative of the games	The coffee shop is disappointing without Brewster
Hinges make this a versatile display model	It should have been bigger
Two exclusive minifigures	But completing the museum staff requires at least one more set

Our verdict: While it’s not quite perfect, it’s still going to be an essential set and everything that is included is well done.

LEGO DC 76304 Batman Forever Batmobile

Released to mark the 30th anniversary of the film in 2025, 76304 Batman Forever Batmobile is the first-ever brick-built version of the Dark Knight’s striking ride. Priced at £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 for 909 pieces, the LEGO DC set arrives in a curious scale, being neither a minifigure-compatible model nor a larger display build.

However, don’t let 76304 Batman Forever Batmobile’s odd size put you off, as this is still an impressive superhero set, with plenty of plus points. From the organic aesthetic of the car and its new windshield piece to the vehicle’s massive rear fin and swooping Bat-like appearance, this is one LEGO DC model that belongs in every comic book fan’s garage.

“76304 Batman Forever Batmobile is not a plaything and some of its details can get a bit lost at times, but under the right lighting and display conditions, the build will make a great addition to any LEGO Batman collection.”

Brick Fanatics

Pros of 76304 Batman Forever Batmobile	Cons of 76304 Batman Forever Batmobile
Unique look	More of a display than play set
First-ever version of the Batman Forever Batmobile	Neon blue interior can get lost behind the black pieces
Exclusive Sonar Suit minifigure	Lack of any supporting minifigures

Our verdict: While some fans may bauk at the set’s accuracy and scale, this is still an essential Batmobile build.

LEGO One Piece 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship

One of the most iconic ships in the manga and anime worlds is finally getting a LEGO recreation thanks to Netflix’s One Piece adaptation. Despite being based on the Netflix ship, 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship strongly resembles everyone’s favourite version of the ship, complete with the sheep figurehead, the huge emblem on the main sail and the most important interior space.

Early reviews for the second-largest LEGO One Piece set have been nothing short of glowing, with one even describing it as a near-perfect model for both fans of the anime and the live-action series. There should be a few things for classic Pirates fans to enjoy as well.

75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship has 1,376 pieces for £119.99 / $139.99 / €129.99, and such huge sailing ships are a rare commodity in the current LEGO portfolio. Consider that you’re getting the full crew of the ship in a single set, too, and this is the one LEGO One Piece set you can’t afford to miss next month.

“This is an incredible set, I think fans of the anime and the live-action show are going to want to go out and get this. I think this is a near-perfect set and the fact that you’re getting the full crew is insane. Just incredible.”

AshnFlash

Pros of 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship	Cons of 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship
You don’t have to be a One Piece fan to enjoy it	What’s not to love?!
Caters to live-action and anime fans alike
Makes great use of the interior space
The whole crew comes in a single set

Our verdict: Should you only have the budget and space for a single LEGO One Piece set, make sure it’s 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship.

LEGO Architecture 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle

The latest addition to the LEGO Architecture theme is a pricy one. 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle comes with a hefty price tag of £239.99 / $279.99 / €269.99 – but for that investment, it offers a high reward. At 3,455 pieces, it’s a lengthy build experience, broken down into smaller sections that sit on top of the rocky outcrop.

The many windows may seem repetitive but the overall expeirence is a therapeutic one, resulting in an impressively detailed set of one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations.

“For fans of castles, this is a tricky one as it is definitely a castle but more of a dreamy romanticised castle than a medieval fortification. For architecture fans, Neuschwanstein Castle has some interesting architectural features but it has more of a tourist feel than a true architectural icon in my opinion. There’s minimal interior design and a questionable architectural background to the real-life castle, but there’s no doubt that this is an attractive looking set that will certainly look very pretty from all angles.”

New Elementary

Pros of 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle	Cons of 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle
High reward…	…but for a high price
Eye-catching display model from every angle	Perhaps not one for classic LEGO Castle fans
Rewarding build experience

Our verdict: A worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a rich, rewarding display model and build.

LEGO One Piece 75640 The Baratie Floating Restaurant

The biggest LEGO One Piece set launching on August 1 is 75640 The Baratie Floating Restaurant, based on the iconic fictional location with its appearance derived from Netflix’s live-action adaptation. That means the distinct colour scheme is swapped for a more grounded wooden aesthetic with plenty of brown, some red trims and flecks of gold.

That doesn’t mean that this build looks bad, though, making up a grand sculpture that will still be iconic to One Piece fans. You can’t ignore the extensive minifigure selection either, with the especially tempting Dracule Mihawk minifigure and the only minifigures of Marines in all of LEGO One Piece.

“The size of this build is insane, it looks great next to Luffy or even 75639 The Going Merry Pirate Ship. This is an incredible model of a combination play and display set. Just wow. Mihawk is probably my favourite minifigure, and maybe it’s because of this giant sword, it just doesn’t feel real to me.”

AshnFlash

Pros of 75640 The Baratie Floating Restaurant	Cons of 75640 The Baratie Floating Restaurant
Exclusive minifigures and pieces	Appeals only to One Piece fans, unlike some of the theme’s other sets
Great value compared to other licensed themes
Impressively sized next to other LEGO One Piece sets
Blends play and display perfectly

Our verdict: A must-have for One Piece fans, it won’t appeal to anyone not familiar with the show – unlike the LEGO Going Merry.

LEGO Icons 10358 Transformers: Soundwave

Following in the Cybertronian footsteps of 10302 Optimus Prime and 10338 Bumblebee comes the third LEGO Transformers set to date, one that represents the first-ever brick-built Decepticons. 10358 Soundwave comes in at £159.99 / $189.99 / €179.99 for 1,505 pieces and includes Megatron’s right-hand ’bot, plus cassette tapes of Ravage and Laserbeak.

In addition to a perfect recreation of the character, a smooth transformation with no assembly and some impressive extras, 10358 Soundwave’s standout feature is its sound brick, one that can play a selection of digitised sound bites, effects and music, taking an already must-have model to another level.

“There’s nothing to fault with 10358 Soundwave thanks to the LEGO Icons team building on what was successful with the first two LEGO Transformers. This is the best one yet, and not just because he can talk, but that really does help.”

Brick Fanatics

Pros of 10358 Soundwave	Cons of 10358 Soundwave
Perfect brick-built recreation of the character	Some minor changes from the original toy
Cassette tapes can be ejected from chest
Includes two transforming companions
Most impressive use of a sound brick to date

Our verdict: The LEGO Icons design team goes the extra mile to deliver a Transformers model that raises the bar for all similar future releases.

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