LEGO Classic Space returns in 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine

The next LEGO Classic Space set coming to shelves later this year isn’t a spaceship, base or rover – but a working pinball machine.

In an unexpected change of pace from the likes of 10497 Galaxy Explorer and 10355 Blacktron Renegade, 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine skewers Classic Space branding, graphics and even minifigures through the lens of a vintage tabletop arcade game.

While that’s not necessarily what any of us were expecting or perhaps even hoping for from the next Classic Space LEGO set, it’s pretty clear that 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine is not positioned as that – but is instead first and foremost another working LEGO arcade game. It’s a spiritual successor to 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade more than it is a follow-up to 10355 Blacktron Renegade.

What’s smart about this approach, though, is that it fuels the nostalgia machine for LEGO fans of a certain vintage while marrying it up with another staple from the same era. Anyone who was buying Classic Space LEGO sets in the ‘70s and ‘80s may well have been playing real-life pinball machines in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

And without the licensing costs or demands of something like 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade, 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine is free to get creative with its approach. In its full unveiling of the 2,274-piece set today, the LEGO Group has promised big things in terms of functionality for its first-ever working pinball machine.

While there’s no digital counter here to keep score (there’s a static graphic of the set number where the score counter would be), there’s still an aim to the game. Using the ball release mechanism and dual flippers, your goal is to strike the asteroid in the middle of the playfield. Doing so will advance the included astronaut minifigure along the track on the machine’s backboard to reach the space baby figure.

It’s a neat idea and it’ll be neater still if it shakes out the same way in practice, and it’s one that lends itself especially well to the theming of 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine. And that theming can be felt top to bottom here, from what looks to be stickered graphics down each side of the machine to the brick-built Space lettering across the backboard.

The minifigure and baby figure here are both brand new in light blue, too. The grown-up astronaut completes the colourway kick-started by the Build-a-Minifigure bar (where the torso first appeared) and 21359 Italian Riviera (where the air tanks debuted), and pairs it with our fourth space baby (following the blue, white and pink versions).

Are those alone enough for Classic Space fans to sink £189.99 / $229.99 / €209.99 into 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine? Probably not, especially as there’s a fair chance they’ll one day end up on Pick a Brick like the teal and gold astronauts from last year’s 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine. But as a sweetener for what already looks like a fun way to celebrate LEGO Space, they’re very welcome.

If you’re keen for a LEGO Classic Space fix of any variety or just want to try out its functions for yourself, 11374 Arcade Pinball Machine drops on July 1 for LEGO Insiders (and July 4 for everyone else) at LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores. Head here for a closer look at everything in the box.

Thanks for supporting the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links.