Price: $79 (Myer Toy Sale)
Parts: 1356
Price/Part Ratio: $0.05/Pc
One of the surprise treats at the Myer Toy Sale (on until 28th July) was 10230 Mini Modulars set. Originally designed as gifts from the LEGO design team, these microscale versions of the iconic modular building sets were released as a single set available exclusively to VIP customers. This year is the first time the set has been released at an Australian retailer. The set covers the first five modulars: Cafe Corner, Market Street, Green Grocer, Fire Brigade and Grand Emporium.
The micro scale leads to some really interesting building techniques. Each of the 5 buildings contains something different in terms of the build. There are lots of half stud offsets, and SNOT (studs not on top) sections.
Cafe Corner
- The yellow and white striped ‘canopies’ are stacked 1×1 bricks. It can be a little fiddly to line them up perfectly.
- The hotel sign is a printed brick, rather than just a sticker.
- One of the iconic features of the Cafe Corner – the fanned ski decoration – has been recreated with some interesting parts usage.
Market Street
- The original Market Street is not a full width building, with half being more open, and I think the mini version suffers for it. Of the 5 buildings, I think this looks the least like the original.
Green Grocer
- The non-symmetrical front ensures that the build isn’t repetitive.
- The back of building even includes the fire escape from the original.
- Half stud inset for the windows adds nice details to the front
Fire Brigade
- The usage of windows reflects the openness of the second level of the original well.
- A brown minifigure head is a clever part to represent the rooftop water tower.
- Would have been nice to see a representation of the tree out the front, but it may not have been possible at the right scale.
Grand Emporium
- I think this is my favourite of the 5 buildings
- Includes all of the street level details such as the flowers, post box, and even the icecream stand.
- Also includes a micro version of the window washer.
- SNOT building of the second and third levels is slightly repetitive, but not to the point of being boring.
Overall I would rate this set as one of the most enjoyable builds I have done. There is something really fun about building in smaller scale. I really hope the LEGO releases more microscale sets, and eventually brings out a Mini Modulars 2 containing the next 5 in the range (assuming that it continues beyond the Palace Cinema).
If you haven’t already got this set, I definitely rate it as a must buy – especially during the Toy Sale.
Images ©2013 The LEGO Group. http://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Mini-Modulars-10230