One of the chief complaints that people have about LEGO in 2022 is that it’s often too expensive, and who can blame them when sets like the Modular Boutique Hotel and Technic 42141 McLaren Formula 1 Race Car steal all the headlines.
Enter LEGO’s Creator 3-in-1 theme, which brings LEGO back to its roots, where a selection of basic bricks allow you to create all sorts of awesome models like a Medieval Castle or Fish Tank, AND you also get the benefit of having 3 models in one.
It’s one of my favourite themes from LEGO, as you not only get a traditional non-IP (intellectual property)-based build experience, but it’s also incredibly well-priced and value packed.
The March 2022 wave of releases includes a new drop of Creator 3-in-1 sets, and I immediately knew that I needed to pick up 31124 Super Robot – at US$9.99 / AU$15.99, it’s jam-packed with LEGO fun, and one to get if you’re into LEGO mechs.
Let’s get into the review!
31124 Super Robot Set Details
Name: Super Robot
Set Number: 31124
Pieces: 159
Price: AU$15.99 | US$9.99 | £8.99 – Buy from LEGO.com [AUS] [USA] [UK] [Amazon] [Amazon Australia]
Exclusive to: N/A
Theme: Creator 3-in-1
LEGO Designers: George Gilliatt (@GeorgeGilliatt) & James May (@PoshHammer)
Release Date: 1 March 2022
Model 1: Jet
The first model I attempted was the jet, with its red, yellow and black colour scheme.
It’s a tight little build, with some really interesting techniques that give you the angled wings.
For a small build, the jet actually packs quite a ton of neat features, which is impressive at this scale – I especially like the grey and black guns on the side of the body, and the yellow trim on the wings.
The colour scheme, and shape of the Red Jet seems to have been heavily inspired by the Ninjago Kai Fighter.
Here’s a closer look at the twin cockpits, and the intake valves on the side.
And here’s a look at the back, where you see more clever angles employed, especially around the red jet thrusters.
It’s a tidy little build, and very swooshable especially for tiny hands, but this was my least favourite of the 3 – not because it’s a bad build (it’s not), but the colour scheme is a bit too McDonald’s for me.
Model 2: Cyber Dragon
The next mode that this set can transform into is a very cool looking Cyber Dragon. Eschewing the red for a very contemporary yellow, black, blue and grey colour scheme, the colourway is one of my favourite things about the model.
The futuristic blend of colours are really satisfying – very video game-esque, and the set’s generous helping of ball joints give it a ton of posability and playability.
The wings, and legs can be arrayed in different angles, and the dragon’s large foot was an excellent way to give it a ton of much-needed stability.
Here’s a look at the back – I especially like the dragon’s spine is crafted out of four 2×1 cheese slopes.
The Dragon heavily references the Green Dragon from last year’s Creator 3-in-1 Medieval Castle, and they almost feel like long-lost siblings in the way they’re constructed.
The dragon’s head in particular is masterfully designed, with the trans-yellow cheese slopes for its eyes, what I think are laser cannons or teeth – unfortunately the mouth doesn’t open, but the grey studs on the inside of the mouth are exposed to give it a toothy look, which I thought was very innovative.
And here’s a collection of dragons, and how this dragon looks like amongst other LEGO dragons.
Model 3: Super Robot
Last but not least is the primary model – the Super Robot! This model just oozes old school mecha design, and blends influences from 60s and 70s Tin Robots, to 70s and 80s Japanese mecha, coming together for an awesome yet inexpensive model.
I feel like UFO Robot Grendizer was the primary influence for the Super Robot’s design, and the name itself is a callback to the genre of mecha that paved the way for Gundam, Macross, Voltron, and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The Super Robot is super posable, with ball joints used for shoulders, elbows, hips and ankles. No knees, but I like the stability of the legs on the bottom. The primary colours used – red, blue, and a dash of yellow also work really well, against the black and grey.
The Super Robot’s head is also disarmingly expressive. The yellow horns give the Robot a majestic, powerful look, but the hollow studs underneath the trans-yellow cheese slopes give the Super Robot a softer, more human look.
I love how thoughtful his eyes look, and they remind me of Pixar characters like Wall-E.
Here’s a look at the Super Robot’s back.
The Super Robot’s posability is hands down its best feature, and it’s so incredibly playable. You can pose it in all sorts of different ways…
Giving a thumbs up!
Boogying on the dance floor.
Balancing on one leg
Preparing to break-dance.
Or even getting ready to box.
I have had the Super Robot positioned on my work desk, near my laptop and I find myself reaching for it ever so often, to strike a different pose.
It’s like a great, well-constructed LEGO action figure, and is just the right size so that it doesn’t take up too much space, and the play potential of this set is near-limitless.
Swoosh it, do battle with other monsters, or strike a fancy pose – the possibilities are endless with the Super Robot.
What I liked:
- Incredible value with 2 alternate builds
- Great colours
- Very playable and posable
- Oozes old school Japanese mecha vibes
What I didn’t like:
- Nothing at all!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There’s so much to love with the Super Robot, and at this price-point, you absolutely cannot go wrong.
LEGO can be a really expensive hobby, and at times, it’s easy to be distracted by the large Exclusives and D2Cs, that smaller Creator 3-in-1 sets like the Super Robot get cast by the wayside.
At US$9.99 / AU$15.99, 31124 Super Robot represents incredible value – from the replayability built into a Creator 3-in-1, with 2 alternate models to build, the primary build is just so satisfying as a toy.
The nostalgic, retro mecha inspired design will put a huge smile on your face, especially if you grew up enamoured by Japanese Mecha, or Tin Toys, but modern flourishes and nice part usage, such as the hollow studs for its eyes give the Super Robot a sense of personality and warmth – not something you tend to get at sets in this price range.
Whether you’re an adult that’s a kid at heart, or buying a toy for a younger child, I cannot recommend this set enough.
The playability and posability is just so much fun, and I’m getting a lot of mileage posing the Super Robot next to my laptop – a nice distraction in Zoom meetings or in between emails.
Customising the Super Robot in different colours is something I’m looking forward to doing next, and I’m probably going to buy a few more of these just because I like it so much.
Highly recommend this deceptively simple, but deeply satisfying LEGO set. Huge kudos to James May and George Gilliatt for such a tight build and design. Truly, a super set.
Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰
Build [4] – Standard mech techniques employed, but you get 2 alternate models as well, extending the experience
Real Value [5] – So much value packed into a set that costs less than US$10
Innovation [3] – Nothing wildly innovative introduced, but there are some nice subtle techniques
Coolness [4] – For a small set, the posability makes this such a fun set to display and play with. And who doesn’t love retro Japanese mecha influences
Keepability [4] – Not going to make you rich as an investment, but I cannot see myself packing this set away, and it may have found a permanent spot in my workspace
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this quick review of 31124 Super Robot. It’s now available in more toy stores, from LEGO.com or Amazon.
What do you think of sets like the Super Robot? Would you like to see more great LEGO sets at this price range?
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Hmm it kinda looks like Voltron tbh
The Lego City Lunar Explorers sets average 20c per part, which seems to be double the norm. An AU$230 Lego set is not something you buy on a whim or as a reward. I understand that there are some special and unusual pieces in the set. The new City Hospital set is mostly minifigures, glass and roads and has a similar 20c per piece price.
To compare to the Boutique Hotel, it’s 10c per part. Yes, the Hotel is more expensive, but it has its niche as being for collectors / enthusiasts / AFOLs and is priced appropriately. The City sets are too expensive for their target market. It feels like it’s not just City; Ninjago and Friends appear to be similarly expensive. (I have no data to back this up; it’s based only on perception.) Licensed IPs have the excuse of being licensed to justify their price.
But I digress from the article. I’d like to see more simpler, cheap sets like this. There’s a place for all price ranges, and sets like this are good as rewards or gifts. I probably won’t purchase this set but it was the Lego Fish Tank set last year that got me back into Lego after a decade, so I have soft spot for the Creator 3 in 1 sets.
I bought this set immediately, and your review is spot on. I (ashamedly) haven’t gotten to building the jet or dragon yet, but mine is also sitting on my desk next to my computer! It’s such a perfect little desk toy!
Tranzorrrrrr Z ftw. 👍
In regards to Lego set prices, the theme that always makes me the most upset about the prices are the Lego City sets. There’s no reason for the prices to be as high as they are on a lot of the sets, especially since there aren’t licensing costs that you see with the also expensive (usually) Star Wars theme. One of the pleasant surprises for me is that for the most part, aside from overpriced playset books, Harry Potter has been a relatively decent value. If they can make sets there that are decent values, the city sets that often feel like the 10th rehash of the same old should be either larger or cheaper.
Anyway, this set looks pretty nice. I always love your photos