Review: LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) Q4 2023

October 5, 2023 | 14

We’ve now entered the 4th quarter (Q4) of the year and with it comes the latest drop of LEGO Build-a-Minifigure accessories and characters, although this particular selection is pretty bizarre and haphazard, with a distinct lack of defined characters.

There are 7 new characters for Q4 2023, and they’ve begun popping up in Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) stations worldwide, with some interesting new and exclusive accessories that fans should keep an eye out.

This follows from September’s Halloween BAM selection, which had 3 new characters. Q4 should be the second last release of the year, as I suspect we’ll also get a small Christmas/Seasonal release again, similar to the size and scale of the one from December 2022.

Let’s jump into a quick review of the new LEGO Q4 2023 Build a Minifigure characters!

Check out previous build a Minifigure (BAM) releases below. I’m proud to say that this blog contains the most complete guide to all the LEGO Build a Minifigure releases as this is something I genuinely enjoy collecting and hunting for!

• BAM Halloween 2023 (September 2023)
• LEGO Ninjago BAM Q3 2023 (June 2023)
• BAM Q2 2023 (April 2023)
• BAM Q1 2023 (January 2023)
• BAM Q4 2022 (November 2022)

What are LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) exclusives?

In case you’re new to this, LEGO have been releasing new (and sometimes exclusives) into Build a Minifigure (BAM) stations that you’ll find at LEGO Stores. These are usually released on a quarterly basis, and are an intentional strategy to attract LEGO and Minifigure fans in-store.

You can customise your minifigures, and select a wig/hairpiece, head, torso, legs, and one accessory for these 3-pack blister packs which cost US$9.99 / AU$19.99.

If you want to get your hands on these, check your local LEGO Store, or if you’re in Australia and can’t get to a LEGO Certified Store, you can order them from the LEGO Certified Store’s website.

Some stores also send these new characters pre-packed, but that depends on your local store policy.

Q4 2023 Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) characters

This is the most random cast yet, and I’m not 100% certain these are the correct configurations for each minifigure as there’s been conflicting information from most sources. Even the Legoland Japan Twitter post doesn’t seem quite right, so I’m just going to take a stab in the dark here!

Update: LEGO have uploaded the correct configurations of these minifigures, and safe to say, I got most of these wrong! Here’s the “official” characters.

One of the most interesting additions is this Dapper Merman. I believe he comes with a brand new torso, which features a formal black dinner jacket, and matching blue tie and pocket square.

The most interesting accessory however is his mermaid legs, which are decorated with denim print, which makes it look like some bizarre scaly jeans combo.

Impressively, there’s even printing on the back too!

Next we have this young girl which features a new LEGO City outdoor jacket, and a red beanie which has braids of hair attached to it. She comes with a pink tutu skirt as an accessory which is also a brand new recolour!

Update: It appears I was wrong, this pink tutu has appeared before with Fairy Batman! Thanks to everyone for pointing this one out!

I also believe her dual-sided head, with a blue headband is also a new addition as I can’t recall ever seeing this expression in a LEGO minifigure.

Next we have this rad-looking photographer which has some rare-ish accessories and parts. His face with rad 80s-inspired sunglasses and yellow bike helmet with hair fused is brand new and so far exclusive to BAM.

The blue (dark azure) camera is also a fairly new accessory, having popped in some of the recent June 2023 LEGO City and Friends sets.

Here’s a look at his alternate face and back printing.

I don’t even know what this guy is supposed to be, or whether it’s the correct combination, but interestingly, the Golden Hagrid beard makes an appearance in BAM. The dark brown slingshot is also an uncommon element, having only shown up previously with Series 24’s Newspaper Kid.

And here’s a better look at his face and torso.

A farmer character can also now be found, and he’s equipped with a pitchfork and also an orange LEGO City Farm apron over an orange shirt.

The minifigure also includes a male face with a hearring aid, which is handy if you enjoy collecting minifigures that champion diversity and inclusion.

I very much would’ve preferred a proper animal as an accessory!

There’s also this cosy Autumn-themed minifigure, with an argyle pattern jumper, hot mug of cocoa (or Pumpkin Spice Latte), as well as the return of the Acorn Hat from Series 22’s Forest Elf.

Minifigure fans will be pleased that the Acorn Hat will be more accessible as it’s such a cute accessory, but otherwise, this minifigure is a little plain.

And last but not least, we have the one minifigure which has a bit more of a cohesive identity – a Patisserie Chef, wielding a croissant. She features a toque with hair fused to it, which was first produced for 2017’s Series 17’s Gourmet Chef.

She features a new torso, with a red scarf on chef’s whites, which are covered in brown splotches. It gives it a bit more of a realistic look, depicting a chef in a messy situation, and so far it’s an element that’s exclusive to Build a Minifigure.

Here’s the back printing.

For reference, here are some of the newer or more uncommon elements that have been added to Build a Minifigure in Q4 2023.

As stated above, it feels less like there are defined characters to build, or maybe I got some of the designs wrong, but it does feel like it’s more of a boost of interesting minifigure elements and accessories than the introduction of pre-made characters.

They also feel like surplus elements being chucked in, and less like defined characters for fans to collect, so I don’t think you need to pick up all 7 of these, and just select the accessories and minifigure elements that catch your eye.

For more Build-a-Minifigure exclusives, check out my previous reviews

• BAM Halloween 2023 (September 2023)
• LEGO Ninjago BAM Q3 2023 (June 2023)
• BAM Q2 2023 (April 2023)
• BAM Q1 2023 (January 2023)
• BAM Q4 2022 (November 2022)

These should start appearing in LEGO Build a Minifigure statins worldwide from October onwards, so next time you’re near a LEGO Store, pop in to see if you can find any of these!

What do you think of the Q4 2023 BAM minifigures? Will you go hunting for these?

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