Lego has expanded its impressive collection of video game-inspired building sets with a charming new arcade machine. This 468-piece model, simply named `Arcade Machine,` became available on August 1st for just $40. Unlike other Lego gaming hardware sets that replicate real-world consoles, this arcade machine is an original Lego creation, yet it`s designed to captivate the same audience of retro gaming enthusiasts and Lego fans alike.
Measuring 6 x 4 x 3 inches, the completed model unfolds to reveal a detailed game room. Inside, it features a cozy sofa, a miniature arcade cabinet, a classic CRT television, and various decorative elements typical of a gamer`s den. Thoughtful details include display shelves adorned with three game console boxes and two minifigure-style statues. Above the TV, a mounted sword and what appears to be the owner`s cherished Lego Star Wars starship, likely the result of countless building hours, complete the scene.
This elaborate gaming space is home to the `Gamer Minifigure,` identifiable by his five o`clock shadow and shaggy hair. The set thoughtfully includes a miniature game controller perfectly sized for the minifigure.
The centerpiece of the build is a retro-inspired arcade machine named `Space,` designed as a two-player vertical shoot-`em-up. When assembled, its red and black casing, along with its robust, vintage proportions and detailed stickers, perfectly capture the aesthetic of classic arcade cabinets. The marquee sticker features iconic block letters that evoke spaceships in hyperspace, while the screen sticker displays charming pixelated graphics.
A clever interactive feature allows miniature coins inserted into the front slots to be returned, playfully mimicking the old trick of trying to bypass coin mechanisms in real arcades.
Other Notable Lego Video Game Hardware Sets
- Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade (2,651 pieces) – $270
- Lego Game Boy (421 pieces) – $60 (Available October 1)
- Lego Nintendo Entertainment System (2,646 pieces) – $330 (Originally $270, now retired)
- Lego Icons: Atari 2600 (2,532 pieces) – $240 (Retired)
For those keen on constructing an arcade from Lego, it`s notable that Lego collaborated with Bandai Namco in 2023 to introduce the Pac-Man arcade machine to its Icons series. This substantial 2,651-piece display model, measuring 12.5 x 10 x 7 inches, boasts an array of remarkable features, including a functional four-way joystick, an illuminated coin slot, an adjustable game score display, and a mechanical maze that simulates Pac-Man gameplay. The set also includes buildable figures of Pac-Man, Blinky, and Clyde, which can be affixed to the cabinet`s top. Additionally, a separate, tiny Pac-Man arcade and a minifigure are part of the set – perhaps best kept hidden from the `Gamer Minifigure` to prevent him from trying to claim it for his own game room.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Lego officially unveiled its much-anticipated replica of Nintendo`s iconic Game Boy. This 421-piece display model features two buildable game cartridges, three interchangeable lenticular screens, and two display stands. The Lego Game Boy is currently available for preorder at $60, with a release date of October 1st.
The Game Boy set marks Lego`s second display model inspired by Nintendo hardware. In 2020, Lego introduced a 2,646-piece Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) model. Regrettably, the Lego NES was retired last year, and its availability is now limited, with some retailers listing it at an increased price from its original MSRP of $270 to $330.
Alongside the NES, Lego also brought to life another classic home console: the 2,532-piece Atari 2600. This $240 set was also discontinued last year.