Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Features

• Cosy island aesthetic
• Includes Kapp'n & Marshal
• Can be put together in a number of ways

As with all of the other Lego Animal Crossing sets, Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour recreates a small slice of what it's like to play the actual Animal Crossing games. For this set's purposes, that includes Kapp'n and his boat as well as several beachfront tiles with coconut trees and more. There's a fishing pole, bamboo, a shovel, and more. There are even little blue spillover pieces with white bits placed on top that mimic what it looks like when the tide comes in and there's a bit of white foam created.

Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Build

• Will take up to an hour
• Not complex, despite being so customizable
• Can be combined with other Animal Crossing sets

While technically one of the middling sets in terms of size and price, Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour makes for a quick build. It took me just over an hour, with me taking my time, and none of the individual aspects of it were particularly fiddly. The most complex the build gets is some of the hidden odds and ends, but even those are quick to put together. It's by no means difficult to build; it just takes a little time to do it right.

Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Design

• Can be built in many unique ways
• Adorable minifigures, as usual
• Could have included more secrets

The minifigs themselves – Kapp'n and Marshal – remain rather adorable as with all of the rest of the Lego Animal Crossing line. The large, bulbous heads and shortened legs really work here to recreate something akin to the proportions of Animal Crossing characters, and I've yet to meet a Lego Animal Crossing minifig that doesn't make me smile the first time. Kapp'n even comes with his own little sunglasses that can sit on top of his head, which seem like a must while he's out on his boat.

The customization options are a solid touch to the entire line, and it's nice to see the larger sets keep up with the idea that there are almost individual little islands within the build that can be mixed and matched with others. There's a real sense that any two sets, made by different people, could end up in seriously different permutations. This is reinforced in the Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour set by the somewhat large sprawl of its various bases, which really beg to be reconfigured in order to save space or otherwise connect to other sets.

The calling card of the Animal Crossing sets, beyond the ability to mix and match, seems to be the smaller touches here and there that take inspiration from the game. While there are certainly aspects of that in this set like the way the palm trees with coconuts are created so that there's a little frond on top that can sway, there's really only one minor little secret in the form of a coin under a rock. This is really a minor complaint, however, and is largely driven by the fact that I quite like the overall density of other sets like Bunnie's Outdoor Activities more.

That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to love here. The little umbrella and lounge chairs, complete with a small Lego sandwich between them, are a nice touch. Kapp'n's boat itself is absolutely blasted with personality from the coffee cup to the lantern to the way he sits next to the motor. There are even weeds on the ground in places, much like the video game itself. And a hermit crab!

Should you buy Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour?

Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour is by no means the best possible set in the LEGO Animal Crossing line, but neither does it aim to be. It's the middle step up from the smaller sets into the more extravagant ones; this is most obvious in the fact that it's the cheapest set to include two different minifigs in it. 

For a set that sits firmly in the middle of the pack of a larger line, and one that's really a bit of a transitional one, it serves its purpose well. But I'd still likely recommend the bigger or smaller sets before I'd suggest this one.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour

This kit was built over the course of a single session and took roughly an hour to complete. As well as highlighting any sections that were particularly difficult to construct, we also took note of any particularly enjoyable aspects. After the kit was finished, we considered the overall design and how it compares to other sets within the range.

You can find out more about our process in our 'how we test' guide.

"The original submission by Lucas was really amazing," says Lego designer Jordan David Scott. "What really stood out was that Lucas really thought about the story aspect of his design, not just how it looked. He created a journey through the build and we tried to reflect that in the building process."

Naturally, turning this idea into an actual thing you can put on a shelf is… well, a little more complicated. A lot went into making this kit (and the original adventure accompanying it), so I caught up with Lego and D&D creative director Chris Perkins to find out how Lego Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale went from a daydream to one of the best Lego sets.

Adventurers wanted

Back in late 2022, Lego put out a call asking for fan-created designs based on Dungeons & Dragons. The winner would be turned into a proper, will-actually-go-on-sale set – and Bolt's submission, Dragon's Keep: Journey's End, ran away with the prize. 

Although the original concept is very similar to what's now on store shelves, you'll find a few differences if you look closely (the green dragon has been swapped out and lots of new monsters were added, for example). Why? The Lego team wanted to make sure it encapsulated everything fans love about Dungeons & Dragons. Scott notes that he and many of his colleagues are big D&D fans who play on the regular, so were keen to push the boat out as much as possible when it came to fan service.

"Lucas' design was a great starting point, and we worked with him to elevate it," Scott tells me. "We wanted to showcase the most iconic creatures [in the set], which is why the Beholder, Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Gelatinous Cube, Mimics, Skeletons and Myconids were also included. We also wanted a strong lineup of adventurers and drew inspiration from the first boxed set of Dungeons & Dragons, where there were only three main classes; the Cleric, the Fighting Man and the Magic-User, and then later the Thief was added. This is why we ended with the Cleric, Fighter, Wizard, and Rogue." 

D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast had some notes as well – mainly surrounding that dragon.

"The dragon was the biggest change, and that was down to Wizards of the Coast input," Scott says. "Green dragons are super cool – they breathe poison after all – but the red dragon is THE most iconic of all the dragons, and so we chose to change it. We talked with Lucas about it and he had actually made a digital version where the dragon was red so he was very open to the change! The tavern also featured a red roof, so we decided to shift that color too, to balance it against the red dragon. Dungeons & Dragons is a very colorful world depending on the setting you are in, so we felt this color scheme worked well and made it stand out."

Choose your own adventure

Wizards of the Coast didn't just sign off on the project and call it a job well done; they drummed up an original adventure to go along with it. 

"We leaned into the Lego building aspect," Perkins explains. "The adventure is designed to be run while the set is being built. It includes important information about all the set’s monsters, traps, treasures, and location features. Players build the set and reveal new things as they play through the adventure – with or without the D&D rules."

That's only right for a game where the only limit is your imagination – it became one of the best tabletop RPGs through that kind of individuality, after all.

"Lucas’ design and the set that the Lego team designed is so inspiring and contains so many fun elements that it was easy to build an adventure around it," says Perkins. "It allowed us to explore what the set has to offer. The adventure gets to explain how the monsters behave, how the traps work, and so on. Red Dragon’s Tale also offers a choice of play styles: one that requires the D&D rules and another that allows the adventure to be run as more of a storytelling experience, with minimal reliance on the rules. Having both options gives D&D players and non-D&D players different but equally fun ways to interact with the set. Partnering with Lego gave us that sort of flexibility. I expect Dungeon Masters will find many clever ways to include the set (or parts thereof) in their home campaigns."

Speaking of which, the crossover doesn't seem to have run out of steam yet – separate D&D minifigure packs have been rumored, and although that's still unconfirmed, Perkins notes that Wizards of the Coast are "definitely" interested in further collaborations thanks to the "overwhelming" response. So, what would he personally like to see next?

"I think Castle Ravenloft would make a fantastic set. Or, for something smaller, a Spelljammer ship like a Nautiloid."

We can but dream. Lucas, what's your schedule looking like…?

Barad-dûr, the lair of series big-bad Sauron (you know, the tower with a flaming eye casually stuck to its roof) has been given an impressive makeover. Comprising over 5,000 pieces, this Lego Lord of the Rings set rises to 32.5 inches (83cm) tall and comes with 10 minifigures in total – including the Dark Lord himself. Oh, and that flaming eye sitting pretty at the top? It lights up.

Lego Barad-dûr will be available from June 1 if you're a Lego Insider or June 4 if you're not part of the free membership. The kit, which is exclusive to the Lego store, will set you back $459.99 or £399.99 at Lego UK. So long as you buy between June 1-7, you'll also get a free Fell Beast (those dragons the Ringwraiths flew) with a Nazgul rider.

You can't actually purchase this new Lord of the Rings Lego set yet, so we may need to wait until June to get our grubby mitts on this companion to Rivendell – a kit we'd argue is still one of the best Lego sets. However, to pass the time, you'll find all the details we have on Lego Barad-dûr below.

Lego Barad-dûr 

Thanks to how vertical it is, this kit is even more impressive than the last Lord of the Rings set – Lego Rivendell. While Barad-dûr doesn't have quite as many pieces (it has just over 5K compared to Rivendell's 6,167), it's every bit as attention-grabbing thanks to the spiky central spire that'll dominate any space it's in. Indeed, the tower can be stacked even higher if you use multiple sets (thanks, Jay's Brick Blog). 

Rather than being an enclosed building, Barad-dûr is a facade; flip it around and you'll see numerous chambers scaling its length, from an orcish mess hall to a torture chamber featuring a skeleton hanging from a cage. There's even an automated gate and light-up Eye of Sauron for added brownie points. If Rivendell was anything to go by, there should be plenty of hidden secrets too. 

To round all this out, the set comes with 10 minifigs; Frodo, Sam, Gollum, the Mouth of Sauron (someone from the extended editions with a literal and figurative big mouth), Gothmog from Return of the King, a handful of orcs, and the Dark Lord Sauron himself… pre 'oops-I-became-a-flaming-eye-cos-someone-stole-me-ring' phase.

Seeing as this is the second of Lego's new Lord of the Rings sets, I can't help but wonder what we might get next. Helm's Deep, that castle from the Two Towers? The multi-level city of Minis Tirith from Return of the King? Personally, I hope we end up with Bag End at some point. 

For more brick-based goodness, check out the best Lego Star Wars sets. To save money along the way, don't miss the latest Lego deals either!

I’m happy to say that Lego has done a fantastic job with this replica, offering a gorgeous display model that’s packed with interesting building techniques. Despite the affordable price tag of $79.99, it does feel a little light on pieces for the cost. However, the slick design of the Lego Tantive IV means it’s still up there with the best Lego Star Wars sets for adults for me.

Lego Tantive IV features

• Comes with display stand
• 25th anniversary plaque
• No minifigures

The Tantive IV is the latest addition to Lego’s Starship Collection — a set of display pieces aimed at adult Star Wars (and Lego) fans. These smaller ship models are designed to fit nicely on a bookshelf in a classy, adult nerd’s living room. To that end, the model has a slick black display stand, complete with a printed name plate and a 25th anniversary plaque that can stand alongside it.

One of the downsides of the Starship Collection rears its ugly head again here though — no minifigures. It’s Princess Leia’s ship, so it wouldn’t have killed them to include a little Princess Leia minifigure with the Lego Tantive IV. And, to be honest, at the price you’re paying for such a low piece-count model, throw in R2-D2 and C-3PO too.

Lego Tantive IV build

• Takes a few hours to complete
• Varied build techniques, so never gets boring
• Some stickers, but they’re mercifully easy to apply

I built the Lego Star Wars Tantive IV over a few hours in a single evening, although you could easily stretch it out into a couple of nights. Following the instruction booklet, you’ll assemble up to the main body before moving on to the massive engine array. This iconic rear end (not like that) is cleverly designed, with the central row of thrusters attaching directly to the hull, with the top and bottom rows then clipping into place around it.

During construction I was impressed at how varied the techniques and pieces I was using were — the build never got repetitive or monotonous. There are loads of clever techniques used to build the angled sections of the hull, and the engine array is an impressive piece of micro engineering.

I also really love how they did the little double-barreled turrets, which are made using three of the same piece, with the middle one attaching the weapon to the ship.

There are quite a few stickers included in the set, which are always the bane of any Lego fan's existence. Most of them were simple to apply, but because of how circular Lego pieces are attached, you do need to be careful with the alignment of the circular stickers on the side of the prow.

Overall, the Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is great fun to build, but the price does feel a little steep for the piece count considering that you’ll be done building it in no time — the Executor Super Star Destroyer is a similar style of Lego set with about the same piece count, and it’s $10 cheaper than the Tantive, which doesn’t seem right. 

Lego Tantive IV design

• Excellent replica of an underrated Star Wars ship
• Some nice nods to the movie
• Sleek display stand

The Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is a gorgeous little display piece when it’s finished, offering a wonderful replica of Princess Leia’s iconic ship for older Star Wars fans to enjoy. The massive engine block at the back is the most recognisable part of the Tantive, and it looks fantastic here. The stickers, while annoying to apply, do also give a load of fine detail to the outer hull.

This set isn’t a toy, so there aren’t any moving parts, working turrets, or minifigures (if you want something like that, check out our Lego Boarding the Tantive IV review). That being said, there are plenty of little details for movie buffs to look out for and enjoy.

On the underside of the ship you can see the escape pods, complete with one missing pod — you’ll have to chase down R2-D2 and C-3PO if you want that back. The communications array on the top of the ship has also been repaired after the Empire blew it up during the opening chase scene in Star Wars: A New Hope.

The whole thing comes mounted on a classy black display stand, complete with a printed plaque displaying the name of the ship. You also get a nice 25-years of Lego Star Wars anniversary brick which can sit alongside it too. The model is a great size to sit on a bookshelf, and even fits nicely into those Ikea Kallax cube shelves if you have one of those.

Should you buy the Lego Tantive IV?

The Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is a must-own for adult fans of the classic Star Wars movies. I had a great time putting it all together, and the relatively short build time means it doesn’t feel like a huge time commitment. The completed model looks excellent, and will be taking pride of place on one of my bookshelves… or realistically flying alongside the Lego UCS Venator set that I checked out earlier in 2024.

It is a little more expensive than I’d like though, so I’d maybe recommend waiting for a sale unless you’re desperate to add this ship to your fleet.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Lego Tantive IV

I built this set over the course of a single evening, and it took around 2-3 hours to complete. I followed the instructions, making sure to look out for sections that were particularly difficult or confusing, as well as highlighting enjoyable aspects of the build.

Once the build was finished, I considered the overall design: how good it looks, how accurately it replicates the ship from the movie, and any special features that it has (or is lacking).

You can find out more about our process in our 'how we test' guide.

For more recommendations, don't miss our guide to the best Lego sets or these Star Wars gifts.

What’s more, Lego flowers are particularly perfect for moms who love arts and crafts or construction. The end-product may be beautiful but the process of building them is just as valuable as these botanically inspired builds are among some of the best Lego sets. 

The only issue is Lego flowers will set you back a little more than their natural counterparts. Thankfully, you can take advantage of sales of up to 35% off Lego flowers and plants right now, making this unique Mother’s Day gift idea a lot easier on your wallet. 

Should you buy Lego flowers?

There are plenty of other rival construction toy brands that aim to create products like Lego and many of these also produce buildable artificial flowers. However, it’s usually worth picking up the original instead of imitators. Not only will you likely notice a difference in quality and compatibility with other sets, but knock-off Lego flowers are not that much cheaper than the official versions, especially when you factor in great deals like the ones we’re seeing at the moment.

Of course, Lego flowers aren’t just great for Mother’s Day gifts. They also make great options for anniversaries, birthdays, or just as a little treat for yourself. So, whether you’re hoping to mark a special occasion or just want to add some seasonal color to your living space, these savings make for a great excuse to pick up some Lego flowers.

More into May the 4th than May the 12th? You’ll want to check out the best Lego Star Wars Lego sets. If you’re still keen to save bucks on those bricks, give our Lego deals page a look too. 

It's surprisingly high-quality for a mid-range kit, too – it proves that the best Lego Star Wars sets aren't limited to Ultimate Collector Series models. In fact, I'd go so far as to say Lego Boarding the Tantive IV is one of the few kits that's perfect for both kids and adults alike.

Lego Boarding the Tantive IV: Features

• All-ages playset
• Features Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, & Rebels
• 25th- anniversary plaque, with Fives minifig

Like so many of the best Lego sets, Boarding the Tantive IV does what it says on the tin – it recreates the iconic first scene from A New Hope where Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers attack Princess Leia's Rebel ship (the Lego Tantive IV, which is available as a separate build). Recreating the memorable corridor shootout, it includes minifigures of Vader himself, a couple of Stormtroopers, two Rebels, and Captain Antilles… who comes with a transparent block you can use to 'levitate' the poor guy as Vader interrogates him.

Since it's a playset, this kit has interactive elements too. The door slides open to reveal a blasted, burning variant, and a couple of hinges can be used to knock over minifigures (representing them getting blasted). The instructions actually suggest getting two of  these sets so you can put them together, so you could end up with a larger diorama if you wanted.

Seeing as this is a kit made for the 25th anniversary of Lego Star Wars, you get a freebie as well – a minifig of Arc Trooper Fives from the Clone Wars series.

Lego Boarding the Tantive IV: Build

• Takes an hour or less
• Doesn't become monotonous
• Includes interactive elements

As the number of bricks would suggest, this build isn’t particularly drawn out; you'll be able to wrap it up in less than an hour. However, that's not to say you won't enjoy the process. This is a surprisingly layered set thanks to numerous interlocking materials and pieces, making the structure interesting to both construct and look at. The smattering of grilles and greebles ensure that you're not clicking the same bricks together repeatedly, and it feels like something interesting lies inside each of the five numbered piece packs. As a case in point, the minifigures are spread out too. They steadily build you up to the big man himself – Vader.

This isn't a fiddly build either; you won't be struggling to fit tiny pieces or re-attaching bits that just don't want to stay connected. That means younger builders should be able to do a lot of this solo, though they will need occasional help.

Yes, there are stickers. And as always, they're annoying and punish impatience – they need to be put down exactly right or they'll look skewiff in a frustrating, I'm-going-to-see-the-problem-every-time-I-look-at-this sort of way. But there aren't an offensive number of them, so I'll let Lego off.

Lego Boarding the Tantive IV: Design

• Imaginative brick use brings the scene to life
• Impressive attention to detail throughout
• Doesn't feel like any corners were cut

Boarding the Tantive IV is the kind of Lego set that does a lot with very little. Despite being a smaller kit, everything is pulling its weight here – I don't feel as if corners were cut at any point. There are some clever solutions at play, too. The curved hatches could have been a headache, for example, but struts and little cubes are used in a clever workaround. 

It's the same story with the many pieces used to make up the Tantive IV's walls. It would have been easy to bodge all those greebles (the iconic 'stuff' found all over spaceships that don't serve any obvious purpose but look industrial) with stickers, particularly considering the lower price, but this kit goes the extra mile by employing seemingly random pieces to give a suitable hodgepodge appearance.

Those greebles are why Star Wars and Lego are the perfect mix. The latter's bodged, grungy appearance is a great fit for Lego's blocky nature, so it's no surprise the range has been going strong for 25 years.

The attention to detail also goes beyond the Tantive IV itself. Its Stormtroopers, Rebels, and Vader wear molded (and delightfully accurate) helmets that feel of a premium quality. For instance, Vader's shiny dome arrives in a couple of pieces to represent how it comes apart throughout the saga - you get the main headpiece and the mouth rebreather,

It's the same story under that armor. There was really no need to include faces (or separate heads) for Darth Vader or the Stormtroopers, but Lego did so anyway – and nailed it, particularly with Vader's supremely grumpy expression. It's nice to see that the troopers aren't universally white and male as well. 

 You'll adore the interactive elements of this set too, no matter whether you're an older Jedi or a young Padawan with much to learn. Small handles are tied to ramps that can knock over minifigures when turned, and you can open the ship’s door with a similar mechanism. When you do, it reveals a 'blasted' version with translucent red, yellow, and orange bits to show that it's been blown open. While it's a shame that this damaged piece doesn't have something to hold it in place when used (it's easy to wind too far and put it off-center), that's a very small niggle on the whole. 

Should you buy Lego Boarding the Tantive IV?

Honestly, there's next to nothing bad I can say about Lego Boarding the Tantive IV. Despite being a cheaper playset, it shows the same impressive attention to detail seen in far pricier models. It's just as good a diorama as it is a playset for kids too.

In other words? This is a fantastic choice regardless of whether you want something for the toy box or something to put on your shelf.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested Lego Boarding the Tantive IV

Although it took just under an hour and could have easily been finished in one sitting, I split this project up across multiple sessions (having a newborn will do that to you). While testing, I kept the instruction's accessibility, along with the ease of the build, in mind. I also made sure I thought about how different age groups would feel about the kit as a whole.

For more from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss these Star Wars gifts or the best Star Wars board games. 

All things Star Wars are getting discounts for the event, AKA 'Star Wars Day,' as per usual, but some of the best offers are available at Lego's official store. So long as you head over before May 5, you can save up to $35 or £70 on Star Wars Lego sets… and they're actually kits you'd want. More specifically, the UK offers slash the price on some of our favorite recent kits.

While you can find all of the offers via Lego's Star Wars Day US sale page or its UK equivalent, I have to make a song and dance about those UK reductions. Brits are able to get sets like the Mos Eisley Cantina for £70 less than normal, or the Ultimate Collector Series X-Wing for an impressive £40 off the sticker price. Even the Ghost, which we said was one of the best modern Star Wars Lego sets in our review, has tumbled by £45. Not bad.

While the US offers aren't quite as strong, Stateside fans can still save on new kits like Chewbacca and the Emperor's Throne Room Diorama. Plus, everyone gets freebies if they spend a certain amount no matter where in the world they are. To be precise, you can get a mini Trade Federation droid tank for orders over $40/ £35, a Battle of Yavin commemorative coin if you spend $90 / £80 or more, and a Trade Federation droid troop carrier for orders over $160 / £145.

However, be aware that to take advantage of most savings you must be a Lego Insider. This is a free membership that is essentially the sign-up for Lego's store, so I'd argue it's worth doing even if you don't grab anything else again. And if you do? Well, you may end up getting discounts on some of the best Lego sets because exclusive offers often pop up for Insiders. Members usually get access to sets early too, like the new UCS TIE Interceptor.

It's worth noting that you get extra points for buying certain Lego Star Wars sets within the window, too – up to x4. These are used to earn certain rewards or freebies, so while they're not necessarily tempting in and of themselves, it's a fun bonus.

Again, bear in mind that you don't have long to take advantage of the savings; they'll end on May 5.

Want more from a galaxy far, far away? Don't miss these Star Wars gifts or the best Star Wars board games.

With May 4 (AKA Star Wars Day) almost upon us, GamesRadar+ is able to exclusively reveal the latest Star Wars Vintage Collection action figures – the X-Wing Pilot 4-Pack. As a troop builder in the vein of the Clone multi-packs we've been getting over the last year or so, this set contains four pilots plucked from the Ahsoka series. That means the flyguys are wearing New Republic iconography on their helmets, which are included as an accessory here alongside a pair of blasters each. 

Multiple species are featured within the pack too; alongside your bog-standard humans are a Duros (like bounty hunter Cad Bane) and what I think might be a Mirialan (the same species as Jedi turncoat Barriss Offee, who returns in Tales of the Empire). You can take a look for yourself below. 

In terms of who these characters are, I can only hazard a guess at two. After a quick look at Wookieepedia, I think one is Lieutenant Lander – a cheeky cameo from Pedro Pascal's body double that appeared as an X-Wing pilot mid-way through Ahsoka's first season. The second could be Lieutenant Jensu, a member of the same squad who helped fish Ahsoka out of the sea after she had her trippy dream sequence. 

That may not be the case at all, of course, as none of the pilots are credited here. In addition, they might just be 'generic New Republic pilots #1 - 4.' But still, their helmets are pretty similar to their live-action counterparts so I think that's who we're getting here.

As for the official details, here's the blurb for this pack.

You'll be able to pre-order these action figures straight from Hasbro Pulse on May 4 at 1pm ET, or from 7pm ET at Amazon, BigBadToyStore and "additional fan channel retailers" alongside the Disney Store later in the year.

For more from a galaxy far, far away, check out these Star Wars gifts or the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Fair warning though, these are some premium pieces with some premium prices. While the Vault 33 backpack has yet to be listed on Bethesda’s US site, UK fans can preorder it at Game for £199.99. Meanwhile, the slightly less practical but equally stunning Pip-Boy replica is available to pre-order for £199.99 in the UK and $199 in the US. 

Both products are created by The Wand Company, a business which specializes in highly-detailed, electronically-enhanced replicas for fans of Pokemon, Doctor Who, and Star Trek. That eye for detail really shows in the 20-liter roll-top Vault 33 backpack, which is impressively faithful to one Lucy hauls around in the Fallout TV show. It offers more than just good looks though, it also has a 16” laptop compartment, plenty of pockets, and a fuzzy yellow blanket to tie together the Vault-Tec color scheme.

While it’s definitely a treat to have a functional, roomy backpack that’s faithful to Lucy’s on-screen equivalent, I have to admit the Pip-Boy is what’s really caught my eye. It seems to be an immense upgrade from the replica that came with the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition which, in my experience, turned out to be little more than an especially flashy phone case. 

This Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V steps things up a notch with its weathered looking metal finish, a functional FM radio and clock, and an LCD screen that displays a recreation of the in-show Pip-Boy UI. When you’re not sporting it on your wrist vault-dweller style, it also comes with a display stand that basically transforms the Pip-Boy into the world’s nerdiest bedside clock.

The release date for the Vault 33 backpack ordered from Game is September 2024, whereas you can expect your Pip-Boy to arrive in January 2025. What a way to start the new year, huh?

If you're still on the hunt for awesome merch, give our a list of the best gifts for gamers a look. Or, for some ideas on what to play next, try out one of our best board game picks.

As it turns out, two new Lego Animal Crossing sets are coming our way this August. Featuring Dodo Airlines and the town hall, they include a handful of iconic characters like Tangy the orange cat and guitar-strumming dog K.K Slider who is seen crooning throughout the announcement trailer just like his video game counterpart. And while some fan responses can understandably be boiled down to "gimme," everyone else seems to be losing it at the small print of "Lego K.K. minifigure doesn't actually sing or move." 

Lego itself seems to be in on the joke; t0he official account responded to one comment with "*nervous laughter*". 

Anyway. Even if he doesn't get to serenade us with some bops, I'm still happy to see a K.K. minifigure nonetheless – he was pretty high on fans' wishlists, after all.

The actual sets themselves look delightful, too. The previous kits injected a dose of cute into the best Lego sets, and these are no different; they're just as cheerful as the ones that came before. Alongside the town hall, a stage for K.K. is included in addition to a cake stand, a different version of Isabelle, and what I think might be the chipper wolf, Audie. As for the Dodo Airlines set, you're getting Tangy (a cat who literally has an orange for a head), the office on a pier, pilot Wilbur, and his plane. 

According to the social post, both of these sets will arrive on August 1. We don't have pricing info just yet, but that probably won't be far behind.

Looking for something equally cute as a present? Check out our guide to gifts for gamers. As for more brick-based goodness, don't miss these must-have Lego Star Wars sets.