Introduction
In this blog post, I’m sharing my top picks for LEGO Ideas in November 2024! This month’s lineup includes 5 retro ideas to take you back in time. Be sure to check them out and let me know which ones are your favorites!
Ideas
The Iconic Los Angeles County Lifeguard Tower
This idea made the list because the famous lifeguard towers in LA have appeared in popular TV shows like Baywatch from the 90s, making them a well-recognized symbol of America. These towers have been along the California coast since the 1950s and are still in use. If you haven’t visited the California coast, you can check out Dave’s Travel Corner for pictures of the beach pier and the iconic lifeguard towers.
If you have ever visited Southern California or are planning a special trip for the summer games of 2028… you’ll want to build, play, and marvel at a replica of one of Los Angeles’ famed lifeguard towers.
Built to scale with many amazing features including:
- Removable roof granting access to lifeguard essentials
- Moveable windows and doors to shade from sun and protect from elements
- Palm trees providing shade for a nice read
- Pesky seagulls hunting for food
- Beachgoer accessories including inner tube and ice cold drinks
- Lifeguard accessories including first aid kit and emergency flotation devices
- Minifigures – 2 tourists, 2 lifeguards
Some fun facts about the real lifeguard towers:
- 158 lifeguard towers line the Los Angeles County coastline
- The American flag is flown to indicate the tower is occupied
- A red flotation device (known as a can) attached to the building indicates the lifeguard is inside – not on the sand or in the water
- A bucket is always placed at the base of the ramp to wash sand and salt off the feet of the lifeguards
- The structures are moveable by tractor
Thanks to Los Angeles Magazine for these fun facts.
Since the 1950’s this small simple structure has inspired artists from generation to generation. Now it is your turn…
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
As of writing this, there has only been one LEGO set released which included an E.T. minifigure and a phone. It’s about time that we get a bigger set for E.T. This new set could include E.T., his iconic house, and the aliens. The only thing we really need to add is a closet filled with stuffed animals!
Bring the magic of the classic 1982 film “E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial” to life with this set! Join E.T., Elliott, and their friends on a fun-filled adventure, perfect for fans who love to build, imagine, and explore new worlds.
Begin the Adventure with E.T. and Elliott
Start by building the memorable moment when Elliott discovers E.T. in the shed. This set captures the wonder of their first meeting with detailed mini-figures of Elliott and E.T., setting the stage for their incredible journey together.
Celebrate Friendship and Learning
As you continue to build, recreate scenes that show the special bond between E.T. and Elliott. Experience their discoveries and adventures as they learn from each other, using fun accessories and playful elements to relive these touching moments.
Construct the Communication Device to “Phone Home”
Help E.T. and Elliott create a unique communication device to reach E.T.’s home planet. With imaginative building pieces, you can construct this iconic gadget just like in the movie, adding an exciting element to your play.
Fly Across the Moon with E.T.
Recreate the unforgettable scene where E.T. and Elliott soar across the moonlit sky on a bicycle. The set includes a moon backdrop and a special bike with a flying feature, allowing you to experience the magic of this iconic moment.
Escape the Government and Save E.T.
Build the thrilling scenes where the government agents close in on E.T., and Elliott and his friends race against time to save him. With dynamic elements like moving vehicles and obstacles, you can recreate the action-packed chase that leads to E.T.’s rescue.
Build, Play, and Relive the Magic of “E.T.”
This LEGO Ideas set is perfect for bringing the world of “E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial” into your home. With mini-figures of Elliott, Gertie, Michael, Mary, and their dog Harvey, you have everything you need to relive the adventure, build by build.
Big Mouth Billy Bass
I remember when those singing fish toys first came out during my childhood. They were a new gadget that you could hang on your wall. Some people loved them, while others couldn’t stand them. It seems like they were released a long time ago, but maybe it’s just me feeling older. The person behind this idea mentioned that they became popular in the early 2000s. If you enjoyed the original and want a fish that hangs on your wall singing “take me to the river,” this LEGO version is just as cool.
Hello everyone!
I probably don’t need to introduce the iconic Big Mouth Billy Bass, the animated and singing fish that became popular in the 2000s. It’s become a part of pop culture, appearing everywhere—from our homes to TV shows like Wall-E, The Simpsons, The Office, The Sopranos, and even in Queen Elizabeth II’s castle!
So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that no one had ever created a LEGO version of Big Mouth Billy Bass! After months of work, procrastination, and countless restarts, I’m finally ready to present my version of this famous fish in LEGO form.
A functional Big Mouth Billy Bass, at 1:1 scale, made up of 2,000 pieces, and something I’m particularly proud of!
Design and Mechanics
I loved working on this MOC, especially the design where I experimented with various building techniques. But it’s the mechanics that turned out to be the most challenging. Here’s how everything works:
- A power button connected to two terminals of a LEGO Power Functions battery.
- Two Power Functions motors that drive a central axle.
- A gear system that adjusts the necessary ratios to drive two separate axles.
- Each axle is connected to a crank system that moves the fish’s head and tail.
- The movement of the head activates a lever system that opens and closes the mouth (which returns to place thanks to an elastic band that I haven’t yet learned to include in my 3D renders).
- Finally, to stop the movement, you just need to return the button to its position via a clever mechanism located under the frame.
Display
For displaying the model, I added a hook and a stand at the back, so you can easily showcase it either on a wall or a shelf.
A Few Improvement Ideas
Add a sound brick so the fish can actually sing, just like the original!
A Christmas kit to dress up the fish during the holidays, as a tribute to the various festive editions of Big Mouth Billy Bass.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my parents for their support throughout this project, which they probably never thought would be completed, my grandfather, Bon Papa, for sharing his wonderful passion for fishing with me (the true inspiration behind this MOC), and finally, my amazing girlfriend who I love and who supports me in everything I do.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my creation!
If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to support this project so it can become a reality!
Kinetic Tin Toy
If you remember the toy train robots from the 1950s, you’ll really enjoy this one. These robots were a big part of growing up. Tin toy robots had lots of moving parts like gears, belts, and pistons. Movies such as “Logan’s Run” also show similar kinds of robots.
Hello! we would like to present our friend The Kinetic Tin Toy, derived from our love of classic toys. This collection of pieces brings back the fun of windup collectibles that we as adults love.
The Kinetic Tin Toy is inspired by retro toys and early science fiction robots, and we see it as a love letter to fans of both. Reflective of the ‘play features’ of early tin toys, our robot also holds an interior mechanism that causes both arms to articulate up and down as you push it forward or backward. There are also imitation batteries inside to really get the details right. A lot of tin toys have gone on to become collector’s items, so while we’ve included play features, we also recognize the possibility that it might also be appreciated as a purely statue-esc item.
We hope that the use of LEGO in this project might encourage older generations to tell stories of their favorite toys or films, and that younger generations might be encouraged to enjoy LEGO with their older family members. LEGO is already universally appealing, we just see this project as a potential way for families to continue to connect through play.
Sega Outrun
This idea is a replica of the classic 1986 arcade game OutRun. The track has familiar sights from the original game, like palm trees, beaches, and beautiful roads. It also includes the turbo button that first appeared in Turbo OutRun, which came out in 1989, three years after the original. The Turbo version introduced new tracks and the turbo button for a speed boost.
LEGO OutRun: The Arcade Classic
Step into the driver’s seat of the iconic 1986 arcade game OutRun with this highly detailed LEGO replica! Inspired by one of the most influential racing games of all time, this LEGO set pays homage to the thrill of the open road, the vibrant retro aesthetic, and the spirit of classic arcade gaming.
Key Features:
- Authentic Recreation: The set captures the essence of the original arcade cabinet, complete with buttons, gear shift, and a working racing wheel, delivering a true arcade feel in LEGO form.
- Mini Sports Car: A detailed LEGO version of the signature red convertible sports car that can be steered left and right to bring the OutRun driving experience to life.
- Arcade Environment: The track mimics the vivid landscapes from the game, with palm trees and winding roads. You’ll find familiar elements like a sun-soaked beach and iconic roadside scenery that mirror the spirit of the game.
- Interactive Display: The build includes a “video” screen through which you can see a continuous rolling road, capturing the dynamic movement of the game. Crank the handle to drive the car forward, racing down the road at high speed!
- Nostalgic Microfigures: Includes a driver and passenger with hair blowing in the breeze, ready to hit the road and enjoy an exhilarating drive, just like in the game.
Relive the adrenaline rush of OutRun, one of the most memorable arcade games of all time, now brought to life in LEGO bricks! Whether you were a fan in the ’80s or discovering it for the first time, this LEGO set is a tribute to retro gaming culture and a perfect addition to any arcade or racing enthusiast’s collection.
A Few Details:
- Piece count: 2400
- Working steering
- Microcars that pop-off the track if hit
- A selection of microcars to choose from
- Works mechanically but could be motorised
- 30 studs wide, 53 long and 55 high (24cm x 50 x 44)
- Scenery included: starting grid, beach, desert, forest, tulip fields & windmills, temples and canyons
I hope you like this LEGO version of OutRun… don’t forget to support and tell your friends and family too!
Many thanks
Norders