What do you get when you combine LEGO® City Stuntz with everyone’s favourite blue hedgehog? It’s a pretty safe bet that it will have a passing resemblance to the largest of the upcoming new sets inspired by SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog. After first visiting the Green Hill Zone with last year’s Sonic-inspired LEGO Ideas set, this set returns to that iconic location and takes a stab at replicating the fast-paced gameplay from Sonic’s early adventures. Rounding off my reviews of the full LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog range, here’s a closer look at Sonic’s Green Hill Zone Loop Challenge.
Product Details
Set Name: Sonic’s Green Hill Zone Loop Challenge | Set Number: 76994 | Pieces: 802 | Theme: Sonic the Hedgehog
RRP: £94.99/$99.99/104.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 8 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Characters: Sonic, Amy, Dr Eggman, Sonic, Amy, a Flicky, Becky, Pocky, Pecky, plus Badniks Chopper and Newtron
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from August 1st
This isn’t the first time the iconic Green Hill Zone has been portrayed in LEGO form. The location of the first Sonic game’s starter level was used as inspiration for the LEGO Ideas set based on Sonic the Hedgehog. It also appeared in Sonic’s LEGO debut which occurred in LEGO Dimensions. Of the new Sonic sets, this is not only the largest, but it is also the only set to offer an experience close to the gameplay of the 2D era Sonic games.
This set seems to have only been possible thanks to the LEGO City Stuntz range. It features a number of elements introduced in the Stuntz sets. These include recoloured ramps and a ring but the most obvious is the large loop ring. This remains one of Sonic’s most iconic features and helped to instill just how fast Sonic moved. The loop is constructed with eight sections which when they are connected to the form the loop, this is then connected to two ramps.
In LEGO form, Sonic can be sent on his speedy way thanks to the Speed Sphere launcher. This is featured in a couple of the new sets and features a transparent case in which the Sonic minifigure to stand. The Speed Sphere can then be launched by placing it inside the launcher. Then slamming down on the handle causes the launcher to propel the sphere. With the right force and alignment, you can zoom the Speed Sphere around the loop and over the various ramps. Amy Rose also has a jet-ski which seems a little odd next to the rest of the set but ties into the later Sonic games and animated series.
Other parts of the level include another ‘chill out’ zoom, these seem to be a running feature of the Sonic sets. Here it features a seating area, BBQ grill and a small pool, complete with a floating ‘inflatable’. This area can connect to the side of the loop. The other areas are separate but line up to recreate a level. Other sections include a large ring, which can be cleared via a ramp element. There is a bridge, guarded by a Chopper Badnik, tapping the pink 2×2 disc causes the bridge to tip and take out the Badnicks. The next section is a small green island with another of the awkwardly built trees. They try their best to replicate the trees from the games, but in LEGO form they look extremely odd. Despite the iffy appearance, the tree acts as a roost for the Newtron Badnik. Similar to the bridge, a 2×2 pink disc can be hit to cause the tree to tip.
My favourite part of the set is Dr. Eggman’s Egg Mobile. This is built in two parts which can be combined into an Egg Mobile mech or split apart to become a floating ship. The bottom section features legs and a domed pod to hold any kidnapped critters. The top half includes an area to place the Dr. Eggman figure and has various other features including two weapon arms and stud-shooter.
The set features three minifigures characters including Sonic, Amy Rose and Dr. Eggman. Both Amy and this version of Sonic only appear in one other set. But it would have been nice to have something a little more unique, better still, it would have been nice to see Knuckles appear in at least one set. The set includes four creatures – Flicky, Becky, Pocky, and Pecky. These are mini animals that are often trapped in Dr. Eggman’s Badniks and his other robot creations.
Just like winking Sonic and Amy, Dr. Eggman is only found in one other set. After the backlash to the brick-built Robotnik from the Sonic Ideas set, this time around, the doc is a unique figure, which uses the new longer sets introduced in the Avatar sets and previous to that the older Toy Story sets. Joining Eggman are two of his Badnik bots. These are both unique to the set with Chopper being a menacing-looking fish and and Newton being a big-eyed lizard. Both have small areas within the body to place one of the kidnapped critters.
Overall
The best part of the set has to be Dr. Eggman’s 2-in-1 mech, it’s a great little build. and looks very cool. The rest of the set does an impressive job of capturing the aesthetics of the Sonic games along with its gameplay. The Speed Sphere is a fun play feature and it’s even more fun to blast in over the set’s various obstacles. Although it’s a tricky set to display, it does offers an play experience better connected to the games. I’m still not sure why this set and others have so many similar ‘chill-out’ areas. This set certainly didn’t need it as all the other sections offer more than enough things to play with.
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This set was provided to BricksFanz.com by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or SEGA. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
