As well as an obvious love for LEGO bricks, one of my longest-held passions is gaming. Since the moment my Mum brought home an Atari 2600, I’ve loved escaping into digital realms. One game series which has continued to offer an escape is Nintendo’s Animal Crossing. I have fond memories of playing the first game on GameCube some 20 years ago. One of my favourite parts of the game was the ability to connect a GameBoy Advance and travel to a mini island courtesy of Kapp’n’s row boat. Kicking off a look at the new LEGO Animal Crossing sets, the tuneful turtle returns but this time in LEGO form. Here’s a look at Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour.
Product Details
Set Name: Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour | Set Number: 77048 | Pieces: 233 | Theme: Animal Crossing
Number of Bags: Bags x 3 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Kapp’n & Marshal | Insiders QR: Yes
RRP: £24.99/$29.99/29.99€/CAD39.99/AUD39.99/NZD44.99
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from March 1st
I never thought 20 years on from first playing Animal Crossing, we would be treated to LEGO sets based on the beloved game series. For those unaware of Animal Crossing, it debuted on the N64 as Animal Forest before being localised for other regions and being renamed Animal Crossing. The premise of the games is quite simple: you arrive in a small town, where you begin a new life surrounded by various animal villagers. Whilst the experience is quite tranquil, you are soon being chased for cash by the infamous financial fixer Tom Nook. As stressful as it can be to scrap together enough Bells to upgrade your house or buy a new rug, the game is known for unleashing players’ creative flair.
A similar approach has been taken for the Animal Crossing sets. They use the same island plate system as the LEGO Super Mario sets. Not only is this a nice continuation of the first Nintendo theme, but it also offers a better portrayal of the Animal Crossing experience. Every game, since the GameCube one, is set out on an invisible grid, which helps when placing items. These plates perfectly replicate that. It also allows the set to be built in different configurations.
This particular set features several island plates split between grassy areas and parts of the wave-lapped beach. Fans of the game will recognise little details lifted directly from the games such as a basic workbench, complete with a build recipe tile. Coconut-filled palm trees and Bells can be found hidden under a small rock. As well as various beach goodies such as sun loungers and a campfire.
Kapp’n is one of the game’s original characters and has had various roles throughout the Animal Crossing series. But he is best known for sailing a small boat. This is featured in the set and takes inspiration from the most recent version of the game. The little engine on the back of the boat is quite cute.
The characters of Animal Crossing are just as important as the world they live in. Players have their favourites and a small number of them have become minifigures. This set features two characters including Kapp’n. The sea turtle is sporting his casual appearance from New Horizons, right down to his red sunglasses. Kapp’n’s shell is included as print detail on this back and he also features the articulated short legs. Joining Kapp’n is villager Marshal, a smug squirrel introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. This rather shifty-looking character is also based on his New Horizon appearance, with the character wearing a dark blue denim jacket.
Both characters make use of unique new head elements. Similar to Simpsons, Disney and Looney Tunes minifigures, these are necessary to match the style of the characters from the games. But they still feel like minifigures.
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