Posted By Adam White on Mar 14, 2019 | 1 comment

I think we can all agree that LEGO® Minifigures are pretty awesome, for the past 40 odd years they have been inhabiting LEGO sets and beyond, adding an extra level of fun to LEGO play. But sometimes their small stature can be a too little big to create the prefect LEGO recreation of various vehicles, building or locations. Over the years Microscale builds have become more commonplace in LEGO sets, from entire themes like LEGO Architecture using the scale to recreate iconic landmarks to more magical locations like Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, being brought to life with LEGO bricks. Microscale has allowed for some interesting LEGO releases, particularly in the last few years and as this scale has become more prolific, a new microfigure element has been used to bring a little extra character to sets.

I’m always intrigued by Microscale builds, mainly by the use of elements, in one set a roller skate is used for just that, being a roller skate, in Microscale it suddenly becomes a car. A patch of flowers suddenly becomes a spralling forest. Microscale also allows for unique level of detail that’s almost impossible to capture when building in Minifigure scale. There’s been a number of Microscale sets released over the years and below of some of my favourites. But we want to know what you’d like to see recreated in Microscale? Maybe the thrilling Battle of Hoth, a portion of Disneyland, a well known location or landmark, or something else? Let us know below.

71043: Hogwarts Castle

In 2018 one of the biggest Microscale sets was released. At over 6000 pieces, the set recreated the Hogwarts school building along with Hagrid’s hut and Whomping Willow. The main characters are featured as printed microfigures, with the set featuring the largest number of this little trophy elements. Although the outside is impressive enough, inside is packed with amazing detail.

76042: The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier

One of the first large-scale Microscale builds and also one of the first licensed Microscale set was the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier from the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. This is one of my ‘white whales’ a set I really want and missed it when it was on sale. It’s an epic set, with mini Quinjets and the ability to add Power Functions. 

40290: 60 Years of the LEGO Brick

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brick, a special promotional set was created which transformed a number of classic sets into fun little Microscale recreations. Comprising the awesome Airport Shuttle, famous Yellow Castle, Black Seas Barracuda and the Galaxy Explorer.

10230: Mini Modulars

Modular building are the pinnacle of Minifigure scale builds, which are packed with features. In 2012, a VIP exclusive set was released which shrunk a number of those much-loved Modulars into a street of cute little Microscales. The line-up includes some of the first few LEGO Creator Expert Modulars – Café Corner, Market Street, Green Grocer, Fire Brigade and Grand Emporium.

Minecraft Micro World

Before Minecraft become a popular and ongoing Minifigure-scale theme, it all began with a Microscale version of a Minecraft biome born from the LEGO Ideas platform. A further three sets in the same scale were released as the beginning of an entirely new theme, which is still running today. Each LEGO element was a 1:1 replica of a Minecraft block.

LEGO Architecture

The Architecture theme has been transforming some of the world’s most iconic buildings and skylines into Microscale LEGO recreations for a number of years. These have made a particularly impressive use of elements to create these building most recognizable features. From singular buildings to skylines of famous cities the theme has been the essence of Microscale builds for many years.

LEGO Minibuilds

Polybags have become a great source for Microscale sets, in particular those used promote various licensed themed. There’s been a number of great little recreations of larger sets, such as the Milano, Batmobile, Star Wars vehicles and more.

LEGO Games Load Screens

LEGO Games have been a surprising source of Microscale builds. Although they appear in digital form, they still follow the LEGO Build System. They appear in numerous LEGO videogames and despite only being shown on loadscreens, a lot of work has been put into creating them by TT Games.

70839: The Rexcelsior!

One of the latest LEGO Micrsoscale sets will be the upcoming LEGO Movie 2 set – The Rexcelsior! The huge fist shaped vessel, it the intergalactic home to Rex Dangervest. Thanks to the smaller scale, it has a lot of detail and includes mini versions of Emmet and Rex, along with his dino crew and smaller versions of Rexplorer and the Rex-treme Offroader.

Microscale MOCs

Fan builders have also embraced Microscale building. From original creations to mini recreations of other LEGO sets, such as NINJAGO City below. The smaller build scale has inspired MOCs of some incredibly inventive use of elements and amazing detail. Check out even more Microscale MOCs in Brickset’s 60 Years of the LEGO brick build contest.