It’s well established that LEGO® Ideas offers the most varied and inventive array of LEGO creations of any other theme. It’s evolved from a unique experiment to a fully fledged and much-loved LEGO theme. The heart of LEGO Ideas and CUUSOO before it, has always been to showcase the talented creations of LEGO fans. Whether that be by inspiration from well-known properties or whimsical builds which wouldn’t belong anywhere else but LEGO Ideas. This upcoming set certainly leans into the whimsy by not only providing a technical brick-built wonder but also a collection of minifigures celebrating bygone themes. Grab some coins, crank the handle and let’s see what the LEGO Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine has to offer.
Product Details
Set Name: Minifigure Vending Machine | Set Number: 21358 | Pieces: 1343 | Theme: Ideas
Number of Bags: Bags x 11 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Minifigures x 16
RRP: £149.99/169.99€/$179.99/249.99AUD/219.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online from June 1st (Insiders) June 4th (General)
There is some allure about coin-operated vending machines. Some dispense questionably dated sweets and other useful items, but the most fun ones bestow random mini collectable toys. They don’t even have to be real, I spent hours chasing SEGA-themed digital trinkets in the Dreamcast classic Shenmue. In Japan, these sorts of vending machines are known as gachapon, which is a far cooler name. Regardless of what you call them, these machines have a certain charm. Which is probably why LEGO fan designer Rob Vangansewinkel decided to craft one from LEGO elements. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, it dispenses minifigures. The fan design was officially chosen to become a future LEGO Ideas set in May 2024. Following the announcement, LEGO Ideas gave fans a chance to help decide the colouring of a new Classic Space astronaut and a new Castle faction, both of which would appear in the set.
In essence, a vending machine is a simple mechanism, you slot in a coin, turn a handle and a treat is dispensed. But recreating those with LEGO elements is a far trickier task. But thankfully, one which is a joy to build and a marvel to see in action. But the set’s build is focused on the base of the vending machine. It’s styled to look like a retro object and something you find on a counter in a store. Those from the UK may have fond memories of the Cadbury Dairy Milk dispenser, it’s a little more like that than one of the machines you’d find outside of a shop or in an arcade.
Describing how the mechanism that powers the vending machine wouldn’t do it justice in all honesty. But in basic terms, you place a 2×2 ‘coin’ in the slot, which allows the handle to be turned. In doing so, it causes a plate within the machines to rotate and allows one of the 16 minifigure-encasing capsules to drop. It’s far better to see the machine in action, so if you get a chance to see it demonstrated in LEGO stores, please do. But the only way to truly appreciate how the set has been crafted to be a fully working vending machine you’ll need to build it.
The rest of the set is a far simpler affair. A series of transparent curved panels creates the hopper when the capsules are stored. These are packaged in paper bags instead of being allowed to rattle around loose in the box. Unfortunately, a couple of panels have still picked up a couple of scuff marks.
The capsules are unique elements; they are similar to the small domes found in various past LEGO sets, but these can be clipped together via a couple of small black Technic axle elements. The set features 16 clear domes along with 8 yellow and 8 blue variants. They are perfectly sized to hold all of the pieces needed to build a minifigure. I’m sure people will find inventive ways to use them beyond this set. At various stages of the build, another new minifigure is introduced, making it fun to see which one you’ll get next. Similar to how a vending machine works.
There are 16 individual minifigures found in the set, most of them are inspired by beloved LEGO themes, including Classic Space, Castle and Pirates, plus Fabuland and Paradisa. As they are paired up, most use the same toros, but apart from the Classic Space astronauts, the set still other unique characters. It would have been nice to have 16 totally different characters but that would increase the already high price of the set.
Back in May 2024, LEGO Ideas gave fans the chance to help decide which new colours would be used for the Classic Space minifigures in the Vending Machine set. Choices included Bright Blueish Green, Warm Gold, Bright Yellowish Green, Reddish Violet and Dark Azure. Due to the popularity of the vote, it was decided to use both Warm Gold and Dark Azure. These are the same design as other Classic Space minifigures, and further expand the colour palette they are available in. The only differences between the two versions are their accessories.
Teal/Dark Azure Classic Space
Warm Gold Classic Space
The same vote also offered fans the choice to introduce a new Castle faction. Choices included The Krakens, The Griffins, The Bulls and The Crows. Once again, two were chosen with the Kracken Warriors and Griffin Knights joining the likes of the Lion Knights, Wolfpack and Black Falcons. The Master Shield elements introduced in the Legend of Zelda set have been used for these new knights. Will that mean other Castle factions will need to get the new style shields as well? Both of the minifigures for each faction use the same helmets, torsos, legs and shields, it’s just the heads and weapons which differentiate them.
Kraken Warriors
Griffin Knights
Pirates is another beloved bygone theme, and the two pirate characters featured in the set have connections to past sets. Bo’Sun the pirate is inspired by Bo’Sun Will, who was featured in a late 80s Pirates set. Camilla featured in a LEGO Pirates comic and the LEGO Battles game, but has grown a little older and turned to a life of piracy.
Pirates – Camilla and Bo’Sun
Forget the Year of LEGO F1, 2025 is officially the Year of Fabuland. After the fabulous theme was celebrated with this year’s LEGO House Limited Edition set, two Fabuland fans have made it into this set. They aren’t meant to be minifigure versions of the unique Fabuland figures, instead, they are cosplaying as characters from the story-based theme. The Fabuland torso is paid with an elephant and bear hoods previously used for the Costume Fans in the various Collectable Minifigure series. I foresee the torsos being popular should they be added to PaB in the future.
Fabuland Fans – Elton Elephant and Bernard Bear
Another bygone theme is Paradisa, which was an early attempt to appeal to female builders. Introduced in 1992, the Town sub-theme featured a lot of pink and mega beach vibes. The torso used for both minifigures is inspired by those worn in the Paradisa sets, with the 92 on their backs celebrating when the Paradisa sets first arrived.
Paradisa – Beach Bro and Beach Bae
The final two minifigures are a little different as they represent those behind the set’s creation, including fan designer Rob. His minifigure even includes a mini version of the Vending Machine. The other is a LEGO Ideas designer, although it’s unclear if this represents the real LEGO designer behind the set. Still, the minifigure’s torso is great, as are the minifigure’s mini ‘sets’ included as her accessories.
LEGO Ideas Designer and Fan Designer Rob
With 16 different characters, this is probably the closest we’ll get to a series of LEGO Minifigures purely based on old themes. They will be a big draw for many LEGO fans. I also like that they don’t just retread the usual classic minifigures to offer something unique.
More often than not, if a set had 16 almost unique minifigures celebrating past LEGO themes, they would be the highlight of it. But thanks to the impressive build and function of the vending machine, the set is on equal footing with the included minifigures. That’s not to say it’s a cheap set; the fact that it does include 16 minifigures and several unique or large elements has resulted in another high-priced set. One which arrives at the same time as other high priced sets. That being said, it’s another impressive creation from LEGO Ideas and a great showcase of what can be achieved with LEGO elements. It’s also one of those sets I can see delighting folks who may not fall into the ‘LEGO fan’ category. The LEGO Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine set launches on June 1st for Insiders and June 4th for everyone else.
Coming Soon: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz for this review. However, the thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
