Sonic the Hedgehog’s LEGO® journey has seen the Blue Blur begin life as a LEGO Dimensions Level Pack in 2016. Before, he would return in retro-themed LEGO Ideas set in 2022. The following year, SEGA’s iconic mascot would join his past rival Mario by becoming a fully fledged theme. Since then, there have been several Sonic playsets, a couple of BrickHeadz builds and even an adult-focused display set. Now, the world of Sonic the Hedgehog has inspired a LEGO Insiders reward. Here’s a closer look at the LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Badnik: Crabmeat set.
Product Details
Set Name: Badnik: Crabmeat | Set Number: 40781 | Pieces: 181 | Theme: Sonic The Hedgehog
Number of Bags: Bags x 3 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App
Availability: Insiders Reward Centre | RRP: 2000 Insiders points
Fans of the early Sonic games will know that levels were inhabited by robotic animals known as Badniks. They were the creation of Dr Robonik and come in many forms. As well as causing a nuisance for Sonic, many Badniks were also prisons for cute critters. If the name wasn’t a giveaway, Crabmeat is a crab-like Badnik.
The set features two sections, Crabmeat and a small platform to stand it on. The platform is styled to look like a section of the Green Hill Zone’s landscape. The patterned ground of the first Sonic level is instantly recognisable, and two different shades of brown and green elements easily replicate it. I especially like the NEXO shields used to end the grassy section of the platform.
Crabmeat has been featured in previous Sonic sets, but on a far smaller scale. This version is much bigger and more detailed. There is a hinged section on the body section of Crabmeat, this can be lifted to reveal a Rocky critter. This is the same turtle-like animal figure found in other Sonic sets.
Crabmeat has various points of articulation and can be displayed away from the platform. But its large claws and tiny legs do restrict this, so it’s far better when mounted on the platform. Those claws are created by a pair of shell-like elements commonly used as shoulders in the LEGO Construction figures.
It’s a cool little set and a format which could be used to recreate other Badniks. The only real issue with the set is how you get it. It costs 2000 Insiders points, which is around £12/$15/15€ worth of points, but then you need to order something to be able to use the code. If you don’t reach the threshold for free delivery, you will then need to pay for postage. Bumping up the real cost of the set. There should be an ability to add multiple Insiders rewards to orders or the ability to ‘order’ a reward and pay a smaller postal charge, similar to Nintendo’s reward program. Apart from that, the set is great if you have enough points to get it and plan on placing an order over the next couple of months. The LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Badnik: Crabmeat set is available now on the LEGO Insiders Reward Centre.
