It’s New Year’s Eve, and as the final moments of 2025 come close, the clock ticks down to another year, and the BricksFanz Awards are back. I’ve taken a look back over the past 12 months and picked some of my favourite LEGO-related things to occur in the year gone by. This year, BricksFanz readers have been choosing their favourite sets. So without further ado, the winners are….
Set of the Year – Nintendo Game Boy
In a year of many sets and a large number of them being rather expensive, the winning set ticked all the right boxes. The Game Boy offered an amazing build, an almost perfect recreation of the real device and some great little features such as printed pieces and lenticular screens. All of this at a great price point. The set perfectly shows that a LEGO set does not need to be enormous and pricey to impress.
Minifigure of the Year – Holiday Tree Costumer
The various LEGO Advent Calendars often include interesting minifigures. But they are mostly standard minifigures with unique torsos, this year we were treated to a unique costumed character. The Holiday Tree Costumer used a tree-shaped outfit, which hasn’t appeared in any other set and, due to its close connection to Christmas, may not appear in another set. It wonderful minifigure and another great festive-themed character.
Books of the Year – LEGO Minecraft Visual Dictionary
DK Books has been providing various LEGO titles, and this year has seen the release of a couple of updated versions of previously published books. However, it fell to a new title, which had a significant impact this year. The LEGO Minecraft Visual Dictionary offered a detailed overview of the long-running theme, but it would be the book’s BTS chapter that delighted fans. This included some concept art showing how Minecraft minifigures could have looked before using custom cubic heads.
Game of the Year – LEGO Voyagers
After a few years of no new LEGO Games, we’ve been treated to a handful of digital LEGO adventures this year, and they have all been impressive. LEGO Party! offered a unique LEGO experience, and LEGO Fortnite recently added a completely new NINJAGO-themed expansion, but it falls to LEGO Voyagers to take the top spot. The second title from Builder’s Journey developers, Light Brick Studio, offered another whimsical LEGO story. One which looked amazing, sounded great and expanded upon their game.
Surprise of the Year – Death Star UCS
Rumours of a new UCS Death Star had been rumbling for a while before the set was revealed, and it was certainly not what everyone was expecting. Not only did the set provide the biggest and most LEGO Star Wars set yet, but it also offered a unique displayable model. One which seemed to divide Star Wars fans more than normal. The set wasn’t perfect, and the price tag would put it out of reach for most fans, but it was a nice surprise to see the Death Star portrayed differently.
Theme of the Year – Ideas
Once again, LEGO Ideas takes the Theme of the Year Award. It continues to be the most varied and inventive of the many themes currently available. This year alone, it’s given us sets based on Willy Wonka, Twilight, Gremlins and The Goonies. Plus original creations such as the Minerals Collection, Riverboat and the amazing Minifigure Vending Machine. Not only do the LEGO Ideas sets show the creativity of LEGO fan builders, but they also provide a route for some unusual builds.
GWP/Promotional Item of the Year – Crabmeat Badnik Insiders Rewards
There have been plenty of promotional sets released this year, including a series of nature-themed dioramas, seasonal celebrations and fan-designed builds. There have also been several sets offered via the Insiders Reward Centre, and it’s there where my pick for GWP/Insiders Reward of the year comes from. Back in February, you could exchange 2000 points for the Sonic the Hedgehog-themed Crabmeat set. Not only did this offer something unique from a Sonic set, but you also didn’t need to purchase several sets or a high-priced set to get it.
Partnership of the Year – Fortnite
You may have no interest in Fortnite or its LEGO-themed expansions, but the ongoing partnership between the LEGO Group and Epic continues to offer plenty of surprises. LEGO Fortnite has gone through some changes this year, including the introduction of Expeditions and the recent NINJAGO content. This has turned the survival game into something a little more similar to other LEGO titles. It also offered several unique digital minifigures, including those inspired by K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bleach, The Simpsons and NINJAGO. It will be interesting to see where LEGO Fortnite heads next. LEGO Rocket Racing? More expansions inspired by LEGO themes? Interaction with LEGO Smart Brick sets?
Promotional Stunt of the Year – F1 Driver Parade Miami
This year saw the LEGO Group go all in with their partnership with F1. Along with numerous sets based on F1 teams, LEGO bricks were at the heart of several F1 races. In the UK, winners were presented with LEGO trophies and in Las Vegas, a life-sized Pink Cadillac drove winners to the podium. But the stunt which had the biggest impact took place in Miami, where life-sized and drivable LEGO-built F1 race cars were used during the Driver’s Parade. The cars have since appeared at other events.
Most anticipated 2026 release – LEGO Pokémon
The LEGO Group’s continued love of gaming has seen sets inspired by Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft and Horizon. Next year will add Pokémon to the game-related LEGO offers. No official information about what we can expect from the theme has been released, but it’s safe to assume many of the collectable pocket monsters will be recreated in brick form. There are rumours that the theme could make use of the new LEGO Smart Brick technology.
Set of the Year: Readers’ Choice – Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth
Over the past few days, BricksFanz readers have been submitting their picks for the set of the year. The set with the most votes was 77037: LEGO Horizon Adventures Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth. This set takes the Readers’ Choice Award 2025. The set is inspired by the PlayStation Horizon series and was accompanied by a LEGO Horizon game. But the set was praised for its great minifigures, buildable machines, and decent price point. Everyone who voted for their favourite sets will be entered into a draw to win the LEGO Batman Arkham Asylum. (Winning set here does not relate to the winner of the giveaway)
