LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog introduces the speed sphere, which could be the next big thing in LEGO play features.
The LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog theme is speeding to store shelves soon. On August 1, you’ll be able to build the world of Sonic and his friends in a whole new way. Some of our reviews for these hotly-anticipated sets are already available if you want to check them out.
One of the core elements of this brand-new theme is the main play feature, called a speed sphere. The speed sphere is made of specialized translucent LEGO pieces and is held together with regular technic pins. You can place a minifigure inside, then slam down on the launcher made of technic pieces to fire the sphere (and the minifigure inside) at high speeds.
The sphere doesn’t always work perfectly, but that’s not necessarily a flaw. In our experience and in other reviews, the launcher requires a significant amount of force in order to allow the speed spheres to properly use several of the sets’ play features, and it can be difficult to control. If it was too easy, though, there wouldn’t be much of a trial-and-error ‘game’ like there currently is.
The speed spheres definitely add a level of play value to the Sonic sets that isn’t usually seen in other LEGO themes, not to mention representing the spinning blue blur of Sonic at top speeds quite well. These pieces are so unique and interesting, in fact, that they shouldn’t be restricted to only Sonic the Hedgehog.
We put together a few ideas regarding alternate uses for speed spheres, listed below. If you have a genius application for the latest innovation in LEGO play feature technology, let us know in the comments!
Super-Fast Super Heroes
This one’s a no-brainer. Characters like the Flash or Quicksilver from DC and Marvel, respectively, are perfect candidates for their own specially-coloured speed spheres (Flash needs a red one, although Quicksilver could just use Sonic’s blue). Any Marvel or DC set missing a play feature or two? Just throw in a minifigure of a character with super-speed and a speed sphere.
A New Form of Spinjitzu
LEGO NINJAGO is always looking for a new gimmick. The classic spinner toys, meant to represent the ninjas performing high-speed Spinjitzu, have been re-invented over and over. What if in a new season of NINJAGO, the ninjas learn to spin vertically and in a straight line? Well, then their Spinjitzu would be perfectly represented by LEGO Sonic speed spheres, of course!
Minigames
All LEGO sets can be played with, but some focus a lot more on play than others. Play features sometimes go beyond simple add-ons to flesh out a set and come close to becoming a whole separate game in their own right. A great example of a LEGO ‘minigame’ comes in the form of the Star Wars Action Battle sets released in 2019.
These sets depicted famous moments from the movies and featured respectable minifigure lineups, all while providing an interactable game for kids to play with. Speed spheres could be the next big thing that helps push more waves of play-focused sets with bowling-like minigames. Nearly any theme could benefit from a few speed sphere set-em-up-and-knock-em-down sets.
Do you agree with our ideas for the speed spheres? What do you want the LEGO Group to use them for?
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