Verdict

Pros

• Tons of play value
• A superbly detailed, imposing model
• Varied build
• Display stand is excellently thought out

Cons

• All those stickers

What is the LEGO Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition?

Thanks to the LEGO Batman Movie, DC’s superheroes have been bossing it in LEGO brick form recently. But now Marvel is fighting back.

The first LEGO set announced for the new Avengers: Infinity War movie, this gargantuan 9-inch-tall Mk44 Hulkbuster Iron Man suit comes complete with a stand and a load of neat features that make it as well suited (pun intended) for play as for display.

It’s not the first Mk44 that’s been seen in LEGO form, but it’s the biggest and best. If the Marvel Super Heroes range had an ‘Ultimate Collector Series’ like the LEGO Star Wars range does, this set would make the grade.

The LEGO Marvel Super Heroes The Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition (76105) is available exclusively at LEGO stores and shop.LEGO.com. Read on to find out why it deserves a space on your shelf.

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LEGO Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition – What do you get?

In total, there are 1363 pieces included in the box, split across 10 bags. Much of that is obviously to build the Hulkbuster suit itself, complete with punching jackhammer arm, rotating torso, posable limbs, glow-in-the-dark pieces, and a light brick in the chest. There’s even a standard arm to replace the jackhammer if you so wish.

The whole thing is displayed on a base with an info plate, plus a desk that can hold a couple of bonus mini-builds – a tiny model hot-rod and a Veronica satellite. Two robot arms protrude from the side, one of which can helpfully carry the suit’s spare arm. There’s also a neat, if rather over-scale, fire extinguisher (‘for use on repulsor fires only’).

Finishing off the set is an exclusive Iron Man Mk43 minifigure, which also has its own tiny display stand. The printing on the suit is superb, and the helmet has the usual flip-up faceplate rather than the fixed one on the Mk51 armour that comes with the Detroit Steel Strikes set (76077). This is just an empty suit, though – there’s no Tony Stark head included, just a clear plastic head piece.

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LEGO Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition – How fun is the build?

The majority of the build is obviously the Hulkbuster itself, which involves a little repetition – not much you can do when there are two arms and two legs, eh? But there are some interesting building techniques thrown in, and a few rare parts – the light brick for the chest reactor, some gold slopes, and 12 glow-in-the-dark round flat plates – which liven things up. There are also a few fun details, such as revolver pistols used for pipework.

The completed figure is absolutely awesome. It looks way smaller in photos – you need to see it for yourself. But if you’re thinking it’s just a supersized version of the one from the Hulk Buster Smash set (76031), you’re in for a big surprise.

The Hulkbuster could be a little steadier on its feet, but you can pose it a bit to balance it out. The shoulders, elbows, ankles and waist are all articulated, plus there’s that jackhammer hand that can be pushed out a little and springs back thanks to a little elastic band. The nicely printed head of the suit hinges back, so you can seat the Mk43 Iron Man inside.

Then there’s the light brick in the chest to simulate the Arc Reactor, which is activated by pushing a section in the back. The little LED light has an orange tinge rather than the blue it should have, but it’s great to have it there at all.

There’s honestly loads of play value here – if you can bear to remove it from pride of place on your shelf.

The only downside is the reliance on stickers for some of the armour’s decoration (aside from the head). And not brick-coloured stickers, either – these are the nasty ones with clear backgrounds that pick up your fingerprints when you inevitably get them stuck to your digit as you peel them off the paper.

That same niggle is carried onto the desk’s screens and the Veronica satellite, which are both stickered up rather than printed. There’s also an enormous sticker for the main info plate, and a tiny one for the Mk43’s little name plate.

But get past that and this is a gorgeous LEGO set that’s great fun to build and results in a thing of beauty. Even the base plate is nicely detailed, with the info plate able to be angled up, so you can still see it on a high shelf. There are even rubber feet made from LEGO tyres, so the whole thing won’t scratch your woodwork. Stark Industries would be proud.

You could easily point to the LEGO Ninjago Fire Mech (70615) – of similar stature, with more minifigures, but with fewer pieces overall and none of the rarer parts – and question the value for money of the Hulkbuster. The Fire Mech costs less than half the price. But we all know there’s a high cost attached to tie-ins, and Iron Man is an iconic property that’s worthy of a premium.

Why buy the LEGO Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition?

This is the LEGO set that every Marvel fan should own. It’s gorgeous and impressive, as well as offering a load of play value and a fun build.

The only downer is the reliance on nasty clear-backed stickers, but that shouldn’t put you off. The Hulkbuster should still find a place in your collection.

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Verdict

An absolutely awesome LEGO set that every Marvel fan should own.

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