Review: 71702 Golden Mech
Posted by CapnRex101,LEGO created some outstanding Legacy models during 2019, updating various popular NINJAGO sets. 71702 Golden Mech looks superb in official images and takes inspiration from the attractive 70505 Temple of Light, albeit without the actual temple and focusing upon the mech.
This majestic vehicle looks especially interesting because it includes knee joints, contrasting with many other recent mechs. Furthermore, the white and gold colour scheme is rather impressive and I believe the price of £34.99 or $39.99 represents excellent value, particularly given the selection of appealing minifigures provided.
Minifigures
70666 The Golden Dragon introduced an updated version of Golden Ninja Lloyd and that minifigure returns here. The pearl gold colour scheme is exceptionally striking and I like the complementary dark green highlights. These certainly resemble designs on the original character but incorporate far greater intricate detail, reflecting the rapid advancement in minifigure decoration since 2013.
Moreover, the metallic gold dragon designs are effective and matching bands are printed around the legs. Removing the head wrap reveals two expressions, both of which seem suitably determined and prepared for combat. As usual, the minifigure includes a golden dao but this weapon cannot slide into the sheath on his back because its blade is too broad.
Wu appeared wearing his traditional white attire in 70505 Temple of Light but now features black clothing. That seems slightly odd as this minifigure takes inspiration from an entirely different period within NINJAGO and has appeared in multiple earlier sets. Nevertheless, this design looks wonderful, even though an exclusive figure would have been preferable.
Metallic gold lettering is printed across the torso and legs, reading 'MASTER' which seems suitable. Further detail appears on the reverse where a stylised dragon is printed. This decoration is excellent and the consistency between Lloyd and Master Wu is welcome here, despite their departure from the two 2013 minifigures.
The same beard and conical hat elements have been used since 2011 while the head has remained unchanged since 2017. An updated head would have been useful but is not a necessity because it is partially obscured by the beard. Wu comes with a bo staff, maintaining the tradition that began almost ten years ago when NINJAGO was launched.
Three unique depictions of General Kozu have been produced since 2013. The latest example incorporates aspects from each previous minifigure, sporting black and red armour which appears impressive. The spiked design is wonderful and I like the metallic chain mail adorning his torso and legs, along with the four-armed design and Kozu's resultant intimidating height.
However, the ornamental faceplate could have been improved as other General Kozu figures have featured more elaborate decoration. The commander is accompanied by a Stone Army Scout who also exhibits substantial alterations as this character now includes standard legs, replacing the short legs from the original Stone Army Scouts. I enjoyed that characteristic detail but this minifigure looks slightly more threatening.
Both minifigures include brilliant detail across their respective heads, featuring intimidating war paint and bright colours which stand out against their dark armour. Ideally, their torso and legs would differ but consistency within the Stone Army seems sensible and their weapons are perfect. General Kozu carries an enormous Elemental Blade while the scout includes a crossbow and a quiver.
The Completed Model
Numerous mechs have appeared within the NINJAGO theme and the design from 70505 Temple of Light is among my favourite examples. This model measures 25cm in height so is slightly larger than the previous rendition and its proportions have been altered as the thighs are narrower. I appreciated their stocky aesthetic on the original mech but this vehicle looks magnificent too.
Furthermore, this model includes exceptional articulation! Modern mechs have frequently lacked any knee joints which has severely restricted their display value. This creation does include flexible knees though, enabling a much greater variety of possible action poses. The ankles, hips, shoulders, elbows and fingers are similarly articulated. Moreover, I think the balance between white and pearl gold pieces is absolutely perfect.
The broad canopy above the cockpit is among the most distinctive features of the Golden Mech and that section of the vehicle looks lovely here, improving upon the original model. I love the combination of metallic gold and red across the 8x8 dish element and the pearl gold coolie at the centre is excellent, matching the surrounding printed design.
Opening this canopy reveals the simple interior. There is ample space for Lloyd to sit inside and the printed control panel has been integrated perfectly. I like the curved slopes that surround the cockpit, although their combination with the neighbouring shoulder armour could have been improved without compromising the shoulder movement.
Additionally, the exposed Technic components on the chest seem somewhat awkward in my opinion. The central structure is marvellous though, making clever use of pearl gold Technic wings that create delightful texture. Such detail was lacking from the 2013 mech and I like the red highlights around the waist, reflecting those on the shoulders and the cockpit canopy. Unfortunately, the waist cannot rotate.
Several stickers are applied on the arms, maintaining certain details from the earlier model but also introducing various unique features. The layered armour across the upper arms appears particularly effective and the adjustable shoulder armour works nicely as well. Moreover, the integration between stickers and brick-built detail is fantastic here, most notably along the forearms.
Considerably less detail appears on the internal surface of each arm, although even the red Technic axle seems rather appropriate. The fingers and thumb are individually articulated so they can grip the sword securely, with assistance from Technic pins placed inside the palm of each hand. Hand rotation would have been beneficial but I can understand why that was omitted, given the limited space.
Viewing mechs from behind frequently reveals unsightly structural components or extremely limited detail. However, I think this model looks reasonable from any angle. The basic white and dark bluish grey pattern is perfect and I love the blades which can form decorative spikes or a mechanised cape! The pearl gold 1x2 grilles on the reverse of each leg appear equally attractive.
The legs are probably my favourite aspect of this entire set. Once again, the combination of pearl gold and white looks wonderful and I like details returning from the original mech, including light bluish grey Technic wheel hubs on each side of the knees. Brand new stickers are also employed to brilliant effect here, featuring small air vents which are fittingly labelled with the word 'AIR'.
Despite their appearance from the front, the aforementioned wheel hubs are not involved in the knee articulation. Instead, ball joints are concealed behind them, enabling the knees to move backwards or sideways slightly. The latter motion is particularly useful and the feet offer similar movement, ensuring that they can always remain planted on the ground and therefore provide maximum stability.
Overall
71702 Golden Mech is certainly among my favourite LEGO mechs. Previous models, such as 70676 Lloyd's Titan Mech, appear more substantial and incorporate more advanced construction techniques but this creation offers unrivalled articulation so looks outstanding on display. The white and pearl gold colour scheme is also impressive and I like the subtle detail across the mech's armoured exterior.
The only area in which I believe this set could be notably improved is the minifigures as only General Kozu is unique. Nevertheless, the price of £34.99 or $39.99 is very reasonable in my opinion and this mech would certainly be a worthy addition to any NINJAGO collection, even if you already own 70505 Temple of Light where the mech originally appeared.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments below.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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19 comments on this article
Thanks for the review @CapnRex101!
This has given me something to read after coming home from my last day of school for a while. I really appreciate the Ninjago theme but I don’t seem to have much of it. My brother specialises in Ninjago and I like Star Wars, so I guess Ninjago is taken for the time being.
The printed 8x8 dish forming the canopy is superb! In fact, the canopy is a lovely detail. I like the way the minifig pilot is almost totally obscured, and the large dish describes a funky shaped mech “head” using only a couple of pieces.
I have purchased and built it a few weeks ago and don't regret it. The poseability is just amazing, it's now displayed with other Ninjago mechs, running (so standing on 1 leg) on a little MOC stand. Joints (knees, ankles, hips) and friction are strong enough and offer many possibilities both for display and play. And last but not least, those white and gold colours really make it one of the most noticeable among all the others. A very good and beautiful set.
Temple of Light you say?
I must check that out...
https://brickset.com/sets/70505-1/Temple-of-Light
@MonsterFighter said:
"Temple of Light you say?
I must check that out...
https://brickset.com/sets/70505-1/Temple-of-Light "
Don't you even think about it. No one click the link. Please.
(For those of you who don’t know, Temple of Light appeared on the top 10 list for about 2 months straight, and @MonsterFighter is trying to get it back there)
Also, the Legacy Wu is almost the exact same as the black kimono variant from 2011. There’s really not too much of a change, beyond the happier expression. The set itself is exactly what I wanted from this line- it’s nicely done and feels new and fresh, while still having the essence of the classic model.
Great review! Since you mentioned the Titan Mech, would you review that, too?
Good review.
I don't know how I feel about this mech. It's not like it's necessarily lacking anything in particular—on the contrary, the inclusion of knee joints is welcome considering so many Lego mechs go without. And it's certainly an improvement on the mech from the original set. But nevertheless it just fails to "wow" me the way last year's Titan Mech did (despite that set lacking the aforementioned knee joints). Perhaps it's the fact that its only weaponry is a single sword like so many that have been done before. Or perhaps it's the chunkier aesthetic compared to the height and well-defined shaping of the Titan Mech. Maybe it's just because it's an update of a previous set and thus doesn't feel as novel. Or maybe it's because the set that it's based on originally included a decent-sized temple and the mech feels less impressive without that kind of scenery to ground it. Whatever the case, while I wouldn't be opposed to getting this set it's not really at the top of my list.
@MonsterFighter said:
"Temple of Light you say?
I must check that out...
https://brickset.com/sets/70505-1/Temple-of-Light"
You read my mind! Lmfao!
@tarnizhed_bricks - The hips rotate backwards and forwards, as well as moving outwards, so I am not sure what you mean. The waist cannot rotate though, as described in the review.
@Mr__Thrawn said:
" @MonsterFighter said:
"Temple of Light you say?
I must check that out...
https://brickset.com/sets/70505-1/Temple-of-Light "
Don't you even think about it. No one click the link. Please
As if!
Not a bad set; still disappointed that we didn’t get an Overlord Dragon to go with it.
Cool review, has any strong rumor of SW sets been made?
I'm sort of in the same boat as @Lyichir as far as my reactions to this set are concerned. It's a fantastic build, but visually it's a little bit mundane, without the sort of detailed shaping and creative use of color that we saw in 70676-1. And even as a throwback, I can't say it excites me the way 70679-1 did… perhaps because the Golden Mech's previous set and its TV appearances were not as iconic and memorable as some of the other stuff we've seen re-imagined like the Ultra Dragon, Storm Fighter, Monastery of Spinjitzu, and Samurai Mech.
The updated elemental sword is a neat accessory, although it makes me feel a little disappointed that the Season 3 and 4 inspired Legacy sets don't include any modernized version of those years' signature weapons (Techno Blades and Jadeblades). I guess that's understandable, since those were reliant on more specific mold, whereas the elemental sword mold has continued to find use up in all sorts of sets and themes since its debut. But it still would've been nice to see something more flashy and enticing to follow up on the excitement of the re-imagined Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu in last year's Legacy sets.
KNEEEEES!
This is a great set. My 6 year old hasn’t put it down since we built it together weeks ago.
It’s pretty sturdy although there are a couple of fragile connections.
A couple of good guys vs a couple of bad..... well balanced at a very reasonable price
Great review Capn Rex! I loved all the great detail and considering every aspect of the model. I agree with the display value part. Great review! I will look further into this wonderful build!
@Monsterfighter are you happy now?
@Zackula said:
" @Monsterfighter are you happy now?"
I wouldn’t say happy, but I’m surprised how easy that was!