Review: 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech
Posted by CapnRex101,Monkie Kid has attracted criticism because few smaller and therefore more affordable sets have been released. However, the latest wave includes two desirable sets costing only £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99, featuring important characters from this oft-overlooked theme.
80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech is arguably the more eye-catching, given its potential for exceptionally dynamic posing. This model therefore provides surprising display value, so could be a suitable introduction to the Monkie Kid range.
Summary
80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech, 277 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 6.5p/7.2c/7.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Superb articulation elevates the Combi Mech, which is suited to play and display
- Appealing proportions and colours
- Outstanding articulation
- Lacklustre opposing model
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
This version of Monkie Kid originally appeared in 80034 Nezha's Fire Ring, featuring red, flame yellowish orange and metallic gold armour, with teal highlights on the elbows and knees. I am glad to see the minifigure return in a more affordable set because it is beautifully detailed, even including printed arms.
Monkie Kid's red-tinted visor looks superb as well, matching his headband. A more conventional angry expression appears on the other side of the head. While an exclusive iteration of the hero would have been preferable, this minifigure is excellent and suits the Combi Mech quite nicely.
A lone Ink Demon challenges Monkie Kid, which is perhaps disappointing since the companion 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet contains three minifigures. Nevertheless, I like the character's outwardly amorphous form, presumably consisting wholly of ink, but barely held together within yellow and metallic gold armour.
The purple highlights are odd, although include a symbol that connects the Ink Demons with the animal demons found in other sets. The black hair piece works well, somehow resembling both traditional hair and ink. However, exactly the same Ink Demon minifigure appears in three of the new Monkie Kid sets, so there was definitely an opportunity for greater variety.
The demon carries a sword in one hand, with a black Power Blast representing a splash of ink in the other. Monkie Kid, meanwhile, is equipped with his staff. The new handgrip elements are not included, unfortunately, but I like these metallic gold pieces.
The Completed Model
In addition to handheld weapons, the Ink Demon can also launch 1x1 round bricks from a simple catapult. This structure is compatible with modules found in several Monkie Kid sets, although it seems rather bland. The yellow Technic pin on the catapult looks awkward and I think the plants surrounding this catapult could have been developed further.
Monkie Kid has already piloted several mechs in the three years since this theme was launched and the latest example is familiar. The red, flame yellowish orange and teal colours are shared with previous models while the height of nearly 14cm is close to Monkie Kid's mech from 80028 The Bone Demon. However, this design is much more elaborate and altogether better.
Small mechs often benefit from comprehensive articulation, as their limbs are relatively light and there are abundant options for joints. Even so, the Combi Mech is remarkably dynamic. Joints at the shoulders, wrists, hips, knees and ankles are common among mechs of this size, but these are sometimes restricted by armour. There are no such restrictions here though, so the mech's action poses can look fantastic.
Unlike many other mechs of equivalent scale, this design avoids specialised cockpit pieces. The resulting shape looks good and I like these stickers, although eight are included in total, which is rather a lot for a small model. Additionally, the sides of the cockpit are not completely enclosed and I think they could have been.
The chest armour is attached using a click hinge, so can be opened to access the minifigure, as shown below. I like the controls and targeting display inside, especially since their bright colours reflect the mech's exterior, although this sticker is actually oriented incorrectly in the instruction manual.
I think the shoulders are the most important feature of successful mechs, as the whole profile of each model can change, depending on their shape. These bulbous car bonnet elements give an impression of strength and are adjustable to accommodate the shoulder articulation. The fingers are also poseable, while the thumbs cleverly double as stud shooters!
Articulated thumbs would be helpful for gripping accessories, but clips suffice on this model and the stud shooters appear natural. Alongside a familiar staff, the Combi Mech also wields a huge sword. The blade was produced specifically for Monkie Kid, so incorporates cloud motifs. Both weapons can be stored on the mech's back, although the sword resembles a banner because of its substantial size.
Like the torso, the legs resemble those on other mechs, but are uniquely constructed. The knee joints, for instance, integrate click hinges rather than more conventional ball joints. The shape of the armour covering the lower legs is very similar to other mechs though, featuring the 2x5 shell designed for precisely this purpose and introduced last year.
Overall
There has been considerable interest in smaller Monkie Kid sets and I think 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech achieves everything I would hope for, given its modest price. While certainly not as elaborate as its bigger alternatives, this mech includes some distinctive features and remarkable articulation, so looks marvellous on display when properly posed.
Another minifigure would have been great and the Ink Demon's catapult leaves something to be desired, but the attention is deservedly focused on the Combi Mech. For the relatively low price of £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99, I think this is an excellent addition to the Monkie Kid range and one which only improves when combined with 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet. That feature will be discussed in a separate article.
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22 comments on this article
Pleasantly surprised by the price of this one! Quite like the stud shooter thumbs.
The $15-Marvel Mechs should be designed like this.
Has a lot more articulation.
Definitely getting this one. Looks great! And seems like a good, cheaper alternative to the larger Monkie Kid mechs.
Might be my first Monkie Kid set.
Looks great but, sadly, local LEGO stores that I frequent do not carry Monkie Kid.
A very good small mech design! The knees look incredibly well-done, and the combination feature is the icing on the cake. I might pass on this one since I'm getting the larger mech this year, but it's good that cheaper options are finally available for this theme (even though for American and European Lego stores that have stopped carrying the theme, it might be too little, too late).
I also appreciate that while the MK fig is a repeat (as opposed to one of the new ones for this year), it is a rare variant that only previously appeared in one larger set! The Iron Man-esque "mech armor" suits this set well and it's great that people will be able to get that excellent fig design for cheaper.
@winbrant said:
"Looks great but, sadly, local LEGO stores that I frequent do not carry Monkie Kid.
"
This is my main issue with this line - not really available in store, no chance for an impulse buy!
How do these compare size-wise with the Marvel mechs? Monkie Kid taking on Thanos would be interesting!
Nice review, I will definitely be picking this one up.
Thanks for the note on the sticker being incorrect in the instructions. I found a couple (very subtle) errors for 71765 Ninja Ultra Combo Mech and when I reported it, they gave me some VIP points. I haven't checked to see if they've updated the instructions though.
I am looking forward to seeing the combination with 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet in more detail!
I wasn't paying that much attention to the pics before this review, but it appears the design of that mech is superb - much better than the current Marvel mechs series. Am I the only one to get the feeling that this design looks like a discarded and remodelled small scale Hulkbuster?
In the land of static-leg LEGO mechs, he who can bend his knees is king.
I kinda want this one now!
"this oft-overlooked theme"
It may be overlooked by those who are not in the target market (i.e., us westerners), but it has been one of the best-selling themes in Asia, which seems appropriate to me as that is the primary market they are targeting.
As others have noted, Marvel mech designers should take note.
This looks good - I'll be digging into the instructions to see how easily this will work as a template for other small mechs.
So, will the combining feature be a separate article, or will it be lumped in with 80041's review?
@imemine98: I'm picturing Monkie kid going after Thanos because Mei got snapped and he doesn't have anyone to combine with now.
@GBP_Chris: 21109 will brook no challengers, especially ones with immobile thumbs.
Love this little set, glad to see monkie kid get smaller sets. Hopefully we see MK get more traction, I'd love to see more reviews. I have an idea in my mind of the 3 problems of monkie kid, being -
1) not much traction in the west/underrated/overlooked
2) sets being expensive and waves having high price entry barriers
3) lego doesnt have enough faith in the theme and its now only sold on their website, severally limiting impulse buys/ even knowing about the theme
Im glad to see 2 being taken care of, and hopefully with more reviews on the way (for the jet at least) we can fight problem 1. 3 will be the long game sadly.
Monkie kid is probably one of the best original lego themes you can get, and its a shame not many people are familiar with the source material. The cartoon is also beautiful, its an absolute masterpiece to watch and enjoy.
Cheers Capn' for the review, hope to see more of the kid and his crew in the future! Can we expect a team hideout review soon as well?
Those thumbs get a thumbs up!!
Man this set really makes me yearn for an Exo-Force reboot.
But I guess it never really died. All the mechs just went to other themes. And Ninjago.
Seriously this is a great mech. Knee joints, shoulders, ankles. It’s got it all! I hope I can find it.
Such a wicked lil mech for the price
@Goujon said:
"The cartoon is also beautiful, its an absolute masterpiece to watch and enjoy."
I like the animation, but after the A Hero is Born pilot, the story devolved into a wacky hyper Teen Titans Go clone that I quit watching after 2 episodes. Does it really get better in subsequent seasons?
@Norikins said:
" @Goujon said:
"The cartoon is also beautiful, its an absolute masterpiece to watch and enjoy."
I like the animation, but after the A Hero is Born pilot, the story devolved into a wacky hyper Teen Titans Go clone that I quit watching after 2 episodes. Does it really get better in subsequent seasons?"
Season 1 is somewhat storyline based, with basicly the main story being the side plot and the random stuff being front and centre. Season 2 and 3 are much better when it comes to story telling and the specials are pretty damn good as well.
@ItisNoe said:
"Might be my first Monkie Kid set."
This theme is sneaky-good.
The prices have trended high but the design work on these sets is really hard to ignore. You should give the theme a closer look--I have yet to be disappointed!
Somehow I missed this review. I'm very, VERY happy they decided to finally make a set like this again. The only other 'small' MK set that wasn't a polybag (and thus not available anywhere closeby) was from the 2nd wave and that was the standard two bikes sort of set.
I might pick this one up this year as my first MK set. Better late than never, huh? Now I just hope I can actually find the thing anywhere here...