Review: Kai, Nya and Lloyd's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip, Drift and Spin!
Posted by CapnRex101,NINJAGO has involved spinners since the theme was launched, usually representing the ninja in powered up forms. Three have been produced this summer and these sets take an interesting approach to the idea of spinners, with exclusive minifigures too.
71777 Kai's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip, 71778 Nya's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Drift and 71779 Lloyd's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spin will appeal primarily to older collectors because of those unique minifigures, but they should prove appealing for play as well.
Summary
71777 Kai's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip, 72 pieces.
£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99 | 12.5p/15.3c/13.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
These three spinners are fun, although fairly unremarkable outside the minifigures
- Unique style of spinners
- Excellent minifigures
- Mediocre accompanying models for play
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Powered-up versions of the ninja have usually been fun minifigures, but sometimes deviate too much from their standard designs, in my opinion. However, I think Kai retains enough features of the minifigure found in other Dragons Rising sets, including the same shoulder and head wrap elements, the latter of which is attractively decorated with flames on this occasion.
Similar motifs appear on the headgear worn by Nya and Lloyd, while these minifigures display the same dragon symbol on their torsos. This symbol is found on the back of the ninja's normal Dragons Rising attire and I appreciate that continuity, as though their gi have transformed. Also, the characters' initials are shown on their backs in Ninjargon, which is a welcome detail.
The minifigures' trans-orange, trans-light blue and trans-bright green arms look superb as well, similar to the Golden Dragon versions produced last year. I am disappointed with their heads though, which are the same as the other Dragons Rising minifigures. These designs are fine, but some different expressions would have been better. However, the unusual accessories are fun, especially with Nya and Lloyd.
The Completed Models
NINJAGO sets regularly include collectable items and this wave introduces the Dragon Energy Cores. In addition to their appearances in the standard sets, they are also cleverly integrated with the spinners, which I find very effective. Kai's spinner, for instance, rotates around three trans-orange cores, mounted in a three-sided holder element that allows the spheres to spin in any direction.
Of course, there is some friction between the energy cores and the holders, so the spinning function stops more quickly than some previous spinners. Even so, I appreciate this unusual approach to the idea. Additionally, I think the vibrant spheres look superb, with complementary colours on each spinner, alongside pearl gold pieces.
Lloyd's spinner, by contrast, includes a 2x2 slider underneath and rotates on that. This spinning function therefore works better than the other two, as expected given the name 'Lloyd's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spin'. Kai's spinner specialises in flipping through the air when you press down on one of the three golden ingots, while Nya's is seemingly intended to drift in one direction, but all three are able to spin.
Robots accompany each spinner, featuring the black and pearl gold colours associated with Imperium, as well as trans-orange accents. The tallest of them comes in 71777 Kai's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip and offers a little more character than the others, which both stand on 2x2 sliders, so wobble around when struck by the spinners.
Alternatively, the spinners can target totems with Dragon Energy Cores on top. Much like the robots, the fire-themed totem associated with Kai is the largest and most distinctive, although the energy core looks odd, teetering atop four flame pieces. I prefer the bowl provided with Nya, containing some trans-light blue 1x1 round plates with hollow studs.
Lloyd's totem is another basic example, which breaks in half when struck. All three are intended to be knocked over to release the energy cores, which are dual-moulded in pearl gold and trans-clear plastics. This colour combination also appears in 71795 Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores, but the orange and green versions are both exclusive.
Overall
Unsurprisingly, the minifigures are the most appealing aspect of these sets, although I like the integration of the Dragon Energy Cores on each spinner too. Collectable items are common in NINJAGO, but combining them with the spinners is clever. The presence of two unique cores is enticing as well, for anyone collecting them all.
I find the totems supporting the Dragon Energy Cores slightly underwhelming on the whole, but they serve a clear purpose for play. Each set costs £8.99, $10.99 or €9.99, which seems a little expensive, but spinners like these are often discounted. In that case, I think these sets warrant consideration, especially for the exclusive minifigures.
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12 comments on this article
Gotta love Ninjago Dragon Balls
I do love shiny Ninjago Dragon Balls!
@Yorick said:
"Gotta love Ninjago Dragon Balls"
Ninjago Ball Z confirmed?
Despite all the newer pieces in them, those robots remind me of the ones from the Classic Space-to-M-Tron era, not quite sure why. Also, nice to see the old Atlantis trident in Nya's spinner.
New Elementary said the marbles and the back holder allow interesting things. Might have to get one to inspect.
These look like fun little sets, for €10 a piece I may just pick them up even if Ninjago is not my theme. And they are already discontinued on German Amazon, so even less than 10
Nice to see Nya included in these again. Last time she was in one of these gimmick set lineups was back in 2019, if I’m not mistaken. And she had the misfortune of being stuck in a double pack with Wu instead of her own separate set.
Jump up, flip back, drift around and spin! And then we jump back do it again...
I am so dissapointed in these new balls and bearings. We could get a cool new system, but those nests are blocking balls almost imidiatelly when you apply even weak force
I bought the Nya set, a couple of weeks ago. I have to say, I was really disappointed.
The figure is gorgeous, and honestly, that was the reason I bought the set, so no complaints there. But the ball/spinning gimmick was just terrible. It just didn't work. There was just too much friction between the marbles and the holder, and it barely moved.
The exclusive minifigures are the only reason I'd bother with them, but I won't be buying the other two.
@Yorick said:
"Gotta love Ninjago Dragon Balls"
(Groans) Come on really?!
You forgot zane's spinjitzu car!