Review: 41112 Party Cakes
Posted by CapnRex101,Merry Christmas everyone! I have prepared a short review for today in case you find yourself at a loose end at some point. Hopefully you found some LEGO under the tree or in your stocking this morning, perhaps even the set which is the subject of this review...
41112 Party Cakes is among the smallest sets in the latest wave, priced at just £3.99 and containing 50-pieces including a brand new pug, appearing for the first time in LEGO! This is one of five sets that make up the Party subtheme which interests me as it includes a number of new parts, many of which can can be found in even the smallest sets, just like this one.
Although the selection of pieces may be significant draw to the set for many there are several other appealing factors. The low price point combined with the relatively high play value make this an ideal pocket money toy in my opinion, as good as the Mixels or Collectable Minifigures even.
Box and Contents
The tiny box shows the pug sitting on a stool with a range of kitchen paraphernalia behind him (or her) and plenty of food strewn about the area, for both dogs and humans. Legal information occupies the whole of the reverse side while a balloon is shown for scale on the top.
Inside one finds two bags of pieces and a folded instruction manual. Despite the presence of several decorated elements there are no stickers used which is pleasant, although I would not expect there to be in a set of this size.
The Completed Model
For a small set there is a very impressive range of models and accessories included. The first of these is a present which makes use of two brand new 1x2 corner panel elements as well as a printed inverted tile. There have been numerous attempts to create a realistic present at minifigure scale and I think this is one of the best yet, although the colour scheme seems a bit muddled to me. Perhaps it would look more appealing if the 2x2 plate that forms the base was the same colour as the inverted tile on top.
The table is strewn with food as one would expect at a party. The design of the cake is very familiar but effective while a cupcake is also included for lighter appetites. Obviously you will require an invitation to get access to all these goodies, so one of those can be found here too.
Those of you who know me well might be aware of my penchant for LEGO food elements, to say nothing of life size food! This set is excellent in that regard as the main kitchen area includes another cupcake, a carton of milk, two cookies which are hidden in the mixing bowl and a lollipop swirl which acts as the cap for a bottle containing a mysterious blue liquid. Most of the foodstuffs included are more suitable for humans than dogs but don't worry, the star of this set has a bone to gnaw on.
The pug is a brand new LEGO Friends animal and is currently exclusive to this set. The printing is relatively simple but it looks cute and is instantly recognisable as a pug which is all that I expect. Plenty of other new pieces are included too, ranging from a printed party invitation tile to the inverted dome appearing in medium azure for the first time to form the lower half of a balloon. The party hat accessory can slide into a standard Friends pinhole and suits this pug very nicely, as you can see in the final photo.
Overall
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review the parts selection is enormously appealing, extraordinarily so for a set costing just £3.99! That alone justifies the purchase of the set in my opinion as I cannot recall ever finding such a brilliant range of pieces in such a tiny set before.
However, you might not want to disassemble the set for parts as I think it looks great as a whole and includes a range of details as well as lots of play value. A mini-doll might be required to do some of the cooking but I think there is lots of fun to be had with a bit of imagination. If nothing else sways you then the pug certainly should!
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12 comments on this article
I didn't think I'd pick this up, but I'm now considering getting this when a 3-for-2 sale apppears somewhere. Have a great Christmas, Cap'n! ;)
EDIT: Apparently the 2x6 Plate in Lavender has only appeared in three other sets, and I own none of them. And I want the hat, and the printed invite, so I think I'll buy it...
They had me at Lego pug.
Happy Pugmas everyone! I need a Lego pug..
I haven't been too impressed with the 2016 Friends sets (and I was overwhelmingly underwhelmed by the Party Train set. I thought, finally, Heartlake City is getting a railway line! And, nope) but for the pug? Yeah, I'll be picking up one of these.
An invite, gift piece, milk carton, party hat. So many good things here!
LEGO PUG!!!!! :D
This and the set with the two hamsters (Party Train I think (yellow bike? Yes, please) are must for me. I'm not a huge fan of the Friends/Disney Princesses sized dolls (funny, the Elves actually kind of work for me), but I do like to repurpose these sets and elements for my minifig scenes, and the addition of any new fauna elements to give my inhabitants more character are always welcome to me.
Great review captain! I definitely pick up a couple of these for the parts only.
Have yet to buy a Friends set yet despite really enjoying the Elves theme. This maybe a first. Thanks for the review!
The pug is so adorable. Rest of the set, not so much, but I would gladly pay $5 for it.
I love the pug, and I'm very glad he comes with a mini-kitchen instead of the mini-spa! Of course, given the pugly attitude towards food, anything but the mini-kitchen would be quite inappropriate....
This might just be the first Friends setbI am interested in buying. The pug, it speaks to me.