The LEGO® Group and Adidas have collaborated for some time. Several different sneakers hit the market following the initial pairing. I even bought a couple of pairs. Additionally, in June, the LEGO® Group released a new Adidas Superstar Originals set (10282). To coincide with the release, they also produced a special gift-with-purchase (GWP), the Mini Adidas Originals Superstar. As I write this, the promotion ended. However, I did score one on a recent trip to the LEGO® Store, and I thought we would take a look anyway. This Minifigure is just too cool to not mention 😉
MINI ADIDAS ORIGINALS SUPERSTAR SUMMARY
- NAME: Mini Adidas Originals Superstar
- SET #: 40486
- THEME: Creator Expert (18+)
- COST: Gift-With-Purchases over $110 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 92
- MINIFIGURES: 1
- RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2021
MINI ADIDAS ORIGINALS SUPERSTAR QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 100% (Gift-with-purchase, you can’t beat free bricks.)
- BUILD: 90% (Nice overall design, but I wish the character fit in the shoe.)
- MINIFIGURES: 84% (The minifig needs more Adidas branding, but the bricks/fig is amazing.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (I love this little set, especially as a GWP.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 94% (Excellent set.)
MINI ADIDAS ORIGINALS SUPERSTAR REVIEW
VALUE: 100%
I am a sucker for a good gift-with-purchase. I always say that you cannot beat free LEGO® bricks. This particular freebie came with purchases over $110 in Canada. However, a set of this size usually retails for $13.99. At that price, the cost-per-brick works out to $0.152, which is satisfactory. Additionally, the set provided 12 minutes of build time. If purchased, that is a passable amount of assembly, but it is not great. Consequently, I am quite happy to get this set for free with a purchase I was making anyway. Because this set was a GWP, I rate the value at 100%.
BUILD: 90%
As the name suggests, you put together a small sneaker with this set. The product looks good, and even employs a new, interesting technique. The laces are t-pieces pushed through a 2×6 plate with holes. They lock in place using ½ bushings hidden under the plate and inside the shoe. Additionally, for such a small kit, designers managed to capture the contours of the Adidas sneaker quite well. However, I have two nit-picky issues with the design. Firstly, the stripes on the side fasten loosely. One stud holds each printed plate in place. Consequently, each plate rotates and does not stay straight. Secondly, the shoe opening is not large enough to accommodate the Minifigure. I think display would work better if the Minifigure could stand in the shoe. Overall, I rate the build at 90%.
MINIFIGURES: 84%
The Mini Adidas Originals Superstar comes with one amazing Minifigure. Truth be told, the only reason I really wanted this set was for the character that comes with it. He features a 2×3 brick costume with a plate overtop. The plate has an Adidas sticker over it. The 2×3 brick costume is the same seen in the Minifigure series. Otherwise, he has all the standard parts in addition to a microphone and a boombox. Unfortunately, his face features a classic smiley face though. That is a missed opportunity in my opinion. Some leg printing would make this Minifigure better too. He should sport the three striped track pants as well as a bit of shoe printing. I rate the design at 73%. However, the brick-to-fig ratio is amazing. One minifig per 92 bricks earns a score of 95%. Averaging the two scores gives an overall Minifigure rating of 84%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
Despite thinking the Minifigure needs a bit more detailing, I love this set. It is one of the better GWPs this year for sure. The Minifigure is still unique, and shoe is fun. One day, I will build a sports store for my LEGO® city. This shoe makes an excellent display piece in such a MOC. The Minifigure suits a sports store as well. Truthfully, if the set was not a GWP, I probably would buy it anyway. I do not feel the need to buy the larger version (10282). This mini version suits my taste and desire for Minifigures well. The set works even better as a GWP. I rate the entertainment at 100%.
OVERALL SCORE: 94%
If I am being honest, I would rate this set lower if it was not free. The estimated value of the set at retail does not translate to a good cost-per-brick or build time value. However, it was free with a purchase I was going to make anyway. While the Minifigure is not as detailed as it could be, it is still unique and very cute. The shoe design translates well and has display potential in MOCs or on your shelf. The Mini Adidas Originals Superstar is one of my favorite GWPs of 2021 so far. How do you feel about it? Please comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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