Flowers often give an impression of elegance and beauty, but the one we're playing with today is a different story! The new "71426 Piranha Plant" set, a collaboration between the Danish LEGO company and Nintendo under the "Super Mario Bros." theme, is set to be released on November 6, 2023. Its incredible accuracy makes you really want to collect multiples and build a Piranha Plant army!
The Piranha Plant first emerged from a green pipe in World 1-2 of the 1985 video game "Super Mario Bros." Initially, the Piranha Plant wasn't even red; it wasn't until 1990's "Super Mario Bros. 3" that its color scheme became the familiar red, green, and white combination we know today. The Piranha Plant is an enemy that cannot be defeated by stomping; it must be attacked with fireballs or turtle shells. Various subspecies have appeared since, and it has also been featured in other games like "Mario Kart 8." In "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," it is even a playable character, making it a truly iconic symbol of the "Super Mario Bros." video game series.
This "71426 Piranha Plant" set, much like previous releases such as "71374 Nintendo Entertainment System & Retro TV," "71395 Super Mario 64 ? Block," and "71411 The Mighty Bowser," is targeted at adult LEGO fans. It extensively smooths out the studded texture, achieving an incredibly high level of accuracy! The front of the box features a black background, showcasing the completed Piranha Plant model, with a red LEGO brick pattern at the bottom.
▼ The back displays lifestyle photos and the detailed specifications of the set. Once assembled, it stands 23 cm tall, making it a model that doesn't take up much space but remains visually striking.
▼ The side shows the Piranha Plant in a menacing pose. So cute.
▼ The top highlights the highly anticipated red 1/4 circle pieces printed with white dots.
▼ Let's hurry up and open it! There are 6 bags of parts, totaling 540 pieces.
▼ The front of the instruction manual shows the LEGO version of the Piranha Plant, while the back features its in-game artwork.
▼ The designers of "71426 Piranha Plant" are Carl Merriam and Steve. Carl Merriam, with his handlebar mustache, was also involved in the design of "71411 The Mighty Bowser."
▼ This instruction manual also includes a history of the Piranha Plant's evolution, which is sure to excite video game fans.
▼ Now, let's get building~!
▼ And it's complete! First, let's take a look at this LEGO Piranha Plant from all angles. The pipe, stem, and leaves are presented in three different shades of green, which, combined with the red and white head, creates a strong visual contrast. The thick white lips are reminiscent of the building technique used for Bowser's shell, and the articulated leaves allow for more dynamic posing.
▼ The highly detailed pipe is constructed using numerous curved pieces. The assembly process involves building an internal structure that allows for side-to-side adjustment, then attaching the outer curved elements one by one. It's worth noting that the ball joint inside has excellent friction, capable of supporting the top-heavy Piranha Plant. Plus, there's a small mechanism hidden at the bottom, which we'll look at later.
▼ The assembly process for the flower head is very interesting. You start with the lower jaw and gradually build up the entire man-eating head. The choice of parts for the sharp teeth is quite brilliant, and Technic elements are used to create a sturdy frame.
▼ These new Technic parts are used to connect the upper and lower jaws. The pink interior of the mouth is super cute.
▼ Add these 1/4 circle pieces to the outer layer, and it's done! This is also designer Carl Merriam's favorite part.
▼ The opening angle of the mouth is quite wide!
▼ However, due to the weight of the head, this joint tends to droop all the way down. The range of motion is limited, mostly allowing for side-to-side movement; adjusting it up and down isn't as easy. Therefore, you need to make good use of the lower stem and leaves to enhance the model's poseability.
▼ Of course, you can still pose it with its mouth wide open, ready to swallow an unsuspecting Mario who isn't watching his step!
▼ The flower part can be easily lifted out of the pipe, immediately bringing to mind the bizarre sight of Piranha Plants walking around without their pipes in the recent "Super Mario Bros. Wonder"!
▼ Two coins!
▼ You can drop the coins into the pipe and press the side to pop open the trapdoor at the bottom. This not only echoes the game mechanic of occasionally getting coins after defeating a Piranha Plant but also allows it to function as a small coin bank!
▼ It's also quite interesting to display it with other plants! After all, it's the newest addition to the Botanical Collection, right? (Not really)
▼ A danger lurking in a small roadside garden.
LEGO 71426 "Piranha Plant" Unboxing Summary:
This LEGO Piranha Plant is an exquisite, compact set. Its accuracy as a LEGO model, the fresh building experience, and the completeness of the final design are all excellent. It's also incredibly cute on display. Personally, I'm most captivated by the design of the flower head, which cleverly combines Technic elements, basic bricks, and the printed 1/4 circle pieces—it just gets more charming the more you look at it! The unexpected functionality as a desktop coin bank is another great feature. Whether you place it on your desk, a bookshelf, or even let it sunbathe on the balcony occasionally, it's a perfect fit!
LEGO 71426 Super Mario™ Piranha Plant
Recommended Price: NT$2,499, Piece Count: 540, Expected Release Date: November 6, 2023, available at designated retailers across Taiwan