We love our LEGO PAC-MAN set; there's just something poetic about fusing two of our favourite childhood pastimes and building something that represents retro gaming and games as a whole. It's why, after looking on the LEGO Ideas page while having a cup of tea, I've dropped everything, grabbed my laptop, and begun writing about this LEGO Tetris arcade set, because it could be one of the most nostalgic-inspiring pieces you see all year.
Just take a look at this set by Fabrizio, aka Fabrick_89. It instantly reminds me of the Sonic Mountain pinball game that I had as a kid, except it's something that incorporates two of the most iconic block brands of all time - LEGO and Tetris. This set doesn't just look the part; it's fully playable too, the perfect homage to two of the most played, most cherished, and most respected names on the planet.
So how does this work? Well, as I said, it's a set that Fabrick_89 has designed so you can build, display, and play. The set recreates the feel of a classic arcade cabinet design and is incredibly bright and colourful thanks to the Tetris block colouring on the outside. It's a truly beautiful piece that is almost halfway to meeting its second milestone of 1,000 supporters, a milestone it has a year to reach, in just 24 hours.
The Tetrimono pieces themselves are housed inside the cabinet itself and move down through vertical guide rails built into the set. The pieces slide down the play area you can see while looking at the front of the cabinet, and you can move them around using your fingers. Essentially, it's drag and drop, LEGO Tetris style.
But that's not the only thing that is making fans excited about this LEGO set. At the back of the arcade is a hidden room with two floors, giving you a retro arcade hall vibe. On the upper floor is a Tetris gaming station with Tetris branding, while the lower floor has more arcade games and a snack area. It's a nice little touch that adds even more nostalgia to this set and provides a second 'whoah' moment to the people who have already had their mind blown after seeing the set on display in your game room.
The combination of display piece, playable elements, and hidden surprises is what we look for in LEGO sets. It's why we love the LEGO Sega Genesis controller and other LEGO Ideas sets like this giant Furby. It's all about evoking that childhood excitement from the first time we played with LEGO, and Fabrick_89 has nailed it here.
As with all LEGO Ideas sets, it will need to hit 10,000 votes before it's considered by the LEGO Ideas judges. I don't think this set will have any problems hitting that target, but to help it along, you can head to the official project page and show your support for free!
