LEGO unveil official Sonic Green Hill Zone set

In 2016, the undisputed masters of plastic building blocks, surprisingly entertaining theatrical adaptations, and injured bare feet everywhere, LEGO, announced a collaboration with SEGA. They’d be producing an official Sonic the Hedgehog minifigure. It was complete with miniature Tornado and Sonic Speedster (from the All-Stars Racing games), thus filling a niche many gaming fans had pined to see catered to for ages. It seemed like a match made in heaven; the cocky irreverence of the Blue Blur paired off with the freeform spirit championed by those eccentric Danish modellers.

However, there was one small snag. The figure was intended for use with LEGO Dimensions, the rather brilliant but hopelessly overpriced (and ultimately ill-fated) toys-to-life crossover game from Traveller’s Tales. The hedgehog joined the likes of Batman, Emmet Brickowski, Gandalf, Homer Simpson, Marty McFly, Harry Potter, Chell and more in a crazy, universe-mashing adventure. If you owned that title, the figures would unlock a pretty awesome extra stage and open-world map. If you didn’t (and let’s face it, with the $70 entry fee, lots of folks didn’t) you weren’t getting a lot of bang for your buck. Three tiny little builds, to sit idly on your shelf, for 30-odd bucks; a price tag far above what was usual for the dollar-to-piece-count ratio on offer in the set. It was a shame, too, as the Sonic figure itself was stellar, rocking a custom head mould and gold ring accessory. Many fans clamoured to see the Sonic license used elsewhere in the House of LEGO, and now, that’s finally come true.

Sonic LEGO origins

As ComicBook.com reports, LEGO have finally lifted the lid on a long-rumoured Green Hill Zone set. Its story begins with the ‘LEGO Ideas’ scheme. It’s a novel system the company runs that allows customers to vote on set concepts online, with the most popular designs entering production. The original layout for the Green Hill build was submitted by one Viv Grannell. They were well chuffed to hear her tribute to all things blue n’ speedy had been picked up. “It was really gratifying to see so many people rallying behind the concept, if a tad overwhelming,” she states in the report. “Sonic fans are incredibly powerful, and I daresay they don’t get enough credit for the compassion and energy that drives them. Learning the truth about its selection for further development, meanwhile, was downright incredible. I won’t say I didn’t think it was a possibility before it happened, but it was absolutely grand, no two ways about it. Quite a relief as well – sometimes you don’t realise you’re holding your breath until you no longer have to.” I for one am glad that Viv can finally enjoy the benefits of oxygen again.

Images and descriptions of the then-unannounced set have been circulating the darker corners of the ‘net in recent months, so it’s pleasing to see it come out into the light at last. Check it out below:

How much will this LEGO set cost?

The set will retail for $69.99, or £59.99, and comes with a far more reasonable piece count of 1125. Measuring nearly 40cm long and 20cm high, it’s a diorama depicting the iconic zone as it appears in Sonic Mania. It’s riddled with details that fans are sure to pick up on. It comes complete with a Motobug, a Crabmeat, a brick-built Dr. Eggman, seven Chaos Emeralds scattered throughout for you to find and display, and the Phantom Ruby. There’s even a LEGO Technic mechanism included that’ll allow Sonic to bounce across the environment. Better be careful, lest he take your eye out.

Given the miniscule scale of the set, obviously some liberties have been taken in the depiction of some of these elements. On the whole, it looks fantastic. It’s a testament to the quality of the Dimensions mould that the Sonic figure himself is essentially unchanged from that incarnation, right down to the toilet seat they’ve painted yellow to represent a ring. Budget cuts and all that, eh, Sonic?

Official release date

LEGO designer and Master Builder Sam Johnson had the following to say about the product: “Just about anyone who has enjoyed video games on any level in the last 30 years, knows and loves Sonic; and has probably sped through the unforgettable Green Hill Zone with him. We have designed this set to be just as colourful and fun as the in-game version of the Green Hill Zone… then filled it with lots of easter eggs and even prizes to help fans enjoy some of their most beloved gaming icons in a brand-new way.”

Builders eager to get their clawed plastic hands on this set won’t have to wait long. It’s due out imminently, in four days’ time: January the 1st. I know what some of my Christmas money is going towards. Sorry, Nintendo. Your pricey online subscription will have to wait – Papa needs to channel his inner Will Ferrell. The age on the box is a suggestion.

Will you be picking up this set? Are you happy to see it confirmed? Let us know!

Via, ComicBook.com.