A bit unusual but somewhat related to tech interests, I had the chance to try the new Adventures with Luigi Starter Course Lego set for this review.
Like other Lego sets, Adventures with Luigi Starter Course (and the expansion kits) are full of wonders. The set designers managed to get the spirit of the Mario and Luigi games, translate that into a physical game that will definitely enchant your kids – if you don’t fall in love with it too.
Aimed at kids six years old and over, you will find even teenagers – and yourself - will enjoy spending a few hours putting together the 280 pieces set.
To get things going you will need to install the Lego app on your smartphone. This is important because all building instructions are available through the app. You add the set to your account and the app will guide you, step by step on how to put the pieces together.
Each part of the set come in separate numbered bags and once open you can just follow the on-screen instructions. Those are instructions are interactive and allow you to pause, go back and forward and even rotate the on-screen pieces so you can see them from different angles when in doubt on how to put them together.
The first bit you put together is Luigi. Here is the first surprise: Luigi comes with a brain. It comes as a block that you attach the ears, moustache, arms and hands but the main part of the body comes as a single block containing a battery compartment, a special sensor at the bottom of its feet and a small LCD screen that sits behind the cutout of his face and tummy.
The cutout for the eyes is very well done and Luigi will blink, look around and close his eyes depending on the game. The rest of the display visible on this torso works as a very small screen to give you feedback such as explosion-like animations or showing coins when you are rewarded.
Once you put Luigi together you get the first glimpse of how the game is played. The app tells you to perform some actions over a special piece that contains a bar code. It also asks you to tap on top of different coloured pieces and each time Luigi will recognise the colours – that's right it not only recognises the bar codes but also allows you to interact with colours.
Once you spend a couple of hours putting together all the pieces you can then play the game.
The app will present the first course – you put together some pieces with blocks linking one to another. You have to make sure the pieces are placed in the same sequence and colours as the app shows you.
Once this is done, you turn Luigi on and push the Bluetooth button. It will pair with your phone and you can start the course.
You tap Luigi on top of the starter bar code and a timer starts. You then have to tap each linking block in order for it to recognise the colour and confirm you are following the trail. For each piece with a bar code you find on your way you will be rewarded some coin or even more time depending on the code. If you find any villain on your way, you have to repeatedly tap the bar code on its back until Luigi wins the “fight” and you can move to the next block.
Once you reach the last piece (the one with a flag) and scan the bar code, the app will accumulate the coins earned and show you the next level – build the next course and try again. Over time the courses get longer and more challenging.
You can be creative and design your own courses. The app allows you to take photos of your creations and share them with the Lego community.
I had the set on our dinner table for a few nights and every now and then I would just build the next course and complete it – just for the fun of it. Amazing how a simple idea can turn into something challenging and interesting.
Expansion sets are available – I was sent one with the original starter course. Again, you add them to your account and the app provides the instructions to put the pieces together. You then are offered new courses that include those pieces.
Adventures with Luigi Starter Course and the other expansion sets are a great way to spend time together with kids, or simply enjoy the game yourself.
