LEGO Super Heroes #76008 Iron Man vs. The Mandarin: Ultimate Showdown Review

Theme: Super Heroes
Name: Iron Man vs. The Mandarin: Ultimate Showdown
S/N: #76008
Year: 2013
Pieces: 91
Minifig: 2
Price: RM-, USD12.99, GBP11.99

Box

Iron Man movie are coming soon, while the set already been released in some countries but not here, maybe going to hit out shore soon. The set seems ugly, but oh well, let's give it a review first. The front of the box are printed with serial number, name and the number of pieces since I get US version, while the top side shows you the Heartbreaker armor in actual scale. The back are trying to show the playability of this set.

Content

I recall I read somewhere, an article, where they said LEGO are reducing the size of the box, good and bad. The small box here contains two bags of parts, a hose and an instruction booklet.

Accessory

There is a gun given for the Mandarin, so far I see most of the minifigs are using this kind of gun in Super Heroes Universe, namely Deadpool, Gordon, Killain and Mandarin.

Minifigs

This is what I'm after all this while and finally I get them. There is nothing special about Mandarin, since the beard and hair is not something new, his outfit somewhat looks like a cowboy like outfit with a little taste of military to me, printed on the front and back. He comes with two different expression too.

Iron Man on the other hand is a little inaccurate especially the helmet, which the same mold are being use just added with some paint and it makes it far from accurate if were to compare to movie version. The gold paint are darker too if were to compare with Avengers version. The torso are nicely printed on both front and back and the silver and gold pain is a little glossy too. His leg are printed too.

The Mandarin's Armored Car

In the cartoon, the Mandarin are not wearing armor, so, this movie probably will not have any armored enemy. His most powerful weapons are the dragon summoned by the rings (that is what I heard from my friend), maybe that is why in the movie they come out with armored flame thrower car that is ugly.

The car does come with a steering for Mandarin to control and although this is a small car, there are enough space to fit the long beard Mandarin. Mandarin fit into the seat very well.

There are clippers on both side of the cars and I got no idea what is that light, maybe is just a spotlight on the left, that is use to decorate the armored car while on the right, the clipper are made to hold the Mandarin's gun. Did he need a gun? I think his rings are sufficient.

The armored car playability, maybe the whole playset playability are all in this one long thing. This flame thrower here are rotatable, adjustable and even the flick fire missiles are installed on it.

I think there is a limit to adjusting this thing when the Mandarin are drive this armored car. While for the hose, it was attached to some movable part, which I think is a good idea. With this method use when you adjust the flame thrower, the hose will not came off that easily. Something to be praised.

Just in case the flame thrower are at the lowest point being adjusted, you can adjusted the tip of the flame thrower in both up and down direction. Maybe you can barbeque your Mandarin too. :)

Here's the two flick-fire missiles or maybe fire ball in a stick and cone shape. I guess this is one of the best  and the only way that they can signify it, otherwise a whole chunky mechanism will be needed which might turn out to be too heavy and are not able to support by the clips.

Extra pieces

I'm surprise to see we have extra rounded translucent blue parts (use as the booster) include as our extra.

Completed model

Although the armored car are small and ugly, but I would say is a good set as the parts might be useful though not many that I like. Both the minifigs are attractive and Iron Man do stand out too, just that the helmet that is wrong. Overall this are affordable set, just don't miss it especially if you are Iron Man fans.

Playability: 6/10 Small but at least there are a number of different functions

Building experience: 6/10Fun and quick build and suitable for children, though the outcome are not that impressing.

Parts: 6/10 Like the translucent parts, but you have the slope grill parts in dark green and hose.

Value for money: -/10 I estimated 70MYR for this set, which I think is reasonble before and after 10% discount.

Overall: 6/10 Nice figs, ugly car, with some nice parts.