A Quality Modular? LEGO X-Mansion Breakdown (Set 76294)

In what is now an annual tradition, Lego announced a new Marvel modular, this one being the X-Mansion (set 76294). With a better size compared to the Daily Bugle and Avenger's Tower, this set could fit in very nicely with your modular city. However, there are some significant drawbacks, as we explain in this video. Why does it cost so much? And does it have enough exterior detail to hold up well with your modulars? Find out here.
#lego #newrelease #xmen #marvel

[@Angrist17]

I love the IDEA of the Marvel "modulars". They're cool buildings that mostly fit with the rest of the series, they fit well in a city, and have some nice designs. But they are SO expensive, loaded with stickers, and feel smaller than they should for the price.

[@octowoomyg6672]

Nah, daily bugle and tower are such good value for what you get, it’s just the one off Modular’s that come out every other year that are a bit iffy

[@brianwelter8868]

Excellent logical and reasonable analysis! I appreciate your price focus and your comparison with the Natural History Museum.

[@Krypto_Bricks]

Great unbiased analysis! The lack of exterior details I think is for two reasons. The source material building is pretty plain on the exterior on purpose for the anonymity of the mutant school. And two, they seemed to focus more on playability here. The larger pieces allow it to be played with, without constantly knocking off small parts as you do. Definitely picking this one up as an xmen fan!

[@cocoa7053]

If I just looked at the exterior alone, I would think that this was originally designed as a playset, and was then modified to be a modular-compatible set. It’s on the same level of detail as Friends sets or that one Jurassic Park mansion - which are detailed, but not quite at the modular-level. It looks very simple, and your analysis did a fantastic job explaining exactly why. The Natural History Museum is exceptional in its detail. And when you compare the museum and the x-mansion, the difference is just night and day. That being said, I am a huge fan of the museum, so I may be baised there! Your analyses are fantastic and I’m glad your channel has been growing so much recently. Keep up the great work!

[@joevictor53]

Yessss! This is how I feel about it. It looks like a playset that was blown up instead of an actual 18+ set. I wish this looked better from the outside like the museum or the Home Alone house

[@gumbycat5226]

I am a modular fan, especially of the early ones. I don't like how recent modulars tried to have little side-buildings in garishly different colours, or how the bookshop was such a crib on the pet shop. But I do like the natural history museum, except that it has the same flaw as the second "inadequate" modular, the brick bank, in being too low for the theme. I don't think this new building is compatible with the modulars; it just screams "simplistic", something none of them do. And, there is a fourth objective criterion which you missed: all modulars have a tall ground floor of more-or-less the same height. The Sanctum did have this feature but I don't think this new building has it.

[@M-Batman]

I decided to go with Mos Eisley Cantina. $200-250 would have been the sweet spot for this set.

[@The_Presbyterian]

I think I will buy the minifigures and make this a recolor of the natural history museum

[@YoungestGo1st]

Finally good to hear a non-LAN member offer an unbiased and honest perspective on this set. I'm picking this up eventually but I'm definitely waiting for a discount. Lego is tone-deaf right now, completely ignoring the fact that most of the world is struggling economically and customers are being way choosier with their discretionary income. If they're going to charge $330, at least make it worth to consumers!

[@SO-ym3zs]

This is why I spend more time and money on competitor's sets now: a lot of their sets are more interesting, of high quality, and often a heck of a lot cheaper than Lego.

[@amusingmoose9924]

@@SO-ym3zswhat are reliable competitors?

[@SO-ym3zs]

@@amusingmoose9924 Cobi is outstanding. Pantasy and Cada also make some really nice stuff. There are others that are well regarded, with more jumping into the fray all the time. There are number of channels that cover competitor sets partially or exclusively that are worth looking at for reviews and info before you buy.

[@RicardoMartinezBenesenes]

Thank you for this great breakdown - keep up the good work.

[@dd_zzero6827]

This looks good but I like all your analysis on it when it comes to the negatives. I wouldn't use it as a modular to be right next to other buildings. This mansion is supposed to stand alone with a lot of grounds around it.

[@joevictor53]

I wish they'd made it as a standalone building like the Home Alone house instead of trying to make it a modular

[@neilrusling-je6zo]

Could not agree more, a ten outa ten review. The Sanctum Santorum they took an okay looking building and made it glorious, the X-Men mansion is a glorious looking building and they made it look barely okay. It is poor, let us be blunt, we have a set that looks like it is from 20 years ago with its details, they are going to have to do some serious discount on this set before I get my wallet out. The X-Men Mansion is huge and iconic, it looks like someone packed up an English Stately Home and put it on a boat across the Atlantic and rebuilt it, this set gives me none of that. This should have been 4000 pieces MINIMUM, and two baseplates wide. The Home Alone family home looks bigger and better than a Regency palace turned boarding school...work that one out? This thing is a cash grab, we are getting robbed, this thing is the very definition of "OVERPRICED", it screams poor value from every single brick.

[@brickademy]

Nobody robbing you. Keep your money😂

[@SO-ym3zs]

I think you hit the nail on the head. It looks lazy and really outdated compared to contempary standards. It certainly can't stand up to the "proper" modulars in terms of detail and sophistication. And for me, it looks so amateurish, garish, and ugly from an esthetic standpoint.

[@sirw7630]

@@brickademy nobody is robbing him obviously ya blockhead. The people who buy this, especially out of the gate. That's who.

[@joevictor53]

​@@brickademydoes the billion dollar global company pay you to defend them from any criticism?

[@brickademy]

@@joevictor53 nah, i am just being pragmatic. If you call a optional buy a robbery, you prolly need a new hobby

[@idomoshe]

Couldn't have said it better - the x mansion is more like an 8+ set in terms of finish and techniques - it's no match for modulars. Unfortunately I find the museum itself too plain in terms of facade and also interior details, relative to previous modulars.

[@SO-ym3zs]

Agreed. I'm an inveterate museum goer and have been to some really grand ones, and Lego's Natural History Museum does not even hint at the size and scope of the museums its architecture recalls. It looks more like an upscale big city shop. And from a construction standpoint, it looks boring: basically a big, mostly empty box that doesn't do a good job recreating what an actual museum feels like.

[@Brickster6745]

My wallet feels lighter all of a sudden.

[@LegoLifter98]

If I was a Marvel, or X-Men person, I'd be pretty disappointed. Too expensive as a play set for kids, but not detailed enough for adults to display.

[@saahir18]

I'm disappointed in a lot of the minifigures but I have to buy this. I've been reading X-Men since I was 4. It's absolutely a day one buy. My first ever Lego modular building.

[@brickools7348]

This set looks great. I think it will go well with the other modular buildings, and would be easy to integrate. Kinda got a feel of the Museum? I like the colour but it maybe needed to be a little taller and abit more detail around the entrance. Just wish it came with different figs. got some of these in the Minifig series.

[@SO-ym3zs]

A suggestion: you always present smart, interesting analysis in your videos, but the background music doesn't really fit and is distracting.

[@Moonraker_6]

Disagree. I find the music rather generic and bland, but I think it’s a good complement in the background of the video.

[@mistresspaige2670]

Agree really doesn’t fit honestly.

[@emmonstrex65]

It seems too short to me. I'm not a fan of this one- although the mini figs are really cool. It just doesn't look like the quality as the museum. Great review.

[@lego_cookie_runner]

great review, I really appreciate your points. But I think we are comparing apples to oranges. I feel like the official lego modulars lean towards display-ability hence often requiring more detailing; the marvel modulars should be termed "modular compatible" because they lean towards play-ability hence the appearance of less detailing. But there's nothing wrong with having a bowl of apples and oranges at the center of a table for ones to choose what to eat and enjoy. Likewise, I think lego modulars and marvel modulars can display well in a Lego City setting. Although I'm not happy about the price tag (I think it should be priced at $229.99), obviously it's because the IP Licensing. I probably won't buy this on release day. I don't have too much interest in the GWP vs what my budget allows me to buy this coming Black Friday November. I'll just have to wait and see if other leaks and rumors come for the other modular compatible sets (botanical garden, next lego modular, cullen home) to make a decision before Nov 1 or keeping waiting for Black Friday. Keep up the great reviews.

[@moveelvr]

My thoughts exactly. This set is for X-men fans not necessarily modular fans. The modular series has become one of LEGO’s flagship themes so of course they are going to be highly detailed. I don’t think anyone is looking at this set as a realistic entry in the modular series. Again, this is an X-men set and, to me at least, the details are on the inside, it’s not meant to compete with the modular series. Is it overpriced, yes 100% but it’s a licensed set so not surprising. I think knocking it because it’s not as good as a modular is a bit disingenuous. It’s like comparing a Mercedes to a Hyundai, yeah they are both cars but they are not the same thing and aren’t meant to be.

[@Moonraker_6]

After seeing Lego charge a crazy $85 for that small X-Jet set, I am not surprised that this mansion set is overpriced. You hit the nail on the head with your commentary. Lego spreads out the license fees across their lines, but jacks up the price of this licensed set because they think fans of X-men will pay that price.

[@FitLegoGuy]

$329 is too bad for a set like this! Might have to pick this up someday won’t be a day one unfortunately!

[@quinson418]

Very logical comparison and right on point. I am stuck with buying it since I am collecting marvel building sets, not loving the set or the price.

[@jeremyfee]

Probably? You're getting this set. :)

[@melangellperry5984]

Great review. I’ve been wondering about this set. I imagined that it would be much bigger all around. At this time, I’m not going to add it to my small city. I did add the Sanctum Sanctorum because it looks good in my city and I love Dr. Strange. While I’ve enjoyed the X-Men movies, this goes t go it for me. Maybe once it comes out and I see it, I’ll change my mind.

[@jamesq5831]

this set should not have been a modular, it sacrifices so much just to be a modular and it really had so much more potential

[@Whisper1337]

Very accurate review! The lack of detail definitely makes the mansion feel off. In my opinion it feels more like an 8+ set or play focused set, at least aimed more towards kids.

[@jacobe1942]

I wished they had reached a little higher with this design. I will say for one, the outside being sort of plain is ok with me, it suits the purpose of it looking like a legitimate honors boarding school for the gifted. I am not a fan of separating and spreading out each room of a building to see the interior, that is for modular city buildings that will be spaced so close that would be unable to open up. A complete playset for something like the X men mansion should open like a story book for ultimate play value. Doing so would reveal a world of rooms and clever vignette designs for each. To achieve even more space and presence I would have liked to see this raided up 3-4-5 studs as landscape elevation that in the front descends, but allows for the feeling like descending to the basement. Then pretty much having the central section as the school and the wings open up to be parts of the X-men HQ. The gray side with the danger room, could then open up to a split wide room with folding down platforms for minis to make the model feel even more expansive and interactive. The other side could feature a proper cerebro room/ lab among other things. A Side build would also be appreciated here, that could be like a bike for cyclops, or ice sculptures/ walls/ spikes for the Iceman character.... something like those types of details to make it really complete. Extra villans or even 2 kids for students or cat would also really help liven this up for a more genuine feeling of value.

[@matthewwendt7315]

They made this for modular fans instead of xmen/marvel fans. They cut corners to make this a better fit for a city but even then it still sucks because it has less room inside than your standard modular. Its literally the x....MANSION, top priority should have been making it feel roomy. This was a bucket list set for me, and they robbed us. People will pay 600$ for jabbas saild barge but you think they wont pay 500$ for a ucs x-mansion?? We got a mini quinn jet on the avengers tower but cant make this big enough for a small x-jet? Sure when looking at the set it does look good but thats pretty much where the good things end, feels more like a diorama. Also pretty much same price and pieces as the bugle but some how half as many figs. How does that make sense??

[@octav1600]

I honestly don't like franchise sets to begin with. It's not bad, but the points you've made are really compelling to get the museum if I ever want a modular building.

[@logansmith2703]

It's just too tiny and cramped. That plus the lackluster number of minifigs that could've been better.

[@leighbird8220]

So, I’m an X-Men fan and a modular building fan, so I’d convinced myself this was going to be a day one purchase for me… But to be honest now, I’m going to wait and get it on sale. When I got the museum (an ok set) I was a little disappointed with it, and the mansion is definitely more underwhelming. So I like it, but not enough for day one full price. I will of course get the new modular in January, but I’m happy to wait for the mansion until next year when I can find it discounted.

[@incarnate3276]

Thanks for the heads up and breakdown. I am going to stick with my tradition of passing on the marvel sets. I have no skin in the marvel game anyway so it’s easy enough. I just get some modular fomo from time to time. ;)

[@YusukeTomB]

I have to say, being the OG nerd that I am…this set is a day one purchase for me.

[@BrickBuildersMD]

I’m with u, at first I was ready to pre order, but upon further inspection, I’d be willing to bet, in similar fashion to past Star Wars sets, this is just going to be the “first” x-mansion, and in few years we’ll get better “UCS” one, cause I think lot of people will have same issues, n they will fix them, in the next version

[@partiegratuite]

I'll buy two knock-off of this one and make a bigger building. I like the colors.

[@Ilige7]

I think it will be tiny this x mansion compared to the scale of other modulars so it will seem out of place in a modular city

[@La_La_La3]

The window is really weak particular for the fact that I am not a big Marvel fan. So if I were to buy it, the minifigs are mostly useless to me. What I want to use it for instead is a mansion. And a mansion of that size is for the ultra rich minifigs so there needs to be a lot more detail. So all in all, it is not say, it is not for me.

[@legokid2022]

I can't wait to get this set on November 1st i love the build techniques used in this set and I love the minifigures I feel like the modulars are pretty cool

[@antsbull3370]

Definitely agree with your sentiments. After how fantastic Sanctum Sanctorum was, this is a real letdown, and is as boring as the Daily Bugle was. An easy pass for me.

[@topgear22]

Nice analysis. Totally agree. It looks great but it doesn't have the matureness of the Natural History Museum by comparison. Since it's a licensed set and more Playful that is fully by design...

[@joevictor53]

I disagree. The other 3 Marvel modulars are licensed but they still look more mature than this

[@amandaredden2822]

When it was first leaked I thought what was the hype for this? Like the outside is so plain… I can’t wait to see the new modular building and then decide what to buy

[@amusingmoose9924]

The hype is because it’s *the* X-Men set, and Lego X-Men has been pretty neglected until recently.

[@costa6820]

Unfortunately it just looks boring, just to simple build, would need two sets to make it how I would like it.

[@RicardoMartinezBenesenes]

Danke!

[@buildingtogether4171]

Thank you very much! We appreciate you!

[@brizzle805]

Compare it to the home alone set.

[@emilxert]

1000 pieces less thanks to Lego greed and making the Mansion a glorified playset, it’s so small it’s criminal

[@Qoonutz]

This video 👍🏻

[@georgeluevano4440]

Ill get the aliexpress version❤

[@BrickWatcher]

The problem here is that the actual mansion in the animated series isn't very detailed either

[@brycebitetti1402]

Well, in certain instances it has been slightly more detailed in the comics, and it's certainly bigger than this set appears to be. But in terms of detail? Yeah, I honestly don't really know what more they could add to liven up the exterior. Maybe take some creative license and put the vines growing around it from the movies in there? It's a tough balance to walk, as unlike the Sanctum and Avengers Tower, which were based off of live action films, or the Daily Bugle which has no definitive interpretation, the cartoon pretty much informs the look for most people when it comes to the X-Men. People would probably complain if they didn't try to ape that design.

[@pfre4k84]

A-MEN

[@memyselftheone]

The mansion is disappointing to me. It doesn't reach the usual quality level of other modular buildings (even previous Marvel ones). Skipping on this one (which is fine, saves me a lot of money).

[@sevendeadlystreamersLEGO]

I’m glad they kept the parts count down on the X Mansion since it’s already quite expensive. Plus it gives it a more cartoonish look that fits with a 90s cartoon!

[@SO-ym3zs]

The pediments are nice, but otherwise it's hideous looking. Hard pass. Good analysis, as usual, though!

[@MichaeldeSousaCruz]

Not an X-Men fan. It’s not good. Me no buy. Good review of bad set, though. 👍

[@roseproto]

It just looks bland to me. I’m a fan of x-men, but this is an easy pass. Especially at that price.

[@lego_loca]

I'll pass on this set...