LEGO's Brick-Built Sega Genesis Drops June 1 for $40

Forty bucks for a brick-built Sega Genesis feels like a steal compared to what LEGO usually charges for nostalgia. LEGO and Sega officially revealed set 40926 on May 1, a 479-piece model of the classic 16-bit console that launches June 1 at £34.99 / €39.99 / $39.99.

The set measures about 6 inches wide and 4.5 inches deep, and comes with a buildable cartridge and detachable controllers. A nice touch: you can customize the build to represent either the North American Genesis or the European Mega Drive using decorative stickers. LEGO designer Patrik said in the announcement that he still plays his own Mega Drive, calling the process of recreating the console's curves in brick form "an enjoyable challenge." I appreciate that this isn't just a flat slab with a logo on it; the cartridge slot and controller ports give it some actual interactive charm, even if it obviously doesn't play games.

At $40, this is significantly more accessible than LEGO's $230 NES set from a few years back, and it slots in nicely alongside the company's existing Sonic the Hedgehog collections. LEGO has also been rumored to be working on a PlayStation set, so we might be looking at the start of a full console shelf. After covering the Animal Crossing LEGO set earlier this week, I'm starting to think LEGO's gaming division is quietly having a better year than half the studios I cover. If you grew up arguing Genesis vs. SNES on the playground, this one's an easy buy.