Review of nanoblock Magikarp NBPM_035

Magikarp build and package

This post is a review of the nanoblock Magikarp build. Magikarp is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Magikarp
  • Japanese: Koiking

Number: NBPM_035

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Magikarp front 3/4 view

Magikarp is a useless Pokemon. I remember the days when all he would ever learn was splash before evolving into Gyarados. I know that he now learns other moves, but it really is just about getting it to evolve.

Magikarp side view

For a Pokemon that is used generally for just killing time, Magikarp has a surprisingly involved build. The body is generally a straightforward rectangle build-up. There are a few places where 1 wide brick sticks out to attach the whiskers and fins. After you build up the body, you need to build fins and whiskers and connect them. The fins and whiskers can be a bit difficult to make and get everything lined up, and in my opinion, this build is a 3/5 difficulty.

Magikarp back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • How the whiskers look

Things I didn’t like:

  • The work to get the detailed whiskers set-up

Review of nanoblock Caterpie and Pokeball NBPM_10

Caterpie and Pokeball with package

This post is a review of the nanoblock Caterpie and Pokeball build. Caterpie and Pokeball is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Caterpie and Pokeball
  • Japanese: Caterpie and Monster Ball

Number: NBPM_10

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Caterpie and pokeball builds

This is a unique build in the NBPM line. There are 2 separate builds; they are smaller and more like what you get in the mini collection. First, you get to build Caterpie, one of the bug pokemon that has been around since generation 1. The other build is a Pokeball, which, if you have played any of the games, you know it’s where your Pokemon are stored.

Caterpie

Caterpie side view build

Caterpie is a cute little build. It is basically building up along a rectangle. A transparent block on the bottom keeps your Caterpie from tipping forward. The build overall is very straightforward and enjoyable. The trickiest part is getting the antenna since it is a chain of blocks that are only connected by a single stud.

Pokeball

Pokeball build

The Pokeball build is a straightforward build. It is basically just building a sphere starting with 4 of the nanoblock 3 stud L-blocks. I feel it is recognizable as a Pokeball for sure.

Things I liked:

  • I got two builds for the price of one

Review of nanoblock Slowpoke NBPM_065

This post is a review of the nanoblock Slowpoke builds. Slowpoke is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Slowpoke
  • Japanese: Yadon

Number: NBPM_065

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Slowpoke is a Pokemon that started in Generation 1 as a water/psychic-type. In Kanto and all the regions until generation 8, Slowpoke is a pink pokemon with a white tail. Unlike a lot of other Pokemon, it evolves into 2 different forms. In generation 8 in the downloadable content, Slowpoke is just a psychic-type with a yellow tail and more yellow on its head. It still has the same two evolutions.

The build begins by building 2 separate base pieces and connecting them together. You then build the rest of the Pokemon up from the edges and up and around. Once you close up the top of the Pokemon, you attach the feet. Then you have a choice to make, and you going to make the Kanto variant with more pink and white or the Galar variant with yellow. Once you pick your build, you finish off the head and attach the tail to complete the build.

I was super excited that you got to pick which variant you wanted to build. I really like how both of the Slowpoke look, so I bought 2 kits to have one of each. I think both builds are recognizable and enjoyable.

Things I liked:

  • That there are 2 forms in 1 package

Review of nanoblock Kubfu NBPM_076

Kubfu build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Kubfu build. Kubfu is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Kubfu
  • Japanese: Dakuma

Number: NBPM_076 

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Kubfu front view

Kubfu is a reasonably new bear Pokemon. It was introduced in the DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield. Kubfu starts as a shy Pokemon, but as you bond with the bear, it becomes stronger, and eventually, you choose how it will evolve.

You begin the build by starting with the head. You start with a base layer and build up. There are many places where you have studs hanging off and not layered. In general, however, the studs stuck off the side are nailed down with the layer above, so the bricks aren’t likely to fall off. Kubfu has a white headband that contrasts against the grey of the main body. You add the ends of the headband onto the back of the head as the final step of the headband. Next, you build the body of Kubfu. You build the body up in layers with a regular straightforward build. Finally, you add the legs by making a couple stacks of bricks.

Overall I really liked the build. I found a reasonable detail between the cream snout and white head sash. I was a little worried that the bear wouldn’t be able to stand up because his paws were a little narrow. I was pleasantly surprised that the model was able to stand up once the build was complete and wasn’t tippy at all.

Kubfu back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • The details in the back of the bear’s head

Review of nanoblock Galar Ponyta NBPM_067

Galar Ponyta build with box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Galar Ponyta build. Galar Ponyta is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number: NBPM_067

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Galar Ponyta 3/4 front right view

Ponyta is a pokemon that was initially introduced in generation 1. In generation 1, it is a fire-type Pokemon. However, this isn’t the build for the generation 1 Pokemon; this build is for the generation 8 psychic-type Ponyta. The psychic type is a unicorn with fluffy pink and turquoise hair.

The build is slightly different because many smaller chunks need to be built and added on. First, you start with the usual base, and from the second step, you create exterior pieces connected to the base. Then you build the majority of the tail and attach it. Then you build up the rest of the body in regular layers.

Galar Ponyta 3/4 right back view

Next, it’s time to make the head by layering from the bottom of the head to the top. Next, you flip the build over and add details for the mane and tail. Finally, you add the legs, complete with details.

Overall I think that this is an adorable build. I really like the colors they picked and how the mane and tail look soft and changing color. There were a lot of bits where if you don’t get things just so, then the build wouldn’t line up.

Galar Ponyta front left view

Things I liked:

  • The colors that were used for this build

Review of nanoblock Galar Farfetch’d NBPM_066

Galar Farfetch'd build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Galar Farfetch’d build. Galar Farfetch’d is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Farfetch’d
  • Japanese: Kamonagi

Number: NBPM_066

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Galar Farfetch'd 3/4 front right view

Farfetch’d is a pokemon that looks like a little brown duck. It is known to always to be carrying a leek and was introduced in generation 1. Farfetch’d is one of the few Pokemon to have multiple forms turned into nanoblock. This review is for the Galar variant of Farfetch’d, a Fighting-type and introduced in generation 8. To read my review of the generation 1, Farfetch’d click here.

Galar Farfetch'd back 3/4 left view

I think that getting between steps 1 and 2 may be the trickiest part of the entire build. You start with a base of 2 bricks and then add 8 bricks in step two. Since you can’t really see how the second layer connects, making sure everything is lined up can be tricky. After completing step 2, the build is very straightforward, building up layers like a nor nanoblocks build. You’ll want to be careful with the wing holding the leek as you create the body because there is more detail on that side. Continue building up layers until you close up the ducks head. Once you have completed the duck, you need to add the detail to the top of the leek. The leek is straightforward and will sit on the table, not hanging.

Overall I enjoyed the Farfetch’d build. The darker brown is too dark for the actual Pokemon, but I do like the color.

Galar Farfetch'd front 3/4 left view

Things I liked:

  • The giant leek

Things I didn’t like:

  • I had some difficulties getting the details of the leek to line up

Link to order:

Review of nanoblock Grookey NBPM_059

Grookey build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Grookey build. Grookey is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number: NBPM_059

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Grookey front view

Grookey is the grass starter from generation 8. It’s known for poking things which shouldn’t be much of a surprise because its final evolution is a drummer.

The build is broken up into 2 builds the body and the head. It is hard to tell the difference between the brown and golden brown in the directions. The body is a straightforward build that is built up by adding layers of bricks to create a hunched-over body. It can be a bit tippy when it’s done if you don’t attach the base feet quick enough. The head is an average sphere build where you start with a base and build around the outside and eventually close up the sphere. Then you add Grookey’s branch and top fur.

Overall I really like the build, and I feel that Grookey is highly recognizable. I think that the colors match the pokemon overall very well.

Grookey back 3/4

Things I liked:

  • The coloring for the whole build

Things I didn’t like:

  • Fighting to perfectly line up the tail

Review of nanoblock Rayquaza NBPM_064

Rayquaza build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Rayquaza build. Rayquaza is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number: NBPM_064

Number of Pieces: 240

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Rayquaza front view

Rayquaza is one of the 3 legendary Pokemon from generation 3. The 3 legendary pokemon from generation 3 are extremely popular and have appeared in most games since gen 3. The three legendary Pokemon, Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza, all remind me a little bit of the traditional art of the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest with how their lines are drawn and the use of rings.

Rayquaza back view

In my opinion, this build should be a 4/5, not a 3/5, because of how tricky it is to get everything up. Rayquaza is a very long narrow Pokemon, more like a snake than anything else. Things are different from an average Pokemon build from the beginning because the base is in the shape of an L instead of a square or rectangle. As you build up from the bottom, you constantly have one or 2 studs hanging over. Next, you build another chain of brick similar to the base. Then you add the chunk of the body that is straight up and down to hold the head. This includes adding the arms that are chains connected by single studs. The final step is to add the head. The head is a much more straightforward build than getting the body together. You then connect the body to the base and have completed Rayquaza.

Rayquaza is a highly detailed Pokemon; generally, it is green with red and yellow markings. I really like how the build includes those details. The build is more complicated than many of the level 3s I have completed because of the balancing act of creating the build.

Rayquaza side view

Things I liked:

  • The amount of detail in the final build from the use of color

Things I didn’t like:

  • The final build feels flimsy, so I’m always nervous about moving it.

Link to order:

Review of nanoblock Venusaur NBPM_018

Venusaur build and package

This post is a review of the nanoblock Venusaur build. Venusaur is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number: NBPM_018

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Venusaur 3/4 front view

Venusaur is the 3rd evolution of Bulbasaur. At first glance, the build is more involved than the Bulbasaur build because of the detail in the flower on Venusaur’s back.

Venusaur flower detail

Overall I feel like this should be a 3/5 build since it is more challenging than most of the other 2/5s I have done. Overall there were 2 parts of the build I found difficult. In both of these spots, you build smaller pieces and connect them using a couple of single studs. The first step was difficult because of the size of the base and getting everything lined up. This was before I bought my pad so getting things lined up was a little challenging.

Venusaur back 3/4 view

I liked how Venusaur turned out overall. He is super recognizable, which is excellent, and I liked how it worked and looked once I got it built.

Things I liked:

  • The detail in the flower
  • How the flower appears to float above Venusaur

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Sylveon NBPM_073

Sylveon build and package

This post is a review of the nanoblock Sylveon build. Sylveon is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Sylveon
  • Japanese: Nymphia

Number: NBPM_073

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Sylveon front 3/4 view

As of this posting, nanoblock has released kits for all 9 eeveelutions. The builds have gotten more detailed as time has passed, so the first 3 builds are a bit simpler. I find that all the kits are recognizable for the pokemon they are supposed to be. Sylveon is the fairy type of eeveelution from generation 6. Sylveon is a white pokemon with ribbons with pink and blue tips.

After completing all 9 eeveelutions I had the most trouble with Sylveon due to a couple hanging bricks not wanting to stay in place.

This nanoblock build begins with a base of white bricks. You then build up a few layers of white and add the pink details. To finish off the body, you need to add a simple tail.

Next, you build the head. In general, the head is pretty straightforward other than the fact it isn’t symmetrical. The head begins with a white base like the body. You then add layers of bricks that add the details for the nose and eyes. After adding several layers, you add a stack of bricks to form the end of one of Sylveon’s ribbons. There are the bricks I had a hard time keeping attached for the rest of the build. Once you add on the stack of bricks, you continue adding the ears and the ribbons in white, pink, and blue bricks. Once the head is completed, you attach the head to the body.

The final steps are to add the final details. You add feet and the ends of more ribbons.

Overall I got frustrated with the build. While the directions were easy to follow, I had difficulty getting some of the bricks to stay connected. This can be a common problem with nanoblocks if bricks are only held up by a single stud.

Sylveon back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • I love the amount of detail in the build

Things I didn’t like:

  • I had a hard time getting the bricks at the end of the head ribbon to hold.