The Imagination Brickshop’s LEGO Brickcast

The LEGO Ideas River Steamboat is one of the biggest and most impressive LEGO Ideas sets ever released, but is 21356 River Steamboat actually worth its $330 price tag? And how does a massive, minifigure-scale LEGO set somehow come with ZERO minifigures?

In this episode of The Imagination Brickshop, I’m reviewing LEGO Ideas 21356 River Steamboat, a 4,090-piece recreation of a classic American riverboat based on the original fan design by Aaron Hall. At more than two feet long, this is an enormous display piece filled with working functions, detailed interiors, hidden surprises, and some very clever LEGO engineering.

There is a LOT that impressed me about this set — from the overall design and incredible display presence to some of the mechanical features LEGO managed to incorporate. But there are also a few decisions that left me scratching my head, including one omission that feels particularly strange for a set of this size, scale, and price.

Plus, we cover:
• The story behind the original LEGO Ideas submission
• How the final LEGO set compares to the fan design
• The River Steamboat’s working functions
• Some of my favorite details and surprises
• What the building experience is really like
• The biggest strengths — and disappointments
• Whether 21356 River Steamboat is worth $330

And, as always, I’ll score the River Steamboat for Playability, Displayability, Build Experience, and Value before revealing my final overall rating. This one surprised me in more than one category.

So where does the LEGO Ideas River Steamboat ultimately land, and is this a set you should add to your collection before it retires? Watch the full review and then let me know YOUR rating in the comments!

Follow The Imagination Brickshop on Instagram for more LEGO content!
Like the video and SUBSCRIBE to The Imagination Brickshop for LEGO reviews, news, rumors, rankings, and more!

Music Credit: YouTube Audio Library

#LEGO #LEGOIdeas #RiverSteamboat #LEGO21356 #LEGORiverSteamboat #LEGOReview #AFOL #LEGOCollector #TheImaginationBrickshop

LEGO leaks happen all the time… but this one is on another level.

A mysterious file has surfaced that supposedly reveals a massive list of upcoming LEGO 18+ sets stretching all the way into 2027 and 2028. Is it a legitimate internal LEGO document? An elaborate fake? Or somewhere in between? Right now, nobody really knows — but if even a fraction of this list turns out to be real, LEGO fans could be in for some absolutely wild sets over the next couple of years.

In this episode of LEGO News & Rumors, I’m digging through the leaked list, separating what sounds surprisingly believable from what seems almost too good to be true. We’re talking potential releases across Star Wars, Architecture, ICONS, Lord of the Rings, Marvel, DC, Disney and more, along with some completely unexpected licenses and even possible new themes.

And trust me… there are a few names on this list that I REALLY want to believe are real.

Plus, we cover:
• Some long-rumored sets that suddenly appear to have more fuel behind them
• Several licenses I never expected LEGO to touch
• A few massive display sets that could become instant collector favorites
• New themes that seemingly come out of nowhere
• My picks for which rumors feel believable, and which ones raise some serious red flags

But don’t click away when the rumors are over! Stick around until the end because I’m reading and responding to some of your comments from recent episodes.

So, what do YOU think? Is this mysterious LEGO file the real deal, or did someone just create the ultimate LEGO fan wish list? And if you could choose ONE rumored set from the leak to become real, which one would it be?

Follow The Imagination Brickshop on Instagram for more LEGO content!

Subscribe to The Imagination Brickshop so you don’t miss the latest LEGO news, rumors, reviews, rankings, and discussions every week.

Music courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library.

#LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #LEGOLeaks #LEGO2027 #LEGO2028 #LEGOSets #LEGONewsAndRumors #TheImaginationBrickshop

Have LEGO Botanicals quietly become the most important theme in the entire LEGO portfolio? I think the answer is yes—and today I'm making the case.

In this Wild Card Wednesday episode, we take a journey through the history of LEGO Botanicals, from the release of the original Bonsai Tree in 2021 to one of LEGO's fastest-growing themes in 2026. I'll share a personal story about how a simple trip to the LEGO Store with my wife completely changed the way I looked at this collection and why I believe LEGO has tapped into an audience unlike any other.

We'll also count down 10 LEGO Botanical sets that I believe every LEGO fan should experience, from timeless classics like the Bonsai Tree and Orchid to newer favorites like Happy Plants and Woodland Mushrooms. Whether you're a longtime collector or someone who's never built a flower before, there may be a Botanical set that's perfect for you.

Finally, we'll explore why Botanicals have become such a juggernaut for LEGO. From their affordable prices and broad appeal to their beautiful display value and zero maintenance, I'll explain why I believe this theme is helping LEGO reach an entirely new generation of builders—and why it may be the company's most important theme heading into 2026.

Do you agree? Have LEGO Botanicals become LEGO's most important theme, or is another theme still leading the way? And which Botanical set is your favorite? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

✅ Follow Me @ImaginationBrickshop on Instagram

If you enjoy LEGO reviews, rankings, history, investing discussions, and deep dives into the LEGO hobby, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new Wild Card Wednesday episode from Imagination Brickshop!

Music Credit: YouTube Audio Library

#LEGO #LEGOBotanicals #LEGOIcons #LEGOFlowers #BonsaiTree #LEGOHistory #LEGOCollection #WildCardWednesday #ImaginationBrickshop

This week is absolutely loaded with huge LEGO news! August is officially here, bringing a wave of new releases, exciting Gift With Purchase promotions, and some massive rumors that will  shape LEGO's 2027 lineup.

We're taking a deep dive into the latest Lord of the Rings rumors, including a massive Oliphant, the surprising new set LOTR have been begging for, and a rumored 6,000+ piece Helm's Deep that could become one of the greatest Middle-earth sets LEGO has ever produced.  And that’s saying something!

We're also discussing what could be the next LEGO Icons Modular Building—a beautiful new Clock Tower featuring a hardware store, deli, and an iconic red clock tower centerpiece. Could this become the next must-have modular?

Star Wars fans won't want to miss this episode either! New details have surfaced on the rumored 6,130-piece Executor Super Star Destroyer, complete with an incredible lineup of bounty hunter minifigures, Darth Vader, and an exclusive Darth Vader Lightsaber Gift With Purchase.

We'll also break down the new leaked images of the new Harry Potter Ministry of Magic. Is this one of LEGO's strangest-looking buildings yet, or will it surprise us when it's officially revealed?

Plus, we cover:
• August Gift With Purchase reminders
• New Harry Potter sets
• Upcoming BrickHeadz releases
• The rumored PlayStation 1 Console set
• A brand-new Astro Bot Gift With Purchase

Which rumor has you the most excited? Is it Helm's Deep, the Executor Super Star Destroyer, the next Modular Building, or something completely different? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

✅ Follow Me @ImaginationBrickshop on Instagram

If you enjoy LEGO news, rumors, reviews, rankings, investing discussions, and everything happening in the LEGO world, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode of BrickCast from Imagination Brickshop!

Music Credit: YouTube Audio Library

#LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #LordOfTheRings #LEGOStarWars #HarryPotter #LEGOIcons #ModularBuilding #SuperStarDestroyer #HelmsDeep #BrickCast #ImaginationBrickshop

The Empire is back! Today we're taking an in-depth look at the LEGO Star Wars 75417 AT-ST Walker, one of the newest additions to the Ultimate Collector Series lineup. Revealed during San Diego Comic-Con 2025 alongside the Ewok and K-2SO sets, this iconic "Chicken Walker" brings one of the Empire's most recognizable vehicles to LEGO fans in impressive UCS fashion.

In this review, we'll examine the build experience, display value, exclusive Imperial AT-ST Driver minifigure, and how this model compares to the classic 2006 AT-ST. Is the updated design worth the $200 price tag, or does it fall short when it comes to value? I'll share my complete ratings for playability, displayability, build experience, value, and my overall verdict to help you decide if this set deserves a spot in your collection.

Have you already picked up the UCS AT-ST Walker, or is this one you'll be passing on? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Episode 200 Giveaway Reminder!
Time is running out to enter! To qualify:
✅ Subscribe to the Imagination Brickshop on YouTube
✅ Like this video: https://youtu.be/hPnbCD3Nb50
✅ Comment "Happy 200!" 
✅ Follow @ImaginationBrickshop on Instagram for a bonus entry!

If you enjoy LEGO reviews, news, rumors, rankings, and collection showcases, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video from Imagination Brickshop!

Music Credit: YouTube Audio Library

#LEGO #LEGOStarWars #ATST #UCS #UltimateCollectorSeries #StarWars #LEGOReview #ImaginationBrickshop