The LEGO DREAMZzz 71454 Mateo And Z-Blob The Robot set is the based on the latest LEGO theme which brings to life the creativity of children’s’ dreams.
It features Mateo and Z-Blob, two of the core characters in the LEGO DREAMZzz world. We review the LEGO DREAMZzz 71454 Mateo And Z-Blob The Robot set.
LEGO DREAMZzz Series
The animated TV series was launched earlier in May 2023, followed by a mesmerizing new range of products in August 2023.
The DREAMZzz story follows the adventures of school friends Mateo, Izzie, Cooper, Logan and Zoey as they join a secret agency and learn to use the power of imagination to journey into the Dream World, where they learn how to defeat the tyrannical Nightmare King.
Getting to Know Mateo and Z-Blob
Mateo is a student and an artist who dreams up Z-Blob, a jelly-like green blob, in the comics he draws. When Mateo inadvertently enters the dream world, Z-Blob comes to life and becomes his companion.
Having recently watched the animation series with my son while on a trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia, the episode where Z-Blob took on its robot form in a battle against the minions of the Nightmare King was particularly memorable.
So when we got our hands on this boxed set, our excitement was palpable for it was an opportunity to re-create and explore Mateo and Z-Blob’s story in new fresh way with this LEGO bricks set.
LEGO DREAMZzz 71454 Mateo And Z-Blob The Robot Review
The LEGO DREAMZzz 71454 Mateo And Z-Blob The Robot box itself showcases the creative and wonderful world LEGO DREAMZzz is.
On the front, you have Z-Blob in robot form in an action pose, running after a grim spider with a sleeping minifgure Jayden, and with Mateo riding on Z-Blob’s exoskeleton.
The recommended age of 7+ for builders is also shown.
The top right corner has a call-out to watch the animation series online.
I highly recommend watching at least the first two episodes of the series – this is when Mateo helps transform Z-Blob into kick-ass robot form – before attempting to unbox and build this set. The storyline and world-building of the DREAMZzz series will surely enhance your experience putting together Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot.
On the back of the box, it shows the two iterations of Z-Blob the Robot you can build.
One with a large hand blaster and a shoulder-mounted blaster, and another with a jetpack, helmet and wrist blaster. Do note that it states, “Models cannot be built simultaneously”.
Unboxing the LEGO DREAMZzz 71454 Mateo And Z-Blob The Robot
This set contains 237 pieces in three sealed and numbered bags, along with a manual and sticker sheet.
LEGO has designed it in such a way that you only need to unpack one bag at a time as you build. This makes for manageable bricks management, especially for younger children.
I would recommend the use of a tray, and one that is wider so children can find and sort the LEGO pieces.
Using the LEGO Builder App
LEGO has created this app as an alternative to the provided manual. The app is able to track and save your progress for the main robot form as well as for the blaster and jetpack modes.
My son chose to use both app and manual to assist his building efforts.
Minifigures and the Grim Spider
Before you build Z-Blob the Robot, you get to put together Mateo, Jayden and the Grim Spider.
The Mateo and Jayden minifigures have dual faces. Mateo’s are one of him smiling, and the other scowling.
Jayden’s are one of him sleeping and one of him smiling.
Mateo also has a lighter patch over his right eye that suggests vitiligo, while Jayden has what looks like orthodontic alignment headgear over his mouth and cheeks.
I love the intricate details on Mateo’s and Jayden’s garbs. The details on Mateo’s are particularly exquisite; his vest features a Dream Guardian insignia with a bandolier, and there are details like pockets with zips or rivets on his pants. Jayden’s vest features purple-white unicorns, just what a young child might wear to bed as pajamas.
Along with the grim spider’s eyes and movable appendages, you have the creativity and flexibility to dream up various play scenarios even before Z-Blob the Robot is built and comes onto the scene!
Building Z-Blob the Robot
Now on to the main course, Z-Blob the Robot.
As my son built it up, I could not help admiring how it was shaping up to be.
The white, black and fluorescent green colours quickly catch the eye. Next, you notice that many parts rotate – the head, torso, elbows, wrists, hip, knees, ankles – so much so there are many permutations of poses for Z-Blob the Robot. Even the digits on the hands – a thumb and two fingers each – have articulation!
The addition of the sticker decals to Z-Blob’s chest gives detail and further character to an otherwise central and bland area of the build.
After building the basic build, my son chose to continue with the mode that has the large hand blaster together with the shoulder-mounted blaster. The large hand blaster alone with its green ‘flame’ is eye-catching, what more paired and mounted on Z-Blob the Robot!
There was one feature I did not see, but that my son so aptly demonstrated to me. Z-Blob’s shoulder-mounted blaster really does shoot. The green disks fly out about 70 to 80 cm when the level on top of the blaster is pressed upon.
In the jetpack version of the robot, the same shoulder-mounted blaster is affixed to Z-Blob’s robot wrist.
Along with the many ways Z-Blob can be made to move and pose, these smaller modifications in both modes give an added dimension to imagining play for children.
Conclusion
While LEGO 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot set is one of the smaller sets in the LEGO DREAMZzz product range, there is nothing small about its features.
It showcases the beloved core characters Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot; and for young fans and builders, it makes for a highly recommended, greatly enjoyable introduction to the LEGO DREAMZzz world.
Find out more about the set here.
P.S. Do remember to watch the first two episodes of the DREAMZzz series before starting to build this!
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