Editorial Review

This fire and rescue set is part of a series of Nano-Tropolis construction kits that kids can build themselves and then play with. All the model pieces come packed in a hard case that reverses to form a piece of roadway and connect this environment to another Nano-Tropolis systems. A cardboard backdrop with a scene of skyscrapers and trees helps to evoke the urban setting for this particular environment. This set builds a fire station and three emergency response vehicles—a fire engine with a working siren, flashing light, and ladder; an ambulance; and a police car that can be propelled by an included vehicle launcher. The parts are made in the familiar Mega Bloks fashion, which snap together without requiring glue or extra tools. This building system comes with 515 pieces, many of them very small. Although an instruction book with detailed three-dimensional diagrams is included, younger children still may need some help from adults during assembly. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Editorial Review

This off-shore racing set is part of a series of Nano-Tropolis construction kits that kids can build themselves and then play with. All the model pieces come packed in a hard case that reverses to form a piece of roadway and connect this environment to another Nano-Tropolis systems. A cardboard backdrop with a beach scene helps to evoke the shoreline setting for this particular environment. This set builds a pier and three vehicles—a tractor-trailer with a working siren, flashing light, and trailer hitch; a speedboat; and a beach patrol vehicle that can be propelled by an included vehicle launcher. The parts are made in the familiar Mega Bloks fashion, which snap together without requiring glue or extra tools. This building system comes with 470 pieces, many of them very small. Although an instruction book with detailed three-dimensional diagrams is included, younger children still may need some help from adults during assembly. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

EDITORIAL REVIEW

Mega Bloks has found a way to combine the thrills of toy slot car racing with the inherent variety and challenge of construction toys. This set features a variety of tracks, stunts, and obstacles through which to guide the simple modular cars that you construct out of the included building blocks. The twin cars are launched into a race down the track via side by side launchers which can be controlled by pumping action. Extra lights and flashing sounds add to the fun. In our informal tabletop test, we found the cars to be pretty evenly matched and the process of racing (and crashing) toy cars to be as classically fun as ever. Plus, since these are construction toys, the set is customizable and somewhat expandable. --Charlie Williams ... Read more