Best new LEGO parts for 2020 (and a closer look at 5 sets that use them)

Every year, new LEGO sets introduce us to new LEGO parts. Let’s take a closer look at some of the exciting additions to the LEGO Parts Library from the first half of 2020.

 ·
Parts · Reviews

Every year, The LEGO Group debuts new parts alongside new sets. Having created and maintained my collection of LEGO Brick Labels for more that 5 years, I’ve learned that there are about 20 general-purpose LEGO SYSTEM parts introduced each year, and about 5 gerneral-purpose LEGO Technic parts. (When I say general-purpose, I mean that the parts come in several sets and can be used in a wide range of applications beyond the model on the front of the box.)

I’m pleased to report that 2020 is no exception—with seven highly-versatile parts released in January alone. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at several of the new parts for 2020, and several of the sets that they come in. (Mini-reviews included for the two small sets at the end of the article.)

#75272 Sith TIE Fighter

#75272 Sith TIE Fighter.

#75272 Sith TIE Fighter.

We wrote a detailed review of this striking-looking dark-side ship, so please refer to that article if you want to consider adding it to your collection (or decide to scrap it for parts)!

2×4 Pointed Wedge, Right (part 65426), and 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Left (part 65429).

2×4 Pointed Wedge, Right (part 65426), and 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Left (part 65429).

New parts in this set:

  • 6x – 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Right (part 65426) in 26Black
  • 4x – 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Right (part 65426) in 21Bright RedRed
  • 6x – 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Left (part 65429) in 26Black
  • 4x – 2×4 Pointed Wedge, Left (part 65429) in 21Bright RedRed

These new wedge plates have the same 26.6° angle as several existing pieces (including the 2×2 Wedge 24209 & 24307), but they are unique from other common wedge plates because they come to a fairly sharp point instead of having a blunt tip (that’s usually 1-stud wide). This will allow for some “sharper” looking models, and is leveraged to good effect to give #75272 Sith TIE Fighter a very agressive aesthetic.

#75272 Sith TIE Fighter is $79.99 (69.99€ / £64.99), 470 pieces, 3 minifigures, ages 9+. (You can buy it at amazon.com or lego.com).

#75273 Poe Dameron’s X-wing Fighter

#75273 Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter.

If you want to learn more about this brightly colored X-Wing, be sure to read our recent review of #75273 Poe Dameron’s X-wing Fighter. We’re just going to focus on an exciting new part here…

3×3×1 Round Corner (part 65617).

3×3×1 Round Corner (part 65617).

New part in this set:

  • 8x – 3×3×1 Round Corner (part 65617) in 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray.

This part gives us a round piece with a curved profile in a useful 3-stud outer radius, and is used to good effect in this model. It has the same profile as the relatively new 1×2×1 Curved (part 37352) which debuted in 2018.

#75273 Poe Dameron’s X-wing Fighter is $89.99 (99.99€ / £89.99), 761 pieces, 4 minifigures, ages 9+. (You can buy it at amazon.com or lego.com).

#42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car

#42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car.

#42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car.

Interested in Technic Control+ Powered Up system or this set? Read our review of the #42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car. (In this article we’ll just talk about the new pieces.)

New Gear Differential Housing (part 65414) and matching Gear (part 65413).

New Gear Differential Housing (part 65414) and matching Gear (part 65413).

New parts in this set:

  • 1x – Gear Differential Housing (part 65414) in 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray.
  • 1x – 28-tooth Gear, Double Bevel (part 65413) in 21Bright RedRed.

These parts work together to create a more efficient differential for use in LEGO Technic vehicles. The gear can also be used without the housing, making it an alternative (with a pin in the center instead of the axle connection) to existing part 28 Tooth, Dbl. Bevel (part 46372).

#42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car is $129.99 (129.99€ / £124.99), 463 pieces, LEGO Technic Control+ functions, ages 9+. (You can buy it at amazon.com or lego.com).

#41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube

At $9.99 (9.99€ / £7.99), for 44 pieces and one minidoll, #41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube is a small Friends set for ages 6+. It’s a pretty poor value based on the $0.22 price per piece, but it does include a folding plastic “Play Cube”, a puppy in one of four random colors, and a sticker sheet.

#41401 Stephanie's Play Cube.

#41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube.

The building experience is understandably limited, taking just five minutes to open the box and assemble the model. With no interesting building techniques, and a poor price-per-part, this set only earned our Acceptable (2/5 star) rating. (That said, as a new parent myself, you are forgiven if you buy it anyways because you think one of these play cubes will entertain your child for more than a few minutes.)

Building Time: 5 minutes.

Four new parts in #41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube.

Four new parts in #41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube.

New parts in this set:

  • 2x – 2×6 Bracket, Inverted (part 64570) in 222Light PurpleBright Pink.
  • 1x – 2×2 Cake Frosting (part 65700) in 323AquaLight Aqua.
  • 1x – 3×8×6⅔ Container, Front (part 64462) in 129Transparent Bluish Violet (Glitter)Glitter Trans-Purple.
  • 1x – 3×8×6⅔ Container, Back (part 64462) in 322Medium AzurMedium Azure.

Of these four new parts, the one with the widest utility is the new 2×6 bracket, as it may be useful in building larger SNOT assemblies than existing parts in that category. Also of some utility is the 2×2 Cake Frosting piece, which could be used to re-create a range of round details. It’s actually larger than 2×2, since it can fit over a regular 2×2 Round Brick. Also of note are the four mini-pin holes around the edges, which can be used to decorate the cake.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to come up with alternate uses for the 3×8×6⅔ Container. Most notably, it’s actually a terrible container to store loose things, since you can only fill up one side of the container and still close the lid. (As evidenced by the set, it’s really intended for use in creating a small diorama.)

If you decide to buy #41401 Stephanie’s Play Cube, please consider using our referral links to amazon.com or lego.com

#21162 The Taiga Adventure

At $9.99 (9.99€ / £8.99), for 74 pieces, the main draw with #21162 The Taiga Adventure is the two minifigures (Steve, Skeleton), and two brick-built animals (Fox, Wolf). The remaining pieces are used to assemble a small scene containing a few plants and a catapult.

#21162 The Taiga Adventure.

#21162 The Taiga Adventure.

While this is a very quick build, the inclusion of two mingifugures and two animals gives you a lot of figures for creative storytelling. Better still is the simple catapult which gives this tiny set some interactive play features. That’s why it earns our Recommended (4/5 star) rating.

Building Time: 6 minutes.

2×4 Double Jumper (part 65509).

2×4 Double Jumper (part 65509).

New part in this set:

  • 2x – 2×4 Double Jumper (part 65509) in 38Dark Orange.

This part is functionally equivalent to two 2×2 Jumpers placed side-by-side in most scenarios. While it does offer some additional building opportunities since you can use this larger piece to connect parts together, I’m not quite sure why this part was added to the parts library.

If you decide to buy #21162 The Taiga Adventure, please consider using our referral links to amazon.com or lego.com

We’d love to hear your thoughts about these new parts. Have you found other ways to incorporate them into your MOC’s? Let us knwo by leaving a comment below!
The LEGO Group provided these sets for the purposes of this article. The opinions in this article are strictly my own—providing sets for review does not guarantee a positive review. Photos in this article are by Tom Alphin unless otherwise noted. Visit the About page for more info about our journalistic standards and affiliate programs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.