Indiana Jones Snakes and Ladders Game

Name of Model: Snakes! Why did it have to be Snakes?

Created by: I Scream Clone

Found at: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/191150

Details: Although LEGO has done a good job with their new official games line (NEW from LEGO® Shop LEGO Games. Play a new way.), they've avoided getting too close to existing games. Sure, some are slightly similar (Monster 4 is loosely based on Tic-Tac-Toe but much more fun, and Pirate Code bears some similarity to Mastermind), but I suspect that the licensing costs weren't worth it to do LEGO boards for established popular games (for the record, I'd be rooting for a LEGO travel scrabble and a LEGO Monopoly city). Today's featured model is an adaptation of the game Snakes and Ladders (also known as Chute and Ladders). Indiana Jones (famous for the line "I hate snakes!") is a natural choice for a character and thematic background. This version of the game allows for up to 6 players (3 of them can be Indiana Jones). Tiles make for great game spaces, and even work well with a bridge over water. As clever as the little snakes and ladders are, I think the real reason to recast this game in a LEGO format is the ability to add real landscaping. Now the ladders actually help you (technically your minifig) climb things and the snakes can really make Indy say "I hate snakes!"

Louis Vuitton Style Purses

Name of Model: LV pattern like stuff, created by Chiukeung

Created by: Chiukeung

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=311559

Details: This one's for everyone who thinks you can't build a "girly" creation without pink. These purses modeled after Louis Vuitton designs are very mature and effective, and yet still decidedly feminine. You might recognize the large quantities of dark tan 2x2 tiles and pearl gold elements as parts we saw come out in the Indiana Jones sets. The dark orange ribbed hose used here as a handle only came in one Bionicle kit. See? You can make something clever, creative, and "girly" even with all of those instruction-based, adventure-(You Control the Action!)-packed "boy" kits.

Indiana Jones and the Awesome Klocki Contest

Name of Models: Klocki contest winners - Cart Ride, Steel Wishbone, and Flying Wing

Created by: Klocki readers (I know I'm slacking here, but the appropriate links are at the site listed above)

Found at: http://www.e-klocki.com/2008/08/07/indiana-jones-winners/

Details: Recently, Klocki ran a contest loosely based on the New LEGO® Indiana Jones™ Collection. There were a few different categories - "Indiana Jones and Memorable Scene" (a 16x16 vignette), "Indiana Jones and Forgotten Adventure" (a design-your-own story featuring Indiana Jones), and "Indiana Jones and the UCS Model" (UCS stands for "Ultimate Collector's Series" - an official series which has been expanded by fans to include other large and very detailed vehicles). All three winning entries are excellent - take a look!

Indiana Jones Movie Parody

Yes, I know I'm getting caught without a real model to blog about today. I'm hoping to find a model-of-the-day for today sometime this evening - the only hold-up is that I need to find something bizarre so that I can follow my own made-up rules on featuring a variety of models. You know what is really awesome and totally worth using this excuse to feature, though? The new Indiana Jones LEGO parody, called "Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Brick". You can see it (along with some clips from the real movies, and some entertaining trailers for the current LEGO sets and video game) at http://indianajones.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx . It's worthwhile even if you're not familiar with the films - it's just brilliant and hilarious in general. Flash is required, but it worked with my older version of the Flash plug-in, so you'll probably be able to watch the clip if you've been able to see the YouTube clips I've posted here in the past.