Review: LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine

LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine 11374 New Release Review Brick Banter - 2026 June

A Pinball machine that is out of this world!

In a turn that nobody saw coming – LEGO have developed a LEGO Arcade Pinball Machine! Reminiscent of nostalgia from both LEGO Classic Space and the Microsoft Pinball 3D: Space Cadet, LEGO give us a creative fusion in a set for July 2026! With high hopes in both design and fun, how does it hold up? Read on!

Around the Arcade Machine

LEGO‘s design team for this set has to be applauded to start with here. The decals on this model are fantastic, let alone the plate work from the builder. From rocket details, colour splashes, LEGO Minifigure artwork and a score that matches the set number? *Chef’s kiss*

The model isn’t of course just for show, but is fully functional (to the best a LEGO set could be). From pulling back the launcher to mashing buttons, the thrill of the launch is very much real. There is also many obstacles to hit, just like a real pinball table, as well as the favourite alternate track.

What is also really great is that there is an actual point scoring system – the astronaut on the splash-back. Hit the asteroid in the middle and watch them slowly etch closer and closer to the baby. Get to the baby and you win!

Finding that there was an actual functional way to get a score was not something I expected in this set, even from just looking at the box. This allows siblings or friends to compete with each other in a measurable way, or at least try to complete it together. Top notch!

Playability & Functions

To a LEGO fan, seeing a model such as this screams ‘Technic!’. The pinball machine is home to many different technic functions throughout the model, all bringing it to life.

From a simple launching mechanism to slamming the sides to activate the flippers, LEGO fans who don’t build a lot of Technic will have something to learn. Be comfortable, it’s not that complex!

But for the more advanced fans, the mechanism to score is what really intrigued me. You see, the asteroid used to score points works with a very intricate system of counterweights. Hit the target hard enough, it swings forward just enough to move a gear to rotate. That rotation then causes a worm gear to move, and thus, move the spaceman.

It’s very Rube-Goldberg-Machine, but I like it. It may be a bit of a surprising challenge for new fans however.

Minifigures

LEGO Classic Space Fans rejoice! With this set, we get ourselves a first set-released light blue figure and a baby light blue spaceman!

For some fans, it would be known that this light blue torso used to be a build-a-minifigure exclusive in certain parts of the world, but here we get it in a much more accessible way! Hooray!

Verdict

This is a set that not only plays incredibly well, but has been designed in an extremely pleasing way. I genuinely think that this is a great conversation piece, and the fact that the game is functional in its scoring system is mind blowing.

The LEGO team who made this set should feel extremely proud, as it is a set that is both new-fan-friendly with some tricky bits, and experienced-person-like satisfying to make.