Remember when the biggest thrill in life was putting a coin into a vending machine and hoping it didn’t jam? Well, LEGO is here to trigger those glorious memories—with fewer mechanical failures and a lot more brick. Say hello to the LEGO Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine (21358), a.k.a. Gashapon or Gachapon, a retro-styled tribute to simpler times, now gloriously reimagined with 1,343 LEGO pieces and zero regrets.
Built for grown-up fans who never quite grew up, this gloriously nostalgic machine lets you feed it a LEGO coin, twist the handle, and—click!—out pops one of 16 colorful capsules packed with minifig magic. Inside? Fan-favorite themes like Classic Space, Paradisa, Castle, and even a tribute to the fan designer who brought this idea to life. It’s like a blind bag, but chunkier and far more satisfying to crank.
Behind this pixel-perfect tribute is Belgian LEGO enthusiast Rob Vangansewinkel, a.k.a. Goosestore, who literally dismantled his childhood vending machine just to reverse-engineer it in brick form. That’s dedication, or perhaps a highly specific kind of adult therapy.
The machine stands 28 cm tall (11 in), which is just enough to command attention on your desk without screaming “I peaked in the ’90s.” And yes, it really works—complete with a working knob and that tactile click that makes you feel like a kid again, minus the questionable gum.
Launching for LEGO Insiders on July 1 and for everyone else on July 6, the LEGO Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine will set you back US$179.99. That’s a lot more than a coin, sure—but then again, nostalgia was never cheap.
Images: LEGO.
