Comparing LEGO Ideas 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine to the original fan design

Comparing LEGO Ideas 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine to the pitch shows how projects can be upgraded without changing the foundation.

Belgium-based fan designer Rob Vangansewinkel’s Minifigure Prize Machine project has been transformed into the official 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine set, launching next month with early access for LEGO Insiders starting June 1, for £149.99 / $179.99 / €169.99.

It compares more favourably to the initial pitch than the likes of 21344 The Orient Express Train, but it's not without some changes, or it might be better to call them upgrades. Here's how this set has transformed from submission to set.

A familiar foundation

The original fan design by Rob features a transparent cylinder with a red and grey base and topper. These base foundations are practically identical in the official design, eschewing only the grey columns on the sides and bringing the crank forward with space to insert a LEGO coin, making the experience even more realistic.

The LEGO Ideas team didn't need to reinvent the wheel here, and thankfully, they didn't. Rob's original foundations remain in 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine, whereas other LEGO Ideas projects have changed much more in their transition to an official set. That's not to say there aren't more differences to note, but they're all upgrades.

Reliable features, but reinvented capsules

Aside from adding the coin function and extending the turning mechanism to spin more of the capsules, the functionality of 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine is practically identical to Rob's project. The opening door has been removed in the official design, likely to avoid the capsules getting stuck.

Speaking of those capsules, they have been upgraded from using a transparent dome and rock element to two new and bigger dome pieces with Technic axles to hold the two halves together. This gives more space for the minifigure parts, allowing you to pack in more pieces and more easily.

More minifigures

The minifigures from Rob's original project have been hugely expanded on. He originally pitched a pirate captain, a classic policeman, a Mariachi skeleton, a beach dude, a casual minifigure and B. A. Baracus from The A-Team. The latter never had a chance of being included in the final design, but otherwise, it's a fairly reliable selection of original designs the LEGO Group could easily re-use.

In a sense, five of the six pitched minifigures have inspired the 16 included in 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine. Pirates are back with two minifigures, but there's no sign of Captain Redbeard. The beach dude is similar to the two Paradisa minifigures, and the classic policeman has the same smiling face as the four Classic Space astronauts.

Otherwise, the minifigure selection is expanded and different to what Rob originally pitched, but his submission description did mention that an official set would be a chance to include many rare minifigures for collectors to enjoy. That's certainly true of the final product.

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