Product test
The Lego Game Boy is a Nintendo nerd’s dream
by Domagoj Belancic
A piece of magic: the Hogwarts diorama by Lego
4/8/2023
Translation: Elicia Payne
Are you ready for a trip to Hogwarts? Bring the Harry Potter universe to your living room with the new Lego diorama of the castle.
From the Great Hall to the Chamber of Secrets to the Astronomy Tower, Lego’s product description says the Hogwarts diorama has everything a Potterhead could want. The set has 2,660 individual pieces and goes on sale on 1 September 2023.
For the review, Lego provided me with a set in advance.Exciting and entertaining assembly
It’s Sunday morning and I just wanted to treat myself to the first few steps. Without even realising it, I keep on building. Only when the diorama is completed can I stop. A Lego marathon is the sign of a good set. Building this one is exciting, entertaining and teaches you something about Harry Potter at the same time. Unless you already know the ins and outs.
Watching how every brick creates the magical diorama is addictive. With each building stage, you dive deeper into the magical world of the Harry Potter universe and learn more about the architecture of the castle. The clear instructions from Lego leave no questions unanswered. Although Lego declares the set for 18+, even Lego novices and children can take on the challenge.
Plenty of details despite the small scale
The castle, including the terrain around it, is 25×35 centimetres wide and 21 centimetres tall. This makes it half the size of the Lego Hogwarts Castle, which was launched five years ago. All the more impressive is the fact that the diorama version of Hogwarts, despite its small size, is packed with pretty details.
In addition to the true-to-scale building parts, you’ll find several small details in the diorama. For example, the Whomping Willow and the car hanging in it from the Chamber of Secrets. Or the Beauxbatons carriage and the Durmstrang ship which transported the two wizarding schools to the Triwizard Tournament.
If you turn the diorama over, you’ll see what's hidden underneath the castle. Several elements from the story are recreated here. For example, the Chamber of Secrets, the flying keys, the Philosopher’s Stone, and even Professor Snape’s classroom.
Conclusion: a well-made diorama worth every penny
Back then I didn’t have enough space, so I couldn’t buy the big Hogwarts castle from Lego. That’s why I was so happy when I heard about this diorama version. My only concern was that at this size, the details might get lost. There was no need to fear, because Lego managed to not only reproduce the buildings to scale, but was also able to include several nice details from the story of Harry Potter.
The black border, the water, the rocks, the chosen colours: visually, the diorama delivers. I also think the price of the set is in a more affordable range. Compared to the diorama of the Cheops Pyramid, you get almost twice as many parts with this set.
If you already own the big Hogwarts castle from Lego, you don’t necessarily need to get this diorama. However, for those who, like me, have little space, this set is ideal. Thanks to its size, you can present it on your living room shelf and not have to give up a quarter of your apartment for it.
Header image: Ramon Schneider
I get paid to play with toys all day.
