After a strong partnership was formed between Epic Games and Lego, it was only a matter of time before we started getting some Lego Fortnite sets to build.
Initially, this was restricted to small Lego Supply Llamas that were only sent out to select influencers, but now there are four full sets available for purchase, with the most popular proving to be the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073). Already on back order or sold out at many retailers, this build has been in high demand since it was first revealed.
But is the hype justified for this set? I'm happy to report that yes, it is! The Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073) is a perfect example of a gaming crossover done right, with plenty of details that will appeal to fans of the battle royale. If you love Fortnite, it'll be one of the best Lego sets for you.
Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073) features
- Quite expensive
- Large size for play and display
- Lots of minifigures
In terms of cost, the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus is up there and pushing close to the 'premium' price tag range. Interestingly, it has the same price as the Lego Fortnite Peely Bone (77072) set, despite that one having almost 500 more pieces included, though of course you can't measure value on brick count alone.
The Lego Fortnite Battle Bus definitely delivers on size, as you get a pretty hefty vehicle once you've completely assembled its close to one thousand pieces. It measures around 11 inches (28cm) long, and is slightly taller than that with the balloon taken into account, so you'll need a decent height available above a shelf you want to display it on.
We also need to talk about the Lego Fortnite minifigures that are included, as I believe they are a big part of the reason this set is so desirable. Minifigures have become hugely collectible items these days, and at the time of writing this set is the only way to get your hands on any official Lego Fortnite minifigs.
There are nine of them here, including (deep breath) Adventure Peely, Battalion Brawler, Brite Bomber, Cube Assassin, Cuddle Team Leader, Drift, Meowscles, Raven, and Trespasser Elite, with many featuring unique custom parts such as Peely's banana body and Meowscles' cat head. They also come with a range of instantly-recognisable battle royale accessories, including Pickaxes, Grapplers, Slurp Juice, and Slap Juice.
Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073) build
- An involved but not overly long build
- Well laid out instructions
- A few repetitive steps
This is by no means a quick build, but it shouldn't take an especially long time to complete. I put together the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus in around five hours, constructing it in a single sitting without getting bored at any point. The parts are spread over eight paper bags plus a few separate larger unique pieces to form the balloon on top, which provides plenty of handy 'checkpoints' to stop if you want to break up the build into multiple sessions.
The impressively thick instruction booklet runs to over 200 pages with a total of 244 steps to complete, but everything is laid out well and I didn't get confused at any point. By using some clever color-coding of bricks that become hidden later in the build, it was easy to tell which end of the base I was working on before significant details were added – essential when looking at a section running to a whopping 31 studs in length! I also realized as the build progressed that there were both black and very dark blue pieces involved, but the clear instructions meant I'd already been using them for a time before I noticed.
If you play Lego Fortnite then bonus content is available for you, as by scanning the QR code on the instruction booklet you can claim a code to unlock the Operation Brite Starter Pack for free, which includes the Brite Agent Outfit and Brite Bedroom Decor Bundle.
While there weren't any particularly fiddly parts to this build, there were a few that became quite repetitive. Rather than employing standard Lego chairs for the Battle Bus seats, this build uses a bespoke construction featuring hinged pieces so the backrests can tilt – and while this is a cool idea no doubt introduced to cater for some of the larger minifig outfits, putting together nine of them in a row wasn't the most exciting step. Likewise, I gave an audible groan when I reached the step that required no less than twenty one windows to be constructed by clipping their tiny panes into the frames before mounting them around the bus.
While there are mercifully few of them included in this set, there are still 15 stickers to contend with that personally are the bane of my life when it comes to Lego builds. While most are large and relatively simple to attach, there are a couple of smaller stickers to place on angled pieces or in the center of round pieces which were a pain to position correctly. Printed-on designs would have been welcome here, though I suspect they would drive the price up further.
Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073) design
- Very detailed replica of the in-game vehicle
- Roof can easily be removed to access interior
- Can still be used for play
As a regular Fortnite player I see the Battle Bus at the start of every match, and I was immediately struck by the level of detail that has been put into this build to replicate the in-game model. While there aren't any secret Easter eggs tucked away, there are some nice hidden touches such as the chunky engine under the hood and the tiny Battle Bus diagram on the dashboard display.
The exterior of the Battle Bus is chock-full of features that mirror the in-game counterpart, from the bright yellow hose connecting the radiator and the rooftop motor to the radar dish and bomb attached below the balloon. The propeller on the bomb even spins around when you blow on it, which is a nice touch. I initially felt the two stickered pieces on the side of the bus were somewhat superfluous, but after comparing them to the game I see they match up with patches of rust/worn lettering – though if I'm being extremely picky, the one on the right side should be further forward and I had to double check the booklet to make sure I'd put it where instructed.
Another nice touch is that rather than giving you all of the Lego Fortnite minifigures to begin with, they're spread throughout the bags, so you're gradually assembling your crew as you progress through the build.
While the Battle Bus works perfectly as a display piece, it can still be used for play as well, as it rolls smoothly on its wheels because the clamps don't actually attach. The roof can easily be removed as well to access the interior as there are only a couple of studs holding it in place, and the clamping arms fold upwards so it can be placed on a flat surface. There are enough seats inside to host all nine minifigs too, including one as the designated driver – just be sure to thank them before you drop!
Should you buy the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073)?
If you're a fan of Lego and Fortnite then this is an essential addition to your collection, as the Battle Bus is one of the most recognizable elements of the battle royale. The inclusion of nine official Lego Fortnite minifigs that you can't get anywhere else really elevates this set, making it a must-have for collectors.
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How we tested the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073)
I sat down and built the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (77073) set in a single five hour session, while listening to a few podcasts and taking a bit of time to admire the smaller details along the way. This could have easily been broken down into two or three separate sessions, as the individual bags of parts provide a natural break point at regular intervals.
For more, check out our guide to how we test products.
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