The Legend of Zelda is known and praised for its entertaining puzzles. I suppose that means it is obvious to some that fan-made, Zelda-themed puzzle boxes would be a natural byproduct of their fame. What is surprising, and welcome, is the use of LEGO to make them. Perhaps I should have expected something like this Master Sword puzzle box by LEGO designer legolamaniac to already exist. I’ve seen plenty of LEGO puzzle boxes before, and Zelda fans do love to combine their fandom with everything (as they should).
The first thing I or anyone else can see first by looking at this puzzle box, dubbed “The Sword Box,” is that it is a LEGO design of the Master Sword resting in a puzzle box. I am aware of how obnoxious my declaration of the obvious is, but my point is that the design instantly catches the eye while also making it clear what the product is. And the added details — such as the grass, the Master Sword’s pedestal, and the Triforce — brand this build with all of the iconic and memorable markings that Zelda fans love, doubling the effect.
I especially love the design of the Master Sword itself. It is not overdone, but it has enough of the key details to meet the previously mentioned eye-catching criteria. It is a solid build that looks like it would be fun to assemble. The same goes for the box, of course, but I’m a sucker for all things Master Sword.
Just by looking at this puzzle, you know what to expect from this mysterious LEGO cube, and the Master Sword on top is the motivation to learn how to unlock it. The prize is clearly to pull the Master Sword from the pedestal. To that end, this design has great form.
It has great form, and it also has great function. The box is wonderfully complex and tests a would-be wielder of the blade’s puzzle-solving skills. Secret levels, hidden dials, switches, and even a dungeon key are involved in the elaborate process of freeing the Master Sword from its slumber. Nothing about this box says “easy, one, two, three.” You need to be as clever as Link to succeed.
The legolamaniac did a fantastic job with their design. They have also done so with all of their numerous creations inspired by other beloved franchises. This Master Sword Box is obviously my favorite, but if you appreciate both its celebration of Zelda and its level of complexity, I suggest you take a moment to look at legolamaniac’s other works. They even have a site where you can buy the box and a page on Rebrickable where you can buy only the instructions.
