LEGO Battle of Metru Nui

Most of the Lego Bionicle series of toys are pretty basic affairs, composed of fewer than a hundred bricks and designed to build one very particular toy in a very particular way. This sprawling Bionicle set, however, is much more ambitious and should provide a lot more prolonged play value. It sports 856 pieces in all and allows you to build the enormous Coliseum where key battles between opposing forces take place along with the gigantic spider Kahgarak. 13 character figures are included, six from the Toa Hordika and seven from the evil Visorak. Giant spinners and catapults add to the fun. As always with Lego, there are detailed directions and the bricks are infinitely adaptable to other sets. --Charlie Williams (Amazon)