Mattel Opens Preorders for $330 Full-Scale Xbox Set With 3,509 Pieces

Q: What hidden secret is Mattel concealing inside their 3,509-piece Xbox set, and what happens when the mysterious button combo is pressed?

Mattel has not publicly revealed a specific hidden “secret” inside the 3,509-piece Xbox set beyond the built-in Easter eggs already described: three removable mini dioramas based on Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Psychonauts, plus hidden scenes that light up when controller buttons are pressed. What is known is that the mysterious button combination triggers an “exclusive” or “unique” lighting sequence. Mattel’s announcement and retailer descriptions confirm the effect exists, but they do not spell out the exact button combo or describe in detail what the lighting pattern looks like. In other words, the surprise is being kept as a discovery feature for builders. The rest of the interactive functions are clearer. The buildable Duke controller has working buttons, and pressing them activates one of several light-and-sound sequences tied to the console and game modules, including illuminated scenes and matching in-game music. Some listings describe four distinct light-and-sound sequences in total. So the short answer is that the concealed element appears to be an undisclosed Easter egg in the electronics: a secret controller input that unlocks a special lighting show, but Mattel has intentionally not disclosed exactly what it is or how it looks.

3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Aug 19

$330 buys a 1:1-scale original Xbox model from Mattel, with preorders now live through Amazon, Best Buy and Mattel Creations.
3,509 pieces make up the interactive set, which includes a brick-built controller that triggers lights and game music in three removable dioramas.
Those modules reference Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Psychonauts, and can be displayed separately with their figurines.
The release extends the trend of retro game hardware getting brick-set versions, though this one comes from Mattel rather than Lego.