Mould King has recently introduced new roller coaster building sets but can they compete with the official LEGO roller coasters sets? We just finished building Mould King’s pirate-themed Double Helix coaster and we’re going to review every aspect of it and how it compares to the official LEGO loop coaster set. We’ll answer questions such as: which one is more fun to build, which one looks better on display, and which rides smoother. We were recently blown away by an off-brand working bumper car set, but will the spiral coaster live up to that level of detail? Read on to find out!
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Mould King vs LEGO roller coaster comparison
Q: What were your first impressions of the Mould King roller coaster set?
When I first saw the Mould King Double Helix set, I thought it looked kinda lame. I think the low price tag threw me off (more on that later). Upon closer inspection, I realized it’s a clever design to fit a lot of track into a small area. As we built it, I saw the crazy level of details on the pirate ship.
Q: Did you have any issues building the Mould King set such as missing pieces?
One of the biggest complaints if you read the reviews of any non-official LEGO set is usually missing pieces. I’m happy to report I did not encounter this issue with my helix set.
The most impressive thing about LEGO bricks is they always fit perfectly together. They have that satisfying snap when you push two pieces together. Mould King has not achieved that level of perfection yet. Their bricks always felt tighter and harder to snap together, so much so that my fingers were hurting towards the end of the build.
I thought the Mould King set was pretty well designed except for two connections on the roof over the station that just wouldn’t hold. But weak connections is also an issue the LEGO loop coaster has as well.
This single stud connection just does not hold
Q: What is the level of detail and realism in the Mold King set versus LEGO’s offerings?
I found the Mould King set to be very realistic. The roller coaster uses a push spiral lift hill, just like Zamperla does on their Volare flying coasters and Puss ‘n Boots inverted coaster at Universal Studios Singapore.
Time Warp at Canada’s Wonderland
Q: Are the instructions provided by Mold King clear and easy to follow, especially when compared to LEGO’s renowned instruction booklets?
LEGO’s instructions are almost always crystal clear. Mould King? Not bad, but definitely more of a challenge. My biggest problem (and maybe I’m just getting old) was the colors on the instruction book pages didn’t seem to match the actual bricks very well.
Q: Are the LEGO roller coaster tracks and cars interchangeable with the Mold King ones?
Yes, the tracks and cars are interchangeable. However, one rolls MUCH better than the other.
LEGO cars (left) roll much better than the Mould King cars (right) due to the single axle
Q: Are there unique features or innovations in the Mold King set that LEGO has not implemented in its roller coaster sets?
Some Mould King pieces are exactly the same as their LEGO counterparts. There were some pieces that LEGO must have patents on (I can’t think of any other reason why some parts are nearly exact copies and others aren’t), so to get around that Mould King breaks the part up into two smaller pieces.
Q: How does the price point of the Mold King roller coaster compare to LEGO sets, and does it offer good value for money?
PPP (price per piece) is very important for LEGO fans. LEGO Loop coaster was $399 for 3,756 pieces or 10.6 cents per piece. The double-helix roller coaster is $129.99 with 2,174 pieces or 5.9 cents per piece!
Mould King Roller Coaster Video
Q: How well does the set actually work?
Find out by watching the video below.
Overall, I thought the Mould King roller coaster build was engaging, the motion is fun to watch, and it’s a great display piece. Some connections were tricky, and the bricks themselves are not quite LEGO quality, but for the price it is impressive. I was initially a little apprehensive before purchasing this set since it is not an official LEGO set but in the end it ending up surpassing a lot of LEGO sets and was one of the most fun builds and one of the best looking building sets we’ve done. If you’re a roller coaster fan, a LEGO lover, or just someone who enjoys building intricate models, this is a great addition to your collection!
So, do you recommend the LEGO or the Mould King roller coaster?
If you want premium quality, smoother function, and an easier build – LEGO wins. If you want a cheaper alternative with a motorized system that still looks awesome on display – Mould King wins. Both sets are awesome when they work but both may require a little fine tuning. At the end of the day, it depends on what you value—price or perfection.
Would you pick the LEGO version or the Mould King roller coaster? Let me know in the comments!
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