Miles "Tails" Prower finally got his due. For years, Lego fans were stuck with just a single Sonic minifigure from the old Dimensions pack, but when the full Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails sets started dropping, everything changed. It wasn't just about adding a sidekick. It was about capturing that specific 16-bit nostalgia in plastic.
If you grew up clutching a Sega Genesis controller, you know Tails isn't just a backup. He’s the engineer. He's the heart. Seeing him translated into a minifigure with those iconic dual tails—which, by the way, are a custom-molded piece and not just some lazy print—felt like a win for the fans who actually care about the lore.
The Engineering Behind the Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails Minifigure
Let's talk about the mold. Lego could have easily gone the cheap route. They could have printed two tails on a standard 1x1 round plate and called it a day. They didn't. Instead, we got a dedicated dual-tail element that fits into the neck bracket. It's bulky, sure, but it captures that "propeller" look perfectly.
The scale is also interesting. Tails is supposed to be shorter than Sonic. In the Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails sets, like the Workshop and Tornado Plane (76991), they used the medium-sized "teen" legs. These are great because they give him the height deficit he needs while still allowing him to sit down. You can actually put him in the cockpit of the Tornado without it looking weird.
He’s got the white gloves. He’s got the tuft of hair on his forehead. Most importantly, the eyes aren't creepy. Some of the early prototype leaks had people worried about "Sanic" levels of weirdness, but the final production version is remarkably faithful to the Sonic Adventure era character design.
Why the Workshop and Tornado Plane Set (76991) Matters
This is the definitive way to get Tails. Honestly, the build itself is a bit of a throwback. It’s not a complex Technic masterpiece, and it shouldn't be. It’s a 376-piece hit of dopamine. You get the Workshop, which is packed with Easter eggs that only long-time Sega nerds will catch. There’s a tiny wrench, a computer station, and plenty of space for Tails to tinker.
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Then there’s the Tornado. The red biplane is legendary.
Building it feels like playing through Sky Chase Zone. It’s sturdy enough for "swooshing"—which is the scientific term for flying Lego planes around your living room—and it features a stud shooter because, well, it’s a Lego set. But the real value is the interaction between the characters. You get a Clucky and a Buzz Bomber, adding that much-needed conflict to the display.
Interestingly, the set includes a small "research" station. This highlights Tails' role as the brains of the operation. While Sonic is busy running into loops and smashing Badniks, Tails is the one figuring out how the Chaos Emeralds actually work.
Comparing the Versions: Dimensions vs. Modern
Some collectors still swear by the original Lego Dimensions era. Back then, we didn't have a dedicated Tails figure; we just had Sonic and a few brick-built vehicles. It felt incomplete. The modern Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails is a massive leap forward in printing technology and plastic quality.
The color matching is better now. The yellow isn't too "lemonade"—it has that warm, amber-orange hue that matches his appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. If you’re looking at your shelf and wondering if you should upgrade from old custom figures to the official Lego version, the answer is yes. Every single time.
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The official minifigure has better clutch power on the accessories, and the head mold is significantly more durable than the 3D-printed stuff you find on Etsy.
The Hidden Details Most Fans Miss
Did you notice the tool belt? In some of the promotional art and the way the Workshop is laid out, Lego leans heavily into the Sonic Boom aesthetic without actually using the Sonic Boom character designs. It’s a smart move. They’re blending the classic look with the "tinkerer" personality that has defined Tails for the last decade.
Also, look at the Badniks. The Buzz Bomber in the Tails-centric sets is a great example of "SNOT" (Studs Not On Top) construction. It’s a small detail, but it shows that the designers weren't just phoning it in for a kids' toy. They wanted these to look good on a desk next to a gaming PC.
- Custom Molds: The head and tail pieces are unique to this character.
- Articulated Legs: The use of medium legs allows for posing without sacrificing the "short" look.
- Playability: The Tornado plane is surprisingly balanced, even with a minifigure standing on the wings (classic Sonic style).
Dealing with the "Yellow" Dilemma
There’s been some debate in the AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) community about the specific shade of yellow used for Tails. Some argue it should be more orange. Others think it’s too bright. If you look at the original 1992 sprites, Tails was definitely more orange. However, the modern 3D models have lightened him up quite a bit.
Lego went with "Bright Light Orange." In my opinion, it’s the right call. It pops against the blue of Sonic and the red of the Tornado. If they had gone any darker, he would have started looking like a weirdly colored Knuckles.
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How to Display Your Tails Collection
If you’re serious about your Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails display, don't just stand him on a baseplate. You’ve got to get creative. Use some clear "trans-clear" bars to pose him mid-flight. Since his tails are essentially a propeller, he should never be static.
A lot of people are pairing him with the Ideas Sonic set (21331). While the scales are slightly different—the Ideas set is a bit more "collector" focused and "pixelated"—Tails still looks great perched on top of a bridge or helping Sonic grab a Chaos Emerald.
The Future of Tails in the Lego Universe
With the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie bringing Shadow into the mix, we can expect even more sets. But Tails remains the anchor. He’s the bridge between the high-speed action and the technical side of the builds. We might see a "Tails' Sea Fox" or even a larger-scale "Cyclone" transformation from Sonic Adventure 2 down the line.
One can dream, right?
The current lineup is solid, but there's always room for more "Tails-tech." The fan community is already busy making MOCs (My Own Creations) of his various inventions using the base minifigure as a starting point.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
- Prioritize Set 76991: If you only buy one set for Tails, make it the Workshop and Tornado. It’s the most "in-character" representation of him available.
- Check the Tail Connection: When assembling, ensure the tail piece is pushed firmly onto the neck peg before adding the head. If it's loose, the head won't sit flush, and it'll look wonky.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: The "Bright Light Orange" bricks are notorious for fading over several years if left in a window. Keep your Tails out of the UV rays to preserve that Sega glow.
- Mix and Match: Use the extra tools from other Lego City or Technic sets to flesh out Tails' workshop. He’s an inventor—he needs more than one wrench.
- Keep the Instructions: The build for the Tornado has some clever offset angles that are easy to forget if you ever need to rebuild it after a move.
The Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Tails figure isn't just another plastic toy. It's a tiny, yellow monument to one of the most enduring sidekicks in gaming history. Whether he's flying the Tornado or fixing a broken Flicky, he’s an essential part of the Lego Sonic ecosystem. If your shelf is currently just blue, it's time to add some yellow.