LEGO® Bionicle 8998 Toa Mata Nui | Review

This set is considered by many to be the holy grail of Bionicle sets, and was released as a Toys ‘R Us exclusive set back in 2009. To many fans, including my younger self, Toa Mata Nui was a dream set since 2001. It’s something you always wondered about early on in Bionicle, and I’m disappointed that I was not engaged with Bionicle when this set came out. It came with a price tag of $50, which by today’s prices makes it one of the biggest missed opportunities of the time.

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Set Background: 0:00
Packaging: 1:51
Timelapse: 3:25
Model Review: 3:48
Current Pricing: 7:18
Score & Final Thoughts: 8:01

[XboxTFTidbits]

Your bank account will never recover. I salute you for making this sacrifice for us

[-megawolf-]

This man legit paid $2000 for a sealed Mata Nui just to crack it open for us and build it. The dedication you have had to this series is unparalleled. As a fellow Bionicle enjoyer who has grown up to be a poor young adult now, though, I wish the best for your finances...💀

[wnapolitan]

My parents got me this set for my 9th birthday. This was so much fun, i remember even sleeping with that guy like a teddy bear (only one time because it's obviously uncomfortable).

And he still stands in my collection, definitely like a holy grail

[xhango]

it's refreshing to see someone who wasn't disappointed with this set. I've seen almost unanimous negativity about it from the community for years and I just never understood it

[DJAudiowave]

I heavily salute you guys on this. This was and IS the Holy Grail of Sets and it’s been a privilege to see this the whole way through

[OkMakuTree]

It's really cool seeing this set in motion! I was never particularly impressed by this set's marketing photos but actually seeing how all the limbs articulate and look from different angles makes it way more exciting. Thank you for dropping the fat stacks so we could see this set in all its glory!

[Its_Just_Lux]

If this video doesn't segment you as the best Bionicle reviewer on YT, idk what will! Didn't even know it was possible for someone to make me respect them even more than I already do, but you went and did it! Christian, you are awesome!

[STICKOMEDIA]

I cannot believe gen 1 is done...
The last few years of sets on this channel went by so fast. I still remember hopping on back when you where still at the late 07 sets maybe a bit later...

I have no words to describe how thankful I am to see you open a boxed mata nui set, you didnt have to do it, but you did to show us all.
I am truly thankful to have seen a brand new set in a video. You made my day, that set was always a dream set of mine, I dont think I will ever get this close to one, but this will do.

[ProfSir]

My guy has less than 20k subscribers and is already dropping $2k on sealed Bionicles. I wish I was as confident as you. Great series.

[mxskedd]

I got to live vicariously through this one.
I went ahead and bought the golden Ignika back in 2020 and display it on my own Mata Nui titan moc but this set has always been the biggest idol to my childhood.

[LegomationStudio]

Will always be my most anticipated set growing up. I remember leaving school early and running home after getting the ups notification of its delivery.

[NickonPlanetRipple]

Wait, I have a $200 mask just sitting around?? 0_0

I'm glad you enjoy this set so much! I have a soft spot for it, but it's been on many "top ten worst Bionicle sets" lists over the years. What I appreciate most about it how it recreates some of the smaller Mata Nui's details, upscaled with different pieces. The chest is the best example. It looks just like the smaller figure's chest. Also the abdominal pistons are as classic as Bionicle gets. Even the mask being a pretty MASSIVE Kanohi evens out with the other Mask of Life being rather small. It's hard to believe this journey is almost over. But, if buying up these old sets and making these recent videos has showed you anything, it's that 2009 was one HECK of a year. One of Bionicle's better years, I think. So many new ideas, so many killer designs, so much potential.... but we all know how that went.

Bring on the Stars.

[whitestrake]

I remember getting this for Christmas in 2009. I was so excited. This set is really awesome, and definitely worthy of the Holy Grail title!

[Honorosis]

i have this very specific memory of seeing this set at a toy store that still sold bionicle a year after it got cancelled. tbf in the moment you don’t usually consider a set skyrocketing in value in the future (esp when yr a kid) but i’m right there with you in wishing i had gotten this when i was a kid. awesome video as usual, hoping one day i can pick this one up for my collection 🙏

[fuaddyf]

Still have mine in my parents’ home. So happy that they’ve kept every single Bionicle intact. Every time I go back, I check on it. By far my favourite Titan. So glad I got it :)

[noirhelios]

Honestly I remember as a kid and then the immediate following years hearing how disappointed people were in this set, but seeing it in play? I'm awed. While yes it would look even more glorious in gold instead of orange/yellow, it's like you said, it looks powerful and wise after culminating pieces from so many generations. As a kid I saw it as the Great Spirit Robot set, and I guess in a way, it kind of is by the sounds of it. Maybe one day I'll try to get this to scratch off the bucket list

[FriesShake]

This is like one of the ultimate Bionicle sets, having this must be a privilege for a Bionicle fan you’re lucky 😂, and the fact this is a Toys r us exclusive brings even more nostalgia for Bionicle fans

[Pandre]

That mask is freaking beautiful, thanks for sharing this it gives an opportunity for many to see this set in detail for the first time.

[mrpoool]

Thank you for creating this archive for the community and everyone just discovering Bionicle

[darkdonut]

Ik this isn’t much, but I wanna give back to you for making a high quality review for such a sought after and legendary set anyways. May your bank account recover someday!