Set Review: 42220 Monster Jam - Sparkle Smash
Just a few days ago we reviewed the Monster Jam Grave Digger, but we aren't quite done with the Monster Jam news for 2026 yet: to be more precise, we got an opportunity to review the 42220 Monster Jam Sparkle Smash as well. It follows the same overall recipe of using mostly Technic to reconstruct a real truck from the Monster Jam franchise in medium size, using around 250 parts, featuring pullback drive.
Unboxing reveals three bags of parts, an instruction booklet, and a sticker sheet. The stickers attract attention immediately with their rainbow-sparkling shiny background. But when dealing with a monster truck incarnated as a colourful unicorn, shiny stickers are not just acceptable—they are perfectly fitting.
Instead of assembling intricate mechanisms, the building process of the Sparkle Smash truck focuses on solid, robust body. There are some interesting approaches here, combining straight and bent liftarms, axles and pins, and robust triangular structures. And as such, interesting learning material for new builders who want to focus on strong construction. Sparkle Smash's chassis, therefore, definitely can withstand stunts which this truck is primarily intended for. Even the seemingly delicate decorative parts on the roof usually survive the occasional roll, thanks to how they are anchored relative to the forces acting on them.
Building it is also rather easy, adapted to younger audience, requiring no extraordinary dexterity. Actually, one can spot several steps that were probably introduced solely to make things simpler, but not to the extent that would bore the seasoned Technicians. Instructions are also rather clear. I encountered two tiny errors, but neither of them is serious nor baffling—and by the time this set reaches your desk, they may well be corrected already.
The simplicity of building does not fully extend to stickers, however. To wit, although the set is advertised for ages 7+, I—having well over six times the required age—struggled to apply two long, thin bodywork stickers on curved panels perfectly neatly, not helped by the static electricity attracting them to the intended surface prematurely. If you are reading this from the role of an adult looking for a gift for a child, do the child a favor and apply the two large titular stickers yourself ahead of time.
Other than that, I will refrain from criticizing stickers this time: they are abundant, but for something as wild and spectacular as Monster Jam trucks, over-the-top livery is simply an essential part of the image. Trying to implement it with fully printed parts would have been simply insane, to speak nothing of the costs even if it were possible, so the stickers are a correct choice in this case.
To reiterate, this set aims at high playability more than mechanical wizardry, and it delivers: the pullback motor is capable of storing significant energy and one can have lots of fun inventing obstacles and stunt ramps to drive the truck into—similar to their huge real-world counterparts. Since all trucks from this LEGO series share similar wheelspan, chunky tyres, pullback drive and other properties, having more than one enables unpredictable racing, too.
When it comes to the parts selection, one would perhaps expect the usual verdict: standard Technic building material, one or two interesting parts, and that's it. But in this regard, Sparkle Smash does truly sparkle. You may have already spotted the particular colour scheme involving combination of pink, magenta, purple and blue. While blue is not an uncommon colour in Technic, other three are, and one gets a handful of panel fairings in them. Especially the large, 11-stud long panels (64681) in purple are something completely out of the ordinary and, to my knowledge at least, the first instance of this part in that purplish sector of the colour wheel. Then there is a useful new quadruple connector (6611), a recently introduced long pin-axle connector (5713), as well as two L-shaped liftarms with alternating holes (2477). This time, interesting parts span beyond Technic too: the set includes five curved plant stems (28870), three in purple and two in dark azure, and and also a spiral plant stem (1997). Unsurprisingly for a unicorn-themed truck, there's also a horn (89522) in here. And of course, the pullback motor itself (12787c01) and the wheels with off road tyres (70695) and matching rims (56145), which can turn out useful in any kind of project, Technic or not.
Altogether, it's sparkly, it's ready for stunts, it's sturdy, and it's not difficult to build, checking all the boxes for the Monster Jam series that emphasize playability. Between this one and the other one appearing in January, the Grave Digger Fire and Ice which we had a look at several days ago, the choice primarily depends on one's taste, as functionally they are quite similar. However, if I had to choose one, I'd probably go for this one due to a more interesting supply of parts: I tend to disassemble most of my sets sooner or later, and when that happens I like knowing I've got some interesting new parts ready and waiting to be reused.
We thank LEGO for giving us this set for a review.
Number of parts: 243
Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 11 cm
Mech.features: Pullback drive
33691