Who needs Lego? The building block PC from Pantasy exudes 90s charm
11.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Philipp Rüegg
I have wanted to know for a long time how good Lego alternatives are. With the "Retro 90s PC" from Pantasy, I have found the perfect project.
Lego's constant complaints, their high prices, and quality that is not beyond reproach have long been a thorn in my side. Nevertheless, I have always remained loyal to the Danish building blocks. They remain unbeatable, especially with their brand collaborations. If they had an original 486 PC from Compaq, IBM, or Siemens Nixdorf on offer, I probably would have been tempted again. Instead, I stumbled upon a promising replica from Pantasy.
Pantasy belongs to the growing number of Lego alternatives. The Chinese company offers unusual and detailed sets ranging from Peanuts and Kung Fu Panda to Garfield. A major focus is on the Retro Collection. This also includes the "Retro 90s PC". A dream for someone like me who grew up in that era. Let's see if the Chinese interpretation of our first family PC brings me as much joy as the original did 35 years ago.
Just like back then, but without the bloody hands
Unfortunately, there is no interactive video manual like with many Lego sets. Instead, the packaging includes a thick booklet that explains step-by-step what I need to do over 147 pages. The bags with the parts are labeled 1 to 9. I can tear most of them open by hand, but I need scissors for a few.
First, I assemble the PC case. Which parts I need for each step is shown in a blue window. Below that, I can see where to put them, outlined in red. Because PCs, especially back in the 90s, were inconspicuous gray-white boxes, the beginning is a bit monotonous – at least in terms of color. Most parts are black, gray, or white. But that's how things were back when RGB lighting was only found in discos.
What the building block set fortunately does not reproduce are bloody hands and fingers. No sensible person would have dared to touch the razor-sharp metal cases without a first-aid kit.
Different order than Lego, same color issues
Although the instructions are clearly understandable, I make my first mistake with the cover featuring the power and reset buttons. I didn't follow the order. The reason: it's different from what I'm used to with Lego. If there are several steps above and next to each other on a page, I habitually start at the top left and then continue at the bottom left. That's how Lego does it. With Pantasy, the order is top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. A detail, but I fall for it a few more times until my brain adjusts.
Just like with Lego, there are shades of gray here that I can barely distinguish. Since the colors in the manual never look like they do in reality, it's often a guessing game. Is that light gray or dark gray? Usually, the process of elimination helps.
The components follow the case. While assembling the motherboard, I get flashbacks to my apprenticeship as an automation engineer. Back then at ABB, I diligently soldered transistors, capacitors, and resistors. Not that anything helpful from that time has stuck. Fortunately, a click is enough to mount the components here, although I would have liked to use the soldering iron again. The smell of molten solder immediately rises to my nose at the thought.
I don't see anything of the motherboard once I close the case. But I know it's in there, and that's what counts. Otherwise, I can remove a side panel or the lid with one move to admire my work.
Stickers in the most inappropriate place
Just as my instructor criticized my imperfect solder joints, I could also be a nitpicker with Pantasy. Fine lines from the manufacturing process are visible on some parts. But they don't bother me.
On the other hand, most visual elements are printed directly onto the bricks. Lego often relies on stickers, which is frequently criticized. Unfortunately, Pantasy uses stickers exactly where it is most annoying. The drive bay for the floppy disk is extremely narrow. Because I have to reposition the sticker on the diskette once, one corner sticks out slightly. That is already enough for the sticker to catch when inserting it. After just a few times, it looks worn.
The CD drive is solved better. The CD itself is an unprinted plastic disc. I push the drive out at the push of a button when I want to examine the small disc.
For the screen, Pantasy also sticks on the Windows background image. However, an astonishingly thick element is used here. In the middle is a window showing the cult game "Minesweeper". In the center is a rotatable building block element. On one side I see an empty playing field and on the other revealed numbers. The element requires a second sticker. I have to place this exactly, otherwise the rotating element will jam against the background image.
In addition, I insert the part incorrectly, so it is initially crooked. So I have to open the screen again, which gives me real PC-builder vibes.
I then click the monitor onto the PC case. Like a real monitor, I can rotate it. I find it a bit of a shame that I have to remove the top part of the monitor if I want to insert the two alternative screen backgrounds. I would have liked a narrow slot here.
Finally, the peripherals follow. The keyboard is only available in a 100-percent layout. Keyboard snob Kevin would turn up his nose in disgust. It bothers me more that it doesn't lie completely flat. The mouse also looks cute and appropriately has a way too short cable that I plug into the back of the PC. The fact that a ball is missing, which I would have been able to regularly clean of dust, is somewhat disappointing. That was one of the most satisfying things back then. On the other hand, I should perhaps dust something in my office at all before I wish for new dust collectors.
In a nutshell
a successful trip down memory lane
It doesn't always have to be Lego. I knew that before, but now I can confirm it myself: with the Retro 90s PC, Pantasy delivers a beautifully designed piece of nostalgia. The instructions are clear, the building blocks are cleanly manufactured, and many visual elements are printed on. It's a pity that they saved money in the silliest place by using a sticker for the floppy disk, which gets damaged easily. Otherwise, there are many little gimmicks like the interactive 'Minesweeper', the CD drive, or the interchangeable backgrounds. If you still remember those old grey-white machines from your childhood, like I do, Pantasy gives you a lovely set. And the best part: if the device turns as yellow as my Lego R2-D2, it's not even a bad thing. It actually makes it look even more authentic.
Pro
- beautiful replica of a 90s PC
- interactive gimmicks
- many printed elements
Contra
- Floppy disk label is peeling off
- Minor cosmetic flaws, such as a keyboard that does not lie flat
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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