The Brick Tribune

Released in 2024 as a part of the first LEGO Animal Crossing wave 77048 Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour recreates the video game’s island hopping game-play in LEGO form.

The set comes packed in a vibrant, colourful box, sporting the LEGO and Animal Crossing logos side-by-side. The front shows off the completed set superimposed on typical Animal Crossing new horizons graphics. The back of the box, however, details how the set is customisable and showcases some of the possible island configurations.

The first numbered bag builds Kapp’n the turtle and his boat. This bag was fairly quick to assemble as the main boat is one LEGO piece. The boat comes fully stocked with a flask, lantern, flag, and life-ring (safety first!). The motor on the back of the boat also pivots slightly which is a nice touch.

Bag number 2 introduces the sets second minifigure – Marshal the squirrel. In the Animal Crossing video games Marshal is a ‘smug‘ type villager and tends to think highly of himself. Perhaps that’s why despite bag two building two deck chairs, Marshal is alone on the island.

The bag builds four small island sections, three of which are sand, and includes a campfire, fishing station, and a palm tree complete with two coconuts. The set designers have done a great job transforming the New Horizons style palm trees into LEGO system.

The final bag, number three, completes the island and ultimately the set. The island build is expanded to include another palm tree, a dock, and a hill section including bamboo. Marshal also gets a shovel and a small hermit crab to keep him company!

Above is all the pieces together. As you can see the set has a great amount of variety from the boat to the grass sections and the beach area. This would be a good set if you already own some LEGO Animal Crossing sets and wanted to expand your island.
Additionally I know Marshal is quite a popular character so it’s nice that he’s been included fairly early in the LEGO Animal Crossing releases.

Speaking of characters – Both Kapp’n (Left) and Marshal (Right) are great and extremely faithful to the game. Kapp’n sports his blue Hawaiian shirt and Marshal is wrapped up in a shirt and navy puffer vest. Both the minifigures have the typical Animal Crossing oversized head pieces which instantly denote them as LEGO Animal Crossing characters.

Overall there isn’t too much to say about this set. It does what it sets out to do, and nothing more.
I’d consider it a medium sized ‘add-on’ set. There isn’t much point to buying this one first (unless you really want Marshal or Kapp’n). The set does a good job at expanding and offering variety. Like with other LEGO Animal Crossing sets each round section can be separated, moved and customised.

The set pairs well with 77047 Bunnies Outdoor Activities – another ‘Add-on’ type set.
77048 Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour is a quirky set with great variety and minifigures, it’s just a little over-priced for the number of pieces included. A great second choice if you’ve already built the main Animal Crossing sets and you’re looking to expand your island!