[amatix]

Even today the LEGO-compatible knock-offs are complete junk, my kids occasionally end up picking up a loose bag for £1 from the local charity shop. Pieces don't stick together properly (with each other, let alone LEGO pieces); legs, arms, and hands come off the minifigs; etc. You can instantly tell — even ignoring the assault rifles that would never make it in a LEGO box.

[wander_homer]

Nowadays there are several "knock-offs" on the market with higher quality and at a cheaper price.

[agumonkey]

I'm often stumped by the high level engineering that went into these "toys".