Around Town and Beyond: LEGO 2007

[Ji'dai]

I've always been a big fan of Town since I was a kid and LEGO has some neat looking sets lined up for us model Town/City builders in 2007.

Several new sets join your LEGOLand's fire brigade this year. The first two have made an appearance at TRU stores - 7942 Off-Road Rescue (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7942&cn=381&d=9) and 7944 Fire Hovercraft (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=7944). The hovercraft is pretty cool, but I'll probably hold off on that one until I can get it on sale. A brand spanking new fire station (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=7945) is also available, which looks pretty cool with a facade that reminds me of those great Town sets from the 80s and early 90s. The great thing is those segmented garage doors - man, I love those.

[Slicker]

Some decent offerings but I just can't bring myself to buy anything other than SW LEGO anymore. The sets just don't appeal to me in the way that the late 80's and early 90's sets did.

[Ji'dai]

I did order this Creator House (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=4956&cn=348&d=70) last Sunday. It's mini-fig scale and much like the previous House (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=4886&cn=348&d=70) set, instructions are included to build at least 3 different buildings. I wish these house sets were carried by TRU or Wal-Mart where I might have chance to get multiples on sale or clearance.

[JediTricks]

I am a sucker for Hovercrafts, and that one looks like a real top-notch design. I generally don't go in for the Fire guys though, fighting fires seems like too limited a job for my LEGO guys - just too 1-note. I am curious to see how they did the skirt this time, it looks like a 1-piece design and rubbery, hopefully it'll work nicely in person.

[Slicker]

I did order this Creator House (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=4956&cn=348&d=70) last Sunday. It's mini-fig scale and much like the previous House (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=4886&cn=348&d=70) set, instructions are included to build at least 3 different buildings. I wish these house sets were carried by TRU or Wal-Mart where I might have chance to get multiples on sale or clearance.Ok, now those house sets are pretty neat. I still don't think I'd buy but they definitely look great as that was about I built back in the day were houses with all of the LEGO we had.

[JediTricks]

I spotted the new Fire sets yesterday at TRU, looked over the Hovercraft and liked some of what I saw but figured it could wait until after xmas since there's not as much substance to the set as I was hoping.

I did pick up the Police Motorcycle set from last year though, finally after a year plus I hit the LEGO store *and* remembered why. ;) It's got some good aspects but in some ways is a crummy LEGO set, what with being mostly 2 big prefab parts and not much actual LEGO building, plus it's very large - looks ok when the rider is on it but once he's off it's taller than him and 5 studs wide.

[Ji'dai]

I saw the new City Fire Station at TRU today as well. The fire sets are intended for younger builders - the age range begins at 5, which I think is very young for System. The station has at least one large wall section which makes building go faster and the entire set is divided and bagged individually for easier assembly.

I still like the set though, I think LEGO is trying to maintain a balance between small children's building habits and giving adult collectors a structure with a nice looking facade with some depth; not to mention adding classic elements such as the segmented garage doors.

I also spotted the '07 Creator House I ordered from LEGO Shop@Home at TRU today too. Nice to see something like that at a brick-and-mortar store. Here's hoping TRU continues to stock the set through next year.

[JediTricks]

I picked up 2 of the new Creator sets recently:

LEGO Creator Cool Cars (4939) - a decent $10 set, you get 206 pieces and even though most are small it's still a very good value. And if you're looking for those new smooth angle tiles, this set has 18 yellow, 12 trans-smoke, 4 dark gray, and 2 black. I built all 3 included instructions, the variety is perfect because each covers some different building styles. The racecar works with a few small facade ideas, it's a nice-lookin' car overall, I disagree with the instructions that it should use the "spokes" side of the wheels, looks better with the "rivets" side. The truck is very cool and larger than you'd expect even while you're building it, the concept here is more about greebling with whatever you have to make details, it's an unusual build but comes out satisfyingly and even has opening doors, again I disagree with the instructions using the "rivets" wheel sides and used the "spokes" side for the front end as many trucks have mismatched wheel hubs like that. Then the main build is the sports car with opening trunk and gullwing doors, this one uses all the pieces and comes out ok but the lines need tightening up in the rear. The car is wide and low-slung, from the front it has aggressive yet sporty lines which continue into the cab area. Things get less exciting after the cab with a hatchback and a rear end that pulls in. The hatchback opens to reveal a trunk open to the road, while the gullwing doors swing up showing off a nifty little interior with a fair amount of detail at this size. The car is slightly smaller than minifig scale, if minifigs were real people it'd be in their scale since they could bend their legs and duck down, but it'd require rebuilding up 3 studs higher or so to get them into this, and it might be worth doing. This is a great building set even if the models aren't perfect, each has something satisfying and is worth checking out, and 2 of the models are each worth the price of admission on their own. Grade: A-

LEGO Creator Fast Flyers (4953) - another amazing set, just over 300 pieces for $20 and these are REAL pieces this time. All 3 sets in the instructions are great, though only the main set uses enough pieces to be worth the $20. The helicopter is the smallest but far more handsome than I was expecting, no landing gear (this is the kind where if it had it, it'd fold away) but the rotor and tail rotor spin freely; the tail rotor being a clip-on is very clever and surprisingly effective. The hovercraft is the build I was most looking forward to, it's not quite as keen as I was hoping because it's a little small and the rear isn't sealed in, but it looks nifty from the front and sides and it uses building techniques I hadn't thought of before that aren't found in the rest of this set. Finally, the main build, the jet plane, it's amazing! It's well over a foot long but feels quite solid and ultra-swooshable, it's based on the recently-retired F-14 Tomcat, and when you pull out the tail the wings swing forward! The swing wings are done amazingly well and even have a movable aileron on each, the final stop point is 90 degrees out which is a little further than a real F-14, but you can adjust it back a little or change the spacer on the technic rod inside to a full-length from the half-length one and it'll work. The set is a bit colorful, mostly white but with a lot of red and blue, and has only a facade cockpit canopy build, but it's still one of the best LEGO planes ever for me. Awesome set, a must-have for any LEGO fan. Grade: A


The F-14 like jet is of course more off in the close details, but the swingwing gimmick is so awesome I'm considering rebuilding this set to actually be a minifig toy, maybe redo the intakes to better match the F-14 as well. It'd require bulking up the nose to the point where it'd probably change the entire scale of the toy, but the end result would be so mighty.

[DarkArtist]

I saw these also and was thinking of picking up the vehicle one but haven't seen the airplane one.

[Ji'dai]

I've had that Cool Cars sets in my mits on more than one occasion but ultimately put it back each time. The Fast Flyers looked pretty good too although I'm not into modern jet fighters.

[JediTricks]

I saw these also and was thinking of picking up the vehicle one but haven't seen the airplane one.
I've only seen it at Target stores so far.


Cool Cars is a good use of $10 if you like the slanty brick and little parts, it's not the best car but I have already rebuilt the truck once and then rebuilt it back into the car so it has appeal.

[Ji'dai]

Ooh, look at his new Creator house set (4954):

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2299294

Isn't that beautiful?!

Looks like LEGO is gearing up for the 75th Anniversary of the company in '07 too. Founded in 1932, the business originally made wooden household goods and toys. LEGO became the company name two years later. In 1947 LEGO began making plastic toys, but it wasn't until the late '40s that the first forerunners of the LEGO bricks we know today were released.

Future Builders (ad campaign):
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2299281

Stonehenge (ad campaign):
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2299282

[Ji'dai]

Spotted some new Town sets on LEGO Shop@Home today.

A new Fireboat (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7906&cn=381&d=9) that features a floating hull and battery-operated motor is available. I think this is second set with the LEGO boat motor. LEGO's previous floating boats just had a groove in the hull bottom that fit a Playmobil boat motor. Unfortunately, the new motors aren't compatible with the old hulls.

Cargo is back with a harbor facility (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7994&cn=339&d=9). I have the two older seaports, 1991's Launch & Load (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6542) and Intercoastal Seaport (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6541), from the awesome Nautica theme. Looks like the old dock plates have been replaced by just square building plates. This Container Stacker (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7992&cn=223&d=9) vehicle will help load ships at port too.

Also on tap is a new Recycle Truck (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7991&cn=223) and Heavy Hauler (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7998&cn=223) with trailer. I like the new vehicles, they're fun to build and have lots of little detail, especially in the front ends. They are a little wide though, and tend to look out of place next to the old 4-stud-wide vehicles and on older road plates.

[JediTricks]

I thought those had all been out for months. Or am I getting 'em mixed up with preview photos?

[Ji'dai]

Yeah, photos of the sets from retailer catalogs & toy fairs have been floating around the net for several months. These are the usual mid-year releases, I expect to see them at retail in late June or early July.

[Ji'dai]

At TRU today, I spotted not only the new Town/City sets I mentioned in the above post, but also the new Castle, Harry Potter (Hogwarts), and Mars Mission sets. I wonder if the new SW sets are on their way as well.

[JediTricks]

I also spotted those Castle and Mars Mission sets at TRU this week.

The Castle sets look like a lot of fun if you like minifig play but not yet seeing the "castle" aspect so much.

The Mars Mission packaging is unbelievably dull, and it only highlights some really crummy-looking sets IMO. I doubt I'll buy a single set now that I've seen them in person.

[figrin bran]

well, i like minifig play so i got the Joust set :D

btw, i'm hearing rumors that Lego will get the license to produce Indy IV sets next year

[Ji'dai]

btw, i'm hearing rumors that Lego will get the license to produce Indy IV sets next year

The Indiana Jones-inspired Adventurers theme was what got me back into collecting LEGO back in '98. I don't mind LEGO getting the Indy license, but I sho' hope Hasbro doesn't get it.

Check out this new LEGO Factory set, Market Street (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=10190&cn=245&d=100). Priced at $90, it's mini-fig scale and is designed to connect to the awesome Cafe Corner (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=10182&cn=245), released a few months ago. I'm gonna have to get this one and expand my main street!

While browsing TRU's site I found another new set available for pre-order: a new filling station (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2663245&cp=2255956.2262937.2274247&view=all&fbn=Character+Theme%7CLEGO&f=PAD%2FBrand+Name+Secondary%2FLEGO&f=PAD%2FCharacter+Theme%2FLEGO&fbc=1&categoryId=2274247&parentPage=search). Yep, Octan is back!

[JediTricks]

Wow, Market Street looks pretty good connected to the Cafe Corner, they've got a really handsome block being built up!


On the Octan set, look at those prices, that's got to be an old set. :p

[LusiferSam]

That's pretty cool. I'm not sure I the color (I've never been a fan of pastels). I think I'll have to get both of those sets.

[Jargo]

gorgeous looking when combined with cafe corner. hope they continue these mod sets.

[figrin bran]

I guess a more proper place for this info would be a Lego 2008 thread but i'll post it here anyhow

2008 Indiana Jones sets (http://actionfigureinsider.com/main/?p=246)

There will be a total of 8 sets. 4 for release in Jan 08 and the other 4 in May 08. The ones in Jan are original trilogy sets:
Temple Escape $49.99
Race for the Stolen Treasure 29.99
Indy and the Lost Tomb 19.99
Motorcycle Chase 9.99

[JediTricks]

I dunno why, but I am not feeling this just yet. I get the sense that we'll be seeing stripped-down sets that are low on bricks. None the less, I bet I'll get a couple of 'em.

[figrin bran]

the real Indy Lego minifig? (http://www.throwmetheidol.com/images/legofig_indy.gif)

[Ji'dai]

Hey, I'd buy that for a dollar. I like the shoulder bag too, that's a new part, along with the whip and fedora. Good to see LEGO didn't just rehash Johnny Thunder's Aussie boonie hat.

I like the selection of OT sets LEGO is making to launch the theme. None from Temple of Doom, though that movie is just as dark and violent as ROTS was.

According to the article, Indy and the Lost Tomb is the Well of Souls escape, but at $20 will probably only be a shadow of what it looked like in the movie.

I was always a fan of the Last Crusade motorcyle chase. I'm interested to see how LEGO does the sidecar. I found a pic of a WWII-era MOC version (http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/11838) made by Daniel Zayac. I'm sure we'll get a molded sidecar rather than one made from bricks.

[JediTricks]

Hmm, that Indy looks good, but I'm not sure it's real as the copyright is done wrong. I'll be glad to be proven wrong on that though, should that be the case.

Temple of Doom I think only has a few sets it could offer, you've got the bridge scene, the actual temple with the lowering sacrifice cage (and I really don't see them doing this), Indy & the gang on the raft, and Indy in China.

That motorcycle is just too bricky, I like the enthusiasm but it doesn't really translate.

[DarthQuack]

Did anyone here have any of the Monorail or Train sets? I had thought about getting the Holiday one to put around my X-mas tree. I also like the monorail sets they had back in the late 80's and early 90's.

[JediTricks]

I had this one: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6990

It was the raddest thing ever! Not enough track but the set was just ridiculously fun. My dad I think still has it in a box somewhere, but his cat barfed or whizzed on it.

[DarthQuack]

Yea I saw that one, looked like one of the best ones available, I think they only made 3-4 of them.

[LusiferSam]

Beside 6990 like JT mentioned there is 6991 (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6991), another Space based monorail. And 6399 (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6399), a Town based monorail (I can't help but think of the Simpsons when I look at this set). A friend of mine has 6399 (with a lot of extra track) set up in his basement as part of a huge Town diorama.

As for Train, Lego has been doing trains since the mid 60's. Lugnet list over 260 Train sets. If you can describe one that you are looking for, I either know it or can find it.

[DarthQuack]

Yea, those are the three I had been looking at on Lugnet and Peeron, they all looked pretty cool, just hard to find them complete on the bay.

[Ji'dai]

And 6399 (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6399), a Town based monorail (I can't help but think of the Simpsons when I look at this set). Why, there's nothing on Earth like a genuine, electrified, six-car monorail!

I have all three monorails plus the accessory track set for the 6990 Futuron one. I got the Futuron monorail for christmas back in the day and later bought the 6399 and a couple 6991s when I started collecting again in the late 90s. I love 'em!

---

Looks like we'll be getting a new cement mixer (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2641369&cp=&sr=1&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2254197&origkw=LEGO+City&kw=lego+city&parentPage=search) for Town and a 1:300 scale Eiffel Tower (http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Make-Create-Eiffel-Tower/dp/B000P0Z9KQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1211802-3330566?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1183144001&sr=8-1). I'm not really interested in replicas of world landmarks (never got the Statue of Liberty) but it's got a lot of bricks!

[Ji'dai]

LEGO Shop@Home has listed some new sets:

Creator

Big Rig (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4955) - $30 set builds semi-truck cab. Not as nice as the old Model Team sets, though the price is easy on the wallet. I have the Giant Truck/Black Cat (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5571), which surely ranks as one of the greatest sets ever made.

Ferris Wheel (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4957) - This battery-operated set costs $70 and builds the classic carnival ride. Use the alternate instructions to make a working drawbridge, which sounds more interesting to me than the ride.

Model Town House (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4954) - Another house set I've just gotta have. Geez, 70 bucks too. These Town sets are killing my bank account.

Monster Dino (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4958) - $90 buys you this battery-operated walking T-Rex with sound brick.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Boating School (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4982) - these SB sets are overpriced and short on bricks. This one costs $50. Bob's boat has a pull-back motor.

Chum Bucket (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=4981&cn=355) - Not much to this one at all. Pretty much a facade that costs $35.

[JediTricks]

That big rig Creator set looks pretty boss, the truck looks good and the Cadillac-style car looks nice too. It's smaller than it looks, but the good thing about Creator is the line generally has been making nice-looking sets at acceptable prices.

Ferris wheel seems like too little, too late, too much.

Town House looks nice, I wonder what the back and interior look like, but it's a nifty entry.

Remote Control Dino looks a little goofy but could be fun too, I bet it'll do ok at Xmas.

SB's boat school looks not just overpriced, but woefully undersized. I like the lighthouse though, if they had either made this set $30 or made more track or a taller building, it'd be way better.

Chum Bucket being a $35 facade is super lame.

[Ji'dai]

My local TRU had their exclusive Service Station (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2663245&cp=2255956.2262937.2274247&view=all&fbn=Character+Theme%7CLEGO&f=PAD%2FBrand+Name+Secondary%2FLEGO&f=PAD%2FCharacter+Theme%2FLEGO&fbc=1&categoryId=2274247&parentPage=search) on the shelf today, along with the Creator Big Rig (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4955).

Also in store were the Trade Federation MTT, Naboo fighter with Vulture Droid, and the Jedi Starfighter with Hyperspace Ring.

[JediTricks]

SDCC the Lego booth had the Sith Infiltrator.

[figrin bran]

SDCC the Lego booth had the Sith Infiltrator.

They sure did...I was really tempted but ultimately didn't pick one up. Because if i did, I would've wanted the JSF as well and that would've been too much stuff to carry back.

[Ji'dai]

LEGO Shop@Home has the Sith Infiltrator (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7663&cn=475&d=322) up for sale on their site but I haven't seen it at retail yet.

My Wal-Mart has put Slave I, the Sail Barge, the V-Wing, and Spongebob sets on clearance. I'm gonna get the SB sets if they hit half price, and maybe another Sail Barge.

My TRU had the new Castle set, Skeleton Ship Attack, on the shelf, along with the Batcopter vs Scarecrow biplane. Didn't see the Bat-tank though. TRU also had the Scuderia Ferrari Truck (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8654&cn=112&d=70), which I don't remember seeing at retail before.

[LusiferSam]

Didn't see the Bat-tank though. TRU also had the Scuderia Ferrari Truck (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8654&cn=112&d=70), which I don't remember seeing at retail before.

I really want the Scuderia truck. I've never seen it in retail either (not that I have big chose of stores that Lego around here). It always seems that there are other sets I buy before this one and blow my budget before I can buy this one.

[Ji'dai]

I really want the Scuderia truck. I've never seen it in retail either (not that I have big chose of stores that Lego around here). It always seems that there are other sets I buy before this one and blow my budget before I can buy this one. Yep, same here. Seems like there are always other sets I want more badly than getting the truck. Still, I've always thought it was a fine-looking set, though I'm not crazy about LEGO using stickers for the grill and headlights on the truck's cab.

[LusiferSam]

I'm not crazy about LEGO using stickers for the grill and headlights on the truck's cab.

Me neither. I stopped placing sticker that span multiple elements years ago. It always messing things up when you go to build something different. Lego had been pretty good about not doing too much of this a few years back. But since about '99 (hum ;))I've noticed it's become a problem again.

[figrin bran]

I got 7661 JSF w. Hyperring today!

At a local Target, it was scanning for $44.99 which is better than 49.99 so i decided to take the plunge.

[JediTricks]

They had the Bat-tank at LEGO's SDCC booth, I was so tempted - it would have been a REALLY bad choice but I wanted to get it. I ultimately passed though.


They sure did...I was really tempted but ultimately didn't pick one up. Because if i did, I would've wanted the JSF as well and that would've been too much stuff to carry back.Yeah, I had a similar dilemma, how do I get that and not the Bat Tank, JSF, or MTT? So I passed on all. Not my best choice really.


I got 7661 JSF w. Hyperring today!

At a local Target, it was scanning for $44.99 which is better than 49.99 so i decided to take the plunge.Whoa, where???

[figrin bran]

Whoa, where???

JT, Glendale Target, which has been a total bust for the 2 weeks it's been open but at least they had this. The receipt said it was a sale price so I imagine that it's good everywhere, provided that it's in stock, of course.

[JediTricks]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out.

I still haven't been to that Target yet, it soft-opened the day I got to San Diego.

[Ji'dai]

Did you build that Hyper-ring yet, f_b? How sturdy is it?

I did see the Sith Infiltrator at Wal-Mart today, which was in the middle of their holiday reset. I was looking over the new planograms but didn't see a spot for the sets due out in September - Echo Base and the Republic Cruiser.

[JediTricks]

Wal-Mart today, which was in the middle of their holiday reset. I was looking over the new planograms but didn't see a spot for the sets due out in September - Echo Base and the Republic Cruiser.
And you won't, as both those sets are TRU-exclusives.

[figrin bran]

Did you build that Hyper-ring yet, f_b? How sturdy is it?

I did see the Sith Infiltrator at Wal-Mart today, which was in the middle of their holiday reset. I was looking over the new planograms but didn't see a spot for the sets due out in September - Echo Base and the Republic Cruiser.

I haven't had time to start building it yet but when I handled the JSF and hyper ring at Lego's CIV exhibit, it was pretty sturdy.

[figrin bran]

I still haven't started building the JSF but I opened the box at least. It looks like all the new sets will open up on the sides and have reclosable tabs rather than the old back flap of the box that you open up.

They definitely padded the brick count with all the "1 pixel" sized pieces because it sure doesn't feel like a 500+ brick count.

[Ji'dai]

And you won't, as both those sets are TRU-exclusives. I don't mind that at all if there's a good chance of getting these expensive sets during TRU's BOGO sales.


I still haven't started building the JSF but I opened the box at least. It looks like all the new sets will open up on the sides and have reclosable tabs rather than the old back flap of the box that you open up.
That sounds better than the perforated flaps on the old boxes; I hate those with a passion. I could never get them to open without tearing the box lid.

[JediTricks]

They definitely padded the brick count with all the "1 pixel" sized pieces because it sure doesn't feel like a 500+ brick count.Yeah, tiny parts padding the count have been Lego's MO lately and it's beginning to feel a tad unrewarding.


I don't mind that at all if there's a good chance of getting these expensive sets during TRU's BOGO sales.I hope that happens, but I've been waiting and waiting for the Winter '07 sets to do that and not once since they came out, very frustrating because I don't want to spend that much on 'em.


That sounds better than the perforated flaps on the old boxes; I hate those with a passion. I could never get them to open without tearing the box lid.Yeah, ditto that. I'm not even sure why it matters, yet it absolutely does.

[figrin bran]

Yeah, tiny parts padding the count have been Lego's MO lately and it's beginning to feel a tad unrewarding.

I hope that happens, but I've been waiting and waiting for the Winter '07 sets to do that and not once since they came out, very frustrating because I don't want to spend that much on 'em.



No kidding JT! As I was carrying the JSF box to the cashier, I noticed that it doesn't even weigh like 575 pieces!

I've been waiting for that TRU BOGO sale and it hasn't happened yet...and I'm starting to fear that it won't come or if it does, right before Christmas.

[JediTricks]

With all these high-ticket LEGO Star Wars sets, they better get on it sooner than that! That's kinda been hurting my collection in fact, I've lost a lot of momentum since Jan/Feb because I just cannot see paying $40 for the Y-wing, $50 for the Imp Landing Craft, etc..

[Ji'dai]

I admit TRU's BOGO sales have been fewer and far between in recent years. Last christmas they excluded certain themes and licensees such as Spongebob and Batman, but Star Wars was fair game. LEGO's supply shortage didn't help things either as some sets sold out at Thanksgiving and were not restocked until well after the first of the year.

[figrin bran]

I just finished building the JSF...gonna tackle the Hyper Ring another day.

The head on the Kit Fisto minifig was surprisingly made of rubber. Kind of makes it look cheap in my opinion.

[JediTricks]

Cheap for a minifig? I think rubber was a necessity, it would have snapped off his head-tails otherwise, but yeah, it always does seem out of step with the rest of the minifigs when they do that.

[figrin bran]

Yes, cheap for a minifig, JT.

I thought I would just work on the Hyper Ring for an hour or so today but I just couldn't stop! It's quite an easy and fun build and holds up quite well actually. The one thing I don't like about the set is that the JSF isn't positioned in the center of the ring - not sure if that's movie accurate or not but it would like better if centered.

Overall it's a nice set but worth $45-$50? not really but as overly high brick counts padded by one pixel pieces are par for the course, you could do worse.

I guess I'll head out to the Lego store to get the Sith Infiltrator this weekend! :D

[LusiferSam]

They definitely padded the brick count with all the "1 pixel" sized pieces because it sure doesn't feel like a 500+ brick count.

Stud. The correct term is one stud.

I'm not sure why Lego need to have a rubber head for Kit Fisto either. I can think of a number of other heads (Jar Jar) that a similar but work just in ABS. Also the head isn't grinning, what's up with that?

[JediTricks]

I thought I would just work on the Hyper Ring for an hour or so today but I just couldn't stop! It's quite an easy and fun build and holds up quite well actually. The one thing I don't like about the set is that the JSF isn't positioned in the center of the ring - not sure if that's movie accurate or not but it would like better if centered. Yeah, I liked the ring when I got to mess with it at CIV.

Do you mean how the JSF is just above vertical-center? I didn't mind that too much, but I wanted the ring to grab it closer to the nose.



I'm not sure why Lego need to have a rubber head for Kit Fisto either. I can think of a number of other heads (Jar Jar) that a similar but work just in ABS. Also the head isn't grinning, what's up with that?Actually, I've seen a lot of Gungan heads with busted ears.

At least Kit has a mouth, the original prototype didn't.

[figrin bran]

Yes, JT, I meant to say that the JSF is just above vertical center.

The ring is quite strong and you could even stand it on a table or shelf without fear that it'll keel over.

[Ji'dai]

The 2008 sets are beginning to show up in stores. Spotted several '08 sets in various themes at TRU today:

EXO-FORCE - new subtheme called "Deep Jungle" featuring new vehicles outfitted for tropical warfare.

CITY
Police Helicopter ($12 @ TRU, $10 anywhere else) - small chopper with a pilot. Nice little set, might've bought one if LEGO still included mini-catalogs.

Mobile Command Center ($50 @ TRU) - build a long semi-tractor trailer that opens to reveal a police command center inside. Also builds a small two-story outpost.

Mars Mission
Spotted a new mining vehicle. This neat little set builds a surface mining transport that includes an astronaut and a Martian. Also a saw a new suborbital ship with a transforming feature.

Other stuff: Technic small forklift, nice entry-level set that's not too expensive; new Racers sets and pull-back race cars; Ferrari semi-truck with a non-mini-fig scale F1 racer; and Creator city multi-vehicle set.

[JediTricks]

Huh, new Exo-Force with a jungle theme, that's a weird one. I'll have to check out my local TRU soon.

[JediTricks]

I picked up that Mars Mission transforming set...

LEGO 7647 MX-41 Switch Fighter - the first, and likely last, Mars Mission set I'll buy - a very crappy theme with horrible colors and underwhelming aliens. I am a sucker for transforming LEGO, and the box sold me on this one. The set's not as attractive in person because of the big orange cylinder on the back, and the colors on the main vehicle are really bad, far too dependent on stickers as well. The set has an alright little rolling rover mode, then with some simple transformation becomes an alright fighter, but it doesn't lock into place in this mode which is a tragedy! A quick rebuild (I'm using a clip-plate to lock it down, it's a cheaty move but works) fixed that. New flick missile design works better than just axles on cones, though I had to move this out of the way because it sticks too far up. Alien sucks, but he does glow in the dark inside his torso which is cool. His little vehicle is quite trick.

[Ji'dai]

I took a closer look at that Switch Fighter this morning since I didn't realize that it transformed from an air to land vehicle before I read your review. I thought it had some type of swing-wing feature.

I'm not crazy about this theme's orange color scheme either. I do still like the looks of the dropship (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7692) and think the armored drilling unit (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7699) is quite keen. I can wait to get them on sale or clearance though.

[LusiferSam]

Even a transforming set does nothing for me with this theme. The ugly colors, and ugly sets really turns me off. Other than SW I haven't like any of the space based sets since '94's Spyrius. And then it was only 6949 (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6949) that I liked. I won't be buy any of these sets.

[JediTricks]

The thing I don't like about the Dropship is that it looks very fragile (and those colors), plus it's an expensive set. I hadn't noticed that Driller before, very pricey but looks cool. They shouldn't have used these fugly colors, white and orange means there's no chance I'm dropping that much dough on anything in this line no matter how the build looks.


LS, Have you seen the ship that comes with the 7690 MB-01 Eagle Command Base (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7690)? (it's on the right, standing vertical in that pic.) That thing looks like classic Space to me, I totally want it, but not the horrible-looking base it's stuck with. And since that set is $90, no way I'm gonna buy it. But if it's on 90% off clearance come January... ;)

[Jargo]

There's a whole coastguard subtheme coming.

5621 Coast Guard Kayak
7726 Coast Guard Truck with Speedboat
7736 Coast Guard Quad Bike
7738 Coast Guard Helicopter & Life Raft
7739 Coast Guard Patrol Boat & Tower

http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=5621-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7726-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7738-1

Though the upcoming 'Agents' subset intrigues me, especially as it's not listed under city or duplo or anything. will I get my dream 007 styled secret agent theme after all?

8630 Mission 3: Gold Hunt
8631 Mission 1: Jetpack Pursuit
8632 Mission 2: Swamp Hunt
8633 Mission 4: Speedboat Rescue
8634 Mission 5: Turbocar Chase
8635 Mission 6: Mobile Command Center
8636 {agents}
8637 {agents}

Speed racer looks interesting. new wheel arch pieces. sexy ugly cars. minifigs.

8161 Grand Prix Race
8160 Cruncher Block & Racer X
8159 Racer X & Taejo Togokhan
8158 Speed Racer & Snake Oiler

http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=8161-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=8160-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=8159-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=8158-1

Lego town/city gets a few sets of useful bricks. wheels, roof tiles, doors and windows and what they call the ultimate town builders set. basic sets continue with the 'minifig plus bunch of themed bricks' sets. road construction, build your own harbour, good basic bulk building stuff with the bonus of having a minifig.

And there's this: 5522 Golden Anniversary Set. which I assume is a big bow of bricks with some gold pieces. like the 50th anniversary sets. be nice if the gold parts were chromed.

[Ji'dai]

I'd heard about the Coast Guard theme returning but those sets are a little underwhelming. The helicopter is okay; at first glance I thought that thing in the water was an Apollo space capsule.

We've had a spy theme before... the name eludes me... searching... oh, Alpha Team (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/?qc=lego/system/town/alphateam), that's what it was. Not really interested in that type of thing.

The Speed Racer sets look pretty good, actually. I was never into that cartoon as a kid so I won't be rushing out to get these sets.

[JediTricks]

I kinda like that Coast Guard chopper & life raft set, but the others are as boring as the real coast guard. :p


Agents? No pics yet? Will this be a sub-theme of Alpha Team or something? That's my guess. But I'll be happy with it I bet.


Speed Racer sets? Never thought I'd see that. New windshields look alright, not enough rake though. The Mach V doesn't translate all that well as LEGO there, but it's got some charm. Racer X's Shooting Star is drawing dead in those pics though, yuck - that is the most sad, uninteresting thing they could have done with it, it's missing nearly all the visual notes it needs.

That Grand Prix Race set looks alright, I'd have to build it without stickers on the modified Mach V, that's an atrocity to the original, but the actual designs of the cars look good as LEGO. I'll likely not even get the set though, it looks at least $50, maybe as high as $90.

Poor Speed in the regular set has a standard LEGO helmet even though he doesn't wear that kind, makes him look even doofier.

The truck in the first Racer X set looks really cool, it took me a long time to notice it though.

[Jargo]

I'm kinda thinking mission impossible/man from U.N.C.L.E. with the Agents. Unless it's a real 007 tie in with the next movie. Lego seems to be biting back at their inferior quality imitators/competitors. star wars, indiana jones, speed racer, spongebob, harry potter. All big scores for lego even if some don't do as well as they hope.
So until I see or read that it's just another alpha team like sub theme I'll stay happy with my assumptions about Agents.

More Coastguard pics:

http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7739-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7737-1
http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7736-1

[JediTricks]

I hope you're right, but their non-licensed stuff has been more misses than hits lately.


That CG Patrol Boat looks decent but very boring. The tower in the set looks cool though.

The other 2 are major snores.

[Jargo]

yeah but hot dayum! It's an orange boat with orange inflatable boat. just as sweet as sweet can be. I don't really care about the coast guard side of things. I just gotta have me that boat base. The vehicles look pants though. thought they might at least have made a proper quad bike like the trike.

[Ji'dai]

I like the patrol boat and tower, but these sets look like old designs in new colors. The truck and jetski and four wheeler have been done before in the various Rescue themes (of which there are many).

[Jargo]

well there's a heavy emphasis on traditional Lego ideas this year. redesigning and redoing older sets with a smoother look. new pieces and colours to play with. though these coastguard sets aren't exactly brilliant in that respect. hopefully they'll change a bit before they're released.

I probably won't buy the sets but I'll buy parts from bricklink or ebay. I've been after an orange boat for my supervillain secret island base I bought the fire boat from last year but the hull just wasn't right and red lego in particular seems to be suffering from the shift in the type of plastic Lego makes the bricks in. bring back old red I say.

[Jargo]

found this one image of set 8635, mobile command centre. Now I'm poor of eyesight but is this a minifig theme or jack stone? the picture isn't good. only one I've found though.

[JediTricks]

Definitely Minifig. Not only is Jack Stone dead and buried, but the designs of the cars and that flying thing are parts only Minifigs could even scale to. It looks good, I can't wait to see more next month.

[Jargo]

cool. thanks. i was worried there. it didn't look quite jack stone i had visions of something crossed with minifigs and jack. the love child of them. looks like there's lots of play value with small vehicles though.
looks like they battle alien forces. alpha team meets mission to mars?

[JediTricks]

Oh, I hope you're mistaken about them being aliens, or else this will be a ripoff of Mega Bloks' unpopular Area 51 theme.

[Jargo]

looks like three airborne craft there. could be special ops equipment like a jetpack or something on one of them. looks like a small cockpit based craft and the thitrd just looks like a lot of arms similar to Doc Oc but suspended in the air.

[Jargo]

gentlemen, I give you the next modular town set 'Greengrocer' http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=10185-1

much better than market street and worthy of sitting alongside cafe corner.

[JediTricks]

Not bad, not bad. Kinda lifts some things from Cafe Corner but looks good by itself.

[Jargo]

looks expensive too. I reckon it'll be over £100 considering cafe corner was about £90.

they definitely need to add trees to some of these sets though. sometimes lego buildings just look so sterile.

[LusiferSam]

I love it! I can't believe all the good stuff Lego has been putting out lately. It's really been hurting my pocket book, but heck I love the sets. I've still not gotten the market street. But now I have another piece to add to my shopping list.