34 replies to this topic

[Hapori Tohu]

After a delay due to a busy weekend, our Toy Fair coverage returns. Star Wars is the next theme up, and I decided to throw in the rest of the licensed themes as a bonus. So read on to see what's coming up in Star Wars, Cars, and everyone's favorite, Spongebob.

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[Waffles]

Those sets with the planets and that Gungan Sub look tasty. The original sub still seems better.

Still Spongebob? Do those even sell?

[Sumiki]

Those planet sets are interesting. Is this the first time we've had models of three different scales packaged in the same set? I can't think of another offhand ...

Battle packs are nothing special, especially considering that they're pretty overpriced. Not as bad as the Lord of the Rings sets, though, so I can deduce that the licensing fees for Tolkien's works are more expensive than for Lucasfilm.

The Geonosian Cannon looks interesting, but those two sets are still way too pricey, as does the Desert Skiff. The Boba Fett and Sarlacc minifigs (if you could call the latter a minifig) look sweet, though. The detail on the former is just incredible.

It's interesting to see the Jedi Starfighter in dark green, but the minifigures are again the highlight. Thirty bucks is still pretty steep.

The Mandalorian fighter looks kind of strange, but it's the first set so far that just might be worth its price tag. As far as the Republic Striker goes, I'm just surprised they haven't made a double-bladed lightsaber hilt mold yet.

The TIE Fighter and X-Wings are absolutely gorgeous. Gungan sub looks a little flat, but the Amidala fig is beautiful. The Sith Fury is probably the best set in this wave - but the angles on it make it look like a half-eaten sandwich. (Cannot unsee.)

Getting well over a thousand pieces is pretty good, so I'd say that the Malevolence is worth it. As an added bonus, it's probably my second-favorite. My only peeve is that the scale is off, but that's to be expected from a set this size.

Jabba's Palace is incredibly overpriced, though the trend of great minifigs in the wave continues with Jabba and his cronies. LEGO looks like they've turned the detail up to eleven.

(Does anyone really care about Cars and SpongeBob?)

[Lyichir]

I sensed a lot of indifference in this coverage. Jabba's palace is obviously going to be expensive, considering that it's a licensed set with a large number of new, large, and high-detail parts. And the Spongebob sets, while maybe not up your alley, look great, particularly the Flying Dutchman set which deserves special mention for not being a rehash of an older set. Not to mention that it's wonderfully cartoony, and even improves on the classic "treasure hidden in a rock" function of many sets with some beautiful SNOT-work. I do commend you for pointing out the awesomeness of the X-Wing and TIE Fighter, though. Both of these sets put the older releases of these ships to shame.

[Zarohum]

For a second, I wasn't sure what the old Republic sets were. Then i saw the minifgures. Well, Satele looks a little off, but they do look pretty awesome. Also, Pre Vizsla better look good before release.

[-Windrider-]

I did expect more from the Malevolence set, and it was the one I was looking forward to seeing the most. The TOR minifigs look absolutely excellent, on the other hand, though I am not the keenest on the sets with which they are packaged. Well, the Sith Interceptor is the exception.

The set I am really looking forward to seeing, however, is the announced exclusive/possible UCS (fingers crossed) 10227 B-Wing.

[Gerlicky]

Indeed, they are still making SpongeBob sets.

...Just not any new ones for summer.

[Hastur the Unspeakable]

Hmm...I've never really gotten that excited over Star Wars sets, but some of those big ships are amazing.


"But as long as I'm here, I get to bust heads!"

[Aanchir: Rachira of Time]

I don't know why people are surprised that Cars and Spongebob are still selling. They're not the best LEGO licenses, but it has to be remembered that the success of a licensed theme depends not just on the quality of the sets but on how well the movie or TV show moves merchandise in general. Themes like Pirates of the Caribbean only tend to exist when a movie is in theaters or soon to be in theaters, because that's when you see merchandise for those movies dominating store shelves. The sheer amount of popular exposure helps to drive sales.

Spongebob Squarepants, Star Wars, and Cars, on the other hand, are perennial icons of the toy store shelf. Even without a movie in theaters, Cars sells more merchandise than any other Pixar intellectual property. Star Wars always has some form of exposure, whether it's in the form of licensed video games, TV shows, or actual movies, but it was able to push merchandise for over a decade between Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace with no trouble at all. Spongebob Squarepants has the same sort of impact. Even though of course it's helped by the fact that the TV show is still running, there's widespread cultural exposure to the character even among people who don't regularly watch the show.

So these themes, naturally, are the ones that survive most strongly, even when equally-entertaining themes like Indiana Jones and Harry Potter fall by the wayside. I have no doubt in my mind that Pirates of the Caribbean will come back as soon as another film is imminent. But until then, it doesn't have the staying power of these other themes.

[Toa of Nerds]

Lego Exec: Hey, what's something in the Star Wars universe that we haven't made a bazillion versions of?

Lead Designer: PLANETS!!!

Lego Exec: Alright, make a Lego set for Star Wars' planets!


But honestly, I think the planets look quite neat. And if you get them all, then you could set up a campaign map and have an epic real life version of Empire at War's turn-based mode. Sweet.

-don't touch my pocket protector

[Valenti]

I simply must have the planets and the SWTOR sets.

Especially Satele Shan.

I wonder if the Striker's wings fold out, like in the game...

Edited by Valenti, Feb 20 2012 - 08:16 PM.

[TahnokVa123]

I'm drooling over the Malevolence and the Fury-class Interceptor. So...sleek. That is the epitome of a good-looking spaceship over there.
The minifigs of Malevolence are a gigantic plus too, General Grievous AND Count Dooku.

[ChocolateFrogs]

$25 doesn't seem too bad for the Desert Skiff, considering getting Lando, Luke (with both flesh hands, hmmm) and a cool Boba. Maybe I can find it on sale.
I think I would rather have the next-to-latest $50 X-Wing (and on sale), but that's obviously gone now.
Oh boy, another Jabba's Palace set. :/ I want a Rancor set!

-CF

[Parazan]

Oh,my,i miss the OLD Spongebob sets! What has happened now!
In all seriousness,the SW sets are awesome,i especially love Jabba's palace,but the lack of a Rancor makes me
All-in-all,the SW sets will be all that i'm getting.

-CDP

[Despair]

I wonder if the Striker's wings fold out, like in the game...

I haven't played the game (so I can't vouch for accuracy), but I saw a video demonstrating that the do indeed wings fold out.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

The Sith Fury-class Interceptor looks really cool, IMO. If I were to get any of these sets, it would be that one. Though the X-Wing and Tie Fighters sets look good too.

[Erebus]

Love that they have The Old Republic sets. Darth Malgus looks great. The Sith Trooper helmets look a bit weird to me.

[Despair]

The Darth Malgus minifig looks amazing; definitely one of the highlights of what seems to be an already great set. The Sith Troopers, however... My first thought when I saw their helmets was that someone had stuck a mouse droid to the front of it.

[Valenti]

I wonder if the Striker's wings fold out, like in the game...

I haven't played the game (so I can't vouch for accuracy), but I saw a video demonstrating that the do indeed wings fold out.

Very nice.

[CHTrilogy]

I'm rather keen on getting that little Death Star! As well as the other planets, of course!

[Bambi]

Man, how long are they going to continue doing Spongebob sets?

Edited by Bambi, Feb 21 2012 - 11:06 AM.

[Vorahk1Panrahk2]

Not really fond of the new Gungan Sub, especially with those gaps running perpendicular to the edge. Definitely prefer the older model to that one.

Other than that, things look pretty nice. Love those mini sets (even if the AT-AT is a rehash of the original), and that Tie-Fighter looks nice as well.

[Lyichir]

Man, how long are they going to continue doing Spongebob sets?

As others have said, as long as they keep selling.

[Bulik]

the writer of this seems to barely know anything about the star wars clone wars (tv series) stuff. the mandalorian starfighter looks like a good buy.
I can't wait for these new sets, and even though I've seen them before, I'm still so excited about the commando droid piece.

Edited by Bulik, Feb 23 2012 - 01:32 PM.

[Crasher92]

I kind of like the pod sets (especialy Sebulba's), but I realy miss the X-pod containers. There's realy nothing else that I care for.

[Black Six]

Lol, the writer of this seems to barely know anything about the star wars stuff. the mandalorian starfighter looks like a good buy.
I can't wait for these new sets, and even though I've seen them before, I'm still so excited about the commando droid piece.

I know plenty about Star Wars, just not that silly new TV show. It's not something I ever really got into.

[KlakWest]

Wow. The Star Wars sets get better every year. I like the TOR sets, and the Death Watch set, and I'm glad to see that Lego is exploring this part of the Star Wars universe.

Only problem is that they're getting a bit pricey.

And B6, I would recommend watching the show, especially seasons 2-4. It is much better than the "Clone Wars" movie that came out in '08 (and is dark and gritty if that's your type of thing).

[Bulik]

Wow. The Star Wars sets get better every year. I like the TOR sets, and the Death Watch set, and I'm glad to see that Lego is exploring this part of the Star Wars universe.

Only problem is that they're getting a bit pricey.

And B6, I would recommend watching the show, especially seasons 2-4. It is much better than the "Clone Wars" movie that came out in '08 (and is dark and gritty if that's your type of thing).

yeah, the quality has really improved over the past few seasons, and I would recommend watching it to people who like star wars.

[Damaracx 7.0]

LEGO SBSP has been around for six years that is surprising.

[Kojol]

Okay, the minifigs are beautiful this wave. Several of the sets are also great, I especially like the Sith Interceptor.

I am not going to comment on the Cars/Spongebob sets because I have nothing against them except for the fact that I despise both Cars and Spongebob.

[Nittany Nuva]

That little X-Wing set... it is EXACTLY the same as the 30051 polybag X-Wing set. I just picked one up from a Five Below store for $3.99. Neat little thing, but I thought they were different models.

[~garnira returns~]

by mata nui! the sponge bob sets are STILL going!

[Gelu=Awesomness!]

The Sith Fury looks like the best one this wave ,close behind is that Boba minifig. I just hope that Boba's head isn't as ugly as those Mandalorians' .


PS. Why is Commander Gree pictured in orange on the box?

[Parazan]

The Sith Fury looks like the best one this wave ,close behind is that Boba minifig. I just hope that Boba's head isn't as ugly as those Mandalorians' .


PS. Why is Commander Gree pictured in orange on the box?

Prototypes,my friend. prototypes.

-CDP

[Damaracx 7.0]

Boba Fett's helmet looks awesome it is way more detailed then the last few Boba Fett helmets.