LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets have always been popular as they include instructions for three alternate models. Houses, cars, airplanes, robots, dinosaurs and various other animals are some of the most common topics of these sets, and they are getting better with each year! 🙂
Cute creatures like the ones in the #31031 LEGO Creator Rainforest Animals from 2015 and the #31044 LEGO Creator Park Animals from 2016 are particularly well-liked (see below), along with cool robots like the #31007 LEGO Creator Power Mech from 2013 and the #31035 LEGO Creator Future Flyers from 2015 (see below). This year LEGO managed to combine coolness with cuteness in the #31062 LEGO Creator Robo Explorer 3-in-1 set (see above), which is already flying off the shelves due to its irresistible charm.
The main model in the #31062 LEGO Creator Robo Explorer is the explorer robot, with almost as much personality as the #21303 LEGO Ideas Wall-E. The chunky look, big expressive eyes, and extensive posability makes this little guy a favorite playmate for kids and desk-buddy for adults.
It is also interesting to note that the tracks and the color-scheme are reminiscent of the LEGO Johnny Five submission by PepaQuin on LEGO Ideas (based on the 1986 science fiction comedy film “Short Circuit”) that achieved 10,000 votes, but was ultimately rejected by LEGO. This is probably the best robot LEGO ever released, and it even has a working searchlight!
The second model in the #31062 LEGO Creator Robo Explorer is the Robot Bird. Here, the light is transferred over to the head, to give the bird glowing eyes. I really like the stubby beak and flappy wings. Kind of like a combination of a puffin and an Australian kakapo. Super adorable.
The third model in the #31062 LEGO Creator Robo Explorer is the Robot Dog, oozing with the cuteness of a puppy and the high-tech coolness of a robot. In this model the light is incorporated into a jetpack, so this little pup can glow and fly! The cuteness is just too much! In the video-review below by JANGBRiCKS you can see all three models in more detail.
As all three robots are excellent, it is hard to choose which one to build and keep on display. However since the set is only $19.99, it is perfectly reasonable to get more than one set. Just sayin’…. It is available at various LEGO retailers, and you can also find it at the LEGO Creator section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Creator Robo Explorer? Which one is your favorite model of the three? Are there any other LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets that you really like? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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The main model of this set is definitly my favorite, but I will experiment with all three models and stop motion photography. Also, Wall-E enjoys the company on my bookshelf.
Ahhh… finally WALL-E has a friend! 🙂
I never looked at this set much before now, I just scanned it for new parts. But on second look, this set is pretty cool. The models have lots of character to them, which is great at this scale. I don’t see that much resemblance to the Johnny Five project, though. Maybe just the general shape is similar, and their pose in the images you have in the article.
Also, yesterday, my dad finally built Wall-E! After nearly a year, he sat down and did it – it took him most of the night (from around 8:30pm to a little before midnight), but Wall-E is now complete. 🙂 Unfortunately, he has the old neck design (the flimsy one), but I doubt my dad would let me replace it with the new version. Now, on to the Beetle!
BTW, on the topic of robots: http://brickset.com/article/25818/lego-boost-press-release It’s an interesting concept, so maybe it will do well.
As someone already noted, the color scheme looks a bit similar…
(Although it’s a bit hard to tell if it’s the same blue color in the different sets…)
I think they are a different blue, but the fact that they are both blue and gray, run on tracks and have a similar “face” makes them look at least somewhat related. At least in my mind. 🙄
I’m writing about LEGO BOOST as we speak, but probably won’t publish it until a bit later as I have other things planned for the rest of the week. Sounds really interesting. I never got into MINDSTORMS because it is so expensive and I find it kind of intimidating, but I will definitely get BOOST.
Glad to hear your dad finally built WALL-E! You should be able to just call LEGO and get the parts for the alternate neck design. There is no cost. I think he will really enjoy the Beetle too. It is an excellent set.
I’ve dabbled with Mindstorms before, when I was in a FLL group. While I can do the building, the programming part is beyond me, since I never got to do it. It’s not that bad, but it is expensive.
And since you’re writing about it, I’ll save the rest of my thoughts on BOOST for then. 🙂
Actually, I think I was incorrect about the neck problem. My dad’s set has had no problems with loose joints, and having compared his to the images on Brickset it seems he has a different version, probably the newer. That’s a relief. 🙂 He may enjoy the Beetle when it’s done, but the build will be a challenge, due to all the odd techniques (I know about those, since I’ve built the set on LDD).
Good to hear that your WALL-E doesn’t have the neck problem. If I remember correctly there were three versions released; the original wobbly neck, then one with an extra packet of pieces and extra instructions included for the fixed neck, and the completely fixed version.
Yeah, if you can hold your thoughts, let’s talk about Boost later. I’m curious to hear your opinion on it, as you have had a chance to dabble in Mindstorms. I just hope it doesn’t end up like FUSION. Anyway, okay, I will hold my thoughts too. 🙄
The Bettle is a very impressive built. It goes in every direction, and I was constantly amazed by the techniques used, but it was never too difficult. The final set is definitely display-worthy.
I definitely see the Johnny Five resemblance. IMO, the Robot Dog’s jetpack is too far back, so it will likely tip forward while flying and crash. At least, realistically. But what’s realistic about a (robot) dog with a jetpack in the first place?
I’ve seen a documentary about an aspiring jetpack flier. It looks cool, but in practice it’s just extremely impractical. There’s a massive amount of fuel required for just a single man, and you have to keep steady as if you’re holding a baby, since every sudden move will have you more or less somersaulting out of control…
(Not a practical way of transportation for a whimsical dog…)
…impulsive, I meant…
It sounds like a Segway on steroids. 🙄
LOL! 😀
You know , I think I ‘m might just stick with the 3-in-1 sets because you get better city stuff and of Course other sets that is different from the every day sets.
Yeah, they are really good value for the money because of the alternate designs, great parts, and nice colors. They do in fact start to look nicer than many of the City sets. Although City has been great too, especially the vehicles. Good think is that there is something for everyone. 😀