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2018 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets review

There are a number of very interesting LEGO Creator sets that were released at the beginning of the month and are definitely worth discussing. First of all, all of these sets are 3-in-1 models, meaning that LEGO provides instructions to rebuild the set in at least three different ways (even more with the modular sets). LEGO Creator includes some of the best sets LEGO has to offer that is not tied to a popular IP. This allows LEGO designers to give us their best and most interesting ideas without the confinement of an IP. The prices on these sets are also very reasonable because there are no licensing fees involved. So let’s take a look at the 2018 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets. 🙂

#31071 LEGO CREATOR DRONE EXPLORER: This is one of the smallest 3-in-1 LEGO Creator sets for the year, but it comes with some great features. The main model is a drone/helicopter thingy, that actually fits a minifig (which is something pretty rare for small LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets). The secondary model is a swamp boat that can also accommodate a minifigure, and the third model is a smaller-than-minifig-scale propeller plane. The orange, white and black color-scheme works perfectly for all three models, the building techniques are solid, and there is lots of playability! 109 pieces. Price: $9.99 – BUY HERE

#31072 LEGO CREATOR EXTREME ENGINES: This is the second small LEGO Creator release for January of this year, with three alternate models. Again, great color scheme, great little vehicles, and all three of them can accommodate a minifig. The main model is a race car, which can be rebuilt into a hot rod, or a speedboat. While these models may not be as unique as the drone mentioned above, they are great little vehicles, and I think the shaping is really nice on all of them. 109 pieces. Price: $9.99 – BUY HERE

#31073 LEGO CREATOR MYTHICAL CREATURES: Mythical creatures and various creepy crawlies are a staple in the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 line, and we have seen many previous versions of them. Here, we get a fire-breathing dragon with a dark-red and yellow color-scheme, large fangs, green eyes, pointed claws, and posable legs, head, tail and wings. The alternate models are a giant spider, and an axe-bearing troll with lots of sharp claws and teeth. 223 pieces. Price: $14.99 – BUY HERE

#31074 LEGO CREATOR ROCKET RALLY CAR: Here, you get three chunky, minifig-size, rocket-powered vehicles with an eye-popping color-scheme. The main model is a rocket rally car, which can be rebuilt into a jet truck or a quad bike. I don’t know what adults think of the color-scheme and oversized components, but most kids love cars like this! 241 pieces. Price: $19.99 – BUY HERE

#31075 LEGO CREATOR OUTBACK ADVENTURES: One of the most impressive features of this set is how different the three alternate models are (although I would agree with JANG in the video-review below that the main model is the best). Also, this is the first set in the new wave that comes with a minifigure. The main model is an 8-stud-wide classic off-roader with impressive and rugged features, including a hood-mounted spare wheel (that also operates the winch – very clever!), cab with roll cage, bull bar, wide rims with chunky tires, plus a buildable tree trunk, and a very cute and fully articulated brick-built dog. The secondary model is a wilderness campsite, which kind of looks like a Minecraft terrain – a pretty interesting idea. The third alternate model is a winch helicopter, which reminds me of some of the transforming vehicles from The LEGO Movie. Make sure you check out the video-review below, as particularly the main model has some very nice features. 225 pieces. Price: $19.99 – BUY HERE

#31076 LEGO CREATOR DAREDEVIL STUNT PLANE: This set is so classic both in design and color-scheme! The three models are a daredevil stunt plane, a rocket car, and a rocket boat, and there is also a minifigure included. While the shapes and colors are classic, the parts-usage and building techniques are quite modern. I think older LEGO fans are going to really appreciate this set even more so than kids, because of the references to classic LEGO sets. 200 pieces. Price: $19.99 – BUY HERE

#31079 LEGO CREATOR SUNSHINE SURFER VAN: This set includes two minifigures, and one of the most talked about 2018 LEGO Creator vehicles; the surfer van. The van is obviously modeled after the VW camper, and features a yellow, white and blue color-scheme. It also includes a host of realistic details, like a roof rack for storing the included surfboard, foldaway sun lounger and chair, parasol, table and barbecue. You can remove the roof and side section for access to the detailed interior, complete with fold-down bed, TV and kitchenette. Nice! The alternate models are a very good looking beach buggy and an acceptable lifeguard tower. 379 pieces. Price: $34.99 – BUY HERE

#31080 LEGO CREATOR MODULAR WINTER VACATION: This set is based on the new modular design that LEGO introduced in the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 line last year. Basically this means that each of the three alternate models come with smaller modules (usually window, door, and wall sections) that could easily be swapped out and rearranged. This makes the sets far more than just three alternate models. The main build here is a cozy ski cabin with a rooftop ski slope, slalom flags, balcony with open fire, outdoor picnic bench and a shop with a detailed interior, cash register and a serving hatch from where customers can purchase ski equipment and drinks. The second alternate model is a bobsleigh track with bobsleigh and camera, and the third alternate model is an outhouse in the woods with a Yeti that is built similarly as the LEGO Mixels characters. Check the video-review below, as there are a lot of nice features to all three alternate models! Also, two minifigures are included. 374 pieces. Price: $34.99 – BUY HERE

#31081 LEGO CREATOR MODULAR SKATE HOUSE: What a fun set! The main model is a modular skate house. It features a detailed interior with radio, TV and sofa, plus a large outdoor skateboard ramp, monkey bars, climbing wall and a basketball hoop. You can also take a ride on a scooter or try your hand at some graffiti art. The alternate models are a games arcade with machines and a corner café, and a skate park complete with an exciting skateboard track, Just like in the previous set, all three models are made up of interchangeable modules that can be swapped out. This system works particularly well for this set! Also included are two minifigs. 422 pieces. Price: $39.99 – BUY HERE

From the nine new sets my personal favorites are the two smallest ones (Drone Explorer and Extreme Engines), the Sunshine Surfer Van, and the Modular Skate House. But I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets offer great versatility, building experience, and fun. You can find all the new sets under the LEGO Creator section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What about you? How do you like the new LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets? Do you have a favorite? Are you planning to get any of them? Feel free to share your thoughts and own review in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

{ 23 comments… add one }
  • jabber-baby-wocky January 13, 2018, 10:25 AM

    I always liked the 3-in-1 sets, and they have been steadily getting better. I really like the drone and the camper the most, and the other ones are great too.

    • admin January 13, 2018, 3:09 PM

      The Drone is a little gem. Small, but so well designed. 🙂

  • JasonK January 13, 2018, 10:36 AM

    I want that drone!!!!

  • Icepacklady January 13, 2018, 1:01 PM

    I got the Surfer van and it’s a nice build. I usually do go for the houses too but I’m giving these a pass at least for the moment. I got the last 3 but these 2 just don’t grab me for some reason. Maybe if they go on sale I’ll change my mind about the winter one.

    • admin January 13, 2018, 3:08 PM

      No need to rush. They will be around for a while. I also like the Surfer Van quite a bit. 😀

  • TomTom January 13, 2018, 1:34 PM

    I would really like to get that skate park set. Looks so good. And I like that you can set it up in different ways, like jangbricks shows in his review..

    • admin January 13, 2018, 3:07 PM

      Yes, that’s a nice feature of the new Creator sets. They are almost like the Minecraft sets that you can easily reconfigure them from smaller modules. Definitely fun. 🙂

  • Håkan January 13, 2018, 1:48 PM

    I guess my favorites are 31071 and 31075, although I just bought a retiring copy of 76057-1: Spider-Man: Web Warriors Ultimate Bridge Battle, so I’ll keep my Lego budget in check for a while, and skip on these…

    I wonder whether the upcoming 31077 would be space themed, though.

    • admin January 13, 2018, 3:06 PM

      Oh, you got the Bridge Battle??? That’s such an interesting set! I think you will have fun with it. “Universe Surprises”… hm… that could go in many different direction. 😀

      • Håkan January 13, 2018, 3:30 PM

        Not yet, I had to order it from Gothenburg to Stockholm since it was pretty much sold out everywhere after Christmas…

        Seems to be pretty cool both in design and minifigs, though…

        The box was damaged, apparently, so I hope there’s just external damage and no problems with the parts inside. I don’t think I’ll keep the box, anyway…

  • Legostuff71 January 13, 2018, 1:51 PM

    I definitely want the surfer van and the winter vacation , but , I’m trying to back track some sets that want to get before these. A couple of NINJAGO movie sets that has been hunting me for a while. ( The Lightning jet , Garmadon’s Volcano lair and the Dragon mech. So, a lot of saving to do . I have a year or so for the new sets. No , rush.

    • admin January 13, 2018, 3:04 PM

      Yes, these will be around for a while, so definitely no need to rush. The Dragon Mech is a really beautiful set. All that gorgeous sand-green and gold! 😀

  • Legostuff71 January 13, 2018, 3:32 PM

    I know , I’ve been drooling over it every time I see it. I almost want get that first . I figure save for the most expensive first and work your way down. That Lighting jet is so unique and different I want that first . Also , there isn’t a lot of jay vehicles out there. ( oh, and Jay’s parents as well).i am still working on NINJAGO city set, of course I’ve giving my self a break that and my Dad’s in town.

    • admin January 13, 2018, 6:14 PM

      I didn’t really care for the Lightning Jet originally, even though my favorite color is blue, but one seeing it in person, I really liked that one too! It is a great little ship! You can’t really go wrong with either or both. 😉

      Have fun with Ninjago City, it’s such a unique set!

      • Håkan January 14, 2018, 8:18 AM

        Speaking of colors, Tom Alphin just published an article about different Lego colors and part availability …

        http://brickarchitect.com/2018/lego_colors/

        • admin January 14, 2018, 9:38 AM

          Very interesting article and analysis. However, it has one fault. The data is based on buying one of every common set in the last five years. While this gives a good indication of what colors LEGO favors in a particular period, this is not how MOC-ers shop (which is the main topic of the article). For example, while dark-orange is one of the rarer colors when looking at the entire color selection from every set in the year it was released (and subsequent years when it was in stock), those who wanted it in quantity bought several Town Halls while it was still available (it was even on sale for extended periods). So even though in the years the Town Hall was available dark-orange was considered a rare color, the set includes almost exclusively dark-orange pieces for an excellent price. LEGO is very aware of the colors fans like, and they tend to release one big set that provides that color in great quantity.

          • Håkan January 14, 2018, 11:02 AM

            And all of the Dark Turquoise (Teal) parts released between 1998 and 2006 aren’t listed.

            • Håkan January 14, 2018, 11:07 AM

              Speaking of Teal, Mark Stafford’s into in-joking…

              http://www.moc-pages.com/moc.php/345723

              (That color scheme reminds me of the old Transformer Brainstorm, which I owned when I was a kid…)

              • admin January 14, 2018, 1:42 PM

                Oh, that’s just great! 😀

  • Legostuff71 January 13, 2018, 8:13 PM

    The details are so great and so are the interior of the shops and living spaces. I get a kick out of the Crab restaurant. The oven was a bit tricky to put in ( the wall that overlaps it wasn’t closeing the gaps between the bricks very well . But, after piling on more bricks for the wall it turned out o.k.).

  • DavidH January 14, 2018, 10:52 AM

    I like the plane the most. It brings back fond memories. Very similar to some of the airplanes lego made in the past.

    • admin January 14, 2018, 1:43 PM

      Yes, JANG shows some comparisons in his video-review. Nostalgic little set. 🙂

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