You might remember that at the beginning of the month we discussed a new LEGO collection coming in 2018 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the LEGO brick (see: New LEGO Sets for 2017 & Coming 2018 Sets). The new theme is titled LEGO Building Bigger Thinking, and it includes sets that are similar to the LEGO Classic brick boxes with basic LEGO elements. Each of the sets also includes a printed 2×4 tile to commemorate the 60th anniversary. So far, there are five sets in the series, and they are expected to be available sometime early next year. 🙂
In addition to the LEGO Building Bigger Thinking collection, there is also a very special commemorative set that will be available with purchases of $125 or more at LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop between January 28th and February 14th.
The #40290 LEGO Promotional 60 Years of LEGO Brick set is packaged in an old-style LEGO box with the classic color stripes to represent the basic LEGO colors. The set includes 421 pieces to build mini versions of four iconic sets; the #375 LEGO Classic Castle Yellow Castle from 1978, the #497 LEGO Classic Space Galaxy Explorer from 1979, the #6285 LEGO Pirates Black Seas Barracuda from 1989, and the #6399 LEGO Town Airport Shuttle monorail from 1990. All of these sets are much-talked about fan-favorites to this day.
It looks like the mini models of the sets are quite nice, with a little stand for each. I think older LEGO fans who had a chance to play with these sets as children, will be very happy with this collection. I just wish the set would also include a classic minifigure for each of the mini models, but that might be too much to ask from a free set.
I expect that there will be other LEGO sets and events throughout next year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the LEGO brick, either as special offers or full size sets. In either case, they should be pretty exciting (or at least I hope so), and I’m looking forward to see what LEGO comes up with to celebrate 60 years of awesomeness.
Also, as we mentioned previously, many of the first wave of 2018 sets are now available, including sets from LEGO City, LEGO Creator, LEGO Juniors, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, and LEGO Nexo Knights. To see all the new sets, follow the links to the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like LEGO’s 60th anniversary sets that have been revealed so far? What else would you like to see during this special year? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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I don’t think 6399 is a pretty iconic set, but I guess it could be a reference to 6990, although the designers wanted to avoid referencing two different Space sets.
Other options could be 588 Police Headquarters, 6392 Airport, 6394 Metro Park & Service Tower or 6395 Victory Lap Raceway.
(I don’t think the mini-build is that successful, either. It’s hard to interpret, unless you’re already aware of the source material.)
I 100% agree. The 6399 set image finally made it a bit clearer but the micro set does not translate and just looks like a blob of parts. There are many more city or classic system house sets that could have been used. Love everything else though.
I also agree that the 6990 monorail set would have been a better example. But it could every well be as you said, they didn’t want to use two space sets, but they wanted to add a monorail. That’s the weakest in my opinion. The other three look great.
The free set looks pretty good, especially at 400+ pieces. Comparing that to some of the Freebies given out, I’d rather hold out for that then buy during a VIP double points period….
For a free set, this is really good. Reminds me of the commemorative train set that was given to employees I think last year. This one might be worth keeping in the box just because its historical significance. I like the design of the box with the stripes and old photo.
Oh, yes, that was a lovely set too! And I also like the box. Reminds me of the sets I inherited from my dad. 😀
Lego seems to always repeat sets over the years . Why can’t / won’t they repeat these sets? It’s classic Lego sets that the adults now ,then kids enjoyed and would probably enjoy it a second time around. Maybe , re introduce the true meaning of Lego and the magic ( what got we as adullts into it in the first place) to the kids now a days.
Lego did a couple of re-releases like that in the early naughties, but it seems they didn’t sell good enough to warrant further similar ventures…
https://brickset.com/sets/tag-Legends
Early naughties? Sounds like a great time to be alive! 🙄
And yeah, LEGO consistently said that they didn’t do well with theme re-releases.
Maybe it’s more of a briticism (of a witticism), actually…
I don’t know if it is British or not. American old people are just as bad. 🙄
Anyhow, apparently it’s preferably spelled noughties, but pronounced the same…
That’s a tough one. Kids these days are very much into IP-based stories and merchandise. LEGO tries every few years to release sets within LEGO Space, LEGO Castle, LEGO Pirates, and their own stories like Ninjago, Chima, Nexo Knights, Ultra Agents, etc. Some of them sell better then others, but besides Ninjago, none of them became really huge hits. LEGO is a company. They need to sell stuff to stay in business. While people don’t like to admit and talk about this, toys is one of the most cut-throat business arenas in the world.
The sets we are talking about here are very-very old and crude by today’s standards. I doubt that the Yellow Castle or the old Classic Space sets would be interesting to today’s kids. Frankly, they wouldn’t even be interesting to my generation. Even Benny’s Spaceship, and the Exo-Suit – both of which are based on Classic Space – mostly appealed to older fans, even with all the cool upgrades. LEGO’s target audience is kids. They want to make children happy with their toys. While they do release sets for adult fans as well, they have to keep things in balance.
I would also add that LEGO has been exceptionally accommodating to fulfill the desires of older fans. Re-releases of some of the most desirable large sets, commemorative sets and minifigures, hidden references to older themes in many new sets, The LEGO Movie, etc. They even tried to bring back whole themes like Bionicle, Classic Castle and Classic Pirate, but none of those worked out. It is the company that is taking huge risks with these re-releases, and suffering the losses when they don’t sell. Not us. So, I try to focus on what they are already giving, rather than demanding more and more.
I see this in social media circles and LEGO forums all the time. Older LEGO fans are loudly demanding to bring back sets and themes from their childhood. So, finally, LEGO accommodates them. People don’t even say thank you. Instead, they demand even more. Like these people are just never satisfied no matter what LEGO gives them… and this is not just with LEGO. We have a very… let’s just say “loud”… older generation, which is a whole different topic in itself. 🙄
Yeah, I guess it’s only 6285 of these sets that holds up reasonably here.
And apparently the Monoral technical parts cost so much to produce that Lego barely made any profit from these sets. (I’ve heard that they made them at a loss, but the non-technical parts would likely have been cheap to produce. Anyway, overall, the Monorail sets weren’t economically really worth the effort.)
Lego can title the theme ” classic Lego”.
They already have a LEGO Classic line. 😀
Isn’t Classic about to be replaced by Building Bigger Thinking ?
My understanding is that’s a separate line for the 60th anniversary. But it is suspiciously similar to LEGO Classic, so you could be right too. 🙂
Yeah, they look sorta like a mix between Classic and the minifig-based Juniors sets, or somewhat like the earlier Bricks And More sets…
Yeah, exactly. I’m sure we will know more next year what these sets are about. Basic bricks are always popular, so they could do well. I’m just not sure about the awkward long name. LEGO Classic is simple, and everyone understands what it means. 😀
As an adult, I am most gracious and happy with the sets they come up with . I just have an issue with the pricing ( we’ve heard this before). I was just thinking of the younger fans , it might be easier to build because some of the bigger sets are bit more challenging. I see your point though. Lego has to keep up with the times or they’ll be stomped on by other companies. I think Adult Lego fans are the most brutal when it comes to critique a set. They pick it clean.
And it’s not easy to be a LEGO designer either, especially for the ones who come from the fan community. While previously their MOCs may have been appreciated, when they start working for LEGO, everything they do is taken apart and criticized. It hurts. LEGO designers are people too. And many times one of us… no wonder they prefer working with kids. 😀
And the more Moc-like proposals are criticized from a company standpoint; too big, too repetitive building, too niche market, not enough play features etc…
That’s true as well… it’s hard to please everyone. 🙁
I wish I could make at least half as great as the MOC creators can create. My creations look like I’m a first time builder and slightly amateurish. I’m my own worst critic sometimes. Some of the things I create I just do it for me . I mean my jungle theme MOC set wasn’t bad .( My picture I sent in a couple a months ago.) I did others more for the Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings. It works for me. I am also very shy on my creations. Whether it’s worthy to show people and what they would say about it. So,for me to criticize someone else’s MOC where as mine aren’t that great to begin with would be foolish on my part. I know how much work is put in a set or a MOC.
Lovely thoughts. Thanks for sharing. And there is nothing wrong with just building for yourself. There is really no reason to share, unless you want to. LEGO can be a social hobby, or something very personal. With social media people got used to sharing everything about their life, but this often just creates more stress. Being content with your world with or without other peoples’ approval is real peace. Play well, and be happy. 🙂
I think that building with Lego can easily seen as yet another art form that in order to build like the professionals a person needs to spend a lot of real quality time and a fair amount of material to get the feel and make your creations look like the pros. As it turns out Lego is quite the expensive art medium and hard to really get into unless you have the money. I’ve seen the works of Nathan Sawaya at a local art museum and no doubt he didn’t build sculptures like he does when he first started. Just a thought there. 😉
Rob, that’s actually a good point. Whether it is sculptures or Star Wars dioramas, it does take a fair amount of brick to experiment with. I would say though that there is also the art of micro-building, which doesn’t require much. Take a look at the gallery of this guy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_works/
Always! Happiness and satisfaction is found within one self, not from others approval ratings. Its sad that now a days people need others to tell them who they are and who they should be. Lego has actually brought people more together. I mean here I am writing to you . Where as I’d never have happened if it wasn’t for Your blog and Lego . So, thank you for that. It got me out of shell.
Yeah, having hobbies is awesome for making friends. Especially something as nice, creative and inspiring as LEGO. Play well. 🙂
Great comments here, folks. People get too wrapped up in their creations needing to measure up to professionals’ work. People are free to share with others, but need not depend upon it to enjoy themselves. Build for whoever brings you joy to build for.
Very well said. Happy building! 🙂