Although LEGO doesn’t have a dedicated space-related theme right now (besides Star Wars), they did release four fantastic NASA-inspired exploration sets this year in the LEGO City line. The sets offer a while crew of space explorers with newly designed gear, rowers, rockets, space stations, research centers, and more. Let’s take a look!
The #60348 LEGO City Lunar Roving Vehicle comes with twelve wheels for omnidirectional steering, two inspection arms, and room for three astronauts. (Watch the video-review below by JANGBRiCKS to see the wheels in action!)
The set also offers a meteorite with beautiful light-blue crystals inside. It’s also worth noting that the rover can connect to the airlock of the research base via its round door. This set comes with 275 pieces and retails $39.99. Available at the LEGO City section of the Online LEGO Shop.
The #60349 LEGO City Lunar Space Station comes with 500 pieces and features a science lab, a botany lab, a docking space capsule, and five astronauts.
In the video-review below, you can take a closer look at all the play-features of the set. The price is $79.99 and the set is available at the LEGO City section of the Online LEGO Shop.
The #60350 LEGO City Lunar Research Base comes with 786 pieces for the price of $119.99. It is packed with authentic details based on real space vehicles and equipment, including a lunar lander, VIPER rover, and a domed accommodation module with laboratories, garage, and airlock, plus six astronauts.
As mentioned above the airlock can connect to the rover, so it might be worth getting both sets. You can watch the video-review below for all the details, and check out the set at the LEGO City section of the Online LEGO Shop.
The #60351 LEGO City Rocket Launch Center is the largest in the newly released LEGO City Space collection and features a large launch tower and a rocket with room for two astronauts and a planet rover.
There’s also a detailed observation dome and launch control center, plus a service vehicle, drone, and six minifigures. The set comes with 1,010 pieces, retails for $149.99, and is available at the LEGO City section of the Online LEGO Shop.
While I really liked the previous wave of LEGO City Space sets, I feel that this collection is even better because it’s more closely based on real-life space exploration. In other words, it offers some educational value while remaining playful. I also like the color scheme and the new design for the astronauts.
Unfortunately, LEGO City Space sets tend to be expensive, and these sets are no exception. As JANGBRiCKS mentions in his reviews, each set should have been about $20 less. However, I do feel that even at full price they offer good value, and both kids and adults would appreciate the building experience, parts selection, play features, and overall look and feel of the sets.
What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO City Space sets? Do you have any of them already? Feel free to share your thoughts and own reviews in the comment section below!
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First off the city Space sets are totally awesome, however right now I’m in the middle of building the boutique hotel and I’m also torn between when the new Jurassic world sets come out (April). For the first time in a long time some of the Jurassic World sets are cheaper this time around and I would easily be able get them. With new city space sets would take me longer to save up for. It is definitely on my radar to purchase the space sets soon.🚀🦎.
I’m an old spacer, and these sets look pretty okay, but my time and space is limited, so I have to set my priorities. I think I focus on Marvel and Post-Classic Space (The “Tron Era”) for the time being.
I also have sort of overspent lately, considering my relatively small sources of income, and cut into my savings. I guess I should try to work out a better system for the future…
I’m surprised how negative jang is about some of these sets. I think they are some of the best space sets in a long time. And I don’t think the prices are that bad for what you get.
I was a big fan of Lego Space back in my 80s childhood. These “20 minutes into the future”-style sets are appealing, but not quite to the level of the Star Wars-esque ships we used to get every year. But then, Lego literally has Star Wars now.
Plus, I think the need for sci-fi action-adventure vehicles is readily filled by Ninjago, plus various shorter-lived lines like Nexo Knights, Chima, and Galaxy Squad.
And… you know… another small multimedia franchise called Marvel…
Growing up in the 80s, Classic Space was my favorite theme, and I’ve enjoyed every homegrown LEGO Space theme since. I miss the sci-fi elements of their original space themes (their last one, Galaxy Squad, came out in 2013, which marks the longest period between original sci-fi space themes in LEGO’s history). Fortunately, space exploration has been a part of Town/City since 1995 and onward. The latest spate of City space sets from 2019 and this year are fantastic in their depictions of current or near-future tech in a fun, great-looking, and very playable series of sets. They are, lamentably, a bit on the expensive side, but in my experience, the play value and addition of new elements salves the pain in the wallet enough to justify the purchases.
Nice summary! Yeah, I also miss the sci-fi element. Galaxy Squad is one of my favorite themes! I hope something like that will come back in the future, but for now, these City sets are not bad. Not bad at all. 🙂