Unpopular LEGO Opinions

blokey9

for who? the enthusiast or the speculator.

bricktuary

July is definitely worse than January

EGRoberts

FollowsClosely said:

5,000 sets produced is better than 10,000.

Gonna start a riot! 😂 seriously though I got 1 castle in the forest and my only regret is not getting 2 castles in the forest.. I thought the bricklink designer program went pretty smooth next to the 5 limit. I think 2 is good but whatever.

ericb

LEGO is not to blame for your problems.

Yellowcastle

I’m not sure I love the Seinfeld set, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

blokey9

Yellowcastle said:

I’m not sure I love the Seinfeld set, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

no, no, of course not.

autolycus

Yellowcastle said:

I’m not sure I love the Seinfeld set, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

Yeah, What is this obsession people have with books Lego? They put them in their houses—like they’re trophies. What do you need it for after you read build it?

Bobflip

autolycus said:

Yellowcastle said:

I’m not sure I love the Seinfeld set, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

Yeah, What is this obsession people have with books Lego? They put them in their houses—like they’re trophies. What do you need it for after you read build it?

After I've read built a book set I tear it apart and build new stories models with the pages parts from all my other books sets

tne328

Today's reveal of MCU CMFs reminded me that I don't like double-sided heads. They always need headgear, and headgear or hair that comes far enough down at that. Baseball caps just don't cut it. So I am glad that at least Sam has a nice single-print.

(Just don't get me started on how goofy it is that a combat suit leaves the top of the head completely exposed!)

Yellowcastle

I’m not sure how I feel about a CMF series where 1/3 look the same if you squint real hard.

MaffyD

^ Don't squint? :-)

Yellowcastle

At my age, everything’s a squint. :o)

BrickBonce

I suspect my opinions are very unpopular:

1) I don't like ANY film/TV/Game tie in sets (that's right I don't do Star Wars or Harry Potter, etc.)

2) I like CITY sets, Friends Sets, some 3-1 creator sets, and the modular buildings.

3) I'm not so keen on the CITY sets since they started to tie them in to the animated series.  I feel the quality dropped and the price rose.

4) I don't like the 'adult' sets like the typewriter, flowers, NASA sets.

5) I don't like the 'historical' sets like the recent medieval set. I only like sets set in the present day (well 1950's to 2050's).

6) I only keep the yellow mini-figures, any other colours and the Friends mini-dolls go straight in the bin.

7) I find the Lego base plates useless, and as they don't do proper plates in those sizes I buy Non-Lego ones!

8) I think LEGO is overpriced, and sets aren't around long enough to save for the dearer ones before the scalpers get them all.

CCC

BrickBonce said:

6) I only keep the yellow mini-figures, any other colours and the Friends mini-dolls go straight in the bin.

That seems a waste, especially when you can swap them (or just the fleshie heads and hands) for yellow ones.

MaffyD

Most of those aren't that unpopular. Licensed sets have come under fire before, CITY sets have had questions asked about quality (but not by me - I'm not a CITY collector). People have had issues with fleshie heads in their cities. Base plates have been moaned about as well.
And as for price? I think that's a constant.

I think the unusual opinions involve the 'straight in the bin' line, and the aversion to historical and 'grown-up' sets. I'm the same in that I don't like 'real world scale' items replicated in Lego but I'm aware this is a minority view. But I love the NASA sets, and oldie worldie sets (even if I can't find the budget for them).

datsunrobbie

CCC said:

BrickBonce said:

6) I only keep the yellow mini-figures, any other colours and the Friends mini-dolls go straight in the bin.

That seems a waste, especially when you can swap them (or just the fleshie heads and hands) for yellow ones.

Don't they have thrift stores in the UK? If you really don't want them, you could donate them and somebody else could enjoy them, rather than having them end up in a landfill.

benbacardi

datsunrobbie said:

CCC said:

BrickBonce said:

6) I only keep the yellow mini-figures, any other colours and the Friends mini-dolls go straight in the bin.

That seems a waste, especially when you can swap them (or just the fleshie heads and hands) for yellow ones.

Don't they have thrift stores in the UK? If you really don't want them, you could donate them and somebody else could enjoy them, rather than having them end up in a landfill.

We do; we call them charity shops.

daewoo

My main issue with City sets is that we've returned to most vehicles not having doors again.  I HATE that.

bookmum

@BrickBonce please don't put unwanted mini dolls in the bin. Put them in a small foodbag, tape them up and give to your nearest charity shop.
Or donate them to a local primary school or children's club (like an after school one).
Or give them to that 6 year old kid that lives 3 doors down from you.
Or donate them to charities that will distribute them to children in temporary accommodation or refuge accommodation. 
Do not throw perfectly usable unwanted toys in the bin ever. It's evil. 

CCC

Or leave them on your wall / in the street with a sign saying free.

datsunrobbie

I don't even throw away the off-brand bricks that I find in the lots I get from Savers, they go in a bag and back to Savers. I have a bag right now ready to go back, labeled "NOT LEGO" in big letters.

prettybigguy

As much as I love mini figs, I really would like more realistic proportions! Just give them longer arms and legs (maybe with jointed knees?). nothing too drastic. I’m thinking the legs s/b 1 brick taller, like Woody from Toy Story.
 The existing arms and legs can be used for children instead of the short legs with disproportionately long arms! Not much else would need to change, maybe just make the doors/door frames taller and allow for more leg room in vehicles.

Yellowcastle

Does bin always mean trash in the UK?

blokey9

Yellowcastle said:

Does bin always mean trash in the UK?

not just in the UK.

bricktuary

The flexible train track is actually really handy

daewoo

bricktuary said:

The flexible train track is actually really handy

I think I'm gonna be sick...   :D

autolycus

blokey9 said:

Yellowcastle said:

Does bin always mean trash in the UK?

not just in the UK.

That's gotta be rubbish. So rugby players are put in the foul trash?

CCC

Yellowcastle said:

Does bin always mean trash in the UK?

It can also mean a box or storage container, but without other context it means a trashcan.

Yellowcastle

bricktuary said:

The flexible train track is actually really handy

They’re so useful in navigating through my BURP-infested landscape.

blokey9

autolycus said:

blokey9 said:

Yellowcastle said:

Does bin always mean trash in the UK?

not just in the UK.

That's gotta be rubbish. So rugby players are put in the foul trash?

i watch AFL, we don't send players to the sin bin.

legobod

Anything sin bin worthy looks encouraged from what I've seen of AFL.

SquirrelFromSpace

I'm not sure how much this would apply, but I don't think Mega Blocks (or is it constructs now?) are really clones of LEGO. Sure, they involve building blocks and such, but I tend to find that they're entirely different kinds of toys. To me they work pretty similarly to an action figure playset once assembled. Heck, the Mega Block figures can arguably be called tiny action figures with the addition of knee and elbow movement. 

Do I believe that MB and LEGO should me mixed together? Build-wise, no. I do find LEGO parts just feel like they're better quality, and the two systems just aren't designed to work with each other. They're similar but have enough differences to where I can see both being enjoyed. 

bookmum

@SquirrelFromSpace I don't mix my Lego bricks with my MB bricks but some of my MB figures pop over to play from time to time. I have Minions, Hello Kitties, Smurfs, Moshi Monsters and one lonely Power Ranger. I am building a display for a show and the figures would look great in it but because it's an official Lego show I can't use them which is a bit of a shame but I will survive !
I have nothing against MB as a brand and I wouldn't have an issue with builders who combine the two (or more with other legit compatible brands) if that's what they want to do. For children getting the cheaper alternative brands will sometimes be the only way they get to play with 'Lego'  (Mega sets tend to be expensive when new but turn up a lot discounted in tkmaxx). I would much rather see a child having fun with a giant tub of own brand compatible bricks combined with a small amount of actual Lego or MB than not having many (or any) bricks at all. 

bamaker1

Probably not an unpopular opinion, but I'm getting somewhat jaded by all the "Adult" sets that LEGO seems to be pumping out.  Even without the drab redesign to the black background -- "Drab" being a fairly popular opinion -- it felt like LEGO was getting away from what made it enjoyable.   There was a sense of wonder, adventure, story, and innocence in building the little cars, little houses, little planes, little space ships, little boats, and populating them with little people.
  
I first started noticing LEGO's drift with Star Wars, as more details were crammed into tighter spaces, and the prices began increasing.  LEGO was trying to make the sets as close as possible to the actual screen model.  It has now bled over into the "Adult" sets that offer ultra-detail and strive for realism.   I don't want realism in my toys.  If I wanted realism, I'd go buy the real thing.   When I see the new "Adult" Republic Gunship or Harry Potter sets, I feel nothing - except "that looks like work having to build.  And then it'll just sit there, until at some point I have to take it apart."  When I see the new Wildlife Rescue sets, I think "those looks like fun to build, with lots of story potential." 

I get more excited by the City and 3-in-1 reveals than I do by the Typewriter, Shoe, Portrait, etc... reveals.

Meh.... just venting

The_Rancor

I like the City Wildlife AND Republic Gunship - both build styles and displays have their merits to me!

560Heliport

^^ Fortunately, there's lots of different kinds of LEGO sets! My unpopular opinion is that I don't mind TLG making sets I don't want. I already want more than I can afford!

lowlead

560Heliport said:

...I don't mind TLG making sets I don't want. I already want more than I can afford!

Same.  To the point where I breathe an odd sigh of relief when I don't want something - case in point, the new Harry Potter colossus.  Whew! Dodged that bullet!

560Heliport

lowlead said:

560Heliport said:

...I don't mind TLG making sets I don't want. I already want more than I can afford!

Same.  To the point where I breathe an odd sigh of relief when I don't want something - case in point, the new Harry Potter colossus.  Whew! Dodged that bullet!

I want that Hedwig, but don't really care about the rest. Of course, it's all Lego pieces, so always useful for something else.

Astrobricks

bamaker1 said:

Probably not an unpopular opinion, but I'm getting somewhat jaded by all the "Adult" sets that LEGO seems to be pumping out.  Even without the drab redesign to the black background -- "Drab" being a fairly popular opinion -- it felt like LEGO was getting away from what made it enjoyable.   There was a sense of wonder, adventure, story, and innocence in building the little cars, little houses, little planes, little space ships, little boats, and populating them with little people.
  
I first started noticing LEGO's drift with Star Wars, as more details were crammed into tighter spaces, and the prices began increasing.  LEGO was trying to make the sets as close as possible to the actual screen model.  It has now bled over into the "Adult" sets that offer ultra-detail and strive for realism.   I don't want realism in my toys.  If I wanted realism, I'd go buy the real thing.   When I see the new "Adult" Republic Gunship or Harry Potter sets, I feel nothing - except "that looks like work having to build.  And then it'll just sit there, until at some point I have to take it apart."  When I see the new Wildlife Rescue sets, I think "those looks like fun to build, with lots of story potential." 

I get more excited by the City and 3-in-1 reveals than I do by the Typewriter, Shoe, Portrait, etc... reveals.

Meh.... just venting

Yeah, I’ll just pop over to NYC and pick up the real Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty!

SquirrelFromSpace

bamaker1 said:

Probably not an unpopular opinion, but I'm getting somewhat jaded by all the "Adult" sets that LEGO seems to be pumping out.  Even without the drab redesign to the black background -- "Drab" being a fairly popular opinion -- it felt like LEGO was getting away from what made it enjoyable.   There was a sense of wonder, adventure, story, and innocence in building the little cars, little houses, little planes, little space ships, little boats, and populating them with little people.
  
I first started noticing LEGO's drift with Star Wars, as more details were crammed into tighter spaces, and the prices began increasing.  LEGO was trying to make the sets as close as possible to the actual screen model.  It has now bled over into the "Adult" sets that offer ultra-detail and strive for realism.   I don't want realism in my toys.  If I wanted realism, I'd go buy the real thing.   When I see the new "Adult" Republic Gunship or Harry Potter sets, I feel nothing - except "that looks like work having to build.  And then it'll just sit there, until at some point I have to take it apart."  When I see the new Wildlife Rescue sets, I think "those looks like fun to build, with lots of story potential." 

I get more excited by the City and 3-in-1 reveals than I do by the Typewriter, Shoe, Portrait, etc... reveals.

Meh.... just venting

After having not built a LEGO set in a while (mostly due to $$$ and having other priorities), I recently have tried building the NES. It was a gift from my parents, and I love it! Well.. I love it, but I've found myself struggling with such a large (and complicated) set. I kept running into one section I had trouble with that led to me restarting the set altogether. Eventually, I just took a break because I was getting frustrated (and the set was missing pieces). I don't know if it was the set or if I was just rusty, but I can't imagine what it would be like trying to assemble to someone who probably hasn't touched LEGO in decades. That's not to say they can't build it, but I'm kinda worried the "Adults Welcome" initiative lacks a good entry point. 

I also agree that the Adults Welcome line doesn't really highlight what's  so great about LEGO; the creativity. Something that I've been wanting LEGO to sell are starter kits for MOCS. You know, something like a city, a space station, a castle or village, etc.! You see all these cool creations on YouTube, Social Media, and even TV with shows like LEGO Masters. Give someone the tools to create along with some pointers and a gentle nudge, and you'd be amazed what people will put together! 

I also think that maybe completely separating the Adults line from the normal lines is a mistake. Two lines that I personally think would have good entry points are currently Star Wars and City. Star Wars is something popular with multiple generations, so maybe someone new to LEGO will decide to pick up an X-Wing that still looks nice while only $40 compared to a UCS set that costs $350-$900. The Adults line asks WAY too much money for an entry point to a hobby. I remember I was in a store looking at some of the Adults Welcome sets, as well as the Creator Expert sets. My dad walked up, and I showed him the Creator Mustang set (he loves classic cars) and the Beatles mosaic. We looked at the prices, laughed, and walked off to go finish the shopping. 

Astrobricks

Every lego set is a starter kit for MOCs.

CCC

Remember the 18+ badge is just for marketing, probably to partly justify high prices too. 

Saturn V is 14+, yet is no more or less an adult aimed set than any 18+ set. I don't know how many were built by kids, I guess a similar percentage as the new HP adult collectors' edition set. I reckon most 12+ kids could build an 18+ set (but probably wouldn't be that interested in some of the real world object style ones) and most adults can enjoy kid sets if they are interested in the theme and/or can get over the embarrassment of buying a kids' toy.

But I agree the bigger is not always better view. Take the two Ghostbusters Ecto 1 sets. The original looks like a reasonable representation in toy form. The bigger one is more realistic but not a toy yet also not a very good scale model either when it really comes to detail. There are far better scale models when it comes to realism. But of course, they are not made of lego so not so interesting to a lego fan. 

Phoenixio

You guys complaining about adult sets and details/realism have clearly never looked into detailed builds.  That furnished fridge inside the detailed kitchen of the gorgeous Parisian Restaurant is probably one of the best building moments I ever had with LEGO, and the reason I enjoy modulars so much (and why I am pro-interior on modulars).  And now that I'm deconstructing everything for a move, every time I get to a new room I get to revisit all the details and ponder at the creativity and quality of the designs.  Might not be for everybody, but damn it's impressive at times.

Astrobricks

I suspect very few adults would be entering the hobby with 18+ sets; not because of the cost, but because there are plenty of non-18+ sets that appeal to adults. I see 18+ as Lego’s way of encouraging young people to stick with Lego after their late teens.

daewoo

...so long as we keep getting new trains every once in a while, I'll be fine.

KungFuKenny

My slightly unpopular opinion is that I think the problem of missing pieces (in sets) is overblown… I’ve built several hundred sets over the last 10 years, (including 26 that were over 2000 pieces), and I have only had a missing piece one time.  Every time I think I’m missing something it turns out the piece was still in the bag, had fallen to the floor, or was hiding somewhere on my table or in the trash…

CCC

I've had more damaged pieces than missing pieces. One part with a broken clip, probably 10 bad prints, one cmf torso that looked like it had been set on fire. Worst of all - damaged sticker sheets. I dread to think how many creased sheets I have had from sealed sets.

blokey9

It’s good that LEGO have started to pack the instructions and sticker sheets in cardboard sleeves.

KungFuKenny

CCC said:

I've had more damaged pieces than missing pieces. One part with a broken clip, probably 10 bad prints, one cmf torso that looked like it had been set on fire. Worst of all - damaged sticker sheets. I dread to think how many creased sheets I have had from sealed sets.

Agreed - damaged parts are way more common (I’ve had scratched tiles as well)… I’ve gotten replacement sticker sheets several times, especially for the bigger sets.

daewoo

I've only ever had one new set that was missing a piece.  To TLG's credit, they sent me a replacement very quickly.  I've never had a broken piece.