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Initial Thoughts on 2012 LEGO

2

Comments

  • prof1515prof1515 Member Posts: 1,550
    Star Wars - Some are welcome additions while others are the typical Clone Wars crap.
    City - Some nice sets moderately prices and a few interesting pieces while the big sets blow.
    Superheroes - I'm 37, not 13. Little interest for me anymore.
    LOTR - Blurry photos are hard judge. No interest in the theme itself as I don't care for Tolkien (yes, despite once working for a Tolkien-based online game) but might have good parts.
    Dino - No interest in dinosaurs unless they're fossils.
    Cars - See Superheroes.
    Friends - I have male genitalia.
    Moster Fighters - See Superheroes.
    Ninjago - A few interesting parts in an absolute mess of a theme. No interest.

    I tend to agree that the year's selection isn't that good but I for one am relieved. My wallet is always grateful for a little relief.
  • duilimduilim Member Posts: 61
    I wouldn't say that it's a step back, but I know what you mean.... from the released images of upcoming sets, it's certainly not as good as it could have been. I have to say that I'm not as excited now that I've seen some of the images as I was when I first heard about the new themes. The LOTR sets look underwhelming, even though they are preliminary pictures and Super Heroes seems to be largely a rehash of old sets at this stage. TLG are probably relying on the minifigures to boost sales in this theme. Star Wars isn't too bad - in fact, if you're new to the Star Wars theme, it's great but for older collectors, the re-release if the X and Y wings may leave you a bit underwhelmed.
    The mining and forest themes don't really belong in City IMO although I do like the new vehicles.
    There are fewer "must haves" though on my list this year than in previous years, which is probably a good thing for my wallet. The set I'm most looking forward to is the Town Hall. Other than that and some of the City vehicles, I think that the minifigs will largely determine which sets I buy this year.
  • EricEric Member Posts: 376
    edited January 2012
    Yeah, nothing amazing so far IMO. I might go after just the superhero minifigs, the sets themselves seem pretty weak. Not a SW or LOTR fan, nor interested in Dino, Friends, Ninjago or what's left of Cars. I am interested in some of the technic stuff, and since I haven't bought a Technic set in quite a few years, I might jump on that. I'll probably use this year (well at least the first few months) to catch up on some stuff I've missed out on over the last few years.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    edited January 2012
    well, it's all personal taste, isn't it?

    for me 2011 was my first year back from the a long dark ages, so in addition to purchasing all the '11 stuff that interested me, I was dipping back into the still available items from '08, '09, and '10. Now that I'm "caught up" so to speak, my spending on sets will likely be less this year, but probably will increase the parts/pieces buying.

    I also got overly excited about some sets and themes last year in my exuberance, and will try to prevent myself from doing so again. Ultimately if it's a theme that doesn't really hold long-term collection/display interest for me, and the parts included aren't highly usable for future moccing, then it's probably going to be a pass for me this go around (looking at you DINO and Superheroes), whereas I did buy last year (AC, PoTC, some other sets).

    My list this year:
    - Friends (2 daughters)
    - Town Hall
    - Beach House
    - Joust (eventually, but no rush)
    - Sopwith, R2D2, B-wing all depend on price and finished product
    - City vehicles, but not police/fire stuff. some mining vehicles maybe
    - Y-Wing,TIE, and Fury.

    I'll have to wait and see on LOTR and Monster Fighters. Both will probably be passes for my personal collection, outside a set or two in each theme. (the two castles most likely, along with the train.
  • CoolsplashCoolsplash Member Posts: 935
    Well, for me, 2011 was a big buy buy buy year for me, so I am going to relax some but my list is as follows:

    - Pet Shop
    - Town Hall
    - Kingdoms MVR, Kings Castle
    - City Police Station
    - City Harbor and Marina
    - Star Wars, elite battle pack, Anakin Ship, Droid Escape, and others maybe
    - City, some mining sets not the bigger ones
    - LOTR, everything in it!
    - Monster Hunter, going to stay away from it
    - Friends, maybe to add in my City collection, not much

    The rest, already got all the Super Heroes (both dad and son love this theme), got all the City Forest sets the smaller ones.

  • paradisiaparadisia Member Posts: 15
    I have also returned to the world of Lego only in the last couple of months, and have caught up on buying the last three modulars, train sets and 2011/2010/09s City sets/vehicles and some of the Alien Conquest items. My main interest is the City theme and modulars series so for 2012 that will be my focus, however I think this years themes look pretty varied and should appeal to most. In addition this year I am also considering purchasing the sets listed below as they interest me too.

    - Medieval market village
    - Kingdoms joust
    - Shuttle expedition
    - Tower bridge

    I hope to get some of the earlier City vehicle sets to add to my collection from 2007/2008 too, obviously dependent on their availability and pricing.

    :)
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    I like the large sets (2000+ pieces), particularly the modulars and large Technics. So by that standard I'm hopeful. High hopes for Town Hall and expecting a 2000 piece Technic set in the second half. To make it a completely satisfying year for me it would be great if a set as detailed as IFS or the large sculptures (Grand Carousel or Taj Mahal) came out. But do these typically get released later in the year?
  • legoDadlegoDad Member Posts: 529
    Probably will be the best year for Lego and all fans...totally off the chain 'yo!
    -Friends will be great for me to get models for my niece's and there's some nice new colors and parts for building. Will be a huge seller.
    -Super Heroes...DC and Marvel Comics...Batman has been requested since they stopped the original line and with Marvel jumping in...I'm getting every set!
    -LotR...AfoL's are gonna' eat this up...figurtively and literally...;) Castle and Medieval Moc'ers out there are gonna' have a field day.
    -Star Wars will sell regardless. I already see a few sets to get off the bat.
    -Ninjago may look weird to some but there's some great models like the Rattlecopter and the build techniques are excellent.
    -Monsters will be fun and I suspect some cool builds.
    Even right away the MiniModular is incredible!
    ...the return of the dinosaur theme, new CMF's....on and on man...a major year ahead.
  • krklintkrklint Member Posts: 502
    I feel that the minifigs are really superb in 2012, but overall the themes (based off the artwork on the boxes) are targeting children more heavily than in the past two years. So as an AFOL, I can get excited about the new colors and pieces found in the Friends line, but overall the marketing, to me, does seem to have changed slightly.

    I'm not seeing anything like the Emerald Night to "wow" me. Yes, I already have catwoman on her cycle. Yes, I will buy a SW escape pod; but the sets I've been able to see don't scream "buy more than one!"

    Simply put, I know I will spend money on Lego, but I have already walked through the aisles at Target/Lego Store/etc, and been able to say, "no, I can wait for something more spectacular to show up."

    Now, if the 9 year old in me wakes up sometime in June, that side of me will go on a buying rampage ;)
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    I'm looking forward to the replacement for Tower Bridge and for Grand Carousel. I would like to see another colorful motorized set like that one, and another 6,000 brick set like Tower Bridge.
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    edit: ok, TB didn't have 6K parts, TM did, rather I meant that I'd like to see another big set like TM...
  • yys4uyys4u Member Posts: 1,093
    Am I missing something?? I read a couple references to Town Hall and more winter city sets but I never knew these were officially announced or that there were leaked pictures...
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    not official and no leaked photos. Everyone assume there will be another winter village set next fall - there has been three in a row, and it seems to be a very popular series, so I can't see why they wouldn't continue it.

    Town Hall was on a leaked exclusive set list for 2012. The source of this list has been very accurate in the past, and the first item on the list correctly predicted the set number and name of the joust set long before it was officially announced, so it seems like a safe bet.
  • yys4uyys4u Member Posts: 1,093
    @dougts Gotcha, thanks for clarifying that!
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    @LFT I just completed assembly of my tower bridge this past weekend and am even more impressed when complete than I thought I would be. Truly a great model and build, with fantastic pieces and detailing all the way around. I wish I had the TM and the Carousel, but unfortunately they were long gone when I came out of my dark ages. I too will look forward to the next entry in this lineup, and am quite curious what it might be.

  • bellybutton290bellybutton290 Member Posts: 453
    For me personally and the themes I collect seems like wave 1 for city and SW are great but not wave 2 at all. City and SW with wave 1 are at least not going up in price and have well designed sets so HIT on these. For me LOTR is a waiting game for the final sets but currently underwhelmed. As for TLG I think it will be a strong year especially if the gambles of getting the LOTR license and the Friends investment pay off.
  • wagnerml2wagnerml2 Member Posts: 1,376
    I guess the Mods didn't like my thread title. It has changed :).
  • princedravenprincedraven Member Posts: 3,764
    Think they changed the title to allow a broader input.
    I have to say I like the 2012 sets so far:
    Joust is lovely
    Superheroes is great, but then I missed out on the last round so maybe I am biased.
    Dino's are clearly aimed at the kids so not really fair to judge those.
    Monster Hunters looks great to me, can't wait on that range, very fun.
    Not interested in City so wouldnt judge
    Friends is a bold move to expand the audience
    Starwars sets all look much better than last years range to me and the planets are a nice little mini build/collectable.

    Also you have to remember that the flagship sets are yet to be revealed. All the UCS Star Wars sets, the Town Hall, etc... Those are what most AFOLs are looking for anyway I guess.
  • YpresYpres Member Posts: 200
    2012 for me left me feeling rather split. I practically sold my wallet for spare cash and am rather relieved the first half of 2012 doesn't merrit much love. I've saved a few sets that had been of half interest in my closet throughout the year and planned on building them if I ever had to go through a buying dryspell (or nuclear war, whichever came first)!

    City never appealed much to me anyway... but I buy the odd set that an AFOL just can't resist. I'm surprised if anyone is actually satisfied with Dino. The only theme from my childhood non-collecting days I really wanted to see re-done was Dino Attack... and Dino certainly didn't fill any shoes there. The only thing possibly of any future collectors value is the dinosaurs themselves... but that is surely not going to stop the theme itself from being moved to "clearance" by/after Christmas(2012).

    LOTR pretty much leaves everything else in the dust. I think the sets right now are "okay" however the prospect of high sales and future lines increases the possibility of Lego getting to make something children and adults will truly enjoy!!! My only plans for NinjaGo are to buy the sets with all the Kendo and ZX outfits as cheaply as possible... while not missing out on the Epic Dragon Battle set!
  • Si_UKNZSi_UKNZ Member Posts: 4,179
    Wow, ive just seen a video on youtube with the summer sets in.
    - Theres a fantastic re-release predicted on there, which I'd be very keen on.
    - As a non-starwars collector, I might be buying my first SW set, as there's a very nice building-based one. there goes NY resolution #2!)
    - The big technics set looks like it might convince me to get another technics, despite the fact that Ive stopped collecting it really.
    - Monster Hunter could be fantastic although I suspect it might end up like Ninjago.
    - Superheroes has a couple of decent sets only for me. Not dark enough.
    - LOTR I'll be getting multiples of, especially interested in Helms Deep.
    - Some v nice City sets, generally the smaller ones, except perhaps robbers hideout.
    - Town Hall looks good of course.
    - Duplo cars will be interesting.
    - Creator Seaside house Ill almost certainly get
    - Mini modulars Im undecided
    - Friends looks very interesting, if I can get over the minifigs, reckon I might end up with about half of them, if they end up on sale..

    Apart from that, I'm sure there'll be some exciting surprises beyond what we already know, I'm thinking of something like the VW camper van maybe (like a mini perhaps), or a new steam train.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,789
    I think people may be giving LOTR a bit too much credit so soon.
    I have seen the spy pics, and while some of the sets are interesting, they will probably be overpriced and it looks like the one pic I saw (I think battle at helm's deep) look absolutely tiny compared to what LEGO could have done with it.
    Now that being said, I do understand I only saw a pic of the box, and perhaps it may be a full castle but right now it looks like the old Siege tower/battering ram type set from the 80's castle, and if that is the case then LEGO could have done FAR better IMO.

    I dunno time will tell, and I'm sure if it sells a load then it will be 'successful', but I think they could have done more with LOTR.. at least so far...
  • thebrickshowthebrickshow Member Posts: 5
    Dino sets are way overprices in my opinion. This is a big minifig year. Most of the sets are targeting those who buy sets for figs. Super Hero, Monsters, LOTR, etc...Which is good if your going to make brick films with the expanded selection but bad for those looking for value on pieces.
  • GalidorneveragainGalidorneveragain Member Posts: 89
    @thebrickshow
    Well to be honest the minifigs are the main seller in these years and from that a lot of sets building techniques have gone down with the only sets which seem to have had a lot of design are the Ninjago line and City reinventing itself this year has been a welcome change.
    The rest, like the ones you have listed have superb figures some of the best we have ever seen but if you take those away then the actual set does not look that good.
  • Si_UKNZSi_UKNZ Member Posts: 4,179
    Good point about the minifigs taking over the show. That explains why so many sets arent that interesting.
  • wagnerml2wagnerml2 Member Posts: 1,376
    But the feeling remains the same. There is not nearly as much excitement/anticipation this year as there seemed to be last year. In General.
    Just kind of a downer.
  • MattPetersenMattPetersen Member Posts: 282
    WOW, I am completely opposite from the OP.
    Of course it's ALWAYS a matter of taste.

    I am a HUGE Comic Fan as well as a Lego fan, so having the DC Superheroes AND Marvel Superheroes in Lego form is AWESOME for me.
    I will agree that I think that Lego could have made the first wave much more broad. DC has a plethora of characters that I would have liked to have seen more heroes than mostly Batman.
    We could have seen
    The Hall of Justice/JLA Headquarters set
    Central Battery/Planet Oa set
    Daily Planet rooftop set
    Green Lantern vs Sinestro construct battle set
    and the list goes on and on and on.........

    Lord of the Rings has me excited also. I see a lot of potential in this set for castle type buildings, and some crazy fun mini figures.

    As much as people have said the Dinosaur theme is uninspiring, my son and I are enjoying it immensely. It's basically Jurassic Park minus the "license".

    Monster Hunters I don't know much about, but the premise has me excited.

    All in all, this year has me thrilled and excited.

  • bellybutton290bellybutton290 Member Posts: 453
    OK so town hall 10224 just improved things for the latter part of the year.
  • StuBoyStuBoy Member Posts: 623
    I'm much the same as @wagnerml2, only really interested in the new modular and Joust, probably a few of the City traffic vehicles, my son and I have had our fill of Police and Fire in 2011, but saying that I'll look out for the 2011 Police Station on sale - its probably the best I've seen.

    I'm disappointed that Kingdoms has been moved aside for LOTR, I feel its going to be another POTC all over again, but I'm happy for all the fans who are excited about it, I just won't be able to stomach the inflated prices.
  • choob99choob99 Member Posts: 147
    I collect all city that comes out and some of the sets look really nice.
    LotR is just gonna have to wait til it comes out, I'll wait til then to pass judgement.
    I'm excited for Super Heroes, this license has soooooo much potential and could go on and on forever if popular enough (I like marvel much better than DC, but that is just personal opinion)
    Town Hall looks fantastic!!!
    I think I may be picking up Friends here and there just to have them, I really hope this theme takes off for them, right now its hard to judge as Jan is a VERY bad time to release stuff for "kids" Parents don't buy much with Christmas just past, so as with LotR, time will tell on this one.
    I don't collect Technic so I won't pass judgement on it.
    I'm not interested in Dino, but I can tell you that for Kids the stuff is great, Dino's are a big hit among small boys and even a lot of small girls, hopefully the next wave in this is has some better sets in it.
    Monster Hunters....ummm I really don't know what to think of it, I
  • momof2boys99momof2boys99 Member Posts: 322
    Lego is never ending in our house. I don't think we have had a bad year. My kids are excited about everything but: Dinosaurs and the Monster series(that could change once they are out). They also gave up on Ninjago as they did not like the direction it took. However......SuperHeroes, LOTR, Star Wars, City, Town Hall, Joust, minifigs and everything else makes it an exciting year for them. My nieces love the "Friends" and Duplo sets, so I pick those up for them for when they come over. I know what will be on their birthday and Christmas lists already!! I can only hope the sales in the fall are as good as they were this past year.
  • 4brickmoney4brickmoney Member Posts: 27
    With no real must haves for me in 2011 I bought a mixture of stuff and really got into different building sets. This year my wallet is going to be screwed. LOTR is a must plus Superheroes I feel there is much more to come.
  • aplbomr79aplbomr79 Member Posts: 159
    Yeah, this will be another year that I get to hunt down 'lost' sets from my dark ages.

    However, the City Line has a few high-marks that I will not let go (a few from Forest sub-division, the Utilities selection, some Mining, and the ambulance). I will definitely be purchasing a few of the 'Friends' line - the colors and unique pieces are too hard to resist. No doubt I will pick up the Creator Seaside House and a few from the Ninjago series...

    Ah hell, I will be spending more than I realize after all.
  • vwong19vwong19 Member Posts: 1,191
    This year is looking to be the best ever as we continue to see and hear about more sets... new Jabba Palace, Town Hall, more LOTR pix, Marvel, ...
  • littletokilittletoki Member Posts: 519
    I’m giving 2012 a $$$$$ out of 5 $.

    Friends – I have female genitalia. Sorry, couldn’t resist @prof1515 :) – although I thought I was going to pass on the line until I actually built Olivia’s house.

    LOTR – Yes. All my monies are belong to you.

    Star Wars – Loving the designs of some of the new sets. If you’re going to re-release iconic ships, at least make them look better than anything you’ve previously designed. I think this newest X-Wing is their best. Also, being a minifig ho, I cannot wait for the new Jabba's Palace.

    Superheroes – Surprisingly, I LOVE this line while my comic book collecting husband (3000+ currently) is all “meh”.

    Dino – Outrageously overpriced. I picked up a few sets at 40% off but it still seemed pricey and I liked their older dino models better for some reason.
    Monster Fighters – Didn’t we get these in the CMFs?
    Modulars – Town Hall is a given.
  • SupersympaSupersympa Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2012
    Is it just me or 2012 looks like fantastic in terms of sets coming!?

    I mean, I do collect a few star wars (ep 4-6), I do like marvel and superheroes, I do like LOTR, I do like modulars, I do like the monster fighthers...I do like almost everything that is coming!

    So either I make a choice in what I will buy, or i need to change house!

    what will happen probably is I will resell some of the previous theme I started to collect (HP for example),
    or do not buy the new ones...

    your thoughts?
  • LostInTranslationLostInTranslation Member Posts: 5,572
    I agree with you, there's lots to be excited about this year. I'm just going to wait for discounts and be more disciplined at sticking to a budget.

    I also think that your discussion overlaps somewhat with this one about what people think of the 2012 range (though the OP here is starting from the opposite premise to you and I!) http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/2944
    Maybe one of the mods could take a look and merge if they think it appropriate?
  • infernalbrickinfernalbrick Member Posts: 24
    yep, normaly I'm happy to pay full price for most sets. Given the sheer number of great sets this year I will have to wait until price drops.

    Totally looking forward to LOTR & Monster Fighters
  • YellowcastleYellowcastle Administrator, Moderator Posts: 5,234
    Thanks, Lit. For whatever reason, Google's site specific search does not show that thread at all. I knew it existed, though. :o)
  • canuhandle23canuhandle23 Member Posts: 104
    the big sets of the themes you like buy.. The rest of the stuff just wait for sales etc lots of this stuff will be 30 and 50% off after the holidays again..since they will have to make room
  • Si_UKNZSi_UKNZ Member Posts: 4,179
    edited February 2012
    Just had a look at the 2012 sets in the database, and there were some surprising things in there!
    None of these have been mentioned anywhere that I've seen, certainly not in the forum.

    10226-1: Sopwith Camel
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=10226-1
    An 883 piece Large Scale Model
    The old small version:
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=3451-1

    40026-1: Statue Of Liberty
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=40026-1
    A creator model
    The old larger (probably!) version
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=3450-1

    40025-1: New York Cab
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=40025-1
    A creator model

    21013-1: Big Ben
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=21013-1
    An architecture set

    21016-1: Namdaemun Gate
    http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=21016-1
    An architecture set


    I had to look the last one up. It's in South Korea:
    image

    (v edited to say S Korea :o) )
  • starfire2starfire2 Member Posts: 1,335
    South or North Korea? I have a friend in South Korea, it might make a nice b- day gift.
  • atkinsaratkinsar Member Posts: 4,258
    Without even seeing pictures, I can say with a degree of certainty that I will be buying the first four sets on that list!
  • LostInTranslationLostInTranslation Member Posts: 5,572
    Yeah, I saw those earlier when I was looking at this years sets and updating my want list :) By the 40xxx number, I guess cab and liberty will be polybags, hope they won't be US only.
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    I saw pics for the two architecture sets. I'll have to try and find those again. I thought they looked great - much better than the last couple of arch attempts (Sydney Opera House, Brandenburg Gate).

    The Sopwith was leaked back when the Joust, R2-D2, etc were leaked.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    Camel for sure. Not into microscale polys, so those are out. I don't generally collect architecture, but Big Ben would be a definite maybe depending on the piece count and detail.
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    edited February 2012
    Confidential Image Removed
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    edited February 2012
    Confidential Image Removed
  • LostInTranslationLostInTranslation Member Posts: 5,572
    Interested in Big Ben - $30, so I'm guessing will probably be £25-30?
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    edited February 2012
    Oops, just noticed confidential stamp on those. Mods, can you remove?

    TnB has the news, and pics.
    http://toysnbricks.com/

    LEGO Architecture 21016 Namdaemum Gate from South Korea contains 325 pieces and will be priced at $34.99 USD / $44.99 CAD. The other set known as LEGO Architecture 21013 Big Ben will contain 346 pieces and will be priced at $29.99 USD / $39.99 CAD.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    Big Ben is a big yes. best looking architecture set yet, IMHO.
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