Random set of the day: Crater Critters
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 1785 Crater Critters, released during 1995. It's one of 6 Space sets produced that year. It contains 143 pieces, and its retail price was US$10.
It's owned by 655 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $150.00, or eBay.
78 likes
44 comments on this article
Molehill Machines
I'm pretty sure a critter is organic by definition.
its a spyrius, set, and its also a unitron set. probably one of the earliest examples of the combat in a box philosophy they have now. either that, or it is a set from the world famous classic space subtheme-MISCELLANEOUS
This is a really interesting set. It looks like something that would come with one of the build your own adventure books.
Does anyone have any more info on how this was released?
Burrow Beings
@Miyakan said:
"This is a really interesting set. It looks like something that would come with one of the build your own adventure books.
Does anyone have any more info on how this was released?"
I have this set. Well, I have the pieces, and I'm pretty sure the instructions are here, somewhere...
IIRC, it was in a box like the 1990s "Bonus Pack" that often had a small set from each theme at that time: Town, Castle, Space, and Pirates. I think some of those Bonus Packs were exclusive to a specific retailer here in the U.S.
This set has always baffled me. And not because there is no Blacktron one, but the overall concept of it. A space set with no minifigures? How strange.
And the Spyrius one is clearly female.
@ElephantKnight said:
"This set has always baffled me. And not because there is no Blacktron one, but the overall concept of it. A space set with no minifigures? How strange.
And the Spyrius one is clearly female."
Yeah, you can tell by the decorated belly button. No guy would ever do that!
Space pasties. That is all.
I remember this set being promoted alongside the Unitron sets released in 1995. I could tell back then these "critters" (obviously more like robots to my young imagination) didn't quite fit with Unitron at all, and wrote them off as "unwanted" since the set didn't come with any minifigures. Almost 30 years hence, and I see this set as a great Space parts pack that really could have come in handy with some MOCs. But no way am I going after the set itself, what with those aftermarket prices!
If we're taking this as minifig scale I don't think I'd call somethin' as big as that critter... nor somethin' as metallic
@Lego_Lord_Mayorca said:
"I remember this set being promoted alongside the Unitron sets released in 1995. I could tell back then these "critters" (obviously more like robots to my young imagination) didn't quite fit with Unitron at all, and wrote them off as "unwanted" since the set didn't come with any minifigures. Almost 30 years hence, and I see this set as a great Space parts pack that really could have come in handy with some MOCs. But no way am I going after the set itself, what with those aftermarket prices!"
They were promoted as such in the Shop at Home catlaogues (probably Mania Magazine as well). However I am in doubt these belong to Space at all.
First, the packaging style matches that of Free Style/Mid '90s Basic Sets more closely than it fits the uniformly black boxes of System era Space. Unfottunately, 1995 also gave as 1788, which also has off-style package coloring, despite clearly being a 'true' System Pirates set. However, I would like to point out, 1788 is specially promoted as having the special 'Treasure Chest' packaging, whilst Crater Critters came in a more-or-less standard box, so this might make a difference here and explain why the chest isn't Pirates-purple. Also, at least the remaining art style of 1788 matches 1994/1995 Pirates sets closely.
To top it all of, the box for 1785 reads "Introducing Crater Critters", which seems like they tried to sell it as something entirely new, rather than a new set of an existing line?
Second, while there was this one Space set, that came without minifigs, it still feels a bit unusual, especially with the at the time rather special elements for Spyrius/Unitron Minifigs (printed helmets/legs) probably being regarded as a selling point. Also it kind of doesn't fit the concept of all Spyrius "robots" being actually vehicles/mechs with a clearly assigned cockpit/control room for minifigs to sit in (adn Unitron not having robots at all, to better distinguish the two factions).
On the other hand, the color scheme of both 'Crater Critters' suspiciously match up with Spyrius/Unitron respectively, it does not come with alternative instructions like you would expect from a Free Style set and the number range is very close to the Unitron sets (although all 1995 limited release sets were in the 1780-1799 range).
I guess that this set was an experiment to test how well certain System themes could be adapted to a more "Universal set" style to be integrated into the Free Style 6+ range? It seemingly failed, given that it's a rather unique set.
Also I somehow get some serious "Cybots" vibes from the looks of them, just missing the sculpted "action figure" parts. I wonder if there was some connection. If you don't know what Im talking about, Cybots was an early development concept that ultimately became Slizer and Bionicle (search for "Faber Files" + "Cybots" and you should find some images).
I've seen Lego do better things with less part variety. There some good ideas on these mechs here and there but as a whole I'ld only buy this set only for the parts.
I like how this set seems to provide some worldbuilding. No idea what it means besides that these are crater critters and apparently exist. But it sure feels like it expands on the Space subtheme!
Crater Critters!
Two critters enter, one critter leaves! Maybe. Depends on how good it is at climbing and/or flying.
This is a surprising set. I like the idea of having robots with no human working on the base. These were also great part packs
Bold attempt at creating a left hand with the one on the right there, but it does end up looking like a very unimaginative Swiss Army knife.
Overall kinda digging the look though; we get too many robots who have the sleek, designed-by-Apple look these days, it’s nice to see the Lost in Space aesthetic of things being bulky and clunky once in a while
Fun lookin' fellas! Big like!
@ElephantKnight said:
"This set has always baffled me. And not because there is no Blacktron one, but the overall concept of it. A space set with no minifigures? How strange.
And the Spyrius one is clearly female."
The Spyrius one even comes with a seating solution for a minifig (like 6889).
First time I've seen this, first thought it was some unofficial promotional magazine set as seem like a kids moc, using leftover parts that are not enough to make the original vehicle or spaceship that they came from.
I was super annoyed about being late for random minifig of the day, but this, is just weird, and totally missable.
@ElephantKnight said:
"This set has always baffled me. And not because there is no Blacktron one, but the overall concept of it. A space set with no minifigures? How strange.
"
I don't think the lack of minifigures is strange, but I guess it depends on what you believe it is. To me, these are meant to be human size robots, so minifigures next to them would not make sense. Whereas if they are giant mech type robots, then it would make sense to have minifigures, but in that case there should be some way that the minifigure can be included in the build.
Where are their vehicle transformations?
@oukexergon said:
"Where are their vehicle transformations?"
Wrong franchise. These don't transform, because why?
@jkb said:
" @oukexergon said:
"Where are their vehicle transformations?"
Wrong franchise. These don't transform, because why?"
I dunno... Getting real strong "skids and mudflap" vibes...
@PurpleDave said:
"Crater Critters!
Two critters enter, one critter leaves! Maybe. Depends on how good it is at climbing and/or flying."
Well, the Unitron one *does* seem to have rockets for feet, so it's probably safe to assume that that one's at least a passable flier...
From yesterday:
@kdu2814 said:
" @EvilTwin said:
"Is the jet taking off or landing? Either way, that seems like a risky place to stand"
My orders came through. My squadron ships out tomorrow. We're bombing the storage depots at Daiquiri at 1800 hours. We're coming in from the north, below their radar."
When will you be back?
I can't tell you that. It's classified.
Johnny 6 and Johnny 7 are alive!
I had this set as a kid and it was fun playing with, but I was disappointed that it didn't come with any minifigs. It's got some nice parts, but overall an odd set. Fun to see on RSOTD.
I had forgotten about these! 1995 was an odd year for space... Tail end of Spyrius, Ice Planet/Blacktron II/SPII/Mtron gone/going, odd filler theme Unitron out... 1996 was great with Exploriens, but that is the end of what I'd consider the golden age of space. Though Exploriens are my favorite theme, I get the argument that golden age may have actually ended in 1994.
@Miyakan said:
"This is a really interesting set. It looks like something that would come with one of the build your own adventure books.
Does anyone have any more info on how this was released?"
I know I first saw it in regular retail, at a Toys R Us. I was a bit baffled because, packaging wise, it really didn't resemble any space sets out at the time. Though the color schemes imply that one critter is Unitron-aligned, and the other is Spyrius-aligned, which were two of the space themes concurrent to the set's release.
@dimc said:
"Space pasties. That is all. "
Welp, can't unsee that now. Thanks a lot.
@JavaBrix said:
" @dimc said:
"Space pasties. That is all. "
Welp, can't unsee that now. Thanks a lot."
You're most welcome!
Despite owning a number of this set, I've never built it, and never noticed until people were gendering them in the comments. So yeah...
Hmmm...Rockpile Robots?...Astrobots?...I'd call 'em "Pit Droids", but then there'd be confusion w/the ones from SW:TPM...and possibly 'legal issues':)
@Billbuilds said:
"its a spyrius, set, and its also a unitron set. probably one of the earliest examples of the combat in a box philosophy they have now. either that, or it is a set from the world famous classic space subtheme-MISCELLANEOUS"
That is exactly the way my brother and I saw it. I had this set (we both had some spyrius and unitron), and he then built a space police (II) robot to fit in with the others. it might have been in miscellaneous with no direct references to either group, but it's obvious what they were doing and I loved it.
These "Bonus Pack" or "Value Pack" sets have always fascinated me back in the day, since I have never come across any of them in the real world ever. I guess they were only a thing in the US.
Sure, nowadays they sometimes have combo packs like with some Friends sets a while ago, but back in the Eighties and Nineties such a thing seemed non-existent over here.
@AustinPowers said:
"These "Bonus Pack" or "Value Pack" sets have always fascinated me back in the day, since I have never come across any of them in the real world ever. I guess they were only a thing in the US.
Sure, nowadays they sometimes have combo packs like with some Friends sets a while ago, but back in the Eighties and Nineties such a thing seemed non-existent over here. "
Oddly, the one that contains 6633 has a lot of European languages on the packaging, so it's likely this one was available here, too.
@jkb said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"These "Bonus Pack" or "Value Pack" sets have always fascinated me back in the day, since I have never come across any of them in the real world ever. I guess they were only a thing in the US.
Sure, nowadays they sometimes have combo packs like with some Friends sets a while ago, but back in the Eighties and Nineties such a thing seemed non-existent over here. "
Oddly, the one that contains 6633 has a lot of European languages on the packaging, so it's likely this one was available here, too."
Yet the product page for 6633 says "NA only"
@dimc said:
" @JavaBrix said:
" @dimc said:
"Space pasties. That is all. "
Welp, can't unsee that now. Thanks a lot."
You're most welcome!
Despite owning a number of this set, I've never built it, and never noticed until people were gendering them in the comments. So yeah..."
You are misunderstanding. That robot is a gymbro, and never misses chest day.
@AustinPowers said:
" @jkb said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"These "Bonus Pack" or "Value Pack" sets have always fascinated me back in the day, since I have never come across any of them in the real world ever. I guess they were only a thing in the US.
Sure, nowadays they sometimes have combo packs like with some Friends sets a while ago, but back in the Eighties and Nineties such a thing seemed non-existent over here. "
Oddly, the one that contains 6633 has a lot of European languages on the packaging, so it's likely this one was available here, too."
Yet the product page for 6633 says "NA only" "
Maybe that was available as a standalone set here, but only in multi-packs over there?
Wow! For a set from 1785, this absolutely holds up! I didn’t even know Lego existed back then. Who knew?
@Atuin said:
"On the other hand, the color scheme of both 'Crater Critters' suspiciously match up with Spyrius/Unitron respectively"
Sort of, but not quite. Light gray wasn't used in the Spyrius color scheme at all, but it's prominent on this example. For Unitron, I would have expected more black and trans blue. This set didn't register as part of Spyrius or Unitron to me back in the day. It looked much more like a Basic set that used some in-production elements.
@Atuin said:
" @Lego_Lord_Mayorca said:
"I remember this set being promoted alongside the Unitron sets released in 1995. I could tell back then these "critters" (obviously more like robots to my young imagination) didn't quite fit with Unitron at all, and wrote them off as "unwanted" since the set didn't come with any minifigures. Almost 30 years hence, and I see this set as a great Space parts pack that really could have come in handy with some MOCs. But no way am I going after the set itself, what with those aftermarket prices!"
They were promoted as such in the Shop at Home catlaogues (probably Mania Magazine as well). However I am in doubt these belong to Space at all.
First, the packaging style matches that of Free Style/Mid '90s Basic Sets more closely than it fits the uniformly black boxes of System era Space. Unfottunately, 1995 also gave as 1788, which also has off-style package coloring, despite clearly being a 'true' System Pirates set. However, I would like to point out, 1788 is specially promoted as having the special 'Treasure Chest' packaging, whilst Crater Critters came in a more-or-less standard box, so this might make a difference here and explain why the chest isn't Pirates-purple. Also, at least the remaining art style of 1788 matches 1994/1995 Pirates sets closely.
To top it all of, the box for 1785 reads "Introducing Crater Critters", which seems like they tried to sell it as something entirely new, rather than a new set of an existing line?
Second, while there was this one Space set, that came without minifigs, it still feels a bit unusual, especially with the at the time rather special elements for Spyrius/Unitron Minifigs (printed helmets/legs) probably being regarded as a selling point. Also it kind of doesn't fit the concept of all Spyrius "robots" being actually vehicles/mechs with a clearly assigned cockpit/control room for minifigs to sit in (adn Unitron not having robots at all, to better distinguish the two factions).
On the other hand, the color scheme of both 'Crater Critters' suspiciously match up with Spyrius/Unitron respectively, it does not come with alternative instructions like you would expect from a Free Style set and the number range is very close to the Unitron sets (although all 1995 limited release sets were in the 1780-1799 range).
I guess that this set was an experiment to test how well certain System themes could be adapted to a more "Universal set" style to be integrated into the Free Style 6+ range? It seemingly failed, given that it's a rather unique set.
Also I somehow get some serious "Cybots" vibes from the looks of them, just missing the sculpted "action figure" parts. I wonder if there was some connection. If you don't know what Im talking about, Cybots was an early development concept that ultimately became Slizer and Bionicle (search for "Faber Files" + "Cybots" and you should find some images)."
This is the kind of over-detailed analysis I come to this website for.
@AllenSmith said:
" @Atuin said:
"On the other hand, the color scheme of both 'Crater Critters' suspiciously match up with Spyrius/Unitron respectively"
Sort of, but not quite. Light gray wasn't used in the Spyrius color scheme at all, but it's prominent on this example. For Unitron, I would have expected more black and trans blue. This set didn't register as part of Spyrius or Unitron to me back in the day. It looked much more like a Basic set that used some in-production elements."
Admittedly I oversaw the grey in the 'Spyrius' one when I wrote the orignal comment, but technically there were Light Grey parts in some Spyrius sets (not even counting the Technic pins and connectors of some xD). 6939 and 6959 have light grey wheels for the small vehicles and 6835 uses it for the minifig's seat.