Blacktron Renegade revealed!
Posted by Huw,
One of the most iconic LEGO spaceships from the 1980s has received an upgrade.
10355 Blacktron Renegade is a modernised and up-scaled replica of 6954 Renegade, one of five Blacktron sets released during 1987 and 1988 that are still revered today.
10355 Blacktron Renegade
Rated 18+, 1,151 pieces
€99.99 / £89.99 / $99.99
Available at LEGO.com from 1st January
Today, the LEGO Group reveals a cosmic tribute to the iconic LEGO Blacktron series with the new LEGO Icons Blacktron Renegade Set.
First introduced in the 1980s, the Blacktron Renegade was a fan-favourite spaceship from the classic LEGO Space era, known for its distinctive black and yellow design and asymmetrical shape. Combining nostalgia and a modern design, this collectable spaceship model recreates the Blacktron Renegade in staggering detail, offering fans a chance to rediscover the thrill of building classic LEGO space adventures.
Designed for adult builders, this modular masterpiece includes exciting new features such as a planet-rover drop pod, retractable landing gear, and two wing-mounted space speeders. Fans can bring the set to life with the three Blacktron minifigures, a droid figure, and online instructions to rebuild the Renegade into an amplified version of the 1980s Blacktron Alienator - 6876 Alienator.
This set is the ultimate gift for collectors and LEGO space-themed enthusiasts. Rediscover the magic of LEGO space and create galactic adventures with new LEGO Icons Blacktron Renegade Set!
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151 comments on this article
Spaceship spaceship spaceship!! Very cool and nostalgic!
Wow, talk about a 10497 companion!
Saw the leak of the main photo yesterday, but I'm glad to see more of the play functions! Love that you can make Alienator, definitely ups the value. Also it's $10 US cheaper than the leak said. Def will get one to pair with GE, and I'm also going to build the original soon to compare.
Wait, ITS NOT A GWP?! Hell yeah!
I missed out on the Galaxy Explorer remake, I'm not missing out on this one.
There has been so much negativity on the leak that I'm just glad a retro theme gets some newfound attention from the company.
Holy crap! This is gonna look so good next to the explorer!!!
That looks lovely
Honestly I really don’t think I like this. It somehow looks even blockier than the original and there’s a massive gap straight through the middle of the ship now. I know you can put the buggy in there to fill it up but it still doesn’t look especially great. I also feel there’s a bit too much focus on solid yellow, especially around the cockpit where it kinda messes with the shaping under the windshield. A lot of the shaping in general confuses me, like the flattened off stub next to the cockpit and the rather strange use of those scaffolding column pieces
I was expecting to love this when I heard the leaks but I’m almost certain I’ll skip it now :P
I have the original. I have been impatiently awaiting this reveal... and it's... just okay. The main engines being so far apart just changes it too much, IMO.
I thought this would be a Day One must-have, but I'm not so sure.
I'm glad it's $10 cheaper than the leak suggested.
Edit: Box art is fantastic.
Heck yeah, I'm not even from the '80s and this looks fantastic!
Although, I can't help but look at it and just see a bunch of Triforces. Is this Ganon's spaceship? X-D
Yeah, that is an upgrade if I ever saw one, stunning stuff.
Man, I with the Lego Movie Universe introduced an evil version of Benny who was Blacktron.
The killer here is releasing this right AFTER Christmas.
What a wonderful surprise! Looks nice. The price isn't bad either. Just a few figs, not too shabby. This will be mine, soon.
HOLY BLACKTRON!
Oh my gosh, I've waited so long for Blacktron to come back and they do it like this?? YES PLEASE. this set is amazing Blacktron is just too good with that trans yellow, yellow and black. Brings me back
I'll probably get this and rebuild it as a base. The spaceship is awesome but I'd struggle to display it.
I’ve been waiting to see this for ages and I’m completely underwhelmed. I loved Blacktron, but the original ship never really grabbed me and this leaves me even colder. The galaxy explorer was wonderful, but this doesn’t really get my juices going. I do want the figures. The Alienator alt build is nice to have, but that was one set I adored and I just don’t really see it in the remake - which I guess is the issue. This isn’t so much a polishing of the old sets or making them the same but better as it is a new thing heavily inspired by the old but losing something in the process
Love that brick-built robots are making a return!
Yes, please! The OG was/is one of my favorite sets ever. And I like the side/alternative builds! Can’t wait.
I don't really care or even ever liked the Space theme that much, but I'm buying this just to help send the message that yes, we want MORE of these remakes in the Icons line-up.
Given the fate of transparent neon green and orange, I mourn the fact that we won't see proper Blacktron II and Ice Planet remakes anytime soon. But I think this looks excellent and the more spaceships the better, from any era. Will definitely be getting this.
Renegade! And officialy available outside of N.A.! S.u. & take my soul!
I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580. Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had.
I don't have any particular nostalgia for original Blacktron, although I enjoyed the GWP from a few months back. I won't be picking this one up but I love that they're making it, and I hope they keep up this slow drip of retro tribute sets!
Gonna be a different story if they start making 90s space themes!
Honestly, I think I like 60446 Modular Galactic Spaceship better.
I think they made a bad decision to take this set as their next entry in the retro Classic Space line, since the original was only available in the US, and is therefore far more obscure than the legendary 497/928 Galaxy Explorer.
Before I read about the remake I had never even heard of the original. I had to look it up, and honestly, the asymmetrical shape doesn't appeal to me.
I would have preferred a remake of 6987, or 6986 to be honest.
Very nice!
The Renegade is not my favorite classic space ship and this set takes more liberties with its design than the Galaxy Explorer remake did, but I still like this. The alt build is a nice bonus, too.
DAY 1
@B_Space_Man said:
"Given the fate of transparent neon green and orange, I mourn the fact that we won't see proper Blacktron II and Ice Planet remakes anytime soon. But I think this looks excellent and the more spaceships the better, from any era. Will definitely be getting this. "
I would love an Allied Avenger remake GWP, but I'll have to make do with the 3 or 4 I've picked up in bulk lots lol. I also really enjoy some of the design pieces from the ship from their base, but it feels like it needs more interior space. Thankfully, both BT2 and IP2k2 are pretty common in my purchases, so I'm not really lacking for neon orange and neon green parts.
It's ok. Needs wings on the cockpit and the overall body shape doesn't give it the feel that it can fly like the O.G.
@AustinPowers said:
"I would have preferred a remake of 6987, or 6986 to be honest. "
I would sell an internal organ to have a remake of 6986. My favorite Lego spaceship of all time.
Sticker is disappointing. I am a fan of the brick-built logo on the wings.
So is it a Batman set or a Legend of Zelda set? I'm confused.
(...I'm kidding of course! Day 1 buy for sure!)
@CC said:
"Sticker is disappointing. I am a fan of the brick-built logo on the wings."
There are no stickers. All decorated parts are printed, fortunately.
The original Renegade was my favorite Lego set during my childhood. Blacktron my favorite subtheme. I have the whole line on display in my living room, and this will 100% be added to that collection!
I like it, but as mentioned above, the lack of the middle module means you can't really combine the detachable modules into another believable spaceship. The little 'cap' on the opposite side of the cockpit is also amazingly useless.
@Darth_Dee said:
"It's ok. Needs wings on the cockpit and the overall body shape doesn't give it the feel that it can fly like the O.G."
It looks like it's got hinged wings on the cockpit section.
Wow, that was unexpected!
Probably the first time TLG "re-made" a region exclusive set since main Street in 2003.
It's... Idk, a bit of a letdown
It looks very blocky and not from a professional designer, I was expecting better after the remake of the classic spaceship
This was my 2nd favorite Space set as a kid. I still have the original set.
I will be purchasing this new version on day 1. I'm thrilled that this is coming out...
I like the vehicle in the center very much -- but the original's 'space coffin' with robot buggy inside was better.
But something about the wings is bugging me... the see-thru holes I think... I'll reserve judgement for when its built and I can put it side-by-side with the original...
Actually love this.
I thought the Galaxy Explorer remake was one of the greatest sets ever so bought three so I could also make the two smaller ships. This Blacktron set was already leaving me quite cold, in part due to all the gaps and asymmetry. But I just noticed that the nose is made of one of those hexagonal flag pieces! That could be the final nail in the coffin for me.
Nice set, but think I am happy with my 40580 as a modern Blacktron set. Not feeling a need for this.
While the original Blacktron was before my time so I have no real nostalgia for it (Spyrius was more my jam) I can’t deny this is a cool looking spaceship
This is bold and amazing. Even with the bulking up, it looks sleeker than the original. I'll probably chase this one down.
@MisterBrickster said:
"I don't have any particular nostalgia for original Blacktron, although I enjoyed the GWP from a few months back. I won't be picking this one up but I love that they're making it, and I hope they keep up this slow drip of retro tribute sets!
Gonna be a different story if they start making 90s space themes!"
I feel the same in some ways: no nostalgia for Blacktron either and I won’t be getting this but I’m pleased for Blacktron fans and that LEGO is catering to Classic Space enthusiasts.
I’m hoping LEGO pays homage to CS from the ‘70s and early ‘80s era beyond what it already has, but appreciate there are other periods deserving of attention.
@Elephantknight, you have this available to you very soon. No complaining about lack of black or red or transparent yellow for the rest of the year from you!
I thought the Galaxy Explorer struck a nice balance between classic and modern. This one misses the mark, in my opinion.
@Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
I echo this sentiment! The best part of the original Blacktron sets were their compatibility with each other. I grew up in that era and own the original first two waves of Blacktron sets from 1987-88. They were/are my absolute favorite space sets from when I was a kid. I loved detaching different modules from 6894 Invader, 6941 Battrax and 6954 Renegade. Even 6876 Alienator was also compatible. Then mashing up each module to make up wacky vehicles.
I picked up the GWP remake of the 40580 Blacktron Cruiser - but have never opened it. Since I had the original version, I didn't feel that opening this new one made any sense.
I'm honestly underwhelmed by this updated version. Something about it just seems off to me. Judging from other comments, I'm not alone in this sentiment. I might pick it up eventually, but it's definitely not a "must get/must have" set. I really like and prefer the original version. Its nice that its available for a new generation who missed out on the original and can't afford to pay aftermarket prices for the original versions either.
While I haven't really thought about the original set at all, this remake is amazing and likely to be nearly day-1 purchase for me.
@ALEXDTI said:
"It's... Idk, a bit of a letdown
It looks very blocky and not from a professional designer, I was expecting better after the remake of the classic spaceship"
It's a remake of an 80s design, and the 80s were VERY blocky (not just LEGO).
I see you’ve added more choices to the poll. I like that change! As for the set, it’s very nice. Brings “black” many memories of my childhood.
So we’re getting this next to City Space homage to Futuron! So be it, let the conflict that started almost 40 years ago continue!
I just hope that the modular functionality of the original Renegade is kept here, it was really fun! As European I had to import it from US ebay , it was well worth all the customs fees:-)
Blacktron vs. Futuron, again… But who’ll protect noble Futurons this time, where is the Space Police? :-)
...hmm. On one hand, the altered proportions give the ship a more apparent structure compared to the original, but losing the central pod is a major miss in terms of the ship's aesthetic and it manages to look "retro in a bad way" with the prominence of skeletal pieces. I don't mind them on the central columns too much, it adds an okay amount of texture, but using them for the wing tips is unsightly.
I have no attachment to Blacktron, but I can appreciate that fans of later Space spinoff lines have been left out of the evergreening of Classic Space nostalgia and have a full retail set remake to enjoy. I'm not sure what this pattern will mean for Lego in the long term... adult collector set remakes are fun, but are we going to end up making one for every theme under the sun?
The wheel rims on the rover should be yellow.
They're very smiley for the "baddies" aren't they.
When Blacktron was originally released I thought they were the elite special space people with all the cool tech. Then Space Police turned them into the bad guys and I was so torn.
The trials TLG put me through when I was a child...
I haven't built the original yet, but I do personally like the "industrial" design of the ship. It feels more realistically sci-fi. It doesn't have as much storage as Galaxy Explorer, but that was a very different ship design way back when. Both remakes still maintain a different design ethos, but this one looks more sturdy (than the OG) while maintaining some great play functions for kids. This is like if Alien or Expanse was themed Blacktron, and I dig it.
One of my favorite sets from my childhood reimagined! I feel like I will have to get multiple copies just like I did with my other childhood favorite when it was reimagined to 10497.
You need this set twice, then you'd have a space base, a mech and a big ship with twin cockpits and a deployable rover.
I'll buy it only if "The New Guy" promises to make an Ice Planet Deep Freeze Defender next year. ;)
Next, a remake of 6990.
Just kidding, I know that will never happen.
I'm too young to collect the Originals, but I'll Buy it eventualy
I've skipped Blacktron altogether, but this looks kinda cool, so I got to use the new "Yes, if it's discounted" option in the poll. I'm going to tick that option a lot!
@chief7575 said:
" @Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
I echo this sentiment! The best part of the original Blacktron sets were their compatibility with each other."
Except they weren’t. Not really. I had the Invader and Battrax as a kid, and you could not mount the Invader cockpit on the Battrax body.
So much YES! I want it now!
Nice, but doesn't appear to be as good as 10497, but will still buy hopefully it turns out better.
Next up I'd like to see Lego take on M-Tron; similar in nature to 10497 and 10355 allow for multiple builds...specifically 6989 and 6862
@Klontjes said:
"I've skipped Blacktron altogether, but this looks kinda cool, so I got to use the new "Yes, if it's discounted" option in the poll. I'm going to tick that option a lot!"
Gosh, that gets me thinking about the DEEP discounts the Galaxy Explorer remake got at Walmart. Got my first copy when it was 25% off and got two more copies for the alt builds when it was 50% off. It went from a set I was impressed with but on the fence about to a set I happily bought multiple copies of thanks to those discounts.
Sadly as an 18+ "Icons" set, which probably won't benefit from the broader retail distribution of the anniversary sets like the Galaxy Explorer, I doubt we'll see any discounts THAT extreme on this set.
Darn you, Lego! I don't really have any space left for this Space! If I can manage to clear a place to build and display this, I'll definitely get it. I never had any OG Blacktron sets as a kid, but I still remember reading a book as a kid where a girl ends up accidentally going to space. I don't remember much of anything about the plot, but I do remember picturing the alien spaceship in the book as looking like 6954. Anyway, I like the fact that this one actually has a crew, and I love the fact that the space speeders are basically big Blacktron logos.
@B_Space_Man said:
"Given the fate of transparent neon green and orange, I mourn the fact that we won't see proper Blacktron II and Ice Planet remakes anytime soon."
Hey, M-Tron had TNG, too. Don't leave them out.
@Lyichir said:
" @Klontjes said:
"I've skipped Blacktron altogether, but this looks kinda cool, so I got to use the new "Yes, if it's discounted" option in the poll. I'm going to tick that option a lot!"
Gosh, that gets me thinking about the DEEP discounts the Galaxy Explorer remake got at Walmart. Got my first copy when it was 25% off and got two more copies for the alt builds when it was 50% off. It went from a set I was impressed with but on the fence about to a set I happily bought multiple copies of thanks to those discounts."
Must have been a better seller over here. The best discount I ever saw for it here was 15%. Still bought three though, for the same reasons obviously.
Oh, and why that ugly Icons box art? This would benefit from the same treatment as 10497.
@Brainslugged said:
"I thought the Galaxy Explorer remake was one of the greatest sets ever so bought three so I could also make the two smaller ships. This Blacktron set was already leaving me quite cold, in part due to all the gaps and asymmetry. But I just noticed that the nose is made of one of those hexagonal flag pieces! That could be the final nail in the coffin for me."
Wish I had. I bought Galaxy Explorer very quickly and made the small ship (the first one i remember owning) I had planned to buy at least one other and maybe try to mock up the third with 2 sets and spares. One minute it was full price in Smyths the next End of Life.... So i remade the one into the Large ship and that was that.
@AustinPowers said:
"I think they made a bad decision to take this set as their next entry in the retro Classic Space line, since the original was only available in the US, and is therefore far more obscure than the legendary 497/928 Galaxy Explorer.
Before I read about the remake I had never even heard of the original. I had to look it up, and honestly, the asymmetrical shape doesn't appeal to me.
I would have preferred a remake of 6987 , or 6986 to be honest. "
That explains why this set meant nothing to me, though I do think it would look quite cool next to the Galaxy Explorer so might be tempted if I see it reduced.
And, more importantly, thank you for calling it asymmetrical. I accept that unsymmetrical is a word but it doesn't sound right.
@PurpleDave said:
" @chief7575 said:
" @Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
I echo this sentiment! The best part of the original Blacktron sets were their compatibility with each other."
Except they weren’t. Not really. I had the Invader and Battrax as a kid, and you could not mount the Invader cockpit on the Battrax body."
Um, yah you could. Keep the middle section from the invader on and it slotted in fine. You could mix and match the three sets pretty freely to come up with a bunch of fun combos. Not everything was an absolute perfect fit, but it was fun creating entirely new vehicles from all of the different combos you could try out.
Glorious Blacktron! I love the brick built tri-force symbols!
@Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
Looks like a pretty simple mod of 40580 would make the components fit together. The clips and bars look to be the same distance apart on both models - you just need to take away the extra clip on 40580 .
Now, I have no idea if you'd even want to combine the sections - I didn't look to see if the modules are the same width.
If I am mistaken in my analysis, I'm sure someone here will correct me! Either way, I'm very excited for this set!
So that "day one purchase" button I've never used before today? Today's the day!
Yes, please!
Also hope they continue with these retro remakes . . . would love to get a remake of 6989 and of course a remake of 6990 would be very welcome!
As said by Benny . . . "Spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP!"
@lost_scotsman said:
"They're very smiley for the "baddies" aren't they.
When Blacktron was originally released I thought they were the elite special space people with all the cool tech. Then Space Police turned them into the bad guys and I was so torn.
The trials TLG put me through when I was a child..."
But they never said why they were in Space Police cells. What if those particular Blacktrons were arrested because they were traitors to the elite space force, not because all Blacktrons are bad? Never loose hope, in the end they are what you make them to be :-)
I would have preferred a Battrax remake but this is pretty cool. May or may not pick one up - either way I'm glad to see the classics coming back with a fresh look.
@PurpleDave said:
" @chief7575 said:
" @Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
I echo this sentiment! The best part of the original Blacktron sets were their compatibility with each other."
Except they weren’t. Not really. I had the Invader and Battrax as a kid, and you could not mount the Invader cockpit on the Battrax body."
Are we sure 40580 won't connect to the left module of 10355 ? It looks like it might in images I've seen on other sites.
@myth said:
" @lost_scotsman said:
"They're very smiley for the "baddies" aren't they.
When Blacktron was originally released I thought they were the elite special space people with all the cool tech. Then Space Police turned them into the bad guys and I was so torn.
The trials TLG put me through when I was a child..."
But they never said why they were in Space Police cells. What if those particular Blacktrons were arrested because they were traitors to the elite space force, not because all Blacktrons are bad? Never loose hope, in the end they are what you make them to be :-)
"
After years and years of being cut off from the rest of Space Police and Blacktron, the pilot and prisoner of my 6886 realized that they needed to work together, so now they treat the "prison cell" as more like an ODST drop pod (from Halo) for spec-ops missions.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @CC said:
"Sticker is disappointing. I am a fan of the brick-built logo on the wings."
There are no stickers. All decorated parts are printed, fortunately."
Those yellow arrows near the rear of the fuselage sure look like stickers in that first image.
Oh I'm definitely getting this. Of course I'd prefer an all out theme, but this is the next best thing and I'm not going to complain. My 10497 will finally have a companion.
A couple of things I noticed:
- Same price as Galaxy Explorer
- 103 parts less then the Galaxy Explorer
- 1 minifig less then the Galaxy Explorer
I'm still very interested in this! Whether I buy it day 1 from Lego depends om the GWP it comes with, if not I'll probably wait til a discount. Depending on the parts, I might buy multiple.
Note: I'm more from the Galaxy Explorer era then from the Blacktron era, I think the space ship looks a bit derpy, but there's some nice parts in there to build customs or other people's MOCs...
I suppose I can see some people being disappoined. The original is more swooshable wing-looking while this is more industrial. But this stark black and yellow industrial look is fine with me! I appreciate space ships that clearly aren't meant to be atmosphereic craft at all.
What's that "1-2" in the bottom right on the box?
An indication as to how many people can build this at once?
@whiteghost said:
"There has been so much negativity on the leak that I'm just glad a retro theme gets some newfound attention from the company."
I like the take that Brick Fanatics had in their video on 10355. Perhaps with the vast array of LEGO sets available, they are more inclined to take a chance on some weirder or more esoteric stuff and just drop some classic reboots into the Icons theme.
Yesterday, when I first laid eyes on a small image of this set with the rover removed from the center, I was not thrilled. It seemed like the value just was not there for what had been rumored to be a $110 set. Now that I've learned a bit more and seen an interview with Jae Won Lee with more shots of the set, I'm a little more impressed.
Prints/no stickers? Check!
Alternate builds? Check!
Retracting landing gear? Check!
I still don't think this has the same impact as 10497 Galaxy Explorer. Maybe that's because, in my youth, I had (temporarily) moved on from LEGO by the time Blacktron I hit the scene. Now that I've seen more details with 10355, I'm a little more confident that I'll pick up at least one. While I do like the big, printed hex flag, I'm still not sold on the pieces used to construct the nose. I'm also curious if those minifigs have the back-printing we saw in the minifig from 40580 Blacktron Cruiser.
@Alemas said:
"What's that "1-2" in the bottom right on the box?
An indication as to how many people can build this at once?"
According to Lego, yes. The page for this set says it can be a team build.
@dimc said:
" @Alemas said:
"What's that "1-2" in the bottom right on the box?
An indication as to how many people can build this at once?"
According to Lego, yes. The page for this set says it can be a team build. "
LEGO's turning into IKEA. :P
I think it looks ok. Hard to say it is an improvement on the original - especially after they crushed the galaxy explorer remake.
This looks like something I would come up with in a couple afternoons, and that isn't a compliment to the build or myself lol.
So many days waiting for this, man! Now I'm gonna take a gooood look.
Excellent! Will be picking this up for sure.
It's perfect!
I NEEEEED IT!!! I skipped out getting extra copies of Galaxy Explorer for the alts (maybe I should go back for those one of these days) but I really want a second copy for this guy's alt.
Good call by LEGO. Reboot of a set that was not widely available, within a theme/faction that hits the nostalgia spot for many AFOLs. Two thumbs up for this one.
'Designed for adult builders, this modular masterpiece...'
Designed for the 'adult' builder. Wha?
This is a kid's perfect space toy ALL day long. 10 - 12 can build this no problem.
6 - 9 with parents help and would be a helluva lotta fun.
@AustinPowers said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @CC said:
"Sticker is disappointing. I am a fan of the brick-built logo on the wings."
There are no stickers. All decorated parts are printed, fortunately."
Those yellow arrows near the rear of the fuselage sure look like stickers in that first image. "
Could be a prototype image. Check out this video where the designer is interviewed, just after 3m 0s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKIUz71Tm7A
I love when they remake their old sets! Looks striking!
Mixed feelings about the look of this, doesn't quite hit the right balance between crude old and sleek new, but the functionality is excellent and it's an awesome parts pack for building more Blacktron stuff!
I loved the original Blacktron minifigures, but with the exception of Alienator I never liked the sets that much, to be honest. Likewise, I'm somewhat underwhelmed by this recreation. Had the Alienator alt model been a separate set, I might've gotten it.
While I'm happy for Blacktron fans they finally get (another) update of a classic spaceship, I don't find this set nowhere near as appealing as 10497, which felt like a proper modernization of a vintage set. I do still have to build that one, though...
I loved Blacktron (I & II) and still own nearly all the sets. I deliberately missed out on 6954 because I thought of it as the poorest of the first generation Blacktron sets. And sadly this has not changed with this remake.
It's Magnificent :o)
@chief7575 said:
"Um, yah you could. Keep the middle section from the invader on and it slotted in fine."
So you’re saying you could do the thing I said by doing _not_ the thing I said?
@Classicsmiley said:
"I'm disappointed that the module connections aren't compatible with 40580 . Also, the lack of a cargo module for the center isn't good. That means you're missing one of the big ship-building modules that the original had."
The designer in an interview mentioned why.
He had to design it to have a stronger connection for the modules on this new larger ship. For more stability. This new ship is much heavier.
What you can do, since this is Lego, is when you get this new ship, see how the newer connection points are, and mod 40580 to fit. It'd be a lot of fun to do.
@imaginos said:
"I loved Blacktron (I & II) and still own nearly all the sets. I deliberately missed out on 6954 because I thought of it as the poorest of the first generation Blacktron sets. And sadly this has not changed with this remake."
May I ask, how did you know of 6954 at all?
It wasn't in the catalogues of the day, there was no Internet to find out about it, or any other source (hard to imagine these days). Or did you have relatives in America? Just curious.
I really want to love this, but recreating the Blacktron style makes it seem really... cluttered?... and not very cohesive. I'm really torn on this... can anyone persuade me to come around and love it?
@CapnRex101 said:
" @CC said:
"Sticker is disappointing. I am a fan of the brick-built logo on the wings."
There are no stickers. All decorated parts are printed, fortunately."
Is this confirmed by Lego?
@dimc said:
"Is this confirmed by Lego?"
Confirmed by the designer. See previous comments/link to video.
I was afraid I'm going to write this but it doesn't appeal to me at all. While the Explorer was a sleek and smooth (re)design, this is blocky and not nice at all. As a European, there is zero nostalgia here for me as well. (To be honest, the first time I saw this, I thought this was a model made by combining the three other sets in a strange way) There is no LEGOLAND box here to use the last chance to make me interested. I'm really sorry to say and while I'm happy for all our fellow US fans here, I will definitely pass on this.
Okay, that's cool. Blacktron was not really my classic space nostalgia theme, but I'm glad to see old themes getting new set treatment, and I hope they continue to experiment with other space themes of the 90s too.
Perhaps what's most surprising to me are the number of molds that are still around. Like I got that triangular plate with grilles back in the 90s but it's still in sets today. Crazy.
After watching the video, now I know what's bugging me (and possibly others). When you disconnect the cockpit and other small front module it's perfectly symmetrical. The right side should be set back more so that it retains the asymmetry of the original. Another Lego set to modify...
@Darth_Dee said:
"After watching the video, now I know what's bugging me (and possibly others). When you disconnect the cockpit and other small front module it's perfectly symmetrical. The right side should be set back more so that it retains the asymmetry of the original. Another Lego set to modify..."
I agree! With the original, you can swap the cockpit and sensor module, and the result is less asymmetrical.
@Draykov said:
" @dimc said:
"Is this confirmed by Lego?"
Confirmed by the designer. See previous comments/link to video.
"
Thank you, hadn't watched the video yet. Good info!
It's weird: Even when this was more my childhood-era of Lego than the Galaxy Express was, Blacktron doesn't quite have the same nostalgia factor for me. Never had any of the sets (at the time my interest was shifting towards Technic), and besides the catalogs I mostly know them as the antagonists from the Jim Spaceborn comic.
As for the Renegade, different from the other Blacktron sets it didn't ring a bell at all....but then I just read it was only sold in North America. Which makes this a bit of an odd choice, somewhat limiting its appeal for many Europeans.
That said, I do quite like what I see. Okay, the very first picture not so much, with the vehicle removed it all falls apart a bit. But as a whole, yes, pretty cool! And the asymmetrical design works quite well here.
No complaints about the price either, just like the Galaxy Explorer this looks like pretty good value for money. That one is a rare case of a bigger set I bought at RRP, and didn't even feel bad about not getting the 25% discount I would have had at that same shop had I waited just a week longer.
If there's one thing I'm not happy about it's that while you can rebuild it into that Alienator, that one clearly uses only a small part of the pieces.....couldn't they have thought of something more? Or even better: Considering the modular built of the thing, couldn't they have built in in sucha a way you could convert the Renegade into the Alienator just by using those modules? Just like with the Galaxy Explorer, I very much do appreciate the alternate build(s), but not quite enough to buy multiple copies.
And looking ahead: Next 6980 Galaxy Commander please! Or a monorail.....
Blacktron was 15 years into my dark age, Galaxy Explorer 7 years in, with no nostalgia for either. Re-imagined versions of both are excellent reflections of Lego history though! Got 10497 and will certainly get 10355, although not on day 1... A few more demanding Jan 1st sets take precedence.
Now, some re-imagined 1969-70 Legoland buildings and vehicles too please!
Love it for its chunky, unusual and industrial style design. Day one for me. I’ll eventually get two for the alt build. I only hope Lego keep producing these rebuilds of retro sets. A Blacktron Battrax? Alien Moon Stalker?
I'm hyped, as the otiginal is too rare over here and I love the era and I liked the Galaxy Explorer and Invader (although I don't *love* them as much as I probably should). But at the same time, I think this might miss some of the cool factor and general simplicity of the original. For exemple, the module that housed the buggy could be used to carry other stuff and the Renegade as a whole was key to the modularity of the entire line. Here it does something fundamentally different.
On the other hand, it does something very in line with the values of Space with its creative differences. So I kind of like it for that reason as well.
@lost_scotsman said:
"When Blacktron was originally released I thought they were the elite special space people with all the cool tech. Then Space Police turned them into the bad guys and I was so torn.
The trials TLG put me through when I was a child..."
My trial was when a new Space Police came out that looked nothing like the old one. They obviously weren't the same guys, so what were they?
I resolved this by making Space Police II the police force of the bad guys. A multipolar galactic power structure has storytelling advantages.
I NEED THIS!
The Renegade was the only Blacktron set I didn't have for the first year.
Any chance they might reproduce 40580 as a GWP?
Looking at the modularity, I'm thinking that, with the cockpit, sensor suite and engines removed, you could clip multiples of the body together end-to-end. I'm imagining a LUG night where everybody brings their Renegades and we clip them all together to make a mega-long cargo vessel!
LUG challenge for the night: Everybody needs to make a unique vehicle or pod to fit in the drop-function space. That would be fun!
Blacktron came out during my first Dark Ages, but I'm looking at buying at least two of these!
@legodad1 said:
"Looking at the modularity, I'm thinking that, with the cockpit, sensor suite and engines removed, you could clip multiples of the body together end-to-end. I'm imagining a LUG night where everybody brings their Renegades and we clip them all together to make a mega-long cargo vessel!
LUG challenge for the night: Everybody needs to make a unique vehicle or pod to fit in the drop-function space. That would be fun!
Blacktron came out during my first Dark Ages, but I'm looking at buying at least two of these!"
Oh god... I hadn't even considered the possibility of a fractal Renegade. Now I also wanna see that.
Blacktron Centipede! Renepede? Centigade?
Unbelievably excited. Freaking out would be more accurate. The original 6954 was always (and remains) the great white whale of my childhood. I still have the original 6941 Battrax, 6894 Invader, and all-time favorite 6986 Mission Commander in their original boxes, but never got my hands on the Renegade despite coveting it this entire time.
Oh my gosh my wife is going to kill me but I have to have it!!!
@peterlmorris said:
"Oh my gosh my wife is going to kill me but I have to have it!!!"
At least we'll know who to tell the police did the deed when you go missing...
;-P
Not a Blacktron person; I am really thrilled for those of you who are.
And, B-model!
I look forward to getting my hands on this.
@tne328 said:
" @Elephantknight, you have this available to you very soon. No complaining about lack of black or red or transparent yellow for the rest of the year from you!
"
I can still complain about the lack of trans neon green ever again.
@ElephantKnight said:
"I look forward to getting my hands on this.
@tne328 said:
" @Elephantknight, you have this available to you very soon. No complaining about lack of black or red or transparent yellow for the rest of the year from you!
"
I can still complain about the lack of trans neon green ever again. "
I'll join you in complaining about that.
I have to be honest, I don't love all of the design decisions made here, but I will absolutely be getting this set anyway.
I really hope there's more interior than just the cockpit though.
@Balthazar_Brannigan said:
"I really want to love this, but recreating the Blacktron style makes it seem really... cluttered?... and not very cohesive. I'm really torn on this... can anyone persuade me to come around and love it?"
Buy a copy, and build it. If you don't absolutely love it, you can send it to me, along with a small rehoming fee, and I'll make sure it ends up somewhere it can be loved and live out its days in a safe environment.
BRING BACK CLASSIC SPACE!
Well I'm pretty excited for this, even as someone that grew up on Blacktron Future Generation, and only became aware of these black-and-yellow ancestors in the early 2000s. In my eyes, the style and functions of the 1987-1988 wave superseded some of the obvious design crudities typical still of the late 1980s. Still, those years were the rising of the wave, the start of the Golden Age, so I forgive some of the flaws (exposed cockpits being the biggest sin found in multiple late 80s Space). One exemplar that I own from that original theme is the Message Intercept Base.
For the longest time, it has remained MIB since Blacktron was an outlier in my collection. But thanks to the Cruiser GWP from 2023 and now this new Renegade, I have more reason than ever to create an OG Blacktron display in my LEGO room. In a year that may heighten the perception of a "slump" in my LEGO collecting habits, this new set is a surprisingly good start!
I know where this will go on my display! Space is cooking lately. The 2024 wave was stellar and with at least one new set slated it is looking good for Space.
Too expensive at $180 and a bit too much yellow.
Big like for the model with vitiligo.
@RadioAllergy said:
"I missed out on the Galaxy Explorer remake, I'm not missing out on this one."
you can still buy it for a reasonable price
I...don't know...I mean I want/need an opponent to my G.E. 2.0, and really wanted it to be a Blacktron, but...maybe if I built a second 'front-end' so it had a dual cockpit thing, ala a 'Twin Mustang':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
'Kay, maybe closer the Bespin cloud-car:
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_car
Just some ideas...:)
Never know about this one (the original) maybe just maybe I'll pick it up when it is on a half off sale. Then again Blacktron was not a theme that I remember from my childhood (I do remember M-tron and Space Police but back then I was changing interests).
Damn, a set I'm actually really excited for!
I like the city truck in black.
@WizardOfOss said:
"If there's one thing I'm not happy about it's that while you can rebuild it into that Alienator, that one clearly uses only a small part of the pieces.....couldn't they have thought of something more? Or even better: Considering the modular built of the thing, couldn't they have built in in sucha a way you could convert the Renegade into the Alienator just by using those modules? Just like with the Galaxy Explorer, I very much do appreciate the alternate build(s), but not quite enough to buy multiple copies."
According to the designer, the Alienator uses only parts from the main module. The cockpit, engines and sersor array all remain intact, allowing you to connect the smaller modules to either model. I think that is pretty neat.
@brick_r said:
"I...don't know...I mean I want/need an opponent to my G.E. 2.0, and really wanted it to be a Blacktron, but...maybe if I built a second 'front-end' so it had a dual cockpit thing, ala a 'Twin Mustang':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
'Kay, maybe closer the Bespin cloud-car:
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_car
Just some ideas...:)"
As much of an aviation buff as I am, how had the Twin-Pod Cloud Car never reminded me of the Twin Mustang? Speaking of the Cloud Car, that one's long overdue for a remake. They've only made three minifigure-scale versions. One was only available with a book (https://brickset.com/sets/ISBN9780241357590-1/Star-Wars-Build-Your-Own-Adventure-Galactic-Missions) and was basically a Microfighter, one was part of a much larger (and thus expensive) set (75222), and the only one that was a standalone set (7119) was released before the change to the new grays and flesh-tone minifigures! Maybe they'll do one for TESB's forty-fifth anniversary, but I'm not holding my breath at this point...
you should have an option "buy multiples" - 1 for the main build, 1 for the alt build, 2 for a huge 2 space ship combination and 1 for spare pieces and fixing up the GWP with the prints here.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @brick_r said:
"I...don't know...I mean I want/need an opponent to my G.E. 2.0, and really wanted it to be a Blacktron, but...maybe if I built a second 'front-end' so it had a dual cockpit thing, ala a 'Twin Mustang':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
'Kay, maybe closer the Bespin cloud-car:
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_car
Just some ideas...:)"
As much of an aviation buff as I am, how had the Twin-Pod Cloud Car never reminded me of the Twin Mustang? Speaking of the Cloud Car, that one's long overdue for a remake. They've only made three minifigure-scale versions. One was only available with a book (https://brickset.com/sets/ISBN9780241357590-1/Star-Wars-Build-Your-Own-Adventure-Galactic-Missions) and was basically a Microfighter, one was part of a much larger (and thus expensive) set (75222), and the only one that was a standalone set (7119) was released before the change to the new grays and flesh-tone minifigures! Maybe they'll do one for TESB's forty-fifth anniversary, but I'm not holding my breath at this point..."
And it could be in Reddish Orange! UCD Cloud Car, anyone?
@TheOtherMike said:
" @ElephantKnight said:
"I look forward to getting my hands on this.
@tne328 said:
" @Elephantknight , you have this available to you very soon. No complaining about lack of black or red or transparent yellow for the rest of the year from you!
"
I can still complain about the lack of trans neon green ever again. "
I'll join you in complaining about that."
I'll join you two, but for trans neon orange's sake.
This is going on the wishlist but will most likely wait for a discount. The only Blacktron I ever purchased was 6876 I was more into the Classic Space that came before Blacktron. But by the time Blacktron came around I was mostly concentrating on Castle & Pirate sets and later on some of the Adventurers stuff.
@560heliport said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @brick_r said:
"I...don't know...I mean I want/need an opponent to my G.E. 2.0, and really wanted it to be a Blacktron, but...maybe if I built a second 'front-end' so it had a dual cockpit thing, ala a 'Twin Mustang':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
'Kay, maybe closer the Bespin cloud-car:
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_car
Just some ideas...:)"
As much of an aviation buff as I am, how had the Twin-Pod Cloud Car never reminded me of the Twin Mustang? Speaking of the Cloud Car, that one's long overdue for a remake. They've only made three minifigure-scale versions. One was only available with a book (https://brickset.com/sets/ISBN9780241357590-1/Star-Wars-Build-Your-Own-Adventure-Galactic-Missions) and was basically a Microfighter, one was part of a much larger (and thus expensive) set (75222), and the only one that was a standalone set (7119) was released before the change to the new grays and flesh-tone minifigures! Maybe they'll do one for TESB's forty-fifth anniversary, but I'm not holding my breath at this point..."
And it could be in Reddish Orange! UCD Cloud Car, anyone?"
Edit: I meant UCS Cloud Car.
@560heliport said:
" @560heliport said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @brick_r said:
"I...don't know...I mean I want/need an opponent to my G.E. 2.0, and really wanted it to be a Blacktron, but...maybe if I built a second 'front-end' so it had a dual cockpit thing, ala a 'Twin Mustang':
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang
'Kay, maybe closer the Bespin cloud-car:
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cloud_car
Just some ideas...:)"
As much of an aviation buff as I am, how had the Twin-Pod Cloud Car never reminded me of the Twin Mustang? Speaking of the Cloud Car, that one's long overdue for a remake. They've only made three minifigure-scale versions. One was only available with a book (https://brickset.com/sets/ISBN9780241357590-1/Star-Wars-Build-Your-Own-Adventure-Galactic-Missions) and was basically a Microfighter, one was part of a much larger (and thus expensive) set (75222), and the only one that was a standalone set (7119) was released before the change to the new grays and flesh-tone minifigures! Maybe they'll do one for TESB's forty-fifth anniversary, but I'm not holding my breath at this point..."
And it could be in Reddish Orange! UCD Cloud Car, anyone?"
Edit: I meant UCS Cloud Car. "
Thousands of voices at University College Dublin cried out in pain but were suddenly silenced.
Even though I’m big into classic space, and the recent city space, I’m not too jazzed about blacktron. Maybe it’s the color scheme. (For the same reason, I’m totally uninterested in the Dark Falcon.)
Remake of 493 for GWP?
How do you keep them not attracting dust?????
@theplourde said:
"The original Renegade was my favorite Lego set during my childhood. Blacktron my favorite subtheme. I have the whole line on display in my living room, and this will 100% be added to that collection! "