Brickset Bouts: 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens vs. 10497 Galaxy Explorer
Posted by Huw,
Day four of our competition brings us a bout between two heavyweights with loyal fan followings. I would not want to call this one!
Jman007 extols the virtues of 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens, and Pietersheim79 makes the case for 10497 Galaxy Explorer after the break.
Read what they have to say, then cast your vote.
71741 NINJAGO City Gardens
I can’t recall a more overwhelmingly positive reaction from the LEGO community than that when this set was first announced. Living up to the revolutionary 70620 Ninjago City (voted the best set in the last Brickset Bout) was never going to be an easy task.
Yet, 71741 Ninjago City Gardens doesn’t just meet that impossibly high standard, it arguably surpasses it in numerous ways.
Although I’ve never been a huge Ninjago fan, this set just demands your full attention. It commands a visual presence that invites you to explore every detail, sparking a genuine curiosity to uncover all its intricacies.
This set has everything you could possibly want in a LEGO set: outstanding value, engaging playability, 20+ minifigures that breathe life into the city, rich storytelling, cleverly integrated functions, impeccable detail, fascinating architecture, a treasure trove of easter eggs, an incredible building experience, outstanding display value (genuinely stunning from every angle), and nostalgia, not just for the Ninjago theme, but also for other classic LEGO themes referenced throughout.
Now, the building experience… just wow. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered anything as engaging or captivating. The build is complex and time-consuming, yet never tedious or dull. The array of novel building techniques and clever NPU (nice parts usage) scattered throughout is nothing short of remarkable. Just look at the roofs and awnings, each one uniquely stunning (hot dogs, meat cleavers, treasure chest lids, etc.). No part feels lazy or unfinished. Every nook and cranny is packed with detail; nothing is overlooked. This is one of those sets you have to build yourself to truly appreciate.
While 10497 Galaxy Explorer is undeniably fantastic in its own right, it pales in comparison to the magnificence and detail of Ninjago City Gardens. Let’s be honest: 10497 Galaxy Explorer is essentially a glorified remake of an era, trading on nostalgia, something a classic space fan like me can appreciate, but it’s limited to that. This competition is a no-brainer.
On one side, you have a sleek yet bland, nostalgia-driven model; on the other, a vibrant, intricate world that’s filled to the brim with detail and functions that feels alive and lived-in. One might argue the price/size difference makes the comparison unfair. But in this case, more truly is more, and Ninjago City Gardens makes far greater use of its piece count than Galaxy Explorer ever could.
I could write a full dissertation on why I believe 71741 Ninjago City Gardens is the best set LEGO has produced, but the set really does speak for itself. Ultimately, it embodies everything LEGO represents. It’s colourful, creative, diverse, original, and just simply breathtaking. It’s the perfect 10-year anniversary tribute to one of LEGO’s most beloved themes that showcases LEGO at its best.
10497 Galaxy Explorer
Galaxy Explorer...to boldly go where no imagination has gone before!
The original set was the start of a new LEGO theme, released in the late seventies when Sci-fi was new in the movie theatre: Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, and Alien.
With that background, LEGO created the very iconic Galaxy Explorer and its iconic space logo.
This 2022 remake taps into nostalgia for that era with a bigger, bolder model that makes use of new pieces and building techniques. It's the pinnacle of LEGO and imagination, and also very affordable. $100 and some sites even low as $80, this set was a must-buy!
Cast your vote!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should go through to the quarter-final for a chance to be crowned "best set of the last five years" ?
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83 comments on this article
I see a possible winner here...
Ninjago City Gardens is a true contender for the crown, but I can't help thinking...
spaceship Spaceship SPACESHIP!
Galaxy Explorer, hands down!
Ninjago City is glorious, and yet SPACE.
I never really liked the Ninjago city gardens unlike other people. The Galaxy Explorer however, I like a lot. It certainly gets my vote.
I own both. Haven't built neither. Doesn't make voting easier. Anyway, I've cast my vote.
As in most (all?) previous rounds, the matching doesn't appear to be entirely fair, in the sense that neither really deserves to go out already now. But given this was a sentiment in the previous rounds as well, I guess there simply is no fair matching. These sets are all winners! :)
I literally can't vote on this one, both sets are as excellent to me.
Ninjago City is a great series of sets. Very happy to own the micro version. Which is now incomplete. ;-) But in my opinion all of them are wonderful.
I don't think it's fair to call the Galaxy Explorer glorified and trading on nostalgia when it has a few new features that were considered blasphemy by some people here.
No stickers, great updated design realized with new parts. The possibility of building two other space ships. Galaxy Explorer all the way!
When this set came out to mark the 90th anniversary, it leapt out at me. I had the original of this as a kid and loved it and the nostalgia was overwhelming.
Then I had a thought. Somewhere, tucked away in my mum and dad's house, was a big plastic box containing all my old Lego. Why have some pretend nostalgia at £90 a pop when you can have some genuine nostalgia with the original?
So that weekend I went to my parents' house and rooted around in the cupboard under their stairs until I found the box, before taking it home and gleefully sneaking it into the house without my wife seeing.
The nostalgia came in waves. Firstly, there was finding all the models I'd created myself as a kid, still intact within the box. Multicoloured robots, tanks, Airwolf-inspired helicopters... It was sad to dismantle them but I took a photo of each one for posterity before doing so.
Then I sorted the parts into colours, downloaded a copy of the instructions and got building. I've since found the original paper instructions and it would have been so much better using them, but it was still great.
I was always very fastidious with my toys as a child and I found every brick. The spaceship, the buggy, the mini-base, the crater and launchpad plates... all there, and all taking up pride of place on a shelf in my garage (which might not sound much but there are a whole load of shelves and repurposed DVD and CD racks along one wall, illuminated with LED lights and covered in Lego. It's my pride and joy, much to my wife's disdain...)
I went on to build 386 (my first ever proper set), 918, 383, 6950, 6010, 6022, 6030 (the only only missing a piece. Argh!) and, of course, 375-2. They are all now displayed on the same wall.
Nostalgia sated, I went back to buying other sets. But then...
I stumbled across a review of this beauty, saying that it might just be the perfect Lego set. I then saw it was retiring in a few weeks and that it was out of stock on the Lego site. And I got this enormous pang of remorse and, as much fun as the old set was to remake, I knew I'd made a mistake in not getting this one.
I idly looked around a few other websites but it was either not there or was there but for a ridiculous price. I looked at Smyths Toys and they were out too. I was about to give up when I saw it was still available to click and collect. Yeah, I thought, at the other end of the country, probably. I looked anyway and, to my delight, found it was in stock in my local branch, a mere 3 miles or so away.
And it's brilliant. Such a fun set to build and has those features you only imagined when playing with it as a child - the properly engineered ramp, the airlock, the storage cupboards, the sleeping area, the retracting landing gears...
OK, so you don't get the base plates or the control centre, but I already have those!
This updated model didn't make it onto my shelf though. No, instead it is strung with fishing wire from the underside of the shelf above, soaring over its forefather on the landing pad below, with LED lights strung through its cockpit and cabin, with 918 flying in tandem beside it.
Who says you have to grow up?
I think the GS article fails to describe just how good of a spaceship it is even outside of being a remake. Between the folding landing gear, the unusually complete and roomy interior and the hanger complete with airlock door, as well as the unusual angles and classic features like the rover and detachable ships (rockets with seats), it's one of the best spaceships in decades!
And the TWO alternate models are both worth building too. The One Man Spaceship is a fun dogfighter with a slot you can put the robot in like an astromech, and the Space Carge Ship has a very detailed interior and cargo in the cargo hatch. Its size is also júst right!
10497 Galaxy Explorer could have used here a more thorough recommendation… The amazing techniques developed for the wings, the landing mechanism, the tilt of the body and on and on… The myriad printed pieces, the ample space inside, the sleeping area, the sliding door, the built in white arrows, the detachable engines turned scooters, the rover sliding elegantly out of the hangar bay, the two other designs for 924 and 918 (!) and so much more.
In 10497 Mike Psiaki made an absolute masterpiece of a homage to the original 928 masterpiece.
Galaxy Explorer for ever!
Everything's swooshable if you're brave enough. Everything can be suspended from the ceiling if you're brave enough. It's just that one of these is just naturally better at those things, you know?
I'm not even going to pretend to care about the opinions of the original writers, just as I don't plan to pretend that I've even bothered to read them. Nobody cares. We all know what we like, and we will vote accordingly.
I am very much in the minority but for me the Ninjago City sets just look messy and don't really appeal to me. I really like a "busy" scene in any set or MOC but Ninjago City to me is a lot of small builds stuck together.
Anyway, Galaxy Explorer gets my vote. I really enjoyed the build process and the finished set. It's probably the set that I felt most like a child when it was done and I could swoop it around, moving the minifigures into different scenes.
I have 0 NCG sets, I have 3 Galaxy Explorer sets. I feel the writer of the Galaxy Explorer piece could've just possibly written a tiny bit more - some people voting will be doing so without owning either of these sets, and that feels like a missed opportunity to tell them just how precisely this set satisfies the brief, but then goes further and creates a truly satisfying building and play experience.
Can someone explain to me how these pairings came about? Seems that Galaxy Explorer would have been better matched against the NASA shuttle and City Gardens against Barad Dur.....
The fact that the sets are so different makes it hard.......
@duilim said:
"Can someone explain to me how these pairings came about? Seems that Galaxy Explorer would have been better matched against the NASA shuttle and City Gardens against Barad Dur.....
The fact that the sets are so different makes it hard......."
I think @Huw randomised the pairings.
@kfr said:
"I own both. Haven't built neither. Doesn't make voting easier. Anyway, I've cast my vote.
As in most (all?) previous rounds, the matching doesn't appear to be entirely fair, in the sense that neither really deserves to go out already now. But given this was a sentiment in the previous rounds as well, I guess there simply is no fair matching. These sets are all winners! :)"
As you said, there really is no fair matching. All sixteen sets at this stage are outstanding* and it might feel wrong to lose any so early, but such is the nature of a tournament!
*Personally, I would say fifteen of the sixteen because I am not a huge fan of 10320 Eldorado Fortress, but I understand why many people would love it.
As a youngster who's eyes are unclouded by nostalgia, I'll argue in favour of Ninjago City Gardens by saying that the Galaxy Explorer just looks a bit boring...
On a less subjective note too I find that the spoiler on the back of the spaceship seems to have evaded the modernisation lent to the rest of the set, with a very blocky and uninspired shape.
The Ninjago city sets on the other hand excited my imagination like nothing else with their popping colours and varied architecture and although I could never afford them I spent a long time perusing video reviews to take a glance at every secret.
Sorry to say neither of these interest me so I won't be voting in this bout. I await, with interest, the ultimate winner from Space/Castle/Rivendell.............
:-o
Why you comparing 100$ sets with 400$ sets? Again!
@liamastill said:
"As a youngster who's eyes are unclouded by nostalgia, I'll argue in favour of Ninjago City Gardens by saying that the Galaxy Explorer just looks a bit boring...
On a less subjective note too I find that the spoiler on the back of the spaceship seems to have evaded the modernisation lent to the rest of the set, with a very blocky and uninspired shape.
The Ninjago city sets on the other hand excited my imagination like nothing else with their popping colours and varied architecture and although I could never afford them I spent a long time perusing video reviews to take a glance at every secret."
Finally, an NCG supporter! I've got it, and it is my pride and joy.
This round is the toughest one for me so far. Both are excellent, top-tier sets IMO.
After much deliberation, I think I'll vote for the Galaxy Explorer because a) I actually own it and b) it makes for a better standalone set. The Gardens works fine on its own but needs the other Ninjago City sets in order to truly shine.
@bengal said:
"I literally can't vote on this one, both sets are as excellent to me."
First for me to also not vote!!
Both are equally excellent and yet not perfect, so I abstain from voting
Both great sets but, like someone else commented, I have 3 Galaxy Explorers and 0 City Gardens so this time my vote goes where my money went.
Its too late now part way through but I wonder if owning, building, displaying, maybe even playing with has an effect. A lot of these are expensive so on average most members may only own 1 or 2. Some people may be lucky.. For example I am a big Space fan and I own the Explorer. I have picked that but if i had spent money and time on the Ninjago model I wonder if it may have swayed me. Be interesting to see a sub set of voters if they own both sets in a poll.
I voted for the Garden since of the two, it's the only one that I haven't taken apart yet. I know some people find the Ninjago city sets busy, but I have the five of them together plus I have made three additions on 32x16 baseplates and the whole thing looks amazing together.
The bouts are for mostly incomparable types of set but perhaps its based on a popularity match by numbers?
Eg Ninjago City Gardens against Rivendell: large landscape based builds of multiple characters in a fantasy setting makes sense to me.
Galaxy Explorer is just a remake; buy the original on Bricklink or eBay as it’s authentic and wonderful. NINJAGO City Gardens is however glorious and unique. No contest IMHO.
This could be the hardest pairing of the competition to decide on. Well... maybe these plus the AT-AT. I think I'm going to have to spend the day ruminating on which way to vote.
Oooooo! I think this the closest bout so far, but after much deliberation i’m going for Galaxy Explorer
To me, Ninjago City Gardens never quite had the appeal Nijago City had. It just doesn't quite have that same presence, and while these sets are supposed to look a bit like a hodgepodge, it doesn't really work for me here, it looks too contrived. Also, the garden the set is named after looks like an afterthought. Surely not a bad set, but not quite great either.
The Galaxy Explorer on the other hand is just a great re-imagining of one of the all time greats. Made by a designer who fully understood what made the original click, but managed to translate that to modern building techniques. And it's also proof that sets don't need to be massive to be truly amazing.
"The original set was the start of a new LEGO theme, released in the late seventies when Sci-fi was new in the movie theatre"
I'm pretty sure sci fi was not new in the late 70's, Le Voyage dans La Lune ( A Trip To The Moon) came out in 1902. ;)
@DrDaveWatford said:
"Galaxy Explorer is just a remake; buy the original on Bricklink or eBay as it’s authentic and wonderful. NINJAGO City Gardens is however glorious and unique. No contest IMHO. "
I've said two days ago in a different context, but it still holds true: you are not the Dark Lord of me. Don't tell me how and where to spend my money.
Ninjago City Gardens is just a mass of loud colours and pointless minifigures. Galaxy Explorer is a proper Lego set. Easy choice!
I have both. And I nominated both for my top 5. That being said, Ninjago City Gardens was my first set to pull me out of my dark ages 2 years ago. Since then, I have slowly built up a new collection. But nothing has yet to compare to that first month building Gardens. I took my time doing one bag a night. Nothing was repetitive, each section revealed a new built technique or NPU. As someone who grew up in the 90s (love those sets!) and hadn’t built anything in 20 years, it was a revelation. I had no idea you could do all of this with LEGO. A truly imaginative and ambitious set. As much as I love Galaxy Explorer, my vote goes to Ninjago City Gardens.
I voted Galaxy Explorer. I have no nostalgia for Classic Space, but I love the aesthetic and the numerous play features the set has. I can totally see if someone prefers Ninjago City Gardens, though.
just waiting for the inevitable Ninjago City Gardens vs Rivendell final
I have a problem with both essays. The first, for calling the best spaceship Lego's ever made "bland," and the second for being little more than "it's good, vote for it." Talk up the features, the techniques, the alt builds!
@magpie9 said:
""The original set was the start of a new LEGO theme, released in the late seventies when Sci-fi was new in the movie theatre"
I'm pretty sure sci fi was not new in the late 70's, Le Voyage dans La Lune ( A Trip To The Moon) came out in 1902. ;)"
And it's not like it went away; The Day the Earth Stood Still came out in 1951.
This could have been the finals.
Galaxy Explorer all the way.
@kfr said:
"I own both. Haven't built neither. :)"
But, but, but why????
I have both sets. Actually I have most of the Ninjago City sets. But I have yet to build any of them.
The Galaxy Explorer otoh I have three copies of, built one in the original configuration and then rebuilt it as the medium sized of the two alternate builds.
I also have the original 928 (as well as the entire 1979 Classic Space lineup).
But even if I had no nostalgia for the theme whatsoever, 10497 would get my vote on its merits alone:
- The build is great and lots of fun with some really cool NPU.
- It's a three in one set
- It has tons of printed pieces, many of them exclusive to this set. Not a single sticker in sight
- And above all, it offers one of the best value for money propositions even at RRP of the last couple of years
Easy choice for me.
As someone who had the original 928 set as a child... Nostalgia wins. Every time. 10497 is sitting on a shelf to my right as I'm typing this, and it is glorious. A superb update on a classic.
@TheOtherMike said:
"I have a problem with both essays. The first, for calling the best spaceship Lego's ever made "bland," and the second for being little more than "it's good, vote for it." Talk up the features, the techniques, the alt builds!
@magpie9 said:
""The original set was the start of a new LEGO theme, released in the late seventies when Sci-fi was new in the movie theatre"
I'm pretty sure sci fi was not new in the late 70's, Le Voyage dans La Lune ( A Trip To The Moon) came out in 1902. ;)"
And it's not like it went away; The Day the Earth Stood Still came out in 1951."
Have to agree.
Not trying to be mean, but the advocate for 10497 didn't do the set justice imho.
While I don't like it either when the advocate of the other set tries to diss the opposing set rather than concentrate on the set they are trying to promote, I think every advocate should try their best to show why "their" set is worthy of winning.
Why didn't nostalgia win with Eldorado fortress? :(
I own both and I am not sure which to vote for.
I love the Galaxy Explorer, such a beautiful ship with masterful techniques and features, even though it is remake.
I love the Ninjago Gardens as well, such an amazing model even if the build was a little repetitive (a lot of the modules are built the same). And it is pretty much a requel of Ninjago City, so the originality level is not that high either.
Could an upset be at all possible? Hmmmm
Having two Galaxy Explorer and caring next to NOTHING about Ninjago, this one was the easiest choice. The Galaxy Explorer is one of the best sets ever in my opinion.
@AustinPowers said:
"- And above all, it offers one of the best value for money propositions even at RRP of the last couple of years"
1000% agree. This is one of the very few bigger sets I bought at RRP the moment I saw it at my local toy store. And I don't feel the slightest bit bad about that. And even when that same shop turned out to have it at 25% discount the next week, that still didn't bother me.
I have repeatedly said that I don't really mind paying a premium price for Lego as long as I get a premium product. This felt like a premium product though without the premium price, even at RRP.
If there's one whing I could complain about it's that for those alternate builds they didn't include alternate numbers, so you'll still end up with multiple LL-928's. I would have been totally fine with some LL-918 and LL-924 stickers (or prints....but that would be downright greedy at this point) just for that. But that truly is my biggest issue with the set. And I regret not buying more than just the one....
This is like picking a favorite child...
Never cared for LEGO space, and the Ninjago Gardens are just too creative and detailed to pass up. I don’t think there’s any contest when it comes to detail.
Galaxy Explorer was only $99 (US) which is AN AMAZING price for such an incredible set! Best deal I can remember in the last 5 years!
@WizardOfOss said:
"If there's one thing I could complain about it's that for those alternate builds they didn't include alternate numbers, so you'll still end up with multiple LL-928's."
Funny, I thought exactly the same. I was considering making some custom decals actually, but I think there are also aftermarket printed pieces available, albeit a little expensive.
Ninjago City Gardens easily takes it for me. I like it even more than the original Ninjago City. It's definitely one of the sets that I'm disappointed I will probably never be able to get. The Galaxy Explorer is really good, but not nearly as good as the Gardens. Granted, I value color, detail, and buildings over anything else. I do really appreciate the geometry of the Galaxy Explorer, the alt builds, lack of stickers, and the reimagining, but classic space never had a hold on me. Now if it was Ice Planet... I think the Galaxy Explorer might be able to take this, but I hope I'm wrong.
I bought six Galaxy Explorers.
And not to hold onto for resale.
Long live SPACE!
Never been able to get into Ninjago, so this is the easiest one since Barad Dur, SPACESHIP!!!!!! :D
@lego4elio said:
"just waiting for the inevitable Ninjago City Gardens vs Rivendell final"
Unless lion knight castle is one of the finalists.
Easy round, I'm more into buildings than into spaceships (though the space shuttle of the previous round is really well done)
This is going to be an absolute rout.
Zero interest in Ninjago, so it's Galaxy Explorer all the way.
This one is NOT fair. I mean--no one should have to choose between these two.
First: I would challenge any who 'doesn't care about Ninjago' to build any of the Ninjago City sets and not be blown away by the design choices; part usage and the absolute joy of the building experience.
But then you have...a SPACESHIP!
I'm gonna push...this is a draw. No winner yet also no loser.
I actually wish there were an abstention option on the choices so we could see how many people just couldn't force themselves to choose.
I don't collect Ninjago but have to admit that some of their large sets are just spectacular.
I can and will vote against the Galaxy Explorer.
Just not today.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"- And above all, it offers one of the best value for money propositions even at RRP of the last couple of years"
1000% agree. This is one of the very few bigger sets I bought at RRP the moment I saw it at my local toy store. And I don't feel the slightest bit bad about that. And even when that same shop turned out to have it at 25% discount the next week, that still didn't bother me.
I have repeatedly said that I don't really mind paying a premium price for Lego as long as I get a premium product. This felt like a premium product though without the premium price, even at RRP.
If there's one whing I could complain about it's that for those alternate builds they didn't include alternate numbers, so you'll still end up with multiple LL-928's. I would have been totally fine with some LL-918 and LL-924 stickers (or prints....but that would be downright greedy at this point) just for that. But that truly is my biggest issue with the set. And I regret not buying more than just the one...."
It's actually the only set I've ever preordered. And if I had more space, I'd definitely have bought two more for the alt-builds and displayed all three together.
I got the Galaxy explorer for 50% at Walmart the first few months it was out. ….after I had recently bought it for $80 with a $10 savings coupon included.
I regret nothing.
There's no way I'm not voting for the Spaceship! but this one's rough. They're all rough, really...
Galaxy Explorer !
Not only is it an amazing set filled with lots of great details, a fantastic build, and a wonderful love letter to Classic Space, but because LEGO owns the Intellectual Property it was an absolute bargain!
I see this set making it to the final against Lion Knights Castle…
@Brickodillo said:
" @kfr said:
"I own both. Haven't built neither. :)"
But, but, but why???? "
Various different reasons. Let's just say, investment is not one of them. I have full intention to build all the 100 or so sets of various sizes that have piled up in recent years and which I have never gotten around to actually build. A lot has just to do with life getting in the way, really.
@kfr said:
" @Brickodillo said:
" @kfr said:
"I own both. Haven't built neither. :)"
But, but, but why???? "
Various different reasons. Let's just say, investment is not one of them. I have full intention to build all the 100 or so sets of various sizes that have piled up in recent years and which I have never gotten around to actually build. A lot has just to do with life getting in the way, really."
My appetite for LEGO is WAY bigger than my actual time or display space. I have somehow ended up with my own retro toy shop. I browse it each week trying to figure out what to build next. Finally get going on that Boutique Hotel or bite the bullet and start the magnificent Gringotts? I keep putting off 70709 Galactic Titan for a rainy day. :o)
This has been the easiest decision for me in this competition--which doesn't make it easy...well, it is, but that's not a slap at Galaxy Explorer, which is a superb set. Still, NCG is probably my favorite Ninjago set, certainly my favorite of the Ninjago City series, and able to hold its own with all the mega-sets out there. When you're trying to pick the absolute best set of all time, or even of the last five years, size DOES matter, when it's used this well.
These comparisons are getting silly now
Some please educate how these two sets are comparable. What they offer is so vastly different from reach other.
@Brickerika said:
"These comparisons are getting silly now
Some please educate how these two sets are comparable. What they offer is so vastly different from reach other."
It's a fun single knock out tournament for adult fans of LEGO. They are comparable in that they are both awesome. But which is awesomer?
I never got into Ninjago world with their styling and characters. The set is massive so has some neat features, but it is vastly different type of set than the Galaxy Explorer.
I came into existence after the classic space time, so I don't have any connection to them. I still haven't even built my copy of the Explorer. But I'd still choose it over the other since Benny gives me a chuckle.
Galaxy Explorer, with it's creative building techniques, two alternate builds (with leftovers pieces), and affordability of multiples as parts-packs inspired me to build a whole series of Neo Classic Space MOCS.
That's part of the joy of LEGO!
Hard to compare these very different sets, but for me Ninjago Gardens is obviously what I would want on my shelf.... Oh, wait.. it is on my shelf at work! As part of a Ninjago City collection. And everyone who comes into my office is blown away by it. Go go Ninjago!
I’m a big fan of the Ninjago City sets, but Gardens is only middle of the pack for me when I rank the five.
I think the loss of trans-neon orange really hurts this one compared to earlier sets in the line. It just doesn’t have that cyberpunk flair of the original Ninjago City. I’d also put Markets ahead of it too, that cable car is a game changer
@Brickerika said:
"These comparisons are getting silly now
Some please educate how these two sets are comparable. What they offer is so vastly different from reach other."
I have both sets and they are both fantastic. Both offer surprises with fun and unexpected building techniques along the way. Both have fun play functions. Both look great on display. Both have hidden secret areas.
@DrDaveWatford said:
"Galaxy Explorer is just a remake; buy the original on Bricklink or eBay as it’s authentic and wonderful. NINJAGO City Gardens is however glorious and unique. No contest IMHO. "
"don't spend $100 on a very interesting and inventive build that lovingly updates a classic set, instead spend twice that much MINIMUM to get even a decent complete-ish used copy of the 45-year-old original"
Both wonderful LEGO sets …. All-time greats, even!
I own both new in box …. Waiting for time and space (& a permanent home) to build and display them!
I love Classic Space and have the original Galaxy Explorer from the 1980’s!
I don’t watch Ninjago (other than the movie, once), but I like and collect a couple of the Dragons (Skull Sorcerer!).
I was on the fence about this vote ….
Then I read the promotions about each one in the above article ….. Galaxy Explorer criminally undersold there!, it deserves a much better write up!…… and voted for Ninjago City Gardens!
(Very convincing write-up!)
Hydrogen bomb vs. Coughing baby
The Galaxy Explorer is the set that dragged me out of my dark age… but City Garden is the best set I have ever built, hands down. It is perfection.
I built the very first Ninjago City set within 1st week after the official reveal, by scrutinizing ALL the images. It was 2 months prior to the release of the set.
Of course the official images did not show the lift system so my model is empty in that area, and also the building area right above the comic store I just fill up what wasn't shown in the images. Other than that, pretty much recreated the model, including the movable sushi conveyor belt at rooftop and the grill in the restaurant where you flip to reveal the crab.
So, yes, I've bought the set after it was released and all subsequent releases. And my vote goes to the Ninjago set.
Ninjago is the REAL reason why we don't get LEGO IN-HOUSE themes...
SPACE <3
Hardest vote to date. I own both sets. I was going to go for Ninjago but at the last minute I figured: 10497 is on permanent display in a custom baseplate I built for it in my home office, the build experience was fantastic (so is Ninjago Gardens though) the price was commendable (for Lego) and finally: Space!!! So in the end, I picked the Galaxy Explorer but I am saddened to let go of the NInjago Gardens.
@bananaworld said:
"
Ninjago City Gardens is a true contender for the crown, but I can't help thinking...
spaceship Spaceship SPACESHIP!"
2 comments before Benny gets quoted! Although to be fair that was my first thought as well! ??