The Brickset 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, part 3
Posted by Huw,
Today we turn our attention to sets in the $50-$100 (~£40-£80) price range, of which there were some 53 released this year (and one still to come) including a few advanced models, Ideas sets and a lot from licensed themes.
Sets in this price range definitely hit the 'sweet spot' with almost all of them worthy of our recommendation. Read on to find out which ones made the grade into our hallowed gift guide...
MeganL: 41106 Pop Star Tour Bus (£49.99 / $59.99 / 59.99€)
This price bracket was just about the most difficult for me to choose just one set. I really enjoyed 75904 Mystery Mansion - getting that and the Mystery Machine you have all the minifigures! I *loved* 41109 Heartlake Airport - the building is a nice build, but the airplane included is absolutely fantastic with all the custom parts and such details.
However, I am surprising myself by recommending 41106 Pop Star Tour Bus. It's on the lower price for the range but comes in high on the parts count (682). The colours are incredibly striking, but the most important thing to me is just how fun this set is. The build is engaging, and there are so many options for play - the lounge chairs, the DJ booth, not to mention the bus itself. The piece de resistance is that the bus extends to provide a stage for the pop star. So many possibilities, and so much fun.
LostInTranslation: 75904 Mystery Mansion (£69.99 / $89.99 / 89.99€)
I found this a very difficult category to choose from but my pick is 75904 Scooby Doo Mystery Mansion. It is a perfect embodiment of what we all remember as the typical haunted house visited by the Scooby Gang in the cartoons, with a creepy clock tower and overgrown greenhouse (complete with great man-eating plant, which I totally copied for my Poison Ivy MOC).
I love the purple accents, though I do not know why purple is associated with spookiness. The minifigs are brilliant, and of course this is the only set with the brains of the gang, Velma.
Great playset, that would be absolutely perfect if it included Fred.
CapnRex101 and TheBrickPal: 75103 First Order Transporter (£79.99 / $89.99 / 99.99€)
CapnRex101: This is by far the most difficult decision so far in my opinion. There are plenty of contenders for the award, from 75904 Mystery Mansion and 31039 Blue Power Jet to any of this year's LEGO Ideas sets. I include 21302 The Big Bang Theory in that as I am a Brobdingnagian fan of the show and never expected it to be recreated as an official set, so that was a very nice surprise.
However, one set has surpassed my expectations more than any other and that will be my selection. 75103 First Order Transporter is an absolutely delightful set in every respect. Not only does the model look fantastic in relation to the source material but a variety of fun play features have been incorporated brilliantly as well. In addition, this set includes an outstanding selection of minifigures and offers better value for money than almost any other Star Wars set. Troop transports consistently seem to make for the best sets and that is definitely the case here.
TheBrickPal: Star Wars: The Force Awakens is shaping up to be one of the biggest film releases of all time. Whether someone is just getting into LEGO Star Wars sets, or if they are a long time fan, this set is perfect for them. Not only is the First Order Transporter a stellar model, but there are tons of hidden play features that will be adored by builders of all ages.
The set is also an amazing way to grow your minifigure collection, with seven of them; four of which are army-building material! At the time of writing, all of the minifigures included are exclusive to this set. I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't get it!
However, I also have got to give it to The Big Bang Theory. Wonderful set, but meant more as a display piece for AFOLs.
HearItWow: 70413 The Brick Bounty (£79.99 / $99.99 / 94.99€)
Every Christmas has its One Perfect Gift. The gift that will make a child scream in joy. The gift that will cause a grownup to break out in tears of appreciation. The gift that will be remembered for many decades to come.
For 2015, The Brick Bounty is that LEGO gift. Whether it's the centerpiece of a child's imaginative play or a model holding place of pride in an AFOL's collection, The Brick Bounty is one of the most impressive and beautiful LEGO sets released in 2015.
At only 745-pieces for $99.99 USD, this is an expensive set on a per-piece basis, but it balances out with uncommon pieces such as the sails, rowboat, rigging and saw-nosed shark head. Seven minifigures, including three Bluecoats, add both play and display value for LEGO fans of any age, and LEGO pirate ships always command attention in a display without demanding too much space.
If you want wow factor, a great building experience and a set that will bring hours of fun, look no further.
SprinkleOtter: 42038: Arctic Truck (£59.99 / $84.99 / 79.99€)
Technic had a strong line-up of great sets this year, but only one full-sized set that wasn't a re-release or revamp of a previous set. That set is 42038 Arctic Truck: a large, orange exploration vehicle, complete with buildable treads.
It's full of play features, like a working crane, tipping bed, and steering. Some features can even be motorized with the addition of a Power Functions motor and battery box. Arctic Truck also has working suspension, second to only 4x4 Crawler.
Its build is challenging enough for AFOLs, but also somewhat simpler than other Technic sets (especially in the internal gearbox) so that building is never a chore (unless you count connecting tread links, that is). More importantly to some collectors though, is the inclusion of many exclusive or rare parts. Arctic Truck comes with close to a hundred buildable tread links, which have come in only a handful of sets over the years.
Huw: 21304: Doctor Who (£49.99 / $59.99 / 64.99€)
Three of the Ideas sets released this year (The Big Bang Theory, Wall*E and Doctor Who) are in the $50-100 price range and all are excellent, the very best LEGO has produced, in my opinion. Any one of them would make a welcome gift, particularly to fans of the subject matter.
In the end, however, I chose Doctor Who for four reasons: it's an immensely popular programme at the moment; the set is released on 1st December so whoever you are gifting will probably not have it already; it features the two most recognisable and iconic aspects of the show: the Tardis and Daleks; and, finally, simply because it's a fabulously designed model that every Doctor Who fan will love.
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So, who would have thought that such an ugly Star Wars TFA set would achieve two nominations, particularly when the X-wing and TIE were also eligible for selection?
Once again though, there's a good spread of different themes represented: something for everyone. What did we miss? What would you have picked?
We will conclude our gift guide on Wednesday with a look at sets costing over $100.
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32 comments on this article
I'd have chosen the First Order Transporter or Doctor Who as well. Amazing sets.
@Huw: The Transporter isn't ugly in my eyes!
Blue power jet would be my pick. The way the wings are made is great. I still need to add a pilot or two to mine.
For the Transporter I'd say they're all army builder figures except Captain Phasma. Just swap the hairpieces and heads and the Resistance Soldiers are new characters.
I understand if you like the Transporter but the vehicle is just so darn ugly. It's literally a grey cheese wedge.
@Huw
I have the transporter and it is absolutely amazing! You can fit 14 minifigures in total in the whole thing, and I love the side that allows a minifigure to pop up to the stud shooting cannon.
Spoilt for choice this Christmas.
As a Brobdingnagian ;-) SW fan, having build both the TFA Troop Transporter and the TFA Poe Dameron's X-Wing. In IMO the X-Wing, not as an army builder, but as a lego model and spaceship is without a doubt the winner. The X-wing looks so good it rivals and even outmatches several SW UCS models from the past, and it is a solid play set too with three very cool minifigs.
Yes of course Captain Phasma is a super minifig, and so are the other six minifigs from that set, and the space craft is also fun to build, and cleverly designed with interesting play features. by all means if you are a SWnut, go get it! It also looks better in the brick than it does on photo, still it is the funky new black and orange X-Wing that is truly epic!
Personally, my favorite sets in this price bracket this year are 42040 Fire Plane and 10248 Ferrari F40. But that's just me...
+1 to Blue Power Jet, as well. That model is outstanding.
Great selection of choices. I'm looking forward to the Doctor Who set...I have a friend who is a huge Whovian, but I'm not certain how he would feel about a LEGO set.
@LostInTranslation purple/violet has a tendency to be associated with spookiness because it is the darkest hue on the spectrum and color wheel and helps break up the monotony of black and grey when trying to convey seriousness, fear, foreboding, suspense, and so on. You can use it in dark environments without it working in contrast. And it is the visible hue next to ultra violet (black light), which gives you the eerie/fun glowing effect in the dark.
Popular examples: Halloween, Fear (Inside Out), Onua (Toa of Earth).
@ Huw.
Most likely because everyone on this list already has both an X-Wing and a TIE Fighter (or few).
Hmmm... When I posted my earlier comment, I didn't think about the F40. Or the Blue Power Jet. Or Poe's X-wing. Yeah, I can't choose.
Although 75102 Poe Dameron's X-wing is a good set on the whole, it does not compare very favourably with the vehicle in the movie. The structure of the nose and wings is nowhere near that of the actual T-70. On the other hand, the set does include my favourite minifigure of this year, Poe Dameron.
Which set do you mean by 'still to come'?
The blue power jet is one of the sleekest and best designed air vehicle (excluding SW) of the decade.
^^ Doctor Who
Somehow I guessed that the Captain and I would be choosing the same set...
41106 Pop Star Tour Bus is a fantastic set. My brother got it last month and it definitely merits its 8–12 age range — it's a lot more technically complex than any other Friends or City set its size. The "stretch" function is incredible! It offers a great range of role-play opportunities, and just plain looks nice.
However, if I were choosing a set from this price bracket, I'd probably have gone with 41078 Skyra's Mysterious Sky Castle. It's got lots of clever functions, a lot of role-play value (including details to make it "livable" like the lava kitchen and waterfall bath), really beautiful architecture, and a good selection of characters and animals (though I wish it could have also included Farran with an Earth Green cape). The parts selection is fantastic and it's an excellent flagship set for this year's Elves range!
70173 Ultra Agents Ocean HQ is another incredible set in this price range that I'm happy to own, but its extremely limited availability means it's probably not a good fit for a holiday gift guide. And I don't have any particular fondness for its characters or story. Still, between it, 41073 Naida's Epic Adventure Ship, 70413 The Brick Bounty, 70732 City of Stiix, and 70738 Final Flight of Destiny's Bounty, this has been an amazing year for LEGO boats and ships!
The new Destinys Bounty, Blue Power Jet, and Quinjet City Chase were also amazing sets which I love.
^70738 Final Flight of Destiny's Bounty is indeed a great set, but it's a $120/£100 set, so too pricy for this part of the gift guide. 31039 Blue Power Jet was definitely a great set design for this price bracket, though! I don't own it myself, but I'm amazed at its advanced, highly streamlined build!
I didn't have time to compile my $50-$100 picks prior to the deadline, but my choice would have been WALL-E, hands down, and I'm amazed that nobody else chose it.
My runners up are the Blue Power Jet, Ferrari F40, and Ultra Agents Ocean HQ - all great sets.
I'd agree with others that this price range was a REALLY tough call this year - we've been spoiled with the quality of sets.
Hmmm...this is a tough one. I really love the Uktra agents ocean HQ but not great with its limited availability.
My other favourites are ninjago - morro dragon, Titan mech but my favourite is City of Stiix. City if Stiix has a boat, base and some brilliant minifigures.
^ My Ninjago pick in this price bracket would be 70737 Titan Mech Battle; there have been a number of great Ninjago sets this year.
@DrDaveWatford - I think I would have selected WALL•E when it was released but the chaos surrounding the set since then has soured my view towards it.
@DrDaveWatford - I'm surprised nobody else chose WALL*E either!
@Aanchir - agree about Sky Castle (though I don't own it yet) - but for me the extending mechanism of the bus really appealed to the geek in me, so I thought it might in others.
I have The First Orde Transport (looking to add X-Wing and Tie later on) and I will be getting some Jurassic World sets (Indominous Rex Dilophosauris Ambush) and the new Avengers Quinjet from Age of Ultron (has Widow and Vision).
I would have chosen the Mystery Mansion, Doctor Who, Deep Sea Exploration Vessel, Imperial Shuttle Tydirium or the Louvre. Some of these I own, others I'd love to own, if I had the money.
I got the FO TIE at Costco a week of so ago for US $54.99. At that price it's amazing, but at full retail I think the FO Transporter is the better set, so many features and absolutely gorgeous figs.
The Technic Fire Plane is a lovely set too.
The brick bounty and first order transporter are actually out of this price range here.
though I've built none of them (but I own the second one), the most interesting looking to me are Ocean HQ and the Morro Dragon. But unless you're in the US, the ocean HQ should probably be considered to be way above this price range.
^ Apologies, I don't use euros to buy sets. ;)
Just picked up a Pop Star Bus for my daughter (on behalf of her grandparents). It's 20% off this week at Target, along with a bunch of other Friends sets.
I think Wall-e, warts n all, is not only the best set in this bracket, not only the best set of the year but possibly the best set Lego have ever released, certainly the best set I have ever built.