Random set of the day: Shark's Crystal Cave
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 6190 Shark's Crystal Cave, released in 1996. It's one of 7 Aquazone sets produced that year. It contains 258 pieces and 2 minifigs, and its retail price was US$50.
It's owned by 1548 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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11 comments on this article
Ah, how I longed for this back in the day! I bought it from someone selling Lego sets out of the trunk of their car in the early 2000s, and while I adored the baseplate and design of the "Aquashark Mothership", I couldn't help but feel it was a step backwards for the Aquazone theme after its amazing introduction in 1995. The Aquasharks in that year got the short stick when it came to sets, so it seemed only fair they would get a more even-handed shake in 1996. This they did, but instead of a proper base like Neptune Discovery Lab, it was just a landing platform with a makeshift jail cell. Still, the building experience of the giant submarine was great, and alongside the Deep Sea Predator, it really felt like the Aquasharks were a credible threat to the Aquanauts. Alas, it was not to last, as the Aquaraiders took over in 1997 (who had no base at all). Nevertheless, as an Aquazone fan, Shark's Crystal Cave is a beloved part of my collection.
I had the pleasure of putting this together a couple of years ago and it was a great set, especially with that cool baseplate.
I bought this via eBay for parts to use in space MOCs and promptly recreated a classic space and a blacktron II Cockpit in Ice Planet style (last theme before my dark ages). I still have not figured out what to do with the baseplate (in a space setting) and found many other of the set's parts sitting together unused when sorting just yesterday.
Funny how people complain about how expensive Lego sets are these days. This set was 19.4 cents per piece... But it is a totally awesome set, and completely worth it, especially with that baseplate. I was lucky enough to win this in an auction online at shopgoodwill.com for a fraction of the original price.
Loved this set and this era. As an aside, something about those backdrops were so effective that they made me believe in the worlds presented in the magazine.
Ah, I was wondering when we'd get to original Aquazone.
I loved Aquazone. Absolutely loved it. Particularly that first series with the Nauts/Sharks conflict. This was about the only one of those sets that I never did buy, I much preferred the two smaller Aquashark subs (but if I had a paycheque today that I didn't have when I was 12), I probably would've bought this one for completion sake.
I remember I was so glad that Lego finally released a theme with genuine villain antagonists. The Aquashark with the beard and claw (a classic undersea pirate if ever there was one, one of the second year Aquashark figures) immediately was added to my Lego rogue's gallery for my heroes to deal with.
I loved this set so much I had to get 2!
I always wanted this set when I was younger but I ended getting the smaller one !!
Always admired this one; I find myself looking at it often and wish I'd bought it back in the day! And as someone said above, those parts are very versatile for space use too.
The shark is a fun playset with lots of hidden compartments and opening hatches that are not readily apparent from the pictures alone. I finally got a copy of this a couple of years ago and my daughter absolutely loves it for the neat trans-neon-orange pieces and, of course, because it's a giant shark!
Bought the entire Aquanauts line up in college while I worked at a toy and hobby shop. These were gems.
Recently rebuilt them with my kids, and they're just as cool now!