Review: 70419 Wrecked Shrimp Boat
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO has produced many spooky themes which often reprise popular subjects, including sinister laboratories and graveyards. Hidden Side does resemble its predecessors in some respects and seems innovative too. Each set can interact with an augmented-reality app and they incorporate some enjoyable functions.
70419 Wrecked Shrimp Boat therefore appears very interesting, focusing upon a distinctive fishing boat which differs dramatically from any previous spooky models. These minifigures also look superb in official images, hence my considerable anticipation for this 310-piece set.
Minifigures
Almost every Hidden Side set contains Jack Davids and this example features a white hooded jacket with red streaks across the shoulder, matching his design in three other sets. The tassels appear fairly realistic and I love the dual-moulded hood and cap element. Pockets are printed alongside an intricate bone-shaped charm on the legs while the head features smiling and frightened expressions.
Different versions of Parker L. Jackson are available too. This minifigure includes a double-sided head which appears cheerful on one side and frustrated on the other. Furthermore, the torso lacks the bright light blue jacket that appears in numerous sets, instead featuring a black shirt with a great vibrant coral bag! Parker's ripped jeans look marvellous too.
However, my favourite aspect of this minifigure is definitely the unique headgear, comprising lavender hair and a gaudy bright light yellow hat. Both minifigures are equipped with mobile phones during their mission to capture the ghosts which are terrorising Newbury. These printed 1x2 tiles are relatively simple but I think their designs look splendid.
Ghosts feature prominently across the Hidden Side theme but Spencer, Jack's adorable dog, is the only phantom who remains visible without using the app. This dual-moulded element seems suitably ethereal, combining white and trans-clear plastic which looks wonderful. The printed details are quite rudimentary but confer some delightful personality and I like his drooping ears as well.
Two fishermen are included, the first of whom is Captain Jonas. This character features a traditional flame yellowish orange raincoat with tan highlights across the legs. The sand blue jumper underneath looks superb and I like his bushy facial hair. However, the exclusive Sou'wester hat is undoubtedly the highlight of this minifigure and appears quite realistic.
Jonas Jr. lacks that distinctive Sou'wester hat, instead wearing a dark blue knitted cap which seems equally appropriate for gathering shrimp. I like the flame yellowish orange overalls too, although their colour is somewhat inconsistent between the torso and the legs. This terrified facial expression looks good but neither character includes a double-sided head, unfortunately.
However, you can replace Captain Jonas' standard head with a ghoulish alternative! This trans-neon green component features familiar facial hair but looks rather gruesome. Moreover, trans-neon green tentacles attach around the neck, further distinguishing the possessed version of Captain Jonas from his aforementioned human counterpart.
The Completed Model
Alligators have appeared on multiple occasions but this albino creature is unique and looks fantastic. The tan colour scheme works perfectly here and I love its bright red eyes, perhaps revealing that this alligator has been possessed by a spirit. As usual, its upper jaw opens to reveal jagged teeth and the tail can thrash back and forth.
While occupants of the shrimp boat could probably repel this albino alligator, Jack and Parker appear vulnerable aboard their kayak! This component includes some wonderful moulded detail and has only appeared in yellow once before, in 60240 Kayak Adventure. There is just enough space to place Jack, Parker and Spencer on the exposed studs and an oar is provided to direct the kayak.
Rocks also endanger seafarers around Newbury. This structure looks reasonably simple but features some realistic foliage and I am particularly delighted with the dark brown roots suspended underneath. Unfortunately, the model lacks any surrounding water. Some dark blue plates or curved slopes around the edge would therefore have been useful in my opinion.
Further danger is found within the rocks as opening the central section reveals an intimidating visage! The spring yellowish green teeth look brilliant and I love the printed eyes which are intricately detailed. Ideally, the space underneath would have been concealed but this remains an enjoyable function and demonstrates that ghosts can even possess inanimate objects.
Technic axles are situated at either end of the rocks, providing attachment points for the shrimp boat. Connecting its two halves creates an interesting display, although their elevated position seems quite odd. Presumably the tide has abated since this shipwreck occurred, hence the vessel is now perched precariously on top of the rocks. In actuality, both halves feel absolutely secure.
Fishing boats have appeared in previous LEGO sets, although they generally resemble pleasure craft rather than industrial vessels. This example is accordingly appealing and could certainly be integrated with the City range without any modifications. Nevertheless, its ramshackle design seems appropriate for Hidden Side and the model measures 18cm in length so there is plenty of space for minifigures on board.
Consistent colour schemes are integral to constructing an attractive model so this combination of dark blue, reddish brown, white and sand green seems quite muddled. The result looks magnificent though and stickers are used to provide additional detail. These are printed on a transparent sheet so there is little risk of the stickers deteriorating over time, although dust sometimes gets caught underneath.
Even so, the cracked window stickers look marvellous and I like the life rings located beside the cabin. Textured 1x2 bricks are also employed to excellent effect here. Furthermore, the vessel includes black rings which represent fenders along each side and its light bluish grey railings look perfect. However, I think my favourite detail is probably the antiquated lantern hanging askew above the windows.
The internal space is extremely limited, containing some control panels and a steering wheel. It looks nice though and the sand green roof presents an attractive contrast with the remainder of the cabin. A small mast, housing communication and navigation equipment, is placed on its roof alongside another sticker which features an apt shrimp motif.
Technic pins connect the two halves of the boat, ensuring that they remain sturdy when joined but can be separated easily. This function is intended primarily for displaying the vessel on the rocks, although you could position the forward section with its bow pointing upwards, as though the aft has descended beneath the waves!
App integration is important to the Hidden Side range, hence each model includes a colour wheel. This example has been integrated beautifully, forming part of the engine. Turning the wheel reveals medium azure, yellow, dark blue and vibrant coral 2x2 curved bricks which will trigger certain actions in the app. The colourful pieces shown here certainly stand out but the dark blue brick appears consistent with its surroundings.
Overall
70419 Wrecked Shrimp Boat attracted significant attention when the Hidden Side range was unveiled and this set does not disappoint. The minifigure selection is exceptional and I think the shrimping craft looks tremendous, striking an ideal balance between realism and fantasy. I am especially pleased with the concealed colour wheel and look forward to exploring its interaction with the app.
The haunted rocks are less appealing from my perspective, although their integration with the boat is enjoyable. Moreover, including an alligator and a kayak further improves the play experience and this set costs £24.99 or $29.99 which represents good value in my opinion. For that reason, I would have no hesitation in recommending 70419 Wrecked Shrimp Boat.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments.
133 likes
39 comments on this article
Awesome review!! I was so close to ordering this earlier today, but then I changed my mind and ordered something else instead :P
Guess I’ll have to pick this one up soon!!
Sweet
Looking forward to picking this and some of the other sets up tomorrow! The swampy, gloomy aesthetic really appeals to me.
Thx for the review, bought it right after reading it :)
Nice minifigure, but I would say that overall spooky factor is rather low...
My most wanted Hidden Side set because it can be put into my Lego City easily and doesn't cost too much!!!!
It's the white alligator from Annihilation.
Six unique characters for $30 is pretty good!
this goes so well along with the ideas old fishing store ... considering to buy at least two for a little fishing fleet.
Finally a new action theme! I don't care too much about the app, but think that this set (and some others from the series) have a great story to tell, look playable and integrate very well into a City layout.
I'm SO looking forward to this set!
Most albino animals have red eyes, since there's nothing coloured in the eye to hide the blood vessels. It doesn't mean every white rabbit is posessed! (Although alligators, with their thick cornea, and narrow slitted pupil, have it less distinct than most creatures).
But yes, it could just be a zombie croc...
This is definitely the first Hidden Side set I’m getting. Thanks for a great review.
This and the Shrimp Shack are gonna go well in non-Hidden Side-form as an accompaniment to my modular Old Fishing Store (which has already been modded into a combo fishing store and seafood market).
The boat's very lovely. And, I presume, would be a welcomed addition for many people.
I said it before and say it again: I don't like that pair of main characters appear so frequently and that they have the same attire in most sets (like, give them a life vest or something). I would trade one of them for skeleton / ghost / hell, even a possessed tree any day of the week.
I just don't like getting doubles.
These two main characters are repetitive, but when has that stopped the armies of Timmy, Luke Skywalker, and Harry Potter.
Great set! Thanks for the review! As others have said, I will be getting this to go with my Old Fishing Store.
Oh, does anyone know what the Hidden Side app even does? I'm not sure I have the right idea. :)
Thanks for the review and this will ceartianally form part of my City but after September.
Worth it for the dog & the crocodile
(Did they do Zero along with Jack & Sally? If not, this is a decent stand in)
I'm really sad app is just a stupid shooter. I expected it to be filled with some mysteries that are coded in colorfull bricks.
Sets are decend, this one being one of best! LOVE new capitain!
Guys... I believe that’s actually a crocodile.
Is Parker's hat Spring Yellowish Green? I had assumed from all the pictures that it was Cool Yellow. If it's Spring Yellowish Green then it would match the ghostly eyes and teeth in this set.
@quincy: The setting seems a bit too American for a crocodile (which are very rare in the continental U.S.). An alligator would seem to better suit the "deep south" setting implied by the shrimp boat, diner, and architecture of the high school (along with J.B.'s accent in the animation teaser we got from Comic-Con).
Forget everything, it has albino alligator!
It is a really awesome set to have
Very nice set, like the other from the theme.
The alligator totally reminds me of the mutant one from the movie Annihilation.
Just picked this one up today. It's great!
I ordered this today when Amazon offered it for 19.99 Euro which is tremendous value.
Also love the fact that I don't have to use the Hidden Side features and still have a great set. The figures are awesome even as simple City inhabitants. And the set also goes nicely with my swamp police sets from a couple years back as well as the Old Fishing Store. Will certainly add the shrimp shack too at some point.
And if I want the spooky version after all I can use it in conjunction with my Haunted House.
Great set all around.
This was my planned Hidden Side purchase, but sadly my phone isn't compatible with the app, so I can't get any of them.
A shrimp piece would've been a nice addition. Could go well with the lobster
@quincy, I think this is one those generic reptiles that could represent either Alligator or Crocodile if you wanted. The distinction between the two would be too hard to capture in LEGO form anyways.
@Lyichir: Crocodiles would definitely be less typical, than alligators in the Deep South, but their range in the Caribbean basin DOES extend to South Florida. However, much like the Swamp Police sets which had a similar Gulf Coast vibe, the official description for this set calls this one an alligator.
Since these molds debuted pretty much simultaneously in both Pirates sets (which used them as crocodiles) and City Swamp Police sets (which used them as alligators), I suspect that when LEGO was creating this mold they intended it to work for both species. It's probably an understandable decision considering how subtle the shape differences between the two species would be when so heavily simplified AND scaled down to this degree: https://d1zqayhc1yz6oo.cloudfront.net/thumbs/thumb-37d3ee0facea87fb89370a7f46535625.jpg
Engine seems a bit big to me. I know it is holding the colour wheel but still.
The Shrimp Boat is probably my favourite out of the line (apart from the train) and I think it looks lovely, ghosts or no ghosts. As said, Lego boats are usually container ships, fire and police boats, or pleasure vessels, so an actual commercial fishing boat is a nice variation. Plus, the fact that Newbury seems to be in a state of decay and everything seems old, broken down or ramshackle really adds to the visual appeal of all these sets. It gives them personality, which is something most Lego City sets haven't had in a long time.
It's about $50, here in Australia, so far, which is one down-side. But it'll get cheaper as Christmas gets closer.
Like that the sand green matches the sand green of the Ideas Old Fishing Store.
I love this set so much and will recommend it to everyone! The mini Figures and the shrimp boat are just awesome. And yea good value too! Check out my full walk through of this set too https://youtu.be/vPUrKYBoNck
I am a bit disappointed, that the ghost features aren't actually glow in the dark. Otherwise the boat and the bit of landscape look nice, although I could have lived without that ugly colorwheel on the ship.
I want the ghost dog, but don't have a smart phone, so most of the appeal of these sets is lost on me. I ordered the lab set because it was the cheapest to get the dog.
Shrimp! Heaven! Now!
Word of warning - the set makes little sense without the app (the wheel on the boat looks pointless), but the app is only compatible with Android 7+. Which makes more than 50% of all Android devices in the wild unusable. It is not available in the Amazon app store either, no matter what generation your device is and cannot be sideloaded. The box does not state compatibility but just says "check for device compatibility on lego.com". To be honest, this probably kill the fun for many, many kids. At 40% off, the set is ok for parts, though.