Review: 70428 Jack's Beach Buggy
Posted by CapnRex101,
Several distinctive vehicles have been deployed against malignant ghosts from the Hidden Side, varying dramatically in scale and design. 70428 Jack's Beach Buggy looks outstanding in official images, due primarily to its notable suspension mechanism for uneven terrain.
Furthermore, its proportions appear somewhat unusual because of the elevated chassis and enormous tyres. That seems effective though and I like the dark azure weaponry which matches other Hidden Side vehicles. The set also contains another new minifigure which can become an intimidating ghost with two heads!
Minifigures
Updated versions of our primary heroes have been introduced during 2020. Jack Davids has now removed his hood, revealing dark brown hair and the red baseball cap which appeared previously. I appreciate such consistency with the earlier minifigure while the torso and legs also return, featuring appropriate detail. However, the double-sided head is new and includes two expressive faces.
Parker L. Jackson incorporates another new hair component. Her lavender hair seems remarkably striking and I love the dual-moulded teal headphones. This head is new as well, exhibiting a cheerful expression on one side while the other appears disgusted. The freckles remain the same though and Parker's black shirt and torn jeans return from the 2019 Hidden Side range too.
As usual, both characters are equipped with their printed mobile phones. Jack carries a black phone which displays a blue phantom through the Hidden Side app while Parker's phone is vibrant coral and shows a yellow ghost. These accessories are highly detailed but a minor update to their designs would have been appreciated, revealing different ghosts.
While the aforementioned heroes are available with several Hidden Side sets, civilian characters are generally exclusive to their respective set. Scott Francis adheres to that pleasing trend and works in Newbury as a mechanic. Several of his constituent parts are unique, including this double-sided head which features realistic stubble beside bushy eyebrows.
However, the most appealing elements are undoubtedly the new welding mask and torso. This mask can flip upwards so improves upon the earlier component and the printed decoration looks wonderful, appearing rather menacing! The sand blue overalls might also prove popular, featuring an old version of the Octan logo that matches 10264 Corner Garage. I like the piston patch on his back as well.
Unfortunately, residents of Newbury sometimes fall victim to ghostly possession and Scott exhibits a particularly extraordinary example of this phenomenon. A trans-neon green part provides attachment points for two ghoulish heads, presumably since two ghosts are inhabiting one minifigure! Both heads are available elsewhere but the neck component is exclusive and looks absolutely magnificent. In fact, this is my favourite Hidden Side ghost so far.
The Completed Model
Scott is suitably accompanied by a simple petrol pump. This structure looks relatively bland but does incorporate some superb elements, including a printed keypad and an Octan tile which was designed for 10264 Corner Garage but looks marvellous here. The flexible hose works perfectly too, although a little more texture would have improved the actual pump.
Dune buggies are reasonably common across the entire range of LEGO products but this example appears unusual. Its considerable elevation deviates from other models and ensures that the buggy feels quite substantial, despite only measuring 11cm in length. Moreover, the travel in its suspension seems remarkably extensive and I think the blue bodywork looks excellent.
Round headlights are situated on either side of a black bullbar, creating a powerful aesthetic which looks splendid. The curved wheel arches are effective too and I love the contrasting flame yellowish orange bonnet, suggesting that Jack's buggy has already experienced action and that sections have been replaced. A tiny ghost sticker is applied here and this is certainly a fun detail.
While the exterior is predominantly blue, the internal upholstery is dark orange. This disparity seems exceptionally effective and there is adequate space for two minifigures, one of whom may control the steering wheel. The sticker beside the driver displays four decals, including the Squids' symbol which previously appeared in 70425 Newbury Haunted High School and represents their basketball team.
Jack's beach buggy is heavily armed, most notably above the roll cage where a rotating cannon is positioned. This features some great stickers and a black 1x1 clip which is presumably required for attaching a mobile phone, allowing the gunner who stands behind the roll cage to view targets. The secondary weapon also features trans-purple pieces and can be lowered to reveal a scanning point underneath. I like how the colour wheel has been integrated too, although its friction is limited so the wheel can be turned accidentally.
The colour wheel and weaponry are entertaining but the most important function is undoubtedly the suspension. This mechanism is enabled by two rubber bands which connect arms where the wheels are mounted. I would rather these bands had been concealed but the resultant motion is tremendous because each wheel is completely independent and the design feels extremely bouncy.
Overall
I have been impressed with previous vehicles from the Hidden Side theme and 70428 Jack's Beach Buggy is a pleasing addition to the range. Its superb suspension is my favourite aspect of this model and offers exceptional play value. The ability to seat two minifigures inside and stand another behind the roof-mounted cannon is also very welcome, especially in such a small vehicle.
That modest scale might disappoint some people but I appreciate its compact design and distinctive proportions. An impressive selection of minifigures is also provided and I believe Scott Francis might attract particular interest. Furthermore, the price of £17.99 or $19.99 seems reasonable to me, taking the play value and detail of this beach buggy into consideration rather than focusing exclusively upon its size.
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 below.
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19 comments on this article
The grey/blue/black exterior and brown seating reminds me of the 3-in-1 set 31075-1: Outback Adventures from 2018.
I like those versions of Jack/Parker a lot better then Season 1.
Scott has a nice torso and welding mask as well and the pump is small but useful.
Yes please to the figs, printed 2x2 round tile and the stickers(!) but the build/car is an easy pass.
I have decided Hidden Side is quickly becoming one of my favorite new action themes. I only have 1 set (the gift with purchase Juice Bar) but the more I see of the theme the more I like it.
But, it was also one of the only themes not to be completely sold out after Christmas in my local stores. A lot of Hidden Side sets still sitting on shelves. I blame that completely on the atrocity that is the box art of this theme. Brilliant sets, terrible boxart.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
" Brilliant sets, terrible boxart. "
Yeah, you really can tell what the heck is going on in the sets, the box art looks more a comic book, and doesn't convey the app or the set at all.
This mechanic will fit nicely with the Corner Garage it seems, the pump looks like a gteat expansion for those fans.
Love that mechanic Scott Francis figure
Yeah, this one got a lot of hate when the official images were released. While it's not my favorite set in the theme, it's a tonne of fun to just pick up and fidget with. The figures are also fantastic. With its low price point, it was a decidedly strong entry into the theme after all. You forgot to point out the extra stickers included so that kids can customize the vehicle as they wish. I thought that was a neat little extra.
From what little I have heard, Hidden Side is doing doing okay in the American Pacific Northwest where I live. They are no Harry Potter, City, or Star Wars, but the sets seem to be selling, albeit much more slowly.
Certainly it felt like an odd decision to release this new wave in January, and not closer to October.
Funny, i just bought this set about one hour ago and finished building it just now, and when I take up my phone to add it to my Brickset collection I end up on the review ... what a coincidence ahah :')
Otherwise I can only entirely agree on the review, it perfectly sums up my mind ! The main real drawback of this set to me is the true lack of friction of the wheel which keeps randomly spinning
Then again, a nice addition to a really attractive theme !
This is going to be the only Hidden Side set I pick up this wave
Cool, a This Old Tony minifig.
LEGO sure loves suspension on vehicles, lately! Though, I personally would love to see this rolled down a ramp, and off a jump! It seems like it would take a small one...
Great to see yet another vehicle that fits two minifigs side by side, this just six studs wide. :)
A welder. Comes with a oil pump.
Why not welding equipment?
^Hey! What’s with all the stereotyping and tradesism? Welders can do a lot more than just weld, you know!
@xboxtravis7992 said:
But, it was also one of the only themes not to be completely sold out after Christmas in my local stores. A lot of Hidden Side sets still sitting on shelves. I blame that completely on the atrocity that is the box art of this theme. Brilliant sets, terrible boxart. "
Same here in Belgium. I agree: the box art doesn't do the sets justice. The sets are really fun to build with the kids with interesting parts and features. I was not impressed with this new wave, but this buggy seems interesting. At first, I was not all impressed by the new Newbury Subway (70430). Only when I saw it displayed in the lego store, did I realise how fun and well done it is.
Personally I'm a huge fan of the boxart, as somebody who has long loved more artistic depictions of Lego sets. It is a shame if it's impacting sets' sales, though... it's entirely possible that most buyers feel differently than I myself do.
That said, I do think there's a pretty significant chance that older sets not selling out completely won't impact this theme as dramatically as it would others. The fact that there'll still be game content tied to the physical sets could hopefully keep demand for older sets slightly more steady than it would in the case of other themes. I know that personally there are quite a few of the wave one sets that I still have to pick up, yet I have yet to see many substantial discounts—perhaps because online retailers are counting on the chance for newcomers to the theme going back to pick up some of the earlier sets they missed.
As for this set, it's quite nice, especially for being on the smaller end of the regular retail sets. I like the bold color scheme and it manages to pack in a good array of features, both for in the app as well as physical play. And even though there's only one exclusive fig, the inclusion of a new two-headed component for his possessed form goes a long way toward making them distinctive.
I appreciate the updates for the minifigs of Parker and Jack. But what I would absolutely prefer, were more and different main characters:
I own seven sets of this theme and am sitting here with six Jacks and six Parkers - that sucks! Why is this necessary? I understand this phenomenon with licensed themes like Indiana Jones or Batman. But in this case, with Lego's own theme?
I want more and different characters, not always Jack and Parker! :)
As others have said, brilliant potential, horrible box art. And marketing in general. They could be turning this into another Ninjago if they stop staring at their phones.
To be fair, artistically speaking, the art is great- but it isn't good marketting. But if they were to sell prints of a lot of this art at decent prices, or better, cheap posters, I'd buy them, just like I would if the same artists were let loose on Ninjago.
The truck is underwhelming, but... BUT, this isn't Speed Champions, which aren't very compatible with minifigs. I think it could be done a little less exaggerated, but most every vehicle in LEGO is too big. Which makes sense- Newbury is probably two hours or so along the coast from Lego City, so of course they have the same auto makers. :P I am surprised Jack has a rig and Parker doesn't, I thought she was older. (I'm holding out for her to get a motorcycle or something.)
The two headed ghost piece is AMAZING. Not sure it is $20 amazing, though, and I'm not sure I dig the rest of it enough for that. And that has been the problem with a lot of of the sets. With a limited toy budget and display space, I've had to pass on the first run and am waiting for it to go to clearance if no other reason than I like the ghost dog. Who apparently isn't in all (any?) of the sets for year two. Which is sad.