Review: 70433 J.B.'s Submarine
Posted by CapnRex101,
70433 J.B.'s Submarine expands the remarkable breadth of Hidden Side, exploring haunted ruins underwater. This environment offers substantial potential for appealing supernatural encounters and unusual vehicles, although this submersible seems relatively modest.
Nevertheless, previous vehicles from the Hidden Side theme have proven enjoyable and the accompanying scenery looks interesting, sharing visual similarities with 70427 Welcome to the Hidden Side. Additionally, I am quite intrigued by the brand new Statue of Evil minifigure which broadens the collection of ghoulish villains.
Minifigures
An exclusive Parker L. Jackson minifigure appears here, featuring diving attire. Past versions of the character have been relatively consistent so I welcome this change, especially since the colour combination of black and teal looks superb. The dark blue harness seems attractive too and incorporates two little pins which are hidden beneath Parker's hair, corresponding with her previous minifigures.
Vaughn Geist supports the Ghost Hunters in their mission, despite residing in the Hidden Side himself. His medium nougat jacket appears accordingly outdated, befitting a nineteenth century gentleman and including wonderful detail. Printing continues onto the legs and head, where the trans-purple colour confirms Vaughn's ghoulish status. While the minifigure looks splendid in its present form, I think this would have been a good opportunity for the traditional diving helmet to return.
Unusually, the pearl dark grey crossbow that typically accompanies Vaughn is omitted here but Parker carries her vibrant coral mobile phone. This element has been updated for the summer 2020 range so displays yellow and blue ghosts, replacing the lone yellow phantom which has appeared on the screen previously. Hopefully additional designs will be produced in the future.
Ghosts from the Hidden Side frequently possess buildings so inhabiting a statue seems quite logical. The menacing Statue of Evil is accordingly included, displaying an emotionless facial expression. Turning the head reveals a more frightening face, with a green substance frothing around the mouth and eyes! The torso seems equally detailed and these cracked designs are present on both sides.
The dress element is attached in reverse which looks somewhat strange, especially given the sharp contrast between the detailed torso and the undecorated dress. However, reversing this piece creates an interesting effect when the statue is attached to its base, as though the figure has become completely integrated with this sunken environment.
The Completed Model
Hidden Side models which are focused upon locations are relatively consistent in their design, often featuring several angled sections. This aquatic environment conforms to that convention and closely resembles 70427 Welcome to the Hidden Side because they share similar colours. The black tree and medium azure foliage appears particularly familiar and these 3x4 leaves are only available here in this colour.
Colour wheels appear in almost every Hidden Side set and these are required for scanning in the app. Unfortunately, they cannot always be integrated with the model so adding an external device is a good solution instead. Stickers are applied beside the colour wheel, featuring some mechanical details, while the wheel can be rotated using the handle on top.
Another panel for scanning is found at the base of the neighbouring tree. This folding panel is disguised relatively well and I like the medium azure seaweed on its exterior, although the tree looks incredibly basic. Introducing some additional texture and foliage would certainly enhance this structure and I would suggest replacing the teal 1x2 curved slope as well.
The aforementioned Statue of Evil stands at the centre of this model, behind a 2x2 plate with two studs. Once again, this is necessary for interaction with the Hidden Side app. Several dark tan plates comprise the base and I appreciate their consistency across the set, although another teal 1x2 curved slope appears beside the central platform and seems out of place.
Pushing a switch behind the statue reveals my favourite function in this set. The leaves move aside and are replaced with several creepy eyes and tentacles! A similar mechanism appears with 70425 Newbury Haunted High School and works perfectly as retracting the switch on the reverse will also cause the eyes to disappear. Ideally, these tiles would have been printed but the stickers are easy to apply.
Viewing the model from behind reveals numerous colourful pieces and limited detail which is disappointing. However, the Technic support for Professor J.B.'s submarine is very useful and blends with the ruined stonework at the base, with the exception of some medium azure plates. Even so, the attachment point for the submersible has been fitted neatly.
However, removing the submarine reveals an unsightly Technic axle. This element is available in black and that colour would have been more appropriate here, matching the seaweed. The surrounding light bluish grey and dark bluish grey pieces are intended to represent ruins and this design is somewhat effective, although relying upon a sticker to conceal another panel for scanning is inadequate in my opinion.
Professor J.B.'s submarine is surprisingly small, measuring 8cm in length. Its simplistic design and chubby proportions seem charming in some respects, although this does not match other vehicles across the Hidden Side theme. The purple, black and flame yellowish orange colour scheme also appears unusual but certainly stands out and the dark azure details are consistent with other sets.
The canopy is decorated with graffiti, including a smiling face. These designs look absurd but seem appropriate for the submarine and I like the uneven paint splatters. Opening the canopy reveals space for one minifigure inside, seated between two control panels. Stickers adorn the panels, displaying information about the status of the submarine's technical systems.
Additional stickers are applied on either side of the dorsal fin, displaying further graffiti which identifies the vehicle as belonging to Professor J.B. Dark azure lighting pods are fixed on the hull and reflect J.B.'s favoured colour. This vessel lacks other equipment for capturing ghosts though and the robotic arms look ridiculously stubby in my opinion.
Trans-clear windows allow the pilot to view the propeller housing which is an unusual design feature and I like the rotating propeller too. Furthermore, two new pieces are attached behind the lights. These 2x2 curved slopes with diagonal cutouts match the existing 1x2 curved slope with diagonal cutout. The original component would have been equally effective here but I can envisage situations where the new part would be useful.
An exclusive sand blue shark completes this set. Unfortunately, the wildlife has also suffered within this haunted environment, hence the shark features a green substance around its eyes and therefore corresponds with the Statue of Evil. The moulded fins look lovely and the mouth opens but cannot swallow a minifigure whole, unlike the larger LEGO shark.
Overall
Hidden Side has yielded an outstanding selection of unusual buildings and vehicles but 70433 J.B.'s Submarine is among the weaker examples. The minifigure selection is good and I like certain aspects of the underwater scenery, although I believe there was potential for more detail and this environment provides little evidence of its location underwater.
The submarine is equally disappointing, particularly when compared with the other interesting vehicles that have been created by Professor J.B. The bright colour scheme is quite attractive, although the functionality could undoubtedly have been improved. I think a bigger submersible would have been preferable, maintaining the same price of £17.99 or $19.99 but excluding the superfluous scenery.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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37 comments on this article
This set is decent. The small sub looks amazing and has great details for such a small vehicle. But the underwater environment is a little underwhelming. The "transformation" is much less impressive than many such features in the theme, and there are relatively few features other than the presence of the sub and shark that truly sell the concept that this is an undersea setting. It might have been more impressive if there had been more coral or seaweed, or the ruins of a sunken ship. But I suppose that might have pushed the limit of this set's low price point.
If I was going to buy this set, then I think that I would buy two, so I have the same pieces again to complete the underwater foliage. That being said, I won't get it.
I think that LEGO should have released this set in 2 parts. The first should have had the foliage and and all that jazz in the sea, with Jack and the Professor, in diving suits, against the statue and the shark. The second part should have had an enlarged submarine with a shark, Vaughn and Parker L. Jackson. The sub could have easily had enough space for a back drop-off diving area and a large cockpit. The sets could've been £15 each and that would've been perfect.
The canopy piece would fit perfectly on a mech.
I'm sure I'll get this at some point. The submarine is fun, the minifigures are a must for me (especially Vaughn Geist) and the pieces from the little foliage build look like things I'd have use for.
Why would the ghost need a diving helmet? He’s not exactly going to die by drowning, is he? :-)
Cool multiple theme overlap. Almost as if they planned it.
@GeordiePaul said:
"Why would the ghost need a diving helmet? He’s not exactly going to die by drowning, is he? :-)"
By Ninjago Logic, yes.
Strange name choice for the set, that doesn't include the JB character.
'Statue of Evil'.... Totally not a Weeping Angel rip off.
Have to say this review leaves me disappointed too, I was expecting this to be a better built set, but so much of the build is rather pointless features that take up the parts count for what could have been better detailing elsewhere. The sliding mechanism adds very little play value for instance in my mind, and the colour wheel could have been better built in as some kind of ruin.
I felt 1st wave of the theme was great - with school, shrimp shack and fishing boat - good enough for an AFOL city/modification to modular/fit in high quality sets like ninjago city/docks and old fishing store etc but sadly subsequent themes have got weaker and weaker...
Anyone else wish JB was the one in the submarine? I mean, it’s her submarine, and I wouldn’t be comfortable with sending a random kid deep underwater with demonic sharks and such trying to kill them.
I know this set has received a lot of hate since the initial leak. But I personally have always found it charming.
The reference to the dab sticker is cursed XD
I’ve got this one on order. Hope it’ll be good when it arrives
It's interesting that JB is on a submarine considering that she fears water as she can't swim. A neat set but doesn't represent an underwater location at first glance.
"insert dabbing reference"
I think it's an okay set for the price. I'm interested in it mostly for the scenery as I may use it to expand the graveyard. Actually it might be cheaper just to buy the parts I want. The Sub is cute but not a must have.
The sub’s small size actually makes some sense from a plot standpoint. The ghost hunters’ other vehicles have all been modified from existing ones: a school bus, a lifted truck, a propeller plane, etc. Submersibles aren’t exactly in general use, so J.B. probably had to build it from scratch.
I would have really preferred a normal shark in a new color, rather than it having that green gunk around its eyes. Otherwise, cute little set.
Very weak set imho. Weak scenery and weak submarine. Doesn’t feel underwaterish at all.
@SearchlightRG said:
"The sub’s small size actually makes some sense from a plot standpoint. The ghost hunters’ other vehicles have all been modified from existing ones: a school bus, a lifted truck, a propeller plane, etc. Submersibles aren’t exactly in general use, so J.B. probably had to build it from scratch."
I like this interpretation of it. Plus all the crazy decorations on the side likely were added with the help of the kids, explaining the more crazy things on it! Now JB is reminding me of Mrs. Frizzle as the Kinda crazy but well meaning science teacher.
@Snazzy_Bricks said:
"The canopy says: "What' Sub?""
Kinda shows you that someone on the Lego team is out of touch since I'm assuming its meant to be a 'wassup' / Whats Up' reference or joke... and that stopped being funny over a decade ago.
@Brick_Bricky_McBrickface said: "...but sadly subsequent themes have got weaker and weaker..."
I tend to agree. The first line was great (the train was so cool. Even the graveyard was nifty) but the second line was more miss than hit (what the heck even was the "welcome to the Hidden Side" set? And the subway was just a pile of random grey bricks, it was horrible). I think the third line has been a slight step up ... but we're still not yet back in positive terrible.
All I want is the new Parker fig
Sub looks like it was made from the spare parts bin on the factory floor. Where’s the rest of it?
Are the graphics on the clear dome printed or stickers? If they're printed, I'd totally buy this because the sub would fit nicely in my anime/Ninjago themed city.
@GrizBe said:
"Kinda shows you that someone on the Lego team is out of touch since I'm assuming its meant to be a 'wassup' / Whats Up' reference or joke... and that stopped being funny over a decade ago."
It's funny you say that, because Budweiser resurrected "Wassup!" for a quarantine lockdown advert.
In a world with such a prolific output of needless advertising, I'm not ashamed to admit that that one made me laugh out loud at the nostalgia (which maybe says something about me...)
If this set's "What'sub?" is indeed a reference to that, more power to the kids of Newbury.
@Zordboy said:
" @Brick_Bricky_McBrickface said: "...but sadly subsequent themes have got weaker and weaker..."
I tend to agree. The first line was great (the train was so cool. Even the graveyard was nifty) but the second line was more miss than hit (what the heck even was the "welcome to the Hidden Side" set? And the subway was just a pile of random grey bricks, it was horrible). I think the third line has been a slight step up ... but we're still not yet back in positive terrible. "
Welcome to the Hidden Side depicts a scene in the Hidden Side, the realm where the ghosts “live”.
@brick_mason said:
"Are the graphics on the clear dome printed or stickers? If they're printed, I'd totally buy this because the sub would fit nicely in my anime/Ninjago themed city."
They are printed. The dome is currently available to purchase from bricks and pieces.
This is a dreadful set. Hidden Side in general has severely declined in quality with every wave.
From reading here the comments, and I bet including the review itself, have failed to consider that the set is essentially just a 19.99€ set. With discount I could get it for 16€ or less.
Should we really set the bar above what the price and piece count the set is supposed to do? I feel that the set is doing great, and way above what it should do: with a large printed dome piece (which is not emphasized in the review), with good play value both physical and online through mobile app, with four figures included... Haha I don't think there can be more to ask?
When there are stickers, we complain, when there is a nice printed piece here done within a good price range, we complain too. Well. :) I will be 20 times more critical to a set like Lamborghini Sian compared to this one. To make the perspective clear.
I want the printed canopy for the use to build something similar to the spider verse mech
@audiobean said:
"From reading here the comments, and I bet including the review itself, have failed to consider that the set is essentially just a 19.99€ set. With discount I could get it for 16€ or less.
Should we really set the bar above what the price and piece count the set is supposed to do? I feel that the set is doing great, and way above what it should do: with a large printed dome piece (which is not emphasized in the review), with good play value both physical and online through mobile app, with four figures included... Haha I don't think there can be more to ask?
When there are stickers, we complain, when there is a nice printed piece here done within a good price range, we complain too. Well. :) I will be 20 times more critical to a set like Lamborghini Sian compared to this one. To make the perspective clear."
I definitely took that into consideration in my comment. While I still think the underwater scenery is slightly underwhelming, that's understandable if you compare it to the beach buggy from earlier this year—same size set but the vehicle made up the vast majority of the set apart from the figures and a tiny gas pump build. Here the sub is a little smaller but the rest of the scenery is a lot more sub-stantial (get it?)
In spite all vitriol, scepticism and hate - it is small and funny little set.
And I do not think Hidden Side becomes weaker and weaker. Quite the contrary!
Smiling canopu of submarine will be perfect for space MOCs.
@Lyichir, yup I got what you mean and that is valid too.
Quite likely, my point of view is more bias towards the overall full potentials of Hidden Side due to the fact that it is meant to be played not only physically but also interactively via app. Thus I do not see the negative point having a slightly bigger 'sea environment setting' here. On the contrary I believe that the setting is mandatory due to the need to play it with app and shooting the ghosts.
If I see it from the point of view of a Creator or City set then maybe the perception can be different. In general, the design and the 'kids friendly spookiness' IMHO hit it at the right spot here.
The green gem, yellow torch and red staff from the submarine, fire truck and prison sets respectively all appear in the big castle set
@Wookiesmasher said:
" @GeordiePaul said:
"Why would the ghost need a diving helmet? He’s not exactly going to die by drowning, is he? :-)"
By Ninjago Logic, yes."
LMAO, true
@m0nk3ym4n said:
"The green gem, yellow torch and red staff from the submarine, fire truck and prison sets respectively all appear in the big castle set"
Are they soul artifacts?