Review: 70435 Newbury Abandoned Prison
Posted by CapnRex101,
Transforming buildings are an excellent feature of Hidden Side and 70435 Newbury Abandoned Prison continues that popular range. The model seems reasonably detailed and includes various innovative functions, focusing particularly upon the monstrous transformation!
However, the interior is almost entirely omitted from official images, causing concern about the potential depth of this model. The external design appears impressive though and this transformation is remarkably extensive, almost matching 70425 Newbury Haunted High School as the vacant building becomes possessed.
Minifigures
Several variants of Jack Davids are available and I think this is my favourite example. The detailed baseball cap and dark brown hair looks superb and the folded hood is effective too, matching other versions of the character. Additionally, I like the white jacket with red streaks much better than Jack's bright red jacket, although both designs are nicely detailed.
El Fuego remained in the Hidden Side for too long and was accordingly transformed into a skeleton, unfortunately! Nevertheless, he seems to remain cheerful, featuring an interesting smiling expression and his typical plaster. The printed helmet also remains unchanged from 70421 El Fuego's Stunt Truck and El Fuego sports a fabric cape, befitting this courageous stuntman.
No accessories are provided for El Fuego but Jack carries his mobile phone, as usual. This component has been updated for the new wave of Hidden Side sets, now displaying a yellow ghost instead of the pale blue phantom which appeared previously. Further variation would be welcome in the future.
Spencer frequently accompanies Jack on his adventures and looks brilliant, comprising white and trans-clear plastic which has been mixed to create an ethereal effect. The simple printing works perfectly too. Maximus presumably belongs to Nate Lockem, the security guard at the prison. Chihuahuas have featured in previous sets but this dog features a unique expression, appearing slightly angry!
Jack and Parker have recorded their ghost-hunting adventures, attracting attention from Rami who also publishes videos online. This minifigure features several interesting pieces, including an exclusive double-sided head and legs. The torso only otherwise appears in 10273 Haunted House and features the stylised initials 'T.D.' in reference to Niek van Slagmaat, also known as Toothdominoes.
Nate Lockem also incorporates some unique elements, including his torso that seems quite similar to several parts from the City theme. The moustachioed head does return from 60243 Police Helicopter Chase but looks equally suitable here and I like the dark blue cap, matching Nate's security jacket. The printed legs are exclusive to this minifigure as well.
While the majority of the new Hidden Side sets focus upon Nehmaar Reem and his menacing Shadow-Walkers, ghostly possession also remains a threat. Nate Lockem has fallen victim to one such ghoul, hence an alternative trans-neon green head is provided. This design seems reminiscent of Chef Enzo from 70422 Shrimp Shack Attack, although the moustache is slightly different.
The Completed Model
Newbury Abandoned Prison is surprisingly substantial, measuring 30cm across. The colour combination of olive green and light bluish grey is somewhat unusual but looks perfect in my opinion, conveying an appropriate atmosphere of decay. Moreover, I love how the structure is angled so matches earlier Hidden Side models, such as 70240 Graveyard Mystery and 70430 Newbury Subway.
The prison is presumably situated near the ocean, given the presence of dark tan sand and a simple palm tree. The angled trunk appears slightly awkward but these environmental details are welcome and I like the dark orange highlights along the walls. An outstanding basketball hoop is also included, making ingenious use of the ring blade element that was designed for 76100 Royal Talon Fighter Attack from the Marvel Super Heroes range.
Watchtowers are positioned at either end of the prison. These are designed around the large 4x3x6 tower pieces but feature reasonable detail. Stickers form ramshackle brickwork across the front and I like the dark green and sand green foliage. An articulated floodlight is mounted here as well, beside space for a minifigure to stand guard above the prison.
Another sticker is applied alongside each cell, depicting further brickwork and continuing the consistent olive green, dark orange and light bluish grey bands which run across the walls. A few 1x2 masonry bricks are scattered among the standard bricks, creating nice texture, while pearl dark grey barriers protect minifigures from falling off the roof walkway.
The barred cell doors are constructed using 1x4 fence components, corresponding with many past models. However, the door slot is an unusual inclusion and the sliding mechanism seems distinctive since a narrow section of the wall moves with the door. Ideally, the door would move independently but this design reveals a red panel for scanning in the Hidden Side app.
Bars continue across the focal section of the prison, where an especially secure cell is found. The enormous dark orange door is ingeniously designed around an element from the Arcade Pods, although it seems extremely effective in this context. Admittedly, the smaller details are heavily reliant upon stickers but the result looks fantastic, displaying realistic rust. Three more stickers are applied above the door, including one that features an alarm.
Another prison cell occupies the third segment, mirroring that alongside the palm tree. Once again, the door slides neatly between rails to access the cell and the colour scheme remains consistent across this entire model. However, a rotating colour wheel is connected at the side, matching those found across the Hidden Side range. I think the designer could have integrated the wheel more subtly.
Nevertheless, scanning the colour wheel is important to play within the Hidden Side app and I do like the concept of the ghost hunters transporting these devices to the locations of possible hauntings. Another watchtower is placed atop the cell. This structure appears less ramshackle than its neighbour, including a wooden roof to protect prison guards against inclement weather.
The exterior includes ample detail in my opinion and looks wonderful on display. The internal space is limited by comparison, although the designer has made efficient use of that space. A bed is placed inside one cell, featuring dark red sheets. The simple integration of a 2x2 angled tile is remarkably successful though, suggesting the prison was abandoned suddenly!
Newspaper clippings adorn the walls inside the next chamber, showing information about an arrest and a police mugshot. Presumably they refer to the former occupant of the cell, whose criminal career concluded here. The cell also includes a toilet beside some lavender toilet roll and a cupboard which contains a rotten banana, identified by its tan colour.
Some suspicious spring yellowish green teeth are also visible inside. That is disappointing as most of the transformation functions in Hidden Side sets are concealed more tidily. The upper row is neatly folded against the roof but those on the floor remain completely exposed. Maybe they could have folded sideways into the walls, although space is relatively restricted.
The third cell lacks furniture but does provide storage for an accessory beside a green frog. Several mysterious eyes peer through cracks in the wall, corresponding with other sets from throughout the Hidden Side theme. This detail is fairly satisfying but there was definitely room for some additional furnishings here.
Transforming this building into its possessed form is reminiscent of 70425 Newbury Haunted High School. The central door transforms into a cavernous mouth, creepy eyes appear above the door and claws emerge on either flank. Admittedly, the functions here seem comparatively rudimentary but this model is considerably smaller than the school and simpler functionality is therefore acceptable.
Opening the door reveals several intimidating teeth, including those which were not properly hidden before the haunting commenced. However, I do appreciate how the upper teeth move downwards and the eyes are cleverly concealed behind the aforementioned alarm sticker and an old 'keep out' sign. The resultant face is definitely frightening, although I typically prefer the more abstract transformations like 70422 Shrimp Shack Attack.
Rotating each watchtower reveals the spring yellowish green claws which appear to grip the railings. This design is extremely impressive and the resultant reduction of space inside each watchtower does not bother me. Unfortunately, the claws are visible through windows on both towers but I expect that would have been challenging to avoid.
Overall
Despite some initial concerns about its interior, 70435 Newbury Abandoned Prison is another enjoyable addition to the Hidden Side range! The transformation functions are relatively basic but create an impressive result and I find this design sufficiently distinctive, even though there are similarities between this prison and 70425 Newbury Haunted High School.
The details are equally satisfying and I like the opening cell doors. Potential for improvement does remain, most notably behind the central door where the teeth are not hidden, but I think that can be excused because the set only includes 400 pieces. The price of £34.99 or $39.99 represents reasonable value in my opinion and I think raising the number of pieces, along with the price, would be the only method for introducing substantial improvements.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
84 likes
30 comments on this article
I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021.
Good review!
Regarding the integration (or lack thereof) of the color wheel, most of this year's Hidden Side sets seem to have opted to position the color wheel as a uniformly constructed piece of tech attached to the side of haunted scenery, as opposed to building it into the scene. I'm not 100% sure why, but if I had to guess, it's both to make its position obvious during gameplay from every angle as well as to emphasize that these color wheels are part of the ghost fighters' tech (hence why the color wheels on vehicles associated with them remain integrated into the builds more thoroughly).
I like the main build, good concept of a monster as well. But for some reason, I don't want it.
This set is more accurately called a Prision entrance as it's barely a jail Fort.
wow i simply assumed this would be more expensive, for some reason. $40 isn't bad, i might pick this one up
@andrelego said:
"I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021."
Hidden Side is going away!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really like the claws from the towers. I didn’t know they were in there. Good one.
I like the colours and the basketball hoop, but the whole set looks too flimsy to reel me in. Also too much stickers
@andrelego said:
"I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021."
Really? Where did you hear that? I haven’t bought many sets but the ones I have seen reviewed here seem impressive.
Nice set!! That jack davids looks like a yellow kevin Smith with the backward had & scruffy hair lol...
@Meowzap77 said:
" @andrelego said:
"I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021."
Hidden Side is going away!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Most Lego themes have a planned three year lifespan, so I think its safe to assume 2021 is Hidden Side's planned end date. Legends of Chima and Nexo Knights for example are both recent three year themes that come to mind as good examples. However I think there is no official word on the matter yet, so I wouldn't panic until then. Maybe Hidden Side has sold well enough that Lego has extended its end date to 2022 or 2023 even?
With that said, I will never complain about what Hidden Side brought us. A unique American deep-south locale (not a lot of Lego themes explicitly set in America). A genre that can be described as a surprising dose of Lovecraftian-horror meets Scooby Doo style kiddie-mysteries. Lots of cool buildings and vehicles in the sets too. I think while the AR ap was always Lego's big selling point for this theme, the fun and unique sets stand on their own without the ap taking center stage. I have the smoothie shack GWP, the School Bus and the Shrimp/Seafood bar right now; and am planning on getting the Abandoned Fishing Boat and the Fire Engine from the theme in the next few months... simply because the combined sets actually look really cool on display. I love the little transforming features which reveal the ghosts, and how the sets can be 'normalized' to fit back into a generic Lego City environment.
So if 2021 is Hidden Side's last year, so be it. It has been a great run! However if Lego decides to extend the theme's life I won't complain, it deserves it in my opinion!
Great to see the 1x3 inverted Unikitty tile getting used a lot with no less than five on the door, for once also using the hole (the "handle") while that's hidden by stickers on the other four.
Love this! Can't wait to get my hands on this and I need multiples!! Thanks for the great review!
Hidden Side is good selling theme for Lego, for that I think they will not kill it next year. Chima and Nexo Knights were not.
These have continued to look great but by Mata Nui, when are these sets supposed to be released? I'm dying to get the Fire Truck...
Built this set while watching Silence of the Lambs of all things. Overall an afternoon well spent!
I've since taken some of the set apart, and streamlined what remains into one cell. Not sure what I'll do with it, but I really want to work it into my city plans somehow - maybe as an abandoned, underground prison hidden just metres from a subway station?
@gsom7 said:
"Hidden Side is good selling theme for Lego, for that I think they will not kill it next year. Chima and Nexo Knights were not."
According to LEGO, Chima and Nexo Knights both outperformed their sales targets and thus were plenty successful. In my area at least, Hidden Side has sold poorly, with 2019 sets still on shelves in spite of general LEGO shortages and some retailers not even bothering to order the January 2020 wave of the theme.
Late last year the manager of my nearest LEGO brand store told me of challenges with parents not understanding what the products even were, based on their boxes and even initial descriptions by salespeople. He didn't give any specifics about sales rates, but the impression he gave wasn't particularly positive.
It seems to be a troubled theme on the general market even if some of us in the hobbyist niche have liked the originality & parts.
I absolutely love the possessed look of the prison. How terrifying does it look, with the long spindly fingers hanging over the balcony railings there? That looks fantastic.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
" @Meowzap77 said:
" @andrelego said:
"I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021."
Hidden Side is going away!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Most Lego themes have a planned three year lifespan, so I think its safe to assume 2021 is Hidden Side's planned end date. Legends of Chima and Nexo Knights for example are both recent three year themes that come to mind as good examples. However I think there is no official word on the matter yet, so I wouldn't panic until then. Maybe Hidden Side has sold well enough that Lego has extended its end date to 2022 or 2023 even?
With that said, I will never complain about what Hidden Side brought us. A unique American deep-south locale (not a lot of Lego themes explicitly set in America). A genre that can be described as a surprising dose of Lovecraftian-horror meets Scooby Doo style kiddie-mysteries. Lots of cool buildings and vehicles in the sets too. I think while the AR ap was always Lego's big selling point for this theme, the fun and unique sets stand on their own without the ap taking center stage. I have the smoothie shack GWP, the School Bus and the Shrimp/Seafood bar right now; and am planning on getting the Abandoned Fishing Boat and the Fire Engine from the theme in the next few months... simply because the combined sets actually look really cool on display. I love the little transforming features which reveal the ghosts, and how the sets can be 'normalized' to fit back into a generic Lego City environment.
So if 2021 is Hidden Side's last year, so be it. It has been a great run! However if Lego decides to extend the theme's life I won't complain, it deserves it in my opinion! "
I have the fishing boat. Really recommend it. I love mine. Still want the Shrimp Shack, School Bus and the upcoming Fire Truck. Just built the Subway set today. Not a bad set either
This Hidden Side theme is really starting to grow on me. I liked the first wave, and this one is really great as well.
@OldschoolFan74 said: "I have the fishing boat. Really recommend it. I love mine. Still want the Shrimp Shack, School Bus and the upcoming Fire Truck. Just built the Subway set today. Not a bad set either."
The fishing boat was one of the highlight's of Lego in 2019, it really was. I bought mine in October, and then built it on Halloween night. But I thought the graveyard and Ghost Train Express were both pretty amazing as well. There was a lot to like in that first line of Hidden Side sets (box art notwithstanding).
I think Hidden Side picked up, just not with this set. I'm enjoying the more defined ghost characters in this wave, with the non-possession ghosts in the portal set and the clowns in the Fairground being the absolute highlight. The frequent use of non-unique ghost pieces and faces weren't making for very desirable "villains", but there are more fun characters in the second wave. The third wave will be a nice end if that's it for the theme, though I'd welcome more. The TeeVee figure is fantastic even without its basis in LEGO's past, and the castle set looks beautiful. It's a shame the first wave didn't grab me as much, since it was a spooky theme and should have been up my alley. I'm definitely going to grab a few of the wave 2 and 3 sets, though.
@theJANG said:
" @gsom7 said:
"Hidden Side is good selling theme for Lego, for that I think they will not kill it next year. Chima and Nexo Knights were not."
According to LEGO, Chima and Nexo Knights both outperformed their sales targets and thus were plenty successful.
..."
I think you are wrong on this one. Ninjago is good selling theme for Lego, that's why theme exist after all this years.
Edit:
"Demand for some of its basic brick toys softened and sales of some newer lines, such as Lego Chima, have been disappointing."
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lego-cuts-20170905-story.html
@gsom7 said:
" @theJANG said:
" @gsom7 said:
"Hidden Side is good selling theme for Lego, for that I think they will not kill it next year. Chima and Nexo Knights were not."
According to LEGO, Chima and Nexo Knights both outperformed their sales targets and thus were plenty successful.
..."
I think you are wrong on this one. Ninjago is good selling theme for Lego, that's why theme exist after all this years.
Edit:
"Demand for some of its basic brick toys softened and sales of some newer lines, such as Lego Chima, have been disappointing."
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lego-cuts-20170905-story.html
"
"Chima and Nexo Knights both exceeded sales targets."
-Samuel Johnson, LEGO designer, July 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/Spider_Sam_LEGO/status/1014187475412094977
LEGO's Mark Stafford also has an anecdotal reference deep in the comments on the following Brickset article, search the page for "Nabii" and his 19 Jun 2019 post:
https://brickset.com/article/44244/why-the-negativity
For around the same price, there seems to be more playable possibilities than the subway. The haunted high school will always be on the wanted list but then you have to pay a lot more, but worth getting together with say the train and bus for variety in preference to 3 or 4 of these smaller building facade sets.
This is going to expand my Arkham Asylum nicely.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
" @Meowzap77 said:
" @andrelego said:
"I really like this set! It makes me sad that Hidden Side will have its final year in 2021."
Hidden Side is going away!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Most Lego themes have a planned three year lifespan, so I think its safe to assume 2021 is Hidden Side's planned end date. Legends of Chima and Nexo Knights for example are both recent three year themes that come to mind as good examples. However I think there is no official word on the matter yet, so I wouldn't panic until then. Maybe Hidden Side has sold well enough that Lego has extended its end date to 2022 or 2023 even?
With that said, I will never complain about what Hidden Side brought us. A unique American deep-south locale (not a lot of Lego themes explicitly set in America). A genre that can be described as a surprising dose of Lovecraftian-horror meets Scooby Doo style kiddie-mysteries. Lots of cool buildings and vehicles in the sets too. I think while the AR ap was always Lego's big selling point for this theme, the fun and unique sets stand on their own without the ap taking center stage. I have the smoothie shack GWP, the School Bus and the Shrimp/Seafood bar right now; and am planning on getting the Abandoned Fishing Boat and the Fire Engine from the theme in the next few months... simply because the combined sets actually look really cool on display. I love the little transforming features which reveal the ghosts, and how the sets can be 'normalized' to fit back into a generic Lego City environment.
So if 2021 is Hidden Side's last year, so be it. It has been a great run! However if Lego decides to extend the theme's life I won't complain, it deserves it in my opinion! "
Thank you for the clarification. I hope that this theme lasts as long as Ninjago.
Thinking more on it, I hope Hidden Side isn't given up in favor of LEGO adapting their strategy with the theme. I know the box art has been cited as a factor for poor sales, and I'm not sure if the app aspect has done anything to help (or harm) sales. I'd like to see LEGO take it as a sign of ineffective marketing, not a bad concept, but part of me just wants to see this spooky theme, which has already had the longest run of LEGO's spooky themes, continue even more.
@theJANG said:
" @gsom7 said:
"Hidden Side is good selling theme for Lego, for that I think they will not kill it next year. Chima and Nexo Knights were not."
According to LEGO, Chima and Nexo Knights both outperformed their sales targets and thus were plenty successful. In my area at least, Hidden Side has sold poorly, with 2019 sets still on shelves in spite of general LEGO shortages and some retailers not even bothering to order the January 2020 wave of the theme.
Late last year the manager of my nearest LEGO brand store told me of challenges with parents not understanding what the products even were, based on their boxes and even initial descriptions by salespeople. He didn't give any specifics about sales rates, but the impression he gave wasn't particularly positive.
It seems to be a troubled theme on the general market even if some of us in the hobbyist niche have liked the originality & parts."
That's a bummer, and I know the adage goes "it was worth a shot", but I have to wonder if it really was worth the experimental box art or if it truly cost what could've been so many potential sales. Hidden Side has been great, but at the same time I'm probably a tiny part of the problem for not buying the sets myself (but it's not because of the box art, it's because I have a limited budget which I'm focusing on other themes, and you understand budgets way better than most).
@theJANG said:
"In my area at least, Hidden Side has sold poorly. "
Same. When I ventured out post-Xmas to see what I could find Hidden Side was the only thing left on the shelves. And quite full shelves too. Same thing in recent months with the general shortages. Barely any City, Technic, Super Heroes and almost no Star Wars at all, but FULL Hidden Side!
Still, suits me. I quite like it and I've had some great discounts!
Bit of a weird mis-fire for LEGO. On one hand, it's obviously aimed at kids, and theoretically it should work. But thematically it's more in tune with 40-year-olds who grew up with Ghostbusters, Scooby-Doo and The Goonies. I.E: me. I also think not ensuring the app works on all devices is a big mistake. It looks like a parents worst nightmare.
"The prison is presumably situated near the ocean, given the presence of dark tan sand and a simple palm tree."
The waterside location reminds me of the Albatross Island prison in the Lego City Undercover video game. It had a similar angled style, upper walkway and towers overlooking the courtyard, and of course was alongside the ocean being on an island!