Review: Yoda (Galactic Explorer)
Posted by CapnRex101,
Unusual minifigures routinely accompany LEGO Star Wars books, depicting characters which are unsuitable for ordinary sets. Yoda's Galaxy Atlas certainly satisfies this convention, containing an exclusive Yoda minifigure.
In addition, the decorated galactic map appears appealing and should prove more versatile than the specialised Jedi Master.
Minifigure
Yoda minifigures exhibit inevitable consistency between sets, since the character's onscreen appearance hardly changes between movies. This exclusive design is accordingly interesting, wearing a reddish brown backpack and belt over shabby robes. The consistency between this minifigure and the equivalent from 75208 Yoda's Hut seems suitable, as both versions include Yoda's blissl around his neck.
The only aspect of the minifigure which I dislike is the Rebel Alliance symbol. Yoda obviously supports the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire, but a badge referencing travel could have appeared instead. Perhaps the minifigure could display badges from several planets that he visits across the printed backpack straps, resembling real-world passport stamps.
While the minifigure is adequate, the accompanying galactic map provides greater appeal for me! This component features relatively simple decoration, with Aurebesh reading 'The Galaxy' above the actual map. I suspect the major routes and circled locations were chosen at random, but these rings could identify Ilum and Tatooine based upon their positions. Yoda also carries a camera alongside his familiar gimer stick.
The Book
Yoda's Galaxy Atlas encompasses 25 different planets from throughout the whole Star Wars saga, commencing with those nearest the core before continuing through the Outer Rim and reaching the Unknown Regions. The layout is excellent and I appreciate the fun graphic style, which is obviously intended to appeal to children but appeals to me too!
Information about each major planet and its inhabitants is definitely abridged, although using posters and reviews to convey additional information is clever. The commentary from Yoda is splendid too, despite occasionally dubious editing where the Yoda minifigure has been added without actually interacting with the models shown.
While many planets receive a single page spread, the most important locations are described across several pages. For instance, Tatooine is subdivided between Mos Eisley, the Jundland Wastes and the Dune Sea. I was interested to learn how alien species without previous LEGO representation would appear. Unfortunately, the likes of Kaminoans or Aki-Aki are portrayed by simplified images from the films, rather than resembling minifigures.
Overall
Yoda's Galaxy Atlas is definitely intended for children and should appeal to that demographic, omitting blocks of text in favour of fun graphics. Of course, the associated minifigure provides greater interest for older LEGO Star Wars fans. Alternative characters may have proven more desirable, but Yoda seems appropriate because this Jedi Master has explored myriad planets throughout his nine hundred year lifespan!
Furthermore, the printed galactic map looks marvellous and is my favourite aspect of the book or minifigure, as expected. The retail price of £12.99 or $14.99 feels expensive, although these LEGO books are always discounted and Yoda's Galaxy Atlas is currently available from Amazon for £10.55 in the UK and $13.49 in the USA.
Which minifigure, unlikely to appear in standard sets, would you most like to accompany a future LEGO Star Wars book? Let us know in the comments.
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26 comments on this article
I just bought this!!!
This really just makes me wish there was a Lego version of Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock.
While I like the straps for the backpack, I agree, I don't love the rebel symbol here. It doesn't make much sense. Yes, he would promote "good" for the fight, but would he flaunt the symbol to everyone?
I won't have any use for the book or the figure, even though I love exclusive figures.
This minifig is so weirdly attractive to me for some reason. I truly have no clue why, but it’s just so nice, funny, silly and wholesome and I want it really badly! I always love it when LEGO (or anyone, in this case) make stuff that’s intended for children but also great for older fans of the franchise in question. This book surely fits that description, I think it would make for a nice birthday or Christmas wish instead of the usual pile of boxes with booklets and bricks.
Also, ‘Hot on Hoth, it is not.’ Enough said, I feel.
@vizzitor said:
"This really just makes me wish there was a Lego version of Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock."
"Train your cares away. Sidious is for another day. Let the Jedi play, down on Coruscant!"
That print is amazing! It would look great in a Jedi Temple MOC or something similar.
This is really a wonderful book and my kids absolutely love it. One thing that was left out of this review that is extremely important (at least for my kids), there is a page on Nevaro that includes Baby Yoda, although he is referred to as the child which is confusing to my kids since he is indeed a 50 year old baby.
I know it’s off topic but has anyone seen the new technic bulldozer? I’m not sure If the brickset team has been alerted to its presence but I’m sure their Woking on an article.
@Goujon said:
"I know it’s off topic but has anyone seen the new technic bulldozer? I’m not sure If the brickset team has been alerted to its presence but I’m sure their Woking on an article."
They had an article on the 42131 Caterpillar earlier today.
Bought the book, and I like it. Takes up less space than most other books with a minifigure, which I think is a bonus for a lot of people.
I want that tile.
@KotZ said:
" @vizzitor said:
"This really just makes me wish there was a Lego version of Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock."
"Train your cares away. Sidious is for another day. Let the Jedi play, down on Coruscant!""
Well done. Well done.
@Goujon said:
"I know it’s off topic but has anyone seen the new technic bulldozer? I’m not sure If the brickset team has been alerted to its presence but I’m sure their Woking on an article."
Never mind, I’m a moron.
I'm wondering if Lego will do any High Republic sets. Yoda is in THR (he's only 700, not 900--still basically looks like this) and this figure might be useful for the group of students he's leading around in that era.
I really want this fig and I don't know why.
Also I have a real nostalgia for the ads of the 80s and early 90s where they'd build up scenes. I'd love to see a book like this where they built up dioramas of the planets, put in sets and Easter eggs and things. It's a bit sad that this book about Lego was made entirely on a computer, no bricks required.
Will wait until the book is offered at half price at Ollie's. :)
I think the Aurebesh word for 'The' is incorrect, they should have used only two letters, thesh (Th) + esk (e).
Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe
I love the screen shots of the pages for Mos Eisley, Hoth & Endor!
Thanks for sharing those.
The exclusive Yoda minifig and map are cool too, I might have to grab the book when it’s inevitably on special
Well, there goes my hope of ever completing my collection of LEGO maps :)
I feel like this figure might make a fun Lego Star Wars equivalent to a Travelling Gnome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_gnome
And for that reason alone I'm tempted to get it.
"Tatooine Sunset Tea (Two for the price of one)" - Brilliant!
I would like to see a Kaminoan minifigure. Unlikely to be in a set that I can think of. Unless they do a Jango Fett Slave I with Jango, Boba, Obi Wan, R2 and Lama Su.
If the previously unrepresented by LEGO species did look like LEGO I might think I missed them and spend ages trying to find them!
Galactic Customs Agent (after 90min 'interview'): "Do you have anything else to declare."
Yoda: "Yes; annoying you are."
Agent: "Ggggget outta' herrrre..."...Heh, I could see it:)
The torso with straps and backpack remind me of the nomadic looking Mythos Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it's Yoda instead!
Yoda is totally one of my favorite characters, and he looks great as a minifigure.
@vizzitor said:
"This really just makes me wish there was a Lego version of Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock."
oh yes Fraggle Rock :)