Ninjago is coming!

Ahem, er, right... It looks sorta... cheesy? I mean, spinning disks? THIS is CHEESY: Step 3: "Players say ‘Ninja GO!’ then spin their characters towards each other." Uuuuhh...? Why is that? Why do you have to say "Ninja GO"? To make the spinners work better? Looks like the Fantasy-era skelly heads are back, with a few modifications... Hang on, there's a band of set numbers: "2111 2112 2113 2114 2115 2116 2257" ... MOCers, rejoice! There's a SKELETON ARMOUR PIECE! OH PLEASE! Even the name of the GAME is cheesy: "Spinjitzu"! Hmm... this is a complex system; there are BATTLE and CHARACTER cards... I think LEGO is running out of ideas, really. I mean, TRADING CARDS? With BATTLE SPINNERS? LEGO is about building and playing, not battling! Even the name of the skelly soldier is cheesy: "Frakjaw"! LEGO is risking BIG TIME. It has gone completely out of line with its "normal" products, a venture that could prove costly. The right side of teh sescond page show... uh, action cards? Oh wait, theyr'e battle cards; they show possible actions, but this is simply... weird: Translated from Italian, one of the descriptions of the battle cards is: "The opponent spins his disk with closed eyes(for this battle)". CHEESY!!! PLUS, the REST of the descriptions are cheesy. I MAY give a translation of them all later.

The figures look good, the game not so much. Might buy a pack if their cheap purely for the mini figures. I like the bone weapon 'frakdaw' (think that's right) has.

Wonder whether you have to buy just the two mini-figures with a card or two (Much like the collectable mini figs) or if you have to buy a ring with it as well, if it's the latter then the price will most likely be quite a lot more then I'd like...

@Alemas - I heartily agree that it's very cheesy

@Alemas - I agree with you in your last comment. (''LEGO is about building and playing, not battling!'')

@DrathMaul: It's a LEGO policy not make an explicit "army" theme, but this is... battling. It could probably even HURT someone. It's simply... ridiculous. Simply put: I like the minifigs, but NOT the game. Not for now, at least.

@Alemas: I agree it looks very cheesy. Come on lego you can do better than this

Cheesy yes, but from the looks of it a cheaper way to get ninjas. Who doesn't want more ninjas!? Throw in what may be new armor and faces/clothing, and I think we might actually have a use for this. Besides, the spinners could always be used constructively in the right situations...

Still, ninjas and katanas? SIGN ME UP!

@Alemas - what do you mean by "an explicit 'army' theme"?

@DrathMaul: A theme like "LEGO Army", with modern tanks, modern weapons, and modern soldiers.

@Alemas Ah, thank you (shame though, that'd be so cool)

@Alemas, yes, very cheesy......But look, im not going to complain!! YES!!!! Another ninja theme. I don't care if it comes with spining disks, i want a skeleton!! Yes, i don't own one!! WHOOW!!! But battling from lego sounds like its going to get children buying kifes and that alike. Hell, theirs a shop down the street from me that sells food, guns, swords, rifles, kifes and sniper rifles...... Plus, when will more 2011 set info be relesed here on brickset???

I don't think we should say this is a really bad theme until we now more about it. If you remember, everyone said that the collectable minfigures were a really bad idea until we found out more about them.
Anyway, I think these actually look alright. I'd probably make up my own game for it though.

I don't think we know enough about it to form an opinion yet. New themes, yay! :-)

It doesn't look particularly thrilling to me.

"step 6: after you finish playing, return any weapons you won to the player they belong to"

why do you have to give the weapon back?

The number of the set is 2257 (I saw it on the pdf document) and it's called Spinjitsu Base Set. All in all I'm looking forward to this new ninja theme. ;-)

This is the weirdest theme since Galidor. I mean, how is it fun play with you eyes closed, as Alemas said? I don't think I will buy this cheesy looking, card game related, silly sounding, LEGO impersonater. It sounds and looks like a MEGABLOKS rip off. I feel sorry for whoever designed this, and for two reasons:

1) It will probably stain the reputation of the designer and LEGO istelf, (much like Galidor!)

2) It will probaly not make them the most popular designer in LEGO.

Once again, this is the weirdest theme since Galidor.

I tried to understand page 2 with the instructions for the "Cards", and I failed!
Why do you have to play with cards at this game? And why are you then not allowed to?
Point 5 on Page 1 said: You can play cards at any time. Great, poker?

I have no Idea, after reading this Multilanguage Playing Instructions, what to do, when I´ve been asked to play that game!

Aaand here are the translations of the battle cards, from Italian:

1) Build your disc as above(for this battle) (I know, it's a weirdie)
2) The opponent spins his disk with closed eyes(for this battle)
3) The character of the opponent stands on a single leg(for this battle)
4) You win if both characters fall
5) Launch the card during the rotation of the discs
6) Take the headgear away from your character to avoid losing
7) Take an arm away from a skeleton to avoid losing
8) Put the card on the playing field. The opponent loses if his/her disc touches it; then remove it.

VERY CHEESY. REALLY weird actions. The game is a fail. Oh, and you can trust me on the translation; I'm Italian. :)

well you can still get them for the ninjas, and skeletons, and the sets

One minifigure, 3 weapons + a base. If the price is collectible minifigure range it could be great. (I'ld love it at 1.99, buy some at 2.99 but more than that I'ld probably just be buying figures on bricklink)

Tha game itself looks like something thats more applicable to a non-US market.

I agree with bluemoose, we shouldn't judge it yet. Although i dont understand it, is it a new theme or just a a new lego game?
Alemas- Viva Italia! :P

@Alemas - A really fun post to read. And I think you nailed it pretty good. It's going to be VERY interesting to see if this takes of.

I for one am looking forward to new figs and parts. Themes are aimed at the kids and I have no problem with that. If it's a hit, great more new parts and figs. If it's a fail, Sweet! More clearance sets for me.

Uhhh...anyone else notice these are Beyblades with minifigs stuck on top?

@earl9371: exactly XD
I might get a few for the figures. thats it, and maybe some of the bigger sets

Ok, so this is a Beyblade/pokemon rip off. When I saw the name "Ninjango" I started crying. And it says to play your cards while the tops are spinning, so these things must spin like forever! :P And how do you know what cards are being played when your eyes are closed? On the very small up side, Ive been looking for a sort of spinning piece, and this might cut it. How do you know when the battle is over when your eyes are closed? Ninjango Go! - ugh just saying it makes me throw up a little.

oops its actualy ninjago i didnt see that.... CHEEZEEEEE!

First of all, yes, it does look a little weird. But the main thing is cool new pieces, cool new skeletons, and cool new rainbow ninjas! Most sets that I buy are not for what they are, but because of the pieces. I think that this theme actually might be kind of cool.

okay, as a LEGO store employee, i think kids (like age 4 to maybe 9) will be alll over this just for the minifigs as most of you said. i dont, however, see any kid over the age of 10 wanting these for the gaming aspect. ive known about the theme for a little while and really had no idea what it was about til now. i think it will just eat up more room in the store that could be put to better use.

This is (I've seen prelim's, though I can't say where as they've likely disappeared) a full series of sets, including a fortress and such, though will have small packs containing only the warriors themselves and their equipment (your best bet) which sound to me like a good deal if they are cheap. A figure, some equipment, the base, and all probably at about $2-3 each. So if this series means more ninjas, I don't care what they're packaged with,ninjas are hard (sort of) to come by in large quantities, and this would me ninjas, in new colors even!

So despite your (and my) obvious guarantee to the series' immanent failure, I think we'll see more sales from people who (and I don't blame 'em) want to get their hands on large quantities of ninjas and weapons, especially for MoCs...

I think most of you have a pretty glum outlook on this... New ninja 'figs? New weapons? New skele-mod-pieces? And new circle pieces for the spinning 'tops'? All great pieces. Cheesy? Yeah, quiet a bit so. But cheesy doesn't mean bad...

P.S. You really don't have to have to play the game. And I think the whole closed eyes is just while he actually spins it. While the battle's taking place they can probably open them.

I haven't read the details of this new theme, but personally, I love the potential opportunity for acquiring great parts and minifigures, especially ninjas in new color schemes and skeleton warriors to add to the Castle themed ones of recent years.

I agree that the game looks cheeze, but there will be cool new peices. The only problem is that they will for sure cost extra because its part of a game and for the cards and stuff.

P.S. They probably make you close your eyes so a ninja weapon doesnt fly off and poke your eyes out. Just kidding, sort of...

Ninjago huh? I do enjoy Ninjas as much as the next guy, but uh, the game looks kind of dumb. I might just get it for the figures. Though, who knows if the theme turns out to be nicely accepted!

Originally when I heard of NinjaGo, I was thinking it was a 'Power Ranger' type theme with like modern vehicles, strange villains and was hoping they'd go with the Ninja's riding in Mech's battling larger Villain mechs. But since seeing the prelim. picks a couple weeks back, and this pdf., it's a game/battler type deal. For Afol's, the figs are great to have no doubt but as a game...I believe it'll do well with the younger crowd. 5-9 year old's will love this. It won't be chessy to them. I can definitely see a LEGO Club Meeting with this and all the kid's battling each other to win a Club prize/exclusive gift.

To me, I feel that a lot of these comments are a little biased off of the first comment posted. Think about it, LEGO has taken so many challanges and ideas in the past year. LEGO games, Collectible minifigs, hero factory, and now this. I think we need to wait a few months before making any hasty criticisms.

It seems cool to me! I won't play with the cards, just collect them or sell them. The ninjas look nice for non-afols like me.

Well, to put it simply, this won't flop due to everyone buying these for the figures! As previously mentioned, the parts and minifigs will be the attraction here. LEGO should've just released a regular Ninja theme, in my opinion.

Right... how are you even supposed to pronounce that? Ninja-Go? Nin-Jar-Go? Nin-Jaggo?

@legowomen1980p - But LEGO is not Hasbro or Milton Bradley. They aren't supposed to be wasting their time making board games, they're supposed to be making bricks and elements that clip together and are actually fun to use. LEGO sets sell great, they don't to "bring a battle role playing game to the market" and neglect what they're really about.

pdf is no longer up.

Okay, let me give my rusty two cents. Ninjago is awesome!!!!! I've been wanting something like this since I got into Lego! Now I can have Prince of Persia Dastan fight Nizam for real! Think of the possiblities, light saber battles, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, Pirates vs. Soldiers, Loin Knights vs. Dragon Knights, the possiblities go as far as your imagination can!

As for the name and the "cheesy" part of it, IT'S NOT FER ADULT FANS, IT. IS. FOR. KIDS!!!!! Kids will love it, and I will love the parts. 'Nough said.

TinyTurbosCityAndToyStory- Yes, but if Lego doesn't experiment with different things, how will they KNOW if they're not good at doing other non-pure brick themes, just look at lego games, they were a huge success and they were an easy and cheap way to get rare peices (like the monster 4 heads). It's obvious that lego is going to market this to kids, not AFOLS, considering how many people think this theme is 'cheasy'(i like chease :P) on brickset, which i do have to admit, the name is a bit strange. Hopfully lego will sell battle packs so i can get a few ninjas (i really want some DKred and white ninja heads) what i'm really looking foward to is that lego might realease the old west theme agian ( pirates, ninja, western?) as i am a big fan of the old west sets (i built all the old west sets on LDD)
And as Orange Lemons stated, this wont flop if every one buys all the battle packs.
P.S. what are the ''dark ages''?
P.P.S. is that a golden 'leach' from the bionicle in the upper middle?

Yesssssss!!!!!! Finally I can buy some ninjas!!!! Those spinners might make nice battle tank wheels or something :P.
BTW Thanks for the translations Alemas.

I CAN'T OPEN THE PDF!!! I think LEGO already took it off their site! Can someone show me pics?

boo hooo, i missed the pics :(

use contact me and i can get you the pics

I like this theme, new parts, new minifigs what more can you want from a theme??? Blue, black, pink, yellow, green and orange ninjas sound alright to me!! legowomen1980p, school, one big problem. Your cool till the moment you say "lego". Then you get a bunch of swear word and a fist waved i front of your head as they thinck of a 2 year old trying to eat a duplo brick.

We have to consider a few things:
1) The board games may not be appealing for a particular age group, but others will love it.
2) In many households in the USA, playing boardgames is a weekly FAMILY tradition.
3) Board games are cheaper to manufacture than bricks.
4) Not everyone is a LEGO fan. This may be the first time some people ltake a ook at LEGO products.
5) If LEGO hadn't taken a chance at new products we would not have TECHNIC.

Well, THAT looks interesting. Like Alemas said: "CHEESY!!" I think LEGO is officially desperate for new ideas. The only thing that looks cool about it is "Frakjaw." ,':\ Strange name. It sounds almost like Bakugan. Ugh.

most people are a TRUE LEGO fan, but they can't afford to go.

@R4-G9: Me too! I'm a TRUE LEGO fan, but I can't afford goin' there!

I've already seen some info on the NINJAGO sets (I didn't see any pics though), but they don't sound all that cheesy. Legos were made to be taken apart, rebuilt (into new models), collected, traded, and all other sorts of things, and one thing you can do is take out the spinning part of NINJAGO and just play with the minifigs. I already know some of what sets are coming out in 2011, and this (so far) is going to be the only ninja-themed theme this year. So for those who love Ninjas this is your theme.

@R4-G9 - Thanks for the link, but I'm sure it's going to be deleted soon.

@R4-G9 - I was right... lol

Ok, so maybe this wont completly fail, but really? Lego could be putting theyre designers on awsome new themes that everyone would love! Not somthing that I could have thought up in 2 minuets, and theres already things out there like it. I have a feeling that this will be one of those themes that stay for 4 months then are never thought of again.

I was looking through themes and noticed that 'NINJAGO' will be the first theme starting with and n (or N).
@Carnigee77 - Like what most of us wish would happen to Duplo.

I like ninjas so maybe this theme will appeal to me

Hmmm Looks like the link is still there. It just let me download it. Seems like my 10 year old would like it but not really for me. Maybe a cheap way to get some more minifigures

Interesting, normally the 'brickset effect' strikes quicker...
@Live2servehm Don't you get it? It's Ninja-go (related to their weird rules)

The game looks like a five year old designed it. But the ninja figs are ok, it will be nice to get some more ninja.

@minifig051, yes i agree. I have not told many people that i am a lego fan, but my trusted friends know, as well as my family. Im a big fan of lego and my love for it has grown on me in the last 2/3 years. Yes, im a fan of lego and no swear word can tell me diffrent!! But back on topic, NinjaGo looks good, but most of my money has been spent on other things like minifigs and city sets...........

I really liked the Ninja theme of the late 90's. But this new one doesn't seem too good, I'd like if it was Ninjas vs. Samurais, but human minifig vs. human minifig didn't appear since a long time. But anyway, the game might be a good way to promote the sets, that is, if it is interesting. 2009's Glatorian game was relatively promoted and wasn't too fun... My only choice to get Ninja is by buying a collectible series', if it isn't already over (it became avaliable very late in my country, and my interest in Lego has drastically diminished this year).

@TinyTurbosCityAndToyStory: I thought this way back in 2007. But well, Lego is obviously about money. They do money with what they can, and get (and keep most times) the fans they can. They do board games, which differential is the building factor. It's like if you build a game.
Another example, when the Throwbots/Slizers were released, they proof they can do also Action figures. They had functions as they were based in Technic (different pieces in comparison with mainstream Technic's civil vehicles, but still with axles and pins). Functions which were lost in Bionicle's mid-years, for the new pieces and free ball-joint movement. The designers knew they should appeal to characteristic. I really preferred when there were more functions than just style, but anyway... That's the point, the Ben 10, for example, weren't made to compete with Mxxx-Bxxxs' figures, but with Hasbro or other companies' figures. Maybe this isn't the best direction that Lego takes (for example, with Galidor in 2002), but risks can be made to sell the product.
I was a huge fan of Technic figures (Bionicle's Rahi or SW large figures), but now, as they keep losing the differential of building (with HF), I lost my interest in it. But I have no doubt it still makes money. Lego is not just about bricks now. I didn't like such directions before, but now I understand this.

@minifig051
Yes, I agree. I'm soon to be a TFOL (in a couple of weeks) and I'm what what you call a collector/animator I think, look at all the AFOL on this site, are they playing with childish toys? No, lego is for every one from 1-1000 years of age, Whether you like to play, collect, animate or build there's something for everyone...

Sadly (And this is where I start to rant about bionicle a bit) lego has gone downhill lately, no longer is it about the building/playing/collecting it's about the 'disc shooters' or 'light bricks'. Look at bionicle, at first even the smallest set was a fun build, you could then play/display/animate as you wished. Now the smaller sets are made up of large pieces so that it only takes 3 minutes to build them. All the newer sets must have a feature like a ball/disc shooter or glowing eyes... to sum it up; before it was about the build and the model, now it's about the action feature and the play experience. Bionicle has gone from being a building toy to an action figure.

Thanks for listening to my ranting :)

I think the idea is a bit funny. Are they supposed to spin like a Beyblade!? LOL! I imagine the only reason the skeletons are built more like exo-force robots is so it can handle the kind of 'rough play' the game takes.

Well buying individual minifigures is the only thing I'd care about... if it is an option. Maybe the theme for NinjaGO will be good???

@minifig051 - Yes, again I agree, however I've seen some sets ruined by all the features chucked on it, take 7659, If lego hadn't included the bomb-droppers and missile launchers then you could have put more figures in it, 'roll' it in the air (the bombs would/will fall out), and had more detail in the interior. This would have made it better in all aspects, but no, lego wanted their action features...

Oh, by the way, I misinterpreted what you said. I like to make 'diploramas' (sorry, couldn't spell it) with my sets. :)

@DrathMaul1997 - Look at my post above. Bionicle is a good example that Lego is taking a new direction. The figures weren't just buildable (like any Lego set) but were also functional (like any Technic), and still fun, to build and play. But now, they just appeal to new characteristic pieces and fast build.

@minifig051 - I'm a TFOL and I still like action themes. However, most of the new ones are primarily made to be playable. In the 90's, the playability was product of the structure of the set.

@ Gus263 - I still don't get it. Why does LEGO need to compete with Hasbro and other companies like that? Unless Hasbro starts making their own Automatic Binding Bricks, how are they a competitor to LEGO? I see it like this: BMW and Tonka are not competitors. They both make cars, but one makes real cars and one makes toy cars. They don't care about or affect each other. It should be the same with LEGO and any toy company that isn't making Automatic Binding Bricks, like Hasbro. They aren't competing for the same customers. LEGO wants kids who like building things to buy their product, whilst Hasbro wants kids who like playing with action figures or board games to buy their product. It just doesn't make sense.

TinyTurbos- yes, although it is not entiraly true. Its meant so that someone who likes Hasbro, but not Lego, would see bionicles and say,''cool, those are like action figures i like.'' then the kid buys one, and another, and another, until he has a huge bio collection. then he might go into Lego bricks. It might not always work that but, it could. Lego is trying to get as many fans as possible, so they're turning non-brick themes and making them into Lego's. Like lego games, bionicle, tecnich, they've tried trading cards (oreint expediton) and now this. Beleive it or not Lego's tecnice really works, and makes lego alot more money then it would otherwise by selling just bricks. I find it funny that so many people have such a negitave view of this new theme when only one pic and one document have been released.
P.S. Huw- i saw some non-confidential CM pics and i was just wondering if to post a link it just has to be non-confidential or if Lego has to give you the OK to allow to post links of new material. Thanks!

Lego is looking for the tendencies. The building factor is a differential in Lego boardgames and action figures - at least it was supposed to be (the playability factor usually overcomes this).

@ itsaturkey - Thankyou! I understand now!

"...someone who likes Hasbro, but not Lego, would see bionicles and say,''cool, those are like action figures i like.'' then the kid buys one, and another, and another, until he has a huge bio collection. then he might go into Lego bricks..."

It all makes perfect sense now.

@Gus263 - Yes, if you look at my post you'll see I think the same sort of thing (I think)

@Itsaturkey AND Gus263 - Yeah, *sigh* I can see the why lego's changed bionicle (Now you've enlightened me), It's just a shame they did it, if you get my meaning.

TinyTurbos- No problem! :) Lego8x8 said somthing like what i said too,''Not everyone is a LEGO fan. This may be the first time some people ltake a ook at LEGO products."
DrathMaul- yes, Bionicle's will forever hold a spot under my bed :P (i put 'em on a big lid and slide it in and out of my bed)

It's all about marketing! Over the last years, LEGO has continuously make online surveys which have allow them to pin point marketing hot spots for a particular products/lines. For example, in places where winters are long (the Midwest USA), there may be a greater demand for lego or indoor activity toys than in Florida. Yes, kids play with LEGO and build different things, but they get bored. That is why LEGO brings new themes every year, so people buy the same products under different packages. Just imagine if LEGO could achieve similar success selling cards as other companies do (Wizards of the Coast)?

I think that some LEGO fans are boxing temselves into LEGO = bricks. Just incase you have not notice, there is Legowear (clothes, watches, shoes), household items (salt and pepper shakers, radios, cameras), etc. LEGO is continuously changing and we are the ginea pigs!

Lego just wants to reach into other markets of toys... not a big deal.

From what I've heard from kids talking in TRU, they really like Hero Factory... some better than Bionicle. And hey, Lego is about whatever the kid wants. Bionicles were never a complex build, and they were always action figures. People at my elementary school would always use the gear the spin the arms and battle to knock the mask off. Me, only being a bionicle fan as a kid, saw the theme running out of material... in a way it was burried before lego stopped. Besides, who really cares about the difference... aren't we all too old for either theme.

Isn't it the parent who gets the final say in what product the child gets?!

@Ypres - "Bionicles were never a complex build, and they were always action figures." - It is not that simple, there were some nice titans/big sets years before, with actual functions (from creatures to armors). Recently there were also good vehicles, but now the vehicles hardly have decent functions, they are more manual without gears/knob wheels.

looks like it is back. you can d/l if you click link in main article.

Hey did anyone else see this? On the PDF there is a web adress. Its Ninjago.com. I tried it and the site doesnt seem to be up yet. I just thought it was interesting that it wasn't through Lego.com

@Carnigee77: actually at one time, ninjago.com redirected you back to lego.com

@DrathMaul1997 - It's a shame they do Action Figures way more simple and not fun and still not do any bigger or more functional like they did before. It's like if they will still with this for a long time... And my favorite themes were action figures - if they still doing figures like HF, I'll just give up buying them, I think I'll go to another theme...

if you you to this link you geta blank, black page:
http://ninjago.lego.com/
this link also works:
http://pharaohsquest.lego.com/en-us/Default.aspx
you need to click on the book and give the code pharaohs quest, or you can have the fun decodeing it on your own