Review: 60397 Monster Truck Race
Posted by benbacardi,
Today we're looking at 60397 Monster Truck Race, the last of the three City Racer sets that LEGO have released to coincide with their new video game, LEGO 2K Drive. So far we've had two race cars, a boat, an electric SUV, and an off-roader; this set adds two monster trucks to the line-up - one pirate-themed, and one taco-themed!
It's the smallest of the sets at 301 pieces, but the largest is only 362, so there is not much variation; just as well, considering all three are the same price.
Summary
60397 Monster Truck Race, 301 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 8.3p/10.0c/10.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
One fantastic monster truck and one slightly mediocre one, with the same fun customisability as the other sets in the range;
- Excellent pirate truck and minifigure
- Great play features
- Slightly unattractive design of the taco truck
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The box artwork contains the same "Play it in LEGO 2K Drive" branding as the other two:
However, unlike the previous two sets in the line, this one includes a small sticker sheet featuring just five stickers; three for the pirate monster truck, and two for the other.
Minifigures
Each of the two monster trucks in the set comes with its own driver, dressed to match the theming of their vehicle. The first is rather unusual, wearing a blue mask with flame printing surrounding the holes that reveal only their eyes and mouth, and a black sleeveless top with matching flame printing. A skull minifigure head is depicted hanging on a chain around his neck.
The second minifigure is a female pirate with a sideways smirk beneath her pirate hat. Her vest is printed with excellent detail, featuring stripes in two different shades of pink, a belt and buckle, and an emblem of a shark rising out of the sea. Both figures' torsos are new.
The fiery mask laces up at the rear of the head, and fire and neck chain printing continues to the back of the vest. The pirate also has just the one expression, but the dual-moulded ponytail and pirate hat look fantastic, particularly combined with the new pink striped vest and belt.
In a departure from the other two sets in the range, neither driver is provided with a helmet.
The Monster Trucks
The first truck, driving by our fiery friend, is bright, bold, and taco-themed! It's built around a similar central structure to the previous vehicles, but this time raised on monster truck wheels attached via rudimentary suspension. Large red wheel arches run down the side of the truck, with a flaming exhaust on each side. The front of the truck looks very aggressive, with teeth and horns.
The taco-theming goes beyond just the colour scheme, however. Behind the cab is a large rather ugly box structure, which has flaming hot chilli stickers on either side. Above it sits a rotating turntable with an oversized brick-built taco. More flames protrude out the rear, with the middle of the taco comprising primarily of two spring-loaded shooters equipped with bright green missiles.
Large exhausts are built into the rear bumper of the monster truck.
Our pirate driver necessarily requires a pirate-themed truck, and the set does not disappoint! Built around with the same base structure as the previous truck, this time the bright colours have been swapped for whites, browns, and highlights of purple. The gold wheel trims look excellent, and the cab is flanked by a pair of stud shooters that can be spun around 360 degrees to take out the competition. Behind the cab, a sail with a crossed swords sticker "hangs" from a mast flying a pink-and-black flag emblazoned with an eye-patched skull.
At the rear of the truck, beneath the flag, a treasure chest is attached to the bumper. Flipping this open reveals a pair of orange fish, intended to be released on the track to hinder any drivers approaching from behind.
Customisation
A major theme in the previous sets has been customisation: the front and rear bumpers can be mixed and matched as desired, and 60396 Modified Race Cars contains three accessories for upgrading the vehicles to clip onto the side.
It's less obvious with this set, but the trucks do contain the same four 1x2 rounded bricks with bars that facilitate this customisation, and can therefore be combined with parts of the other two sets for even more wacky designs. Below, I've given swapped the pirate's front and rear bumpers for parts from 60395 Combo Race Pack, and one of its stud shooters for a rocket booster from 60396 Modified Race Cars. The red race car's been upgraded with an alternative front bumper, two different types of shooters, and the rear exhausts from the taco monster truck.
Conclusion
So far I've been impressed with the sets in this range; despite the unnecessary tenuous tie-in to the video game, the vehicles have been solid, well-built, with enough customisability built in for easy creative play. They've strayed slightly outside the mould with this set, adding monster trucks to the line-up, with mixed results.
I love the pirate truck—I think the design of the vehicle is great, the treasure check containing fish a lovely touch of whimsy, and the female pirate minifigure is excellent. The taco truck, however, is just a bit strange. The idea is good, but the large green cube behind the driver and strange narrow front bumper detracts from the overall look; I wish the designer had been able to come up with an alternative way of mounting the rotating taco to the top of the truck.
That said, the customisability and fun is still there, and my children have had a lot of fun playing with all three sets together (which is actually not an unreasonable cost for the number of pieces and creative designs). I'm still on the fence as to whether the sets should have more integration with the video game, but they are mostly very fun small vehicles worth it for their play potential alone.
6o0397 Monster Truck Race will be available at LEGO.com from August 1st for $29.99, £24.99, or 29.99€.
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15 comments on this article
Seeing these sets it makes me think that Wacky Races would make some fun sets.
I might just get this for the Luchador minifig. The printing on the pirate racer is odd though.
This looks like an excellent set with a lot of play value for the price. The minifigs are awesome, and I don't dislike the taco truck as much as the reviewer does.
These are a bit outlandish for a City display, but not by much! I mean, there's an IRL monster truck that's a big Dalmatian lol. Just add some roofs on these and remove the shooters and they'd easily fit into a Stuntz display.
I may just be being forgetful, but I do not remember seeing a review for 60396.
The blue mask for the taco truck driver looks a lot like the Super Wrestler CMF.
@casloren said:
"I may just be being forgetful, but I do not remember seeing a review for 60396."
You're not being forgetful! It was intended to be published first, but for some reason this one has been. Apologies :) it is coming!
I agree that the taco truck is fantastic and the pirate one slightly mediocre. ;)
LONG LIVE STUNT RALLY
I say that because the chassis look similar to the cars from the late 90s Race theme, included in the Stunt Rally game
I don't understand the hate for the video game tie-in. If a kid gets these sets and then finds out they can race them in a game, or conversely if they play the game and learn that they can build their wacky creations for real, that's a huge win either way.
Someone on the design team was really wanting a taco.
"Heello; you fool, I l..."...Oh, sorry; got a bit of an earworm...:)
Like the set, will probably get it later (already ordered 60395: Combo Race Pack). Only thing I would change? Her tri-corn should have been the purple one as per the 6420916 Admiral's Hat; but beyond that, well done...:)
This is one of the few city sets on my wanted list. Looks wacky and fun
World racers anyone?
Holy Bigfoot!