Why did the Galaxy Explorer flop? What lies ahead for Classic Space? This is Why LEGO Fans Are Sick of Classic Space Instagram: / our_toy_world Twitter: / ourtoyworld
the Lions knight Castle got me to buy LEGO after 25 years, and even though I prefer the castle theme, its hard to pass up on this one. Looking for another good deal .
@@jacobe1942 I'm like you, but a 30 year hiatus. That castle was epic, I wish it came with a ghost instead of Merlin but you cant have everything, I've since bought the blacksmiths and the forest hideout. I will hoover up any other classic castle or pirate set they bring out.
@@hotshot8365 Yeah, the Merlin figure really does not fit in, and should (will be?) part of a separate purchase (Rumor of upcoming GWP of his house remake, which I fear as a GWP will not be elevated enough or have a really high price point). The Ghost would have been well received, I could make an army of skeletons they are so common. I also would have liked a small escape ship for the mini dock, but soon the price of this could have gone way out of control . There is also rumor of a new Imperial El Dorado playset coming out July 4th? Will be interesting to see how they do that one. Trying to find a good deal on the blacksmith shop before it retires. I will likely moc that though as its scale is a bit too big for the castle.
@@jacobe1942 hopefully the will remake one of those classic castle boats to go with the castle, makes sense as now it has somewhere to moor up. I’ve gotten over the blacksmith scale issue in my head, it’s just the castle is a small one really 🤣. I heard they were planning out a new medieval village set which might be more in keeping to the scale you want. I heard of the Eldorado remake, day one purchase for me!
This is news to me. I own The Galaxy Explorer, and it's probably one of my favorite LEGO sets ever produced. I also have Benny's Space Squad and the brown astronaut minifigure with the astronaut baby. All the figures look great together, and there's enough variety of figures between each set. While I do agree that LEGO should expand onto other older themes for remakes, I don’t think I'll ever get sick of Classic Space.
I hope i can get the galaxy explorer I really love space and lego. And when i heard that lego space existed, i loved it. My dad also recenyly gave me his legos, but he didnt have many big ships (as far as i lnow)
I think you’re off. Classic Space has never been bigger! A set going on sale isn’t necessarily a sign of bad sales. In most regions it’s not on sale regardless
Yeah; every thanksgiving turkeys go on sale here in the USA; same with hams at christmas and a bunch other seasonal items. Everyone buys these things and it has nothing to do with people being sick of hams or turkeys.
Normally I agree with your analysis and insight, but I disagree with your assessment of the Galaxy Explorer. Not only is it a great set, it made me take a closer look at the original classic space line and made me appreciate those sets a lot more.
I got the galaxy explorer recently and im smitten with it, it was a very intresting building experience with an outcome that is as beautiful as it is nostalgic Furthermore, Unlike pirates there was no additional bay build that although nice is useless if you want the ship as a ship Unlike castle i didn't have to pay nearly £500 Unlike bionicle, blacktron and forest men i didn't have to spend large amounts of money on other sets for a 'free' GWP So far this has been the most accessible throwback outside of the classic set with meme tahu
This comment sums up how I feel about the galaxy explorer. Although I have all of the remakes so far well almost as I’m still waiting for my lion knights castle to arrive in the mail. But despite that my 2 favs are the galaxy explorer and the black tron set. To add to this let me preface this with I wasn’t around when these originally came out so u can’t say I’m blinded by nostalgia. And also I wasn’t able to afford bennys spaceship back when it came out either. I do have Bennys space team set tho. Anyway I’ve always wished I could get these classic space sets but due to them not coming out when I was alive I wasn’t able to until recently with the galaxy explore black tron cruiser and even bennys space team. And personally those have been my favorite sets of the years they came out. I’m so happy I get to finally experience what kids back in the day experience and honestly I wish they would make more but not too many as I already have enough themes I like to buy all the sets for and it’s draining the wallet yk. Also I agree that the classic space ones are great cuz unlike the others it’s an actual remake of a specific set unlike the lion knights castle and it’s affordable for most ppl. Well the black tron set wasn’t but still. Overall I would gladly take classic space remakes over any others except maybe castle but even then I’d choose classics space as I got my fill of castle when I was a kid with kingdoms and the 2013 wave.
This guy! He simply is not a fan of Classic Space. He is clearly a fan of Castle. I have watched so many reviews for set 10497 and not one of them were bad. So Lego fans are not sick of Classic Space, this guy is, and he does not speak for me and many fans of Lego. His opinion is his opinion. Doesn't make it true.
I so disagree with almost everything you said in this video. I own the Galaxy Explorer and it is my favorite Lego model hands down ever. Benny's Spaceship was also nowhere near a remake but rather more of a refrence and Benny's Space Squad was somewhat more in the feel of classic space. I think classic space has only been growing.
Hard disagree. The Galaxy Explorer was a joy to build and looks phenomenal. Not sure what you think the designers could have improved on with this one, as far as I’m concerned they knocked it out of the park. They also couldn’t have picked a better set in this theme, I’d love to see more but if this is the only classic space set we get, I’m super happy it’s this one.
Sick of Classic space?!? Can't get enough of it! Grew up in the 80's with classic space and I now rebuild the giant collection of classic Lego space sets I used to own back in the day.
I don't think fans are sick of classic Space, as the new Galaxy Explorer seems pretty universally beloved, and I don't agree with the way you describe it. I think it's fantastic, even when compared to the Lion Knight's Castle. However, I completely agree that Lego focusing almost exclusively on classic Space is a shame considering how many different Space themes we have gotten since then. Ice Planet, Rock Raiders, Life on Mars, and Space Police 3 are some of my personal favourites, and it's a shame that Lego basically ignores all of these in favour of Classic, with the occasional sticker easter egg in a Ninjago City. I think there's a lot of potential for remakes of these later themes, but they just aren't as iconic as Classic Space. Still, I think it's only a matter of time before Lego starts showing these other themes some love.
I still haven't purchased this set. I think I should now though. I would love Classic Space to come back as a theme. Not sure if it will do well as you mentioned, this set was on sale everywhere.
as someone who was never born during a classic space run or much of the other space themes, I'm happy to see it return and I would like more of it in the future but I also think Blacktron and the others should also get time in the spotlight.
I know there was that Rock Raiders mini build in one of the new Creator or City sets. More little tie-ins like that would be cool if we can't get actual sets or GWPs.
I think you're reading too much into Walmart pricing decisions and assuming that reflects overall acceptance of the set. Which may be valid, but might not be. I think Walmart made bad assumptions of how to sell this set and that has resulted in it having weird metrics. Walmart's early lower price, and discount sale have resulted in a diluted secondary market for this set even though Lego and Walmart currently have it priced at $100, and it has been stable at this price for months. I don't know that it reflects bad acceptance, or just a bad Walmart strategy. As for me, I bought two. One at full price from Lego at launch, and then one for $40 when it went on steep discount from Walmart.
I bought the entire nexoknight line simply because of its similarities to Lego ice planets colour scheme. i really desperately want to see M-tron, Blacktron-2, Space police 1, Ice planet, Futuron, and the like all come back to some degree and with the same enhancement the Galaxy explorer got. I would love to give lego my money in exchange for an updated M-tron Particle Ionizer for blacktron-2 alpha centuri set.
No, certainly not over classic space, but they need to remake the smaller sets like 886 and 442, 452 and 462 to really kick things off. I would buy those in a flash. The larger sets are cool, but way too expensive.
I wanted the GE so bad, finally got it, barely played with it, ended up keeping the figs and trading in the ship. I think it could have benefited soo much from just having a moon crater base plate included. It's almost a perfect classic space starter set, but where do your figures go when they're not on the ship?
The galaxy explorer was the first lego set I bought since 2015. The Lego store employee even threw in the blacktron GWP without me spending another 90$... loved both sets!
I actually like the traditional classic space rereleases because of the color scheme, the fact that there are no factions or lore (IMAGINAATTIONN!!) And I love how simple the spacemen are. I hope to see more of these from Lego soon.
As a space fan I'd say, that the Galaxy Explorer is a great remake and a cool set with a few wow moments. But indeed it is not so much wow as you might have with the lions castle. But this is also with the blacktron gwp. It is the same overhaul and remake like the Galaxy Explorer...but....it is blacktron. So maybe...people might have seen enought grey and blue lego cities and sets, but want to see more other series as a remake. For myself...I like the colour blue and also the classic space set, but I prefer the futuron spaceman over classic space. My most preffered series (although I am building my space city with one colour schemes) might be M-Tron.
I think you make a fair point there. Would be nice to see other themes have their chance to shine temporarily. Then again, at the same time, I don't know if it makes sense from a business standpoint to resurrect those lesser known themes. Castle & Space both had decade+ long initial runs. Pirates didn't, but there's was close lol.
I would not say over rated but the problem is LEGO marketing and having nothing to go with them. So these one offs are stand alone and not really part of a theme people can collect, so then its hard to incorporate them in themes people may be collecting. These are the core universal themes that are the foundation for their bigger IP's but its hard to compete with that type of pop culture when its in movies, and TV shows and marketed space themes everywhere. So really to compete LEGO needs to offer lots of details and piece to price points to make up for the licensed themes. Which I think they did with this one, if it was a branded space ship would have been like 179. And likely would have sold better just with a branded theme behind it even though it is a superior build in many cases.
Really? Last time I checked most LEGO fans really love the new Galaxy Explorer and stuff like references to it in other themes or new astronaut colors. Is there some obscure sub-Reddit's that you've encountered that I haven't seen yet?
LEGO fans are not over classic space, the Mexican factory produced too many Galaxy Explorers and Walmart ordered too much of them. Never seen it on sale outside North America. Let’s just acknowledge the American producers, distributors and retailers f@cked up, not the set designer. The American capitalistic market ruined the PR of the Galaxy Explorer. LEGO movie 2018 to the Galaxy Explorer 2022 is a 4 year gap in the market
In my opinion you are totally wrong! I believe it is still the best and would do great with some true sets with bases and some smaller less expensive ships and vehicles. Classic Space is and forever will be my favorite! The Galaxy Explorer was truly the only real Classic Space set released since the originals. Benny’s ship was not close, the figures set was close, the other movie set was not really in any way a decent Classic Space.
Exactly, they need to release multiple sets so kids can have a cheaper but awesome collection of ships that do not have to compete with the branded themes. Releasing 1 set or a big castle alone is not really going to find its niche. There is so much more imagination in a Galaxy explorer that can be pretty much anything and explore anything rather than acting out the characters and stories of a movie or TV show. If I had kids I would only get them Classic themes.
I’m afraid you’re WAY off, if I have classic space in any of my videos, their views are MUCH higher than others. Lego movie 2 definitely didn’t ruin the launch of Galaxy explorer.
I want the classic space!!! I couldn't get Benny's space ship when it came out and couldn't get the Lego Movie 2 two sets. What I am tired and sick of is all the stupid Star Wars sets!!! I want all original Lego space back including classic space!!!
I got thiis set I and really enjoyed building it, I would enjoy one or 2 more remakes (perhaps a remake of ground base) and perhaps a few more colours in the spaceminfigs
I love Classic Space! It is the third best Lego theme of all time in my opinion, the Galaxy Explorer is proudly displayed on my shelf. for the second time (first was the retro remakes video) I disagree with you.
I disagree with your take on this. As a Lego kid growing up at the end of the 90s into the 2000s. The classic space sets had this almost mystical feeling to them. I would only ever come across these fun ancient pieces at houses of friends who had older brothers. So when I saw the galaxy explorer in the line up I knew I had to buy it. I certainly wasn’t disappointed either. I can easily say it was one of my favorite sets to assemble of all time.
I don't think this is a great take considering this set was directed at long time fans and the build process was absolutely amazing The icing on the cake is it must have done so well because Legos releasing a hole mini figures dedicated theme in 2024
Sick of licensed products that attempt to be Revell models. Love the old school Blacktron, M-Tron, etc. I'm so old and bitter, I'm debating buying a crap ton of the old smiley face mini-figure heads to replace the goofy looking new stuff on my kids set LOL. 10497 Galaxy Explorer was the first set I bought for myself in 30 years!
Speak for yourself my dude. Lego classic space is goated. An S tier theme that is one of the founding fathers of Lego as a whole and I wasn’t even born when it came out. Galaxy Explorer was a massive treat that I copped immediately.
As the creator of the STRICTLY CLASSIC SPACE Facebook group - I can tell you that Classic Space is very much alive for a small number of dedicated fans. For the most part we don't buy new LEGO though. We buy the original 80's LEGO second hand because the LEGO group are just not catering to our needs. They've turned Classic Space into a joke - with Benny portrayed as some annoying idiot. In the 80's it was not portrayed that way at all - they took it much more seriously. I bought two of the new Galaxy Explorer set and when I put it amongst my old LEGO - it doesn't look right or fit in. I've boxed those up and they haven't seen the light of day since. However I use my 80's LEGO every single day. The LEGO Classic Space era ended in 1987, and I don't think LEGO really understand what the theme means to the real fans. The demographic for my group is males between age 40-60. The only way LEGO would win this group over would be to re-release the original sets again - and they would need to be exactly as they were back in the 80's and that includes going back to the original shade of gray that they used to produce. But LEGO is a business and as you say - they wouldn't sell enough of the sets. The original 80's kids would buy multiple copies of the sets, but it still wouldn't be enough to make commercial sense. The hardcore fans will keep Classic Space alive, but it will probably die off when we start to. The younger generation are not interested in it, because things moved on... They want computer games and snapchat now instead.
I wouldn't say I'm sick of classic space, but I am a bit sick of it being the main vintage theme that gets any real love from Lego. There are so many interesting and fun themes from the 90s for example which are barely even thought of anymore, but I'm sure that fans would love to see some of that return. I think Classic Space inhabits a key part of Lego history and also represents the childhood ideal of Lego for many AFOLs who dominated the online Lego community for most of the 2000s-early 2010s, but now there are AFOLs in their late 20s-30s for whom the 90s themes would represent their childhood ideal of Lego, and that feels like it's been largely ignored.
@@OurToyWorld I feel it's definitely starting to shift a bit, with CMF recently doing Basil the Batlord, Ice Planet, M:Tron, and Johnny Thunder re-appearing in Lego city this year, but I would like to see some Lego Icons sets in the same vein of the Classic Space or Castle ones we've been receiving over the past few years.
You're so wrong. I built Lego spaceships from Mtron to Unitron, and the Galaxy Explorer was by far the greatest I'd ever built. It is SUCH an exiting Lego set, and I hope they revisit more classic space, especially the 'Trons.'
I mean I got the Galaxy Explorer around September last year for my birthday gift instead of waiting until Black Friday for it half off, and... right now i got 3 Blacktron cruiser sets from other means plus seven blacktron torsos through their online "pick-a-brick" store. However, the one thing i find people are sick of "classic space" is that LEGO is ONLY doing classic space. sure we're getting space minifigs with different colors but, that's just it, only minifigues with onsies on. We would like to see LEGO return us to the *90s* Space themes, from M-Tron all the way to Rock Raiders (yes, that's a space theme) like i said before, I've collected multiple blacktron sets recently BECAUSE they're beyond minifigures in Pajama looking spacesuits, its style looks way better as well as a good majority of 90s space minifigures (well, except the ones with large emblems on their chests, but one recent sets gave us a space suit with a classic space logo over what looks like a sci-fi chest plate. that could've been a good direction moving forward) so, MAYBE we COULD be tired of how LEGO caters to ONLY classic space, but they MIGHT be ready to move on from PJ wearing spacesuits. Though, HOW are they gonna remaster 90s Space sets that feature trans neon colors that they've recently discontinued is another story.
They're all pretty bad. Cool, nostalgic, but they're not very good. You look at the the Beta 1!Command Center, it's a "big" set. It was considered a big set, 251 pc. 2 large moon crater base plates, how many current Lego sets include 1 single regular baseplate? The modular buildings? 2 gigantic base plates, and 250 of. Everything is one dimensional. Not very good. Good for nostalgia, I had it, I remember that cool box, the flip top, clear plastic showing the parts tray, and I remember my dad and me (my dad) buildings my it for the first time, because he didn't buy it for me, I didn't ask for it, even though I was happy to get it. My first Lego, but it wasn't very good. It was cool at the time, those space mini figures were the first Minifigures I ever saw. The Lego my teacher had at school were all square bricks and the figures were larger and not very cool. There were no rocket cones, or those pedestal things holding up the base, or radar dishes, or clear green, yellow, red poeces, (all of which are pieces that trigger my nostalgia today, I have gotten those base support pieces as table bases in more recent sets.. 250 pieces. Look at the size of a set with 250 pieces in 2024. That's a small set. I have a little Star Wars Desert Skiff from around 2011, 2012 which probably has a higher or equal piece count. Space was not very good, but they were working with what they had at the time. I'm sure the parts catalogue is 1000x what it was in 1980.
I don't agree with what you're saying in the video. 10497 Galaxy Explorer is a well-made homage to the original. I think it's a masterpiece. As time goes by, 10497 will be evaluated more highly. Many people love and miss the classic space. I am also one of them. Many other people don't agree with your opinion Please note that I left a comment.
In 2024, I would have to disagree with you. I'm actually looking forward getting further into space themes. There are themes that I wish they would make more accessible by doing smaller return to classic sets.
I'm behind the curve in that I'm just getting back into LEGO, and have a limited budget, but the first themed Space era was my childhood favorite and what fuels my nostalgia. Between Blacktron 1 and Ice Planet 2002 was my heyday, with a big focus on M:Tron. Leftover Classic Space sets were on clearance at the time, and an OK filler, but I'm appreciating them more with time. I recently got a good deal on a used Galaxy Explorer, and I'm hoping to kickstart a collection of Space stuff again. I don't think I'll hold my breath on release of an M:Tron set soon, as I heard that they stopped production of trans neon green elements, which were heavily used in that theme.
I just came around to this video and I have to mostly disagree. I really liked the classic Lego space figures, enjoy the remakes they have done. Plus the new Galaxy Explorer was a lot of fun to build. Now I will agree, as someone who grew up in the 90s, that I would have liked it better if the Space re-release was something from Ice Planet, Spyrius, Insectoids or Blacktron.
No, not sick of it at all. But is that a high dollar set. I’d like to see more small $7 bag sets with mini-figs or $11 small boxed sets. Classic or otherwise. But I do love the new sets just now coming out.
It's the helmets. I like the space vehicles, but I don't like the open face-plates on the classic helmets. I DID pick up the Galaxy explorer, but it was more to supplement and help rebuild my uncle's classic space sets. But, if I were to make the set my own, I would prefer to put the Futuron helmets on the space suits. In all honesty, if there was a revival of space, it would have been something between Futuron and up to the end of the line in that mid-range classic sense. Blacktron is a good one. Space Police was one of MY favorites. M-Tron and Ice Planet would be cool each in their own right. But, there were cool things about Classic Space I liked. The vehicles within vehicles aspect of the Galactic Patrol or All-Terrain Vehicle were cool. Imagine if the ATV had other options to it other than that research outpost? Imagine if that were adapted to the Futuron ATV set (whose name I can't remember even though I had it as a kid)? The idea that the Galactic Patrol pilot was also mounted on a mini hover-bike of sorts that could be unslotted from the main hull of the craft was cool. I've seen this replicated in many anime as a neat feature to a fancy space ship or robot. It's the dang helmets. And, I have come up with a head-canon as to what they were and why they were quickly abandoned: They were high-end technology with forcefield tech keeping the atmosphere in. But, they were expensive and if anything ever went wrong, ultimately lethal. For more aggressive factions facing a lot of war-time operations, like Blacktron, and potentially Futuron, you didn't want something that could just collapse on you.
The big relaunch of 2024 space sets proves that this is just a bad take. They wouldn’t have done that had the galaxy explorer failed. They could easily have just stuck with Star Wars as the only space line.
I agree that it dwarfed in comparison to the Lions King Castle, but both of them being a 90 year anniversary release, not much could be done about it. On everything else, i wholeheartedly disagree. I think the way they went and still are going is the right one for now, hitting people in their mid-fourties with remakes of their childhood. I think if there is one culprit it is the suggested RRP. A hundred bucks is not like a "i will take this one too" price, so if you already paid 400 for the lion knights castle, it is hard to justify adding another hundred on top.
None of those Lego Movie sets were classic space sets or remakes, the only remake released EVER for classic space, as far as I know is the Galaxy Explorer
Your conclusion is very on point. Space theme hasn’t died; the theme is still thriving in the devoted nostalgia groups but, what is offered is what is not being held to any demand. Most Lego fans would be better off going to a local Bricks&Mini-figs store and buying bulk generic pieces themselves as opposed to spending $100 on a set that has same said pieces but, I feel the release of the sets today is for those who don’t have anywhere to start and don’t want to pay too much for the old original sets. City has very nice modern space theme sets but, I feel the reason why there’s not any hype on them is because the theme is localized by the sets being based off of orbital stations and the moon station where as the older sets gave off huge vibes of being beyond our solar system
Lego town/city space has always been in its own grounded-in-reality subgenre of space. You can't really use either theme to supplement eachother. City Space is still ongoing to this very day, but it can't replace a fictional sci-fi space theme
Love classic space. But sold it all off for good money recently as it was getting super brittle after 40 or some years wjen it was still in decent shape. Time for some chinese cheap technic knock offs. Lego is too expensive nowadays.
Sick of it? I don't think there's enough of it. I'm just sick of all the retro remakes being expensive adult collectors items instead of a total revival of the classic themes.
Check your point of view, eventually? „Classic Space fans are sick of Lego.“ I think this is the case since 1981 when Lego started to change colors, declining to really ridiculous designs, forcing little cars into microscopic cargo bays in nearly any space ship they released. If one is into Lego in general, just don’t care about classic space and the very special spirit that was around it. 10497 meets this spirit, Benny‘s ship doesn’t. As I think, you can only understand that if you were a kid of about 8 to 12 years when Lego released CS. 😢
I like the galaxy explorer alot, it also has an huge catalog of good alternate builds on rebrickable. I would love to see Lego remake a rock raiders or power miners line again. I loved those sets the most looking back.
the galaxy explorer was a wal mart exclusive and wal mart puts sets on clearance if they sit on the shelf for a certain amout of time unlike other stores. This set was on back order for multiple months and sold out at lego stores also lego did not discount the set until the last month or so of its production and it sold out right away once discounted. The castle set also did not sell well after the first few months of its release however once discounted it went into back order right away
My problem with Lego is that they don't do enough small Classic Space. I did get the Galaxy Explorer and it's one of the big sets that I've bought. I wish they had more small Classic Space sets. I bought four of those Classic Space army builders and would buy more if I saw them on the shelf.
would love some smaller sets. honestly i think that's the issue with all these classic remakes - we get huge sets on shelves, and small sets only as GWPs. made a video on the ethics of GWPs where i think i go into this in more detail
I have never seen the galaxy explorer on sale. I couldn't even find it anywhere other than the Lego store. I have no idea where these people keep finding it on sale.
What bothers me is that Classic Space is nearly the only Space subtheme that reappears and it does grow tiresome every year or so. I can excuse examples such as 90 Years of Play or The LEGO Movies to a point, as they represent an era of LEGO as its own property. But one thing they lack is the classic alternative build potential. The remake Galaxy Explorer does have that but shoved into online instructions so it could easily be missed when buying the box set. Rebuilding potential was a part of classic LEGO in general, not just Space but also Castle and Town too. But as models become more complex nowadays, the ability to include inspirational models has been diminished, almost treated as a lackluster experience, when its part of what makes LEGO stand out from other toys.
Its news to me that the CS is appearing "every year or so". We've really only gotten 2 proper sets, a half-assed 4+ set, and a figure pack. Nothing to "grow tiresome" of. Not having an actual ongoing space is whats really tiresome
@@timewarpdrive77 I understand that, but I am also referring to its easter eggs in other themes and merchandise as well: the Reddish Brown CMF and the torso of the purple Alien CMF (including the helmet and tanks in purple in the Chinese New Year set), a VIP reward of a CS ball cap. There's also its inclusion as one of the VIP coins and a mini model in the Cozy House Creator set, but I can give some slack as those offer other themes too, even some more obscure examples in the latter such as Xalax Racers and Rock Raiders. I wouldn't count 90 Years of Play or 60 Year of the Brick because CS has a prolific place in LEGO history, as the sets mostly revolve around. But I would say it's debatable in 10404 Ocean's Bottom (also a 60th anniversary set) as none of the other models from that set are direct callbacks to any themes.
