We interrupt the run up to Brick Factor (Melbourne) and The LEGO Batman Movie to present an irrelevant, personal observation…

Two of my favourite, small Creator Sets from 2016, the Ocean Explorer (31045, 213 pieces, $AUD 24.99) and Super Soarer (31042, 100 pieces, $AUD 15.99) have grown up.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were revamped, bulked up and given a new lease of life as Technic Sets.

Read on for further details after the jump…
The TECHNIC Ocean Explorer (42064, $AUD169.99, 1327 pieces) looks very similar to lasts year’s Creator set of the same name, complete with the submersible launched from the stern.  This one, however, also features a helicopter, ready to bring fresh personnel and a food parcel to the research vessel.  This is the third ocean exploration vessel in as many years, across the LEGO themes, when you consider 2015’s Deep Sea Exploration Vessel (60095, $AUD129.90, 717 pieces) which also came with submersibles, divers, sharks and a wreck to explore!
The Air Race Jet (42066, $AUD219.99, 1151 pieces) seems to share the same F-35 lineage as the Super Soarer, but with the addition of a motorised vertical take off and landing mechanisms, and a new colour scheme.

I do like the alternate takes on these pocket money sets, passed over to the Technic team for a reimagining.

This is a change from the trend a few years ago, when a few Creator sets were almost totally dependent on Technic mechanisms for their function.  Examples of these include  2006’s Motion Power and 2007’s Monster Dino. These sets were both complet builds, particularly the Monster Dino, merging Creator and Technic construction techniques.

What do you think of this ‘grittier, more challenging reboot’ of small, simple sets?

Which small Creator sets would you like to see revamped as a Technic set?

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Play Well!