Part of the appeal of playing with LEGO sets is the sense of nostalgia: a longing for things gone by. Part of the appeal can be relating to a third party franchise that appealed to you as a child, such as Star Wars, Superheroes (either type), Ghostbusters, Indiana jones or even Disney. Then, there is the appeal of playing with the LEGO themes which were important in your childhood. And this year, we seem to be getting more than a casual nod and wink to some of these themes that we have in years!
Finding Space
I loved my LEGO space sets, as small as they were, when I was a kid. I have written a bit about LEGO Space in the past: both the classic era and the period in the 90s of neon-fuelled factionism. This year has been a bumper year for LEGO Space fans and I have taken great joy in playing with the City Space sets: they appeal to me far more than other City Space subthemes in recent years – the graphic design and the types of sets line up with those that made up a space theme back in the 80s, to say nothing of the brilliant swooshability of the theme.
Certainly, I have been suspicious of this year’s fire sub-theme drawing inspiration from M-Tron – only substituting Vibrant yellow for the now defunct transparent neon green.
Of course, the joy doesn’t end there: the latest series of collectable minifigures also draws on the nostalgic heartstrings of anyone looking to revisit the neon era with the return of those key 90s factions: M-Tron, Ice Planet and Blacktron II.
But apparently, not everyone is only a SPACE fan! As such, there will be some more nostalgic callbacks coming in the second half of 2024 to LEGO City, with several other classic sets and themes set for a revival!
Johnny Thunder’s Back!
The second half sets in LEGO City have been associated with an action/exploration theme for a few years now, and this year, they are exploring the jungle. A cursory examination of some of the minifigures appearing in the 2024 sets makes me think they are many of the same characters involved in last year’s Arctic and undersea explorations. That said, there were plenty from last year who didn’t make the cut (and left out of this infographic….)
This year, the LEGO CITY Explorers are joined by the LEGO Group’s original Adventurer, Johnny Thunder. Or at least a descendent of him. Johnny was the hero of the Adventurers theme, which ran from 1998 to 2003. My kids refer to him as “Legally-not-Indiana-Jones” and “Legally-Not-Dr-Alan-Grant.”
Following recent reappearances of Pippin Reed and Dr Kilroy in the Orient Express and Natural History Museum sets respectively, Johnny is all we really need to complete the collection of our original three Adventurers.
There are 4 sets in the subtheme, with Johnny appearing in two (60424 and 60426). Deferring to the sensibilities of the times, Johhny now shoots with a camera rather than a revolver! We will see new animal moulds and colours in this range, including a red panda and tiger (in the new reddish-orange colour), as well as recoloured crocodiles and new gorillas. – If you purchase 60424 and 60427, you get one copy of Johnny, as well as all of the other characters!.
But this isn’t the only nostalgia kick coming up.
Exo-Force@ Robot World
From 2006-2008, Exo-Force brought the world of Mecha and Killer Robots to the fore. Taking advantage of the new Technic Click joints, as well as the variety of curved sloped elements that had recently appeared, the series of Manga-inspired sets was the thin edge of the wedge for the predilection amongst LEGO themes to create mech suits of all sizes.
The LEGO City set 60421 Robot World brings us a reinvention of 2006’s 7700 Stealth Hunter, tucked in between the roller coaster and video game arcade. If only the great rubberised Manga hair pieces were still in production.
It would appear that EXO-Force is not the only defunct theme referenced in this set…time will tell.
It’s been a long haul
The final major contribution to this nostalgia fest is the presence of the 60440 LEGO Delivery Truck. With over 1000 pieces, it dwarfs 2010’s 3221 LEGO City Truck which had 270 pieces. The cargo in the new truck is in line with the fact that The LEGO Group are producing more sets than ever before!
Looking forward to looking back…
This is just a quick glance at some of the nostalgic treats coming up with the June LEGO City releases (unfortunately, in the USA, you might have to wait until August.) I can’t wait to bring you my reviews. What’s been your favorite nostalgic call back to appear in a LEGO set? Why don’t you tell us in the comments below.
You can check out the latest offerings in the LEGO City Range at LEGO.com/city.
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Until Next Time,
Play Well!
I only recently “discovered” the Adventures theme. While I was chasing down the Star Wars theme (as a very young adult) since the late 90s, I completely passed the Adventurers in the toy aisles. Although I did stopto admire the occasional set, I regret not ever adventuring out to get one at the time.
I’m reluctant to go for the new sets with Johnny Thunder as I don’t find the contemporary jungle sets nearly as evocative as the 90s-00s ones (that take their aesthetic cues from the1930s, which is something I adore about them). However, the characters in the museum and Orient Express are making me give those sets a2nd look. The sets would fit in very nicely into the Adventurers world!
Also, I would go for an updated Adventurers bi-plane design in a heartbeat.
[…] Part of the appeal of playing with LEGO sets is the sense of nostalgia: a longing for things gone by. Part of the appeal can be relating to a third party franchise that appealed to you as a child, such as Star Wars, Superheroes (either type), Ghostbusters, Indiana jones or even Disney. Then, there is … Continue reading LEGO City: This year’s home for LEGO Nostalgia […]