LEGO City Arctic Explorer Truck & Mobile Lab review! New polar bear cub good parts & play value

[@craigbikes8831]

I will always love the song Jang puts in the background. I have many fond memories of staying up til 3am binge-watching all your city reviews from the 2012-2015 era, all the while that tune plays in the background. It doesn't get more comfy

[@lf9179]

Feel ya man🤣🤣

[@sonicguyver7445]

I'm loving the inclusion of the Octan power cells in more City sets. They are throwing in lots of stuff lately to show Lego City is using more and more renewable energy sources. I think this is the third set to include the cells, along with the Electric Sports Car and the charging station in the Family Home. I just really like that kind of visual narrative they can work in through the sets.

[@Brick-Life]

There was a few last year with the new piece

[@masteriangamer]

Arctic has historically been one of my favorite City subthemes. Was initially disappointed when I saw that this year's wave would be a bit smaller, but this set manages to pack in just about everything I like to see! Only major changes for me would be a better tow bar and replacing one of the beds in the lab for more computers/analytical equipment. And the price.

[@NeonSupernovaUPW]

Agree with you 100% on the price and the eventual possible discount. Love the baby polar bears and the inside of the lab. Thanks for this review, it’s one that’s on my list of eventual builds.

[@ABrickinTime]

Underrated set imo. Also looks like it could be the inspiration for the movie The Thing with the streaking meteorite on the box art and the green mysterious stone they find! I’d watch out if I was the polar bears. 😮 don’t eat the green fish!

[@Zenlore6499]

Oh dear, that’s in dire need of a discount. It’s unfortunate, because it has some really nice features.

[@abramdavidson3900]

Wait...$75?! Heck no! I'd expect this to be $50 maximum given the part count.

[@EvanMoon]

Also, remember that the tracks are made from many pieces which makes that even worse piece count

[@megatron8561]

Lego city has terrible value price to part ratio

[@thefloatingcontinent9897]

Specifically the Arctic subtheme has been overpriced for like a decade even compared to other city subthemes. Really not sure why

[@nathangable841]

This is the new normal for Lego. Have to wait for sales

[@jet9394]

there was a snow groomer back in 2019 - similar build and size, but cost $20. If we account for inflation and price it at $25, the mobile lab and animals still come in at $50 which is insane

[@GeckoTech_Engineer]

I love when you say “there’s a door for mini figures but for us huge figures”

[@milanondrak5564]

I can see a Thing diorama build generating in my mind after seeing this.

[@GeremyG]

It's cool to see how much LEGO has changed since I was a kid in the 90s and 00s.

[@thatguythatdoesstuff5899]

Wow, this set is pretty detailed with a good amount of printed pieces. And only three stickers? This is almost unprecedented.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

I gotta be honest, these Arctic reboots always hit the nostalgia for early 2000s Arctic. Sadly, always super expensive!!

[@Paragon132]

Yeah that towbar really brings it down for me, just a really weak looking part in an otherwise pretty good looking build. At a discount this will be a great pick up 👍

[@Matt..S]

That cheater wheel is so ridiculously smart! Such an efficient fix for the traction problem and also a good lesson for kids when building it and understanding what is going on

[@nym5qu17]

love this theme, makes me nostalgic for that 90s artic theme and for some reason alpha team.

[@toastmeister6806]

Despite their cuteness, polar bears are one of the few animals that actively see/hunt humans as food/prey. On Svalbard island, it’s required that someone be armed whenever you leave town just in case, although attacks are rare and there’s a lot you can do to prevent an attack.

[@FlymanMS]

That only adds to their awesomeness, doesn't it?

[@knight0375]

Looks like an updated version of set 6520, oh the memories! 😊

[@abby_the_skwrl]

Bears and Gulf Livery AND snow splat pieces??? Yes please.

[@Etienne.6329]

this is peak toy design. It look so fun it can really get a kid to be interested in arctic science.

[@legaj56]

I feel that lego making the bases of sidebuilds with rounded plates makes them jarder to use in mocs for floors or bigger flat surfaces

[@legomattie3295]

Glad you mentioned the moldmarks. I am getting annoyed more and more by it. Mentioned it some years ago (on another forum) that it was more noticable, but people told me it was normal. Thaught it was just me, even though I got the idea it was getting worse over the years. I hope now you mentioned it, someone with way way way way more authority and name in the Legoworld as I have, more people will notice and, which is more important, lego will notice and do something about it.

[@TTHBLOX_]

I like seeing someone remake the thing with these polar explorer sets

[@christophstahl8169]

Nice review (as always). I really like the new Arctic line, It is a mix of the old Artic sets mixed with the discontinued Deep Sea Explorers sets. I was al ready to go to moan about the price tag of this set but then I looked at the old sets. This is a mix of the 2018 Arctic Scout Truck (60194) and the 2014 Arctic Outpost (60035). The outpost had a price tag of $49.99/€39.99 for 322 pieces. The truck had a price tag of $59.99/€49.99 for 374 pieces. So that is a us piece price of over 18 cents in the us! In 2018. Man, Lego prices are unfathomable for a long time now. I can't even whine that much now, since the new set is "cheaper" than the one before... bloody hell

[@BoardGamesBricksHobbies]

While it's fun to have the hazard stripes in a new color, the whole reason that they're yellow in the first place is so they catch your eye, they're not supposed to blend in!

[@Benjamin0119]

I really like how the snowcat looks. I'd prefer the snowplow to be one part or not have gaps, but it's not bad. I don't like the tow bar though or how the trailer is. Seems like it should have treads too or at least a bunch of wheels.

[@greenhill004]

I love the design of this set. The colors are perfect, not too much azure like the boat. The solar panels are silly being 6 months a year it would be too dark for it. $60 would be the price I'd think for the modern LEGO ripoff pricing.

[@BrickHQ]

Great set Bad price, it should be $50

[@NorthCountryOutlaw]

I wish they made Lego wolves, fox, penguins or caribou in an artic set. or just more of a variety wildlife in general

[@pelegocan4929]

This set needs a major discount but I think it's fantastic!

[@kingjupiter0645]

KING OF THE DRIFTS 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥

[@angryscholar8450]

Bring on the Carpenter's The Thing MOCs!

[@TymaDem]

6:02 that's a nice piece of tiberium

[@lipranditoys]

Definitely not worth 75$. I know there are a few bigger parts, specialized molds, but still the volume and playability you get out of this set feels like 55$ at best.

[@karrde593]

Yeah i think the modern point about price to value ratio which is more interesting today is that after discounts (im sure each region has a convention because at least aus, there are 3 very consistent percentages that are used), lego CAN actually match subjective value. The only extreme defects with lego pricing are the 4+ licenced sets? Regarding this, something about the chicken legs doesn't look appealing.. if it hits me in the head maybe. The truck is awesome.

[@itsagrayday]

Now I can recreate the opening scene in national treasure !

[@klaykid117]

I really wish there was a cheaper way to get a treaded vehicle for minifigures. I still feel disappointment from the new snowmobile having just rounded technic bricks instead of treads. Also does anybody else find it strange that Lego released all these arctic explorer sets on August 1st in the middle of summer? I figured they would have waited until at least October or maybe even September as the earliest release

[@FlymanMS]

Snowgroomer set gives you the basics to make your own threaded vehicle at much cheaper price.

[@joostdriesens3984]

I can understand the timing is relevant when it is a christmas set, or halloween, but does everything have to be season matched? A theme with deserts can only be released in summer? I don't mind playing winter games on my computer at all during the summer, it distracts from the heat ;-)

[@klaykid117]

@@FlymanMS True! I could probably grab some technic bricks

[@정수-n8c]

Polar bears! They are so darn cutee haha! Also can we motorize the truck and create the Polar Drift? It would look so fun with the mobile lab drifting along haha!

[@CriticsCupofficial]

The green crystal could be a reference to Superman Kryptonite 😂

[@Rusty_119]

$75?! Lego is crazy with these new prices

[@ebomb1133]

This and the boat released this wave go well with those Arctic sets from 2018/19. The ones with the primal animals like the sabertooth and wooly Mammoth? I got all of those and loved them. Funds dependent I would like to pick them up but I might wait for a sale if possible. Great review as always Jang!

[@lz7835]

Did you also buy the explorer diving boat? I didn’t see that in your hauls

[@warrennewman5325]

Awsome artic explorer and truck great review

[@luisemoralesfalcon4716]

Hmmm, I might just get the creatures.

[@parazels83]

The set itself is good, even though pricey.

[@kaizokuAUTO]

Great set, nowhere near 75 dollars value though.

[@awesomeinmortal3499]

Love the reviews man thanks

[@jkb2016]

If you have 6620, you know what a remakable progress was made over the years =)

[@dzikuz991]

It's been out for a while in EU and Amazon already has it 20% off. I was able to buy it for even less but the set doesn't seem to be a popular choice given the retail price. Better wait, it's not worth msrp, but cool set regardless.

[@BradleyJSimmons]

Should’ve put the trailer on treads too 😂

[@danielemaggio6999]

That red clip joint right in the middle of the cargo really bothers me

[@japiekr3k3l]

Cheater wheel? What happened to the rubber stud pieces for tracks?

[@idomoshe6040]

I'm glad you brought up the issue about the nubs/edges/mold marks - this really has deteriorated in recent years and it's very noticeable (in other words - ugly).

[@storm5936]

The interior colouring of the boulder makes me think of Sculk from Minecraft with that colour setup

[@skyborne80]

I think JANG is bang on, this set has many awkward features that could have been done better. Additionally, I'm personally not a fan of the new caution color. It just doesn't scream "CAUTION" to me like the yellow used to. Also, the continuing trend of the injection mold marks sticking out so much is really getting tiresome; Lego is better than this.

[@ramizrehman6293]

They discovered kryptonite in the meteor 😂

[@josefnitervol6415]

I wonder if it works in actual snow..

[@theoreticallymonkey]

It should have come with a husky and a flamethrower

[@danielvogel5252]

Yeah, i think I'll wait until this line goes on clearance for like 50% off before buying. I saw this set at Barnes and Noble the other day and just about LOLed at the price. Lego is getting out of hand with the money again just like in the late 90s/early 00s. This entire line could stand to be 30%, at a minimum, cheaper. With the molding and print issues they have had going on for a while now, we're paying Lego prices for Mega Bloks quality... Oh, and it's been four months now that I'm waiting on a resolution to the instruction book #1 of my Police Dog Training set to be replaced due to having several incorrect pages (from the second book) in the middle... no follow up, no nothing... speaking of quality control issues...

[@RoyalFrank]

Very nice!

[@AnthonyAvon]

These sets are too good. I'll have to get them, to keep until I find more shelf space for display. Usually I like everything from LEGO but something about this line totally works for me.

[@Elbricks]

Amazing review!

[@villelepoaho4105]

This set is worth $50 and not a single cent more. But I guess the City tax adds that extra $25.

[@thoregrimm6042]

What the heck is the City tax? I knew of the license theme tax, maybe app theme tax or ninjago tax, new/big part tax, but City tax?! The classic evergreen inhouse theme?

[@HHHighASF]

I swear lego changed theyre prices $75 for a 400+ piece set is actually a scam.

[@aksel8228]

Hello

[@inanim8]

i love lego but those prices are ridiculous

[@bricksbeersbeards9368]

great review as always! thanks

[@milbin1795]

They still do arctic sets?

[@thoregrimm6042]

Yeah, a new wave

[@achoumachi6695]

The thing set

[@marcybones64]

"gender-agnostic" lol I like that!

[@thomaswyatt199]

$100 cad for 489psc crazy overpriced

[@nps1016]

Lego sets are getting pricy. I like the set but not for $74.99, I’d pay $54.99 for it.

[@strangehermitman7898]

This is way too overpriced no matter how I look at it. The locomotive build is essentially an alternate version of the snowmobile set for $20 a few years while the trailer is the equivalent of a single story building on one of those 8x16 large plates but with more sleek look and on stilts. Considering the small side build with the polar bears and the benefit of the doubt, I could comfortably picture it as a relative decent value $50 instead of a very nice $40 set that makes the most of its parts.

[@kranitzlazourious7267]

(づ￣ ³￣)づ Oh I have been waiting for this review! I have the 2014 and 2018 Arctic sets and was debating getting this years.

[@joostdriesens3984]

I bought the snow mobile and the small boat. They're nice but I have to say the 2018 edition was better in my opinion (I bought almost all of those), much tighter with relation to design and purpose. This line is somewhat arctic, but also not as there are non-arctic animals included. The turtles also don't look right, as if they are not LEGO. They don't follow the design principles of LEGO animals in general.

[@FlymanMS]

Everything about this set is great, except for the price, and even that aspect is not too outrageous.

[@Brick-Life]

overpriced!

[@t.i.m.bricks8302]

Hopefully those Scientists don't work for Lex Luthor when they find the kryptonite