LEGO Space is Back!*

We're kicking off 2024 with some exciting news - LEGO Space is BACK! ...or is it?
Photography and other resources used in this video: drive.google.c...
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For quality retro Lego conversation in the best online community I have ever been a part of, you can join the discussion on the Manic Miners Discord: / discord
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I created the photography, stop motion animation, and music in this video. Original artwork by Brett Halland. Thanks for watching!

[@RRSlugger]

I know KZbin isn't exactly the platform for nuance, but I just want to re-emphasize that I neither love nor hate these new LEGO Space sets for 2024. There are good qualities to them... and there are not so good qualities too. In a vacuum, I think I would be much more positive about them, but given the context leading up to their release... well, you get this video! 😅 One last thing - I totally goofed on the original release date of Space Port! I knew that it came out before Rock Raiders, but I didn't know by how many months. I can't believe it took me until the editing phase to actually look it up. Whoops! 🙃 I guess that means I'm a fake fan of LEGO Space after all! 😆 We'll be back into the world of Rock Raiders shortly, and after that - to Everest! Thanks for watching everyone! ❤

[@PirateJohnson]

Now I have go look to see every single MiniFig face that was used in a LEGO Space set as a character not from Earth. I have a strong feeling that "They Live" amongst the UnAware others. Time to get my Roddy Piper SunGlasses out.

[@alexbarrett3832]

Space Port is a tricky one to define too, as there were two phases of it a few years apart which may have had different names (launch command maybe?) Plus they had made the odd NASA set under the city banner before that, and would continue to afterwards, so its scope is kind of much bigger than that of the actual theme with that name. I'm glad I'm not the only one who still calls the "city space" sets of the last decade Space Port sets though...

[@jangounchained5279]

Bro SHUT THE HELL UP , we finally got "not space shuttle" theme and you bash it ?!?! What is your problem - perfectionism ??? 🤦🤔

[@richardmcnamara8715]

"In a vacuum" I see what you did there!

[@Axofpik]

So from browsing the lego website as of late I've noticed that it seams to be just generalized interests such as "space" just being slaped with that obtrusive "space" banner which is a real same as I personally was hoping for a true space theme

[@thecelestialtoygazer7816]

The colour coded spacesuit uniforms, the unusual angles and shapes (ESPECIALLY on the rover), it all gives the sense that the designers are desperately trying to break free of the realistic city branding

[@RRSlugger]

I hope they keep trying, because we've got a long road ahead of us to get to Planet Unitron! 😅

[@dr.ramilo84]

you forgot the LITERAL MECH! Lego City, the series that is supposedly about a modern everyday life has a friggin' two-legged mech!

[@maxwellarnold6631]

@@RRSluggerwould it actually be reasonable to expect modern Lego space to incorporate lord from older space sub themes? How many kids born after 2010 actually know of the original Lego space line, how it was interconnected and such? I think these sets are analogous to the early 80’s classic space, what with the focus on peaceful exploration, with a bit of alien life thrown in, and the brightly colored space suits.

[@lance2580]

@@dr.ramilo84 And then there is me, who grew up playing _LEGO City Undercover,_ which had Chase McCain pilot a giant yellow mech during the final boss.

[@2468h-s9e]

@@dr.ramilo84They just put mechs in anything now because they know people love mechs (and they do!). We don't have the capabilities to mine on other planets either 🤷‍♂️

[@mitchhirt]

as someone born in 2000 who has a lot of nostalgia for the likes of alien conquest and galaxy squad, these sets hit the spot for me. It really feels like a peacetime version of galaxy squad, and I hope they do well enough to warrant some space in the product range for a standalone original space theme to show up again.

[@PaleozoicBricks]

I got more of a civilian mars mission feeling

[@footballfever70]

Civilian side of Galaxy Squad is exactly how I'm using these. I'm a lot older, but I'm with you, I love them

[@sarahstrongin4400]

There have been a few sets that felt extremely "lego space" to me in recent years from the Monkie Kid subtheme. Chang-e's Mooncake Factory with its giant bunnybot (including removable escape pod) stands proudly among any Blacktron or Ice Planet sets from the 90s.

[@tefnutofhoney2832]

I love that set so much!

[@SuperSecretBricks]

Can't wait to see Ninjago Space sets. It's only a matter of time

[@LilTuba]

For some reason that carrot rocket broke Jang's brain.

[@docnecrotic]

You're totally right. It has the aesthetics, the pinch of science fantasy, and more.

[@bricktoadbuild]

@@LilTuba Haha, what do you mean?

[@robots_are_cool]

The biggest sin the theme commits, imo, is the dull normal color for the windscreens and windows. Had they gone with a vibrant blue, yellow, or even purple I think it would change perception a bit.

[@ClassicStudStudios]

The space ship in the friends set has a purple windscreen, look at that and tell me if you think it looks good!

[@RRSlugger]

Absolutely! There's a *huge* visual difference between the themes I consider to be LEGO Space and this; a lot of it largely comes down to how the bright transparent colours are used. 👍

[@robots_are_cool]

@@ClassicStudStudios I dig it actually! I would have changed the orange to purple to match it but otherwise it's a good look. It matching with the energy crystals from the other sets is a big plus!

[@toxicpersonalityincorporat3137]

Amen. Honestly that iridescent blue used in the Spacecar from Dreamzzz would have looked stunning on these sets.

[@Lordodragonss]

It looks good.@@ClassicStudStudios

[@adamn.4615]

I always thought of City Space as more of the realistic NASA-type equipment; whereas, the classic Space themes had more of a sci-fi/fantasy vibe. What I’ve seen of the new “Space” sets appears to be somewhere in between realistic and fantasy. If the branding continues, I’m curious to see what direction it will go.

[@TheGreatMasterGII]

To me, it seems like a speculative "future space". It's still sci-fi to be sure, but these city sets appear to trace an extension of realistic space tech. Plausible--not strictly fictitious or real. It's like the artists concepts for our space travel many years down the road.

[@CabooseSP]

I'm firmly in camp 'This Counts As Lego Space To Me', in the same way I'd consider Life on Mars as Lego Space and happily include it in a Lego Space themed build, I personally really appreciate the way they take the multicolored Spacemen and organize them in a Star Trekkian manner, in a way that fosters adding your own colors to boot with the lack of exclusively colored prints! It's totally feasible for me to add a Purple or Red divisions to add to the Green Scientist, Yellow Engineer, and Blue Pilot divisions already in play. I also gotta admit I am a sucker for the Nasapunk aesthetic and am happy to see a series just go whole hog into a fully Sci-Fi version of it, which I think is what really separates this series of City Space sets from the prior "Spaceport 2" serieses. I would actually argue this is at *least* Spaceport *3* if not Lego Space proper! That all said, as always I appreciate your perspective! I am glad I can come here and hear a well thought out and considered take even if I don't agree in the end. So thanks again for the video, I look forward to more in the future!

[@RRSlugger]

I can totally see where you're coming from! That idea of the Space Port 3 comparison is actually really apt, I agree. 👍 In a vacuum, I think I'd be a lot more stoked about these sets, but I have trouble looking past the decade-long baggage that tethers them to City/Space Port. The LEGO Group's apparent unwillingness to drop the "City" name from their "Space" sets is emblematic of my issues here. 😕

[@Richter.Belmont]

The 90s Lego space sets are really something special imo. Quintessential nostalgia and top notch creativity.

[@optiprimal4280]

Yeah I agree that they’re not the Lego space like people know but this space label being pushed onto a bunch of sets across multiple themes I think is meant to be more of a gimmick this year. They also seem to be doing a entire space themed cmf wave too in the future that does have some returning classic space themed minifigures so it might not be much but I hope fans of Lego space enjoy it.

[@RRSlugger]

Yup! One small step in the right direction... 😉

[@studebricker2845]

Those minifigs are the only thing I'm halfway interested in...

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

NOT THE ASTERISK! I think how LEGO is bringing Space back is clever in that it allows for that same variety within Space we once had. Doesn’t mean it’s on par with classic Space, but it’s a step in the right direction. Now will Castle be given the same treatment? I have no idea, but it’d be a lot harder to bring Friends and City into that space unless they apply the thin justification of “it’s just a renaissance fair, bro.” The 2024 City Space sets are a step towards that Unitron style. Perhaps they’re the ancestors of those who would go on to wear red, yellow, black, white, and blue…

[@riley_oneill]

I always figured that Lego space took place several hundred or even thousands of years in the future and that that Lego City was a half way point between Lego Castle and Lego Space. Both Castle and City had boats, but those boats were separated by 1000 or so years. The Lego city had space stuff, either contemporary to that time, or predictions of the fairly near future (rest of the 21st century or early 22nd century) while the Space theme was several centuries removed from this.

[@RRSlugger]

This is cool, yeah! 🙂

[@mauricio.mc21]

Slugger, I got to say... I am so much more interested in space as a whole because of you. I highly respect Lego for putting more emphasis on space this year, but like you said, there is a lack of creativity that old themes used to bring. I am excited when there will be a theme that we can all enjoy together and then watch you freak out in a video xD

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! I too, hope that day comes! ❤

[@alexbarrett3832]

Well done articulating this important but subtle distinction. Lego Insectoids will always be my favourite subtheme, so I want the crystal canopy sci fi aesthetic of Lego Space back too! However, I've also had trouble at times explaining to others why the excellent Space Port sets we've been getting aren't it. I think I lot of people who didn't grow up with 90's space sets, don't quite get the distinction. That said, I do like space port, even if its not my platonic ideal. The Nasa inspired builds we've been getting may not be leaving the solar system, but they have been very creative the last few years, and are a great build experience. They've also done a good job of showing life in space, and presenting the real world space program in a very accessible and understandable way. As a planetary scientist, I think there is a lot of value in making construction toys which present the space program as something that is real, happening now, and which kids can grow up to get involved in. As an outreach tool that is hard to beat. Surely they can keep doing that, and give us the amazing rock raiders/exploreans/insectoids reboot of our dreams too?

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! And coming from a planetary scientist, this is high praise indeed! ❤ I agree with all of your points here; these Space Port-esque sets continue to be cool, but they don't scratch that same itch that 80s/90s Space did. 👍 And I'm 100% there with your final point too - why not both!

[@91owl]

I am delighted by the composition of the "We are here" graphic.

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! Me too! ❤ It was the last element I made for this video, and after finishing it I realized it basically summed up everything I tried to say here in one image. I could have just saved myself the trouble and *not* made the video, haha! 😆

[@SuperSecretBricks]

I remember fondly Space Port 1999. That year little kid me watched a solar eclipse, holding onto my 6458: Satellite with astronaut, my 6453: comlink cruiser and my 6454: Countdown Corner (so great to see it here in all it's glory!). To me Space Port got rebooted in 2019, with sets that reflect what could be done then, it got continued in 2022 with sets that showed what could be done in the very near future. 2024 is the continuation, with sets that show what can be done in several decades. It's almost the new Classic Space, with exploration being put first and foremost

[@WronaBros.]

I'm a big fan of this year's theme and love how it, alongside things like Life on Mars and Mars Mission, clearly fits between spaceport and classic Space. But I totally see your point and think the final remark of this video is an absolutely spot-on comment about this series.

[@-._Radixerus_.-]

Seeing these sets in stores got my heart rate up. I've been dreaming of this day ever since i was 9 years old going deep in the catacombs of the LEGO wiki, through what felt like ancient forgotten texts to discover these endless themes and sub themes until i finally reached the pages about the initial space theme. They were some of the most absurd and creative builds i had ever seen, using pieces to that point unknown to me. I was seeing the structures that the bin of yellowed grey and blued greens once formed. Dreams of putting them back together shattered by the realization that, at most, _half of half_ the sets my father had were now lost or otherwise unobtainable by me. "One day," I said to myself "they'll realize how much money they're missing out on, and start pushing the space themes again! That would be awesome." And now, after 7 years, it is that day, and I have only peed my pants TWICE. Once these sets inevitably sell well, they're going to have more faith, and probably give the deisgners more freedom, and eventually we'll start seeing new molds come out of this. Nothing will ever, EVER be as cool as Ice Planet 2002, but that's not really a fair competition considering it's literally called _Ice Planet._ That's like trying to go up against _Gangster Swag Clothing Co._ The thing they are is IN THE NAME.

[@RRSlugger]

Hahaha, your excitement is infectious! ❤️ I’m so happy that day finally came for you! I’m hoping to have a day like that one day too. 😊

[@spirituskitsune]

This is EXACTLY how I feel! I'm not missing this chance!

[@mogreen19]

BLACKTRON 4 LIFE!!!!! (Yes I am that old and it is my favourite LEGO Space theme of all time.)

[@elizabethopoussm]

I'm wondering if you were a hypothetical lego desginer what would be your pitch to move the product in a direction that you think would be more in line with that older phliosphy?

[@RRSlugger]

I don't think I have a good answer for this, and it would be rash of me to assume that I have any insight on how LEGO themes are pitched or developed. 😕 As a fan of LEGO, I think the best I can do is communicate what I'd like to see in the future, but I'm not expecting anyone at the company to actually listen to what one slug says on the internet. 😅 If I had some post-secondary education in marketing or product design, I think I would feel more fit to take on this challenge. Sorry! 🙂

[@MayoHosko]

I think what people who don’t own any LEGO space set before the year 2001 fail to realise is there’s a difference between fantasy space and civilian space. Classic space, futuron, blacktron, space police, m tron, ice planet, spyrius, unitron, exploriens, ufo, and insectoids are all fantasy space. Launch command, space port and everything after that is either civilian space or weird crossovers

[@connormaskell4192]

Here's one way to look at it, Town/City Space port: morden day Life on Mars, Mars Mission, City Space 2024: 100 to 200 years in the future Most other Lego Space themes: far future, about 500 to 1000 years. But at the end of the day, does it really matter what's on the box. Rather, what's IN the box that counts.

[@RRSlugger]

"But at the end of the day, does it really matter what's on the box. Rather, what's IN the box that counts."

[@davydigger708]

Star Wars: a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

[@mensen2462]

Although I consider those new space sets to be inferior in design and concept to those from the 70s-80s-90s, I’m still thrilled to see Lego go in that direction. I think they are testing the market to see if space would be viable as a standalone theme. In that regard, I think it’s important for us to show our appreciation to this new “attempt” at space in one way or another. That way, we could possibly get a real space theme somewhere before the end of this decade. I don’t know for sure, but I’m still glad Lego city space 2024 exists :)

[@ToxicAtom]

This is something that happens surprisingly often in lego, where multiple themes appear in a similar setting, this is just the first time they went ahead and pointed it out. The earliest I remember of this was 2007, where there was a strange coincidence between the release of Aqua Raiders and Spongebob alongside Bionicle going under the waves, while City deployed a number of watercraft above it.

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed! Dinosaurs in 2000/01 were really popular, so we saw themes like Dino Island and Dinosaur take off during that era too. Would have been hilarious if they had printed a big "DINO" logo on all of those boxes back then! 😆

[@ToxicAtom]

@@RRSlugger Ah, I completely forgot about that! Since Dino Island came first, then the generic Dinosaur theme after, _then_ Jurassic Park after that yet still, I guess I don't really internalize the connection between them. Just a weird way brains can be.

[@ryancarrell3186]

in the Lego lore, I can see these City sets as the bridging between the previous Lego city space stuff, the more grounded space shuttles and satellites, to the more sci-fi stuff of classic space. The City figures are making their way into the stars, possibly working towards first contact with aliens and bridging into the wider galaxy.

[@RRSlugger]

I could see that too. It's just taken us *so long* to even get here... at this rate, it's debatable whether or not The LEGO Group will get to Planet Unitron again before I die. 🙃

[@mystic-malevolence]

I think there is some potential in these satin purple power cells. Like the power crystals of Rock Raiders and by extension Power Miners, and forgive me, Mars Mission, they seem to be a sort of scifi macguffin that could unify multiple themes into one timeline. Presumably. Now that I say it I can't actually think of any examples of that, but it could happen. Now that the reddish orange doesn't just look bright scarlet as it did on stream, I actually think it works pretty well here. I'm tempted to pick up some of these sets in hopes that Lego would get the right idea, but as we all know, a company can twist sales or lack thereof to mean just about anything.

[@RRSlugger]

A huge step in the right direction (in my opinion) would be to take that satin purple colour and start replacing all of the other transparent colours on these sets with it. When we look at the Space sets of the 80s/90s, they never had boring grey/black transparent windscreens. A large amount of their character came from the vibrant transparent colours!

[@blockstacker5614]

Tbh mars mission is some of my favorite lego theme

[@bdonaghu]

I think of this new "space" branding as simply a way to introduce an outer space concept to an existing theme. Outer space is such an interesting subject matter for kids, so LEGO decided to incorporate the concept of outer space into several existing LEGO themes (City, Friends, Classic, Technic, etc.) I think it's pretty neat, but definitely not akin to the LEGO Space theme itself.

[@RRSlugger]

Agreed! It's just a matter of branding, not an overhaul of how or what sets are developed. 👍

[@Lordodragonss]

ALso its aparently 60 years of Lego space. With 801 set being forst SPACE set

[@RRSlugger]

@@Lordodragonss Interesting! I guess it all depends on which set is considered "first". Classic Space is generally regarded to have started in 1979, though even that gets a bit hairy as it actually released a month earlier in 1978 in the North American markets. 🤷

[@Lordodragonss]

@@RRSlugger 601 was made in 1964!

[@gsuaveyt]

the lego city space stuff is close enough for me to grab some. I hope that if they do good, we could get more actual lego space

[@PureSolace]

'Interstellar' means we're traveling between stars... We're going to Unitron!

[@gegbag2666]

slugger, its literally a space theme where they mine crystals to make energy ROCK RAIDERS IS BACK BABEY !!!

[@RRSlugger]

😆❤

[@August222]

I just stumbled upon this video while looking for 2024 reviews. As a life-long Lego space fan (my first set was the rocket launcher from classic space), I find this video profoundly insightful and crisply narrated. It clearly articulates some aspects of Lego space that I’ve thought about much but understood little. And the planet Unitron backstory is new to me, though I own many of the sets that refuel there. The Unitron graphic displaying where we currently are on the return voyage is both hilarious and so true. There should be a fan movement: “Return to Unitron!” Return to Unitron.

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you very much! Return to Unitron, indeed! ❤️

[@GreyGaymer]

To me, I think this new line is... interesting? Them going across various themes with a sub-theme like this is fascinating, and while it seems primarily useful to shoppers who are buying for their kids specific interests (which is frankly also perfectly fine and great), they are leaning into some more fantastical elements! Meeting aliens is a good start. Taking it out of just City is a good start. Space getting rolled into the standard City rotation of "We reboot it every 3 years" like Fire, Police, etc is... frustrating, but I'm hoping it builds towards something better!

[@dr.ramilo84]

Hey, at least this time it's more sci-fy and not fully realistic nasa stuff...

[@RRSlugger]

"Interesting" is the right word, I agree! Maybe not as exciting as it could otherwise be, but certainly interesting haha. 😅

[@Garwulf1]

Coming in here quite late, but... I'm a child of the '80s (I was born in the mid-70s), and Classic Space was "MY Space"...and these sets have the exact same feel to me now as those had back then. They are honestly reminding me of sets I had back in the early 80s, with near-direct counterparts. I'd honestly describe it as "Classic Space with a new coat of paint". And, with my daughter being just the right age to get into Lego, I'm absolutely thrilled that she gets to start her Lego Space journey with this.

[@EmersonacReviews]

I think the branding on the boxes is meant to show that the sets are compatible with eachother: the space station and most of the ships from the sets marked as Space have a connection system that allows them to attach to eachother. Maybe LEGO wanted to show that "hey, if you have this Friends space set, you can buy this City space set and integrate it with your existing sets!". Also not to mention that literally every rocket released under the "spaceport" theme literally looks the same. Apparently the only vehicles LEGO designers can think of are Space Shuttles and Space Launch Systems. Inspiration from other real-life vehicles (I would kill for a LEGO Falcon 9) could be a start, but I don't expect them to snap out of it anytime soon. But yeah, I agree with you. There is a very big difference between LEGO Space and LEGO in space. Sadly I don't think LEGO will ever do a true return to classics, most if not all of the classic space-themed sets were released for nostalgia's sake and not as a reboot of the theme. Galaxy Explorer might be the last "classic-spacey" set we'll see for a while... Oh yeah, and the Interstellar Spaceship? Banger set. Love the angles and the rocket engine play feature. For some reason it gives off a bit of a Thunderbirds vibe, will def pick it up one day. Great vid as always Slugger!

[@RRSlugger]

That's a good point about the sets intercompatibility! 👍 I think it *mostly* rings true, but there are a few outliers, (such as the Friends stargazing set or the Classic brick box) that really have nothing to do with the new airlock system. 😅 Actually, come to think of it, neither does the DreamZzz car... I think I'm just confusing myself more, haha. 😂

[@CodyRushDriving]

I kinda see these new ones as like a prequel series to classic Lego Space. Somehow along the timeline, we go from City: Space to Classic Space, and this feels like step 1 of 3 or 4 to transition there. Like we're looking at where it started before advanced tech really took off.

[@shepherd8171]

I really think the biggest mark against this theme is the colour scheme, as you pointed out weve seen the orange and white colour scheme so many times before and it feels like beating a dead horse

[@RRSlugger]

Big time! They *have* to lose that white as a primary colour shtick they've been doing for the last *20 years*. 💀

[@Ogre6972]

Absolutely agree!

[@PohatuBarlow]

I would be interested in seeing a video breakdown of where all the Space themes fit on the scale of Space Port 1999 to Planet Unitron.

[@Outlawcarl]

when i was much younger i used to be obsessed with building a big space ship of a really odd design i would make a spine from 2x6-2x8 plates then make ribs out of 1x8s plates and then add whatever plates i had to it to make a floor, and then build computer stations at top, i would then using part 2434 i think about 4 of them i would do the same on the underside of the ship to make a second room like an armoury or engine room. No idea where that came from it didn’t really look like a ship... i guess it did look like a control room like in star Trek but don’t know why i built the floor in that way, it took forever to find the bits..... Tempted to try it again see what an adult me can do with the concept. Also cool video as always

[@sebchambers7140]

“Well they’re not Lego space to me, they’re Lego space to somebody” THIS. I wasn’t born early enough to experience classic space or anything close to it. I’ve loved Lego space to death since it started and brought all the 2011 spaceport sets, then the galaxy squad sets (heavily underrated IMO) and since then it’s just been… spaceport? 5 times??? This new wave of space sets is the freshest wave city has brought out in years and is my first city purchase in years. I just wish it could have flourished as it’s own theme and not a smaller subtheme that will never be revisited.

[@sambauman69]

I think the designers are testing the waters for whether full sci-fi original themes are still viable. Relying on familiar color pallettes and semi-realistic designs allows them to take steps forward with other things like construction techniques, minifig designs, and the inclusion of alien life. I fully approve and will support this theme.

[@RRSlugger]

I hope so! Although, if their approach is only to make incremental changes every few years, I'll be in my 40's before we get back to the metaphorical Planet Unitron... 💀

[@multi2736]

Best way to put it for Lego Space theme would be "One small step for Lego, one giant leap for Space."

[@Andrewnuva199]

Though the builds may not altogether be too different from the last few NASA-adjacent Space subthemes, the presentation feels like enough steps are being taken that a difference does feel present. Implied alien worlds and strange creatures, along with the less-bulky spacesuits feel like nice gradual steps back into the older Space aesthetic, and I like the crossover novelty going on with this miniseries that we at least see in Friends (and pseduo implied in Dreamzzz and Technic, even if its indirect). It's an interesting "prologue" feel, which is also how I've treated Life on Mars in my personal LEGO headcanon. Martian first contact is an important step in LEGOLAND space getting to where they are in something like the Classic era, with the collaborations allowing for further developments like those seen in the advancing City era. It's not dramatic, but its a progressiveness that gives me the good vibes of something like the aesthetic of Star Trek: Enterprise (which the blue suits we saw in the last City/Mars astronauts, even if that lacked Martians, also hit well with me)

[@vaimantobe3034]

It's been years since I've been this hyped for a theme. And even though it feels too City-like in places, I'm just glad it's a full lineup, not the trash 3 set-distribution from two years ago. I can finally get THREE small sets that all seem interesting. That said; I'll take the OG themes over these any day. I'm just happy we got _something_ that isn't just straight up contemporary near-future or a direct remake of an old set (that's HUGE or a GWP)

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed! It's nice to see a more fully realized concept here. And you make a good point about the GWP/remake aspect - I'm not out here asking for a remake of what came before, but rather something new that still exists with the creative design language we once saw within LEGO Space. 🙂

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

My impression is that Lego has been slowly and deliberately building a transition from Spaceport-style City sets toward their classic Space lines, using NASA's future concept art as a jumping-off point and iterating systematically from there. IMO you can clearly see this in the slow evolution of minifigure design, from the contemporary EVA suits to the NASA concept suits to the new color-coded Lego Space suits (complete with classic logo) and an ever-increasing distance from Earth (first it was Earth and orbit, then Lunar stuff, then Mars, and now we even have an Interstellar ship). Perhaps in a year or two (or maybe a few more) we'll see something akin to a founding of Unitron (or a proto-Unitron colony). The upcoming CMF series is another indicator that a modernized take on Classic Space is on their minds.

[@RRSlugger]

Slowly is the key word there! How many more years (decades?) will we have to wait to return to the metaphorical Planet Unitron? 💀 I don’t know why it has to be a one or the other thing either. Let’s get some proper LEGO Space in here *and* continue the slow NASA future thing they’re doing now! That’s what everyone wins looks like. 😊

[@judekw6034]

I think an important factor you miss in locating these new sets between City Space and Space is the chronology element we also had in Classic Space/Space. I don't mean that the overlapping shelftimes of the Space subthemes determine where to locate a subtheme chronologically, but still there seems to be a temporal evolution over time with the different subthemes depicting different evolutionary stages of a space agency, like Classic Space to Futuron, Blacktron to Blacktron2 and Space Police 1 and 2 (I skip SP3 for now). That's why I think we should locate the 2024 sets on a temporal axis between City Space and Space! Although there have been some Solarpunk influences in the 2023 City waves, LEGO City basically is a depiction of the present, sometimes extrapolating current technological trends a few years (1-5) into the future, like E-mobility or self driving airport shuttles. The original Spaceport subtheme of city was very much a depiction of the contemporary spacefaring, and City Space always has been that since. This only changed recently in 2019 with one set, that manned Mars Research Shuttle, that depicts a projection of a few years into the future, but not dramatically far. The 2022 subtheme is the same in that temporal regard, showing a Lunar Base as the current state of technology. There's one difference in 2022 though: For the first time in City Space (afaik), the logo resembles the Classic Space logo, a fact I interpret as the foundation of the same space agency we still see in the "later" Classic Space subtheme far into the future. The same logo is now developed on for the 2024 wave: To me again this feels like the same space agency, but projected maybe 100 to 200 years into the future, where deep space travel, mining and construction is the state of technology. I think this feeling stems from the fact LEGO deliberately chose not to set the 2024 wave on a planet or moon in the solar system but on an unknown planet with plants and primitive sentient alien life, a first in City Space also. Indeed, Planet Unitron will for sure not exist for another 1000 years in that timeline, but imagining the 2024 spaceships and vehicles landing in the contemporary LEGO city feels just as off. I have no doubt the 2024 wave shares a timeline with Classic Space and that the inclusion of the Classic Space logo is LEGO trying to make that chronology canon. I share your doubts about some Space subthemes though: Life on Mars, Space Police III, Alien Conquest and Galaxy Squad all feel way closer to the present to me, even than the 2024 sets, although all featuring more developed alien life. I somewhat feel, despite the character BB, these exist more like in a parallel universe and detached from the City timeline (or maybe deleted from the minifigures' memories afterwards ;) ); an indication of that is the lack of continuity of the Mars civilization in the two Mars themes that followed each other with no other theme in between to explain the disappearance of the teal alien life.

[@RRSlugger]

I like your theory and share similar thoughts! Indeed, the 2024 Space sets won't be landing in Houston, Texas as we know it today, haha. At the same time, they won't be landing on Planet Unitron either, so they do exist as an in-between. 👍 I'm torn on that Space logo thing; I have more cynical reasons for believing why they continue to come back to it, but those have more to do with nostalgia pandering/marketing than any in-universe reason. 😕

[@lbricks7631]

See, I just want a Lego *theme* with some sort of space connection. While Life on Mars, Mars Mission, Alien Conquest and Galaxy Squad weren't Lego Space as you defined it Slugger, they were Themes about Lego in Space that could exist on their own (Even if they did have a continuity with other themes at the time). Instead of Lego making a cool new Lego in Space theme, they slap the Lego City label on it to sell a few more boxes, which I find to be so damn infuriating. I wish these sets got their own branding, their own breathing space.

[@RRSlugger]

I almost feel like I’m asking too much to want an actual Space *theme* these days! 😂 You’re absolutely right though. 👍

[@Thinginator]

So, you mention the "interconnected LEGO universe" as a unifying element that makes LEGO Space LEGO Space, but that's exactly why I think the 2024 Space sets ARE LEGO Space! The awesome thing about the "Space" branding across themes is that the City sets are designed to accommodate Friends figures and all of these themes share the same docking port element, and are advertised as being compatible. For the first time, LEGO is actively encouraging you to mix Friends with City with Technic with Creator and so on! Implying all of these worlds exist in THE SAME UNIVERSE! Friends figures may be clearly different from minifigures, and their ships use a different design language and color scheme, so you could totally imagine them to be from different planets, but they are also cooperating and exploring the universe together and even meeting the strange mechanical race of Technic vehicles, which perhaps upon meeting the Friends and City space factions, redesigned themselves to accommodate both life forms for further collaboration! This unprecedented theme-bridging between such vastly different subgenres of LEGO theme is a beautiful and creatively wonderful thing in my eyes. It reminds me of how my sister and I tried to combine Friends and City sets to play together as kids, and we made it work even if it was a little weird. And now LEGO is giving more people an extra nudge to do the same thing, but with Space! Even for those who don't like the clashing styles of City, Friends, and Technic, Space is the perfect way to bring all of these together because now you can explain it away as them being from different worlds but still cooperating. I love that, and I hope it will encourage siblings around the world to make wonderful memories playing together. It might be more of a reboot of Space than a return, as I don't know if I could see Friends and City on Unitron, but the spirit of old and new Space is similar enough that they are both excellent in their own ways, and still have plenty in common. Also, as far as the NASApunk aesthetic is concerned, there's a very good reason for that which has to do with why LEGO is going all-in on space this year - NASA is going forward with the first new manned missions to the moon starting in 2024. The first mission will just be to orbit the moon and return, but people will be on that spacecraft, and moon landings will follow shortly, with the plan being to establish a lunar base that can serve as a jumping-off point for future Mars missions. In other words, LEGO is anticipating excitement around space in general for the next several years, so it makes sense for LEGO to return to Space in a big way. I do agree though, I'd love to see more unashamedly sci-fi Space sets return, even if I am pretty happy with the NASApunk current space stuff. The rovers in particular scream classic space to me, thanks to those big plastic wheels, but I also plan on picking up some of the Technic rovers as I am a sucker for Technic sets with unusual functions and have wanted them to branch out into sci-fi for decades. Also I for one am excited for reddish orange because it matches my first car almost perfectly, way better than old orange did, so I can finally update my LEGO model of it with accurate colors :)

[@RRSlugger]

The inter-connectivity between these new sets is a good point to bring up, for sure! It's certainly interesting and different... almost like how Time Cruisers encouraged hopping between themes! I don't think I see it in the same light as you, but that's okay. Like I said, this is going to be LEGO Space to somebody, and maybe that somebody is you! 🙂

[@ClintonMatos]

Hey Slug, I am really surprised that you didn't touch on the module system that ties all of this together. You even show it on screen on the left hand side at 5:46. It's what makes this different from the old stuff, especially because sets from different themes can interact through it. It's even indicated by the new orange colour 😅

[@RRSlugger]

If I were to have brought it up, I would have pointed out how it's just another retread of the 2019 Space line. Those sets had it too! 😅

[@ClintonMatos]

@@RRSlugger Fair enough but I think the cross-theme part of it makes it more interesting this time around.

[@RRSlugger]

@@ClintonMatos On that point, I agree absolutely! 👍

[@garbotoxins840]

I like this subtheme idea that they're doing with several different themes here. City, Technic, Creator, Dreamz and Classic, it's fun to see space takes in all these themes, I like the variety on display. I could see them doing similar subtheme ideas like western and undersea too.

[@chedder_chandlure4363]

tbh my favorite part of these sets are those adorable brick-built aliens, they are such little guys!!!

[@branchleader73]

Wow yes, orange is the enemy! That ship looked so much better without it. This vid is spot on.

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! 🙂

[@the-NITRON]

so "slugging" is an official slur in the slug language? XD but yeah, in retrospect, this IS essentially LEGO Space Port with extra Steps. but we gotta work with what we get, and we will got the summer wave of set to look forward to- ah who am i kidding, it's still gonna be NASA-like at the end of the day. but hey, this IS lego, we can modify it however we want! just like the lego Lightyear XL-15 set i got last year, i modded it into an Explorien style spacecraft!

[@RRSlugger]

Hahaha, we're adding it to the lexicon! 😆 Maybe in another 10 years we'll be a little bit closer to Planet Unitron. 🙃 And this is a good point! I'm already looking at ways of removing the orange from these new Space sets, haha!

[@SpongebobLover38493]

I really like the little battery packs on the vehicles, looks awesome and the spaceship set where you push down to "power up" is pretty cool

[@RRSlugger]

Me too! Great little features. 😊

[@MTronForever]

This reflects my sentiments exactly. Yes, they seem like nice sets. Yes, they move the needle. But are they satisfying and exciting the way old school space was? No. However, I agree with other commenter that the best space/sci-fi today is in Monkie Kid.

[@Vic-Valentine]

i wish they used the classic space helmets, if they did this would be the perfect theme for me, the new ones just dont hit the same

[@loganw682]

The snap and switch sandy's rocket at five below is functionally a lego space set and it even includes a 90s/00s style 6041 propeller element in white.

[@sandwichboy1268]

I love the use of the new reddish orange in the new lego space sets. I think it does deserve more creative use, but if this is a soft introduction to the color before it pops up in something major, I'll be happy.

[@packaged_goods]

To me, the undisputed highlight of this video was your fascinating litmus test for determining what constitutes Lego Space! Up until watching this video a couple days ago, the extent of my knowledge of Unitron was that it basically only ever had four sets, with one of them being a fairly exorbitant monorail system. But the tangent about this enigmatic "Planet Unitron" started me down a rabbit hole that was admittedly relatively shallow, thanks in large part to the fact that I was able to relatively easily trace your footsteps (the links in the description were a huge help!). I knew Unitron didn't have much in the way of marketing, presumably on account of not having much to market in the first place, but the revelation of Unitron having a tagline, and especially one so lofty as "Crossroads of the universe!" was quite the shock. The juxtaposition of that unified message (presumably localized entirely in American-focused advertisements/magazines) with how the theme seemed to be all but ignored in other venues (for instance, being absent from the info-blurbs on its own flagship set's box, with only the likes of Ice Planet and Spyrius being mentioned) only intensified my curiosity. Unitron had all of a sudden become all the more enigmatic! Of particular interest to me initially was the mention of how some of Unitron's visitors play by the rules, while others don't- a statement that totally re-contextualized the landscape of Unitron in my mind. Where I had previously thought of them as something of a nebulous sort of "civilian" faction in the vein of Futuron, M-Tron, or Ice Planet, with various uncharacteristically militarized aspects as in the various iterations of Space Police (as it evidently filled the production niches of both during its brief run), the combination of the light grey monorails, trans neon green, and potentially underhanded dealings between the likes of Spyrius and Blacktron suddenly painted a new picture- not so much a sparse space colony, but rather a dense cyberpunk city, jam-packed with utilitarian industrial scale transportation and an underground scene befitting of such a setting. Another interesting tidbit I noticed was from what appeared to be a product catalogue, which advertised only Unitron and Spyrius sets, but omitted mention of the former in favor of describing the factions of Ice Planet and Space Police II- with the curious caveat that the blurbs of both Spyrius and Space Police made conspicuous mention of an entity known as "the United Galaxies." Surprisingly, though, the slightly deeper dive I embarked on actually provided more evidence of a "militarized" Unitron! The Star Hawk II seems to be equipped with a superlative suite of lasers (or at least, some manner of conspicuously energetic-looking bright green antennae). The standard Unitron minifigures bear the same face print as the members of Space Police II. And perhaps most interestingly is a blurb associated with the Space Station Zenon from what might have been a Mania Magazine: "Space Station Zenon is the command center for all Unitron forces. You'll spend a lot of time training here for top secret interstellar missions against Spyrius spies. Z, as we call it, is like combining Earth's NASA, FBI, and CIA." Quite the description, but I think it certainly gives you a pretty clear idea of who the writers for Mania Magazine were writing for! All this talk of Unitron's sort of military persona invariably reminded me of one of my favorite pages on the internet- the AndroidArts "Lego Project" from 2010. Among the myriad fascinating concepts explored on that page through striking illustrations (several of which, I feel obliged to note, seem to have since been incorporated into Lego's own set design philosophy in the intervening years!) is an expansive and ambitious attempt to redesign and reinterpret a number of themes from castle, space and more into one connected universe. Within that framework, the Unitron faction, considered by the author a minor faction with minimal fan following that "doesn't add anything interesting new to the Lego Space Universe"- and an ugly, "broken" design and color scheme to boot (Their words- not mine!), were given a pretty big makeover, being redesigned to fit a "military persona." I haven't got a clue if that decision was made with Unitron promotional material in mind, but if I had to guess at the origins of a widespread perception of Unitron as a militarized space faction, I wouldn't have much difficulty imagining that it'd have sort of osmosed in large part from the AndroidArts' Lego Project page. At any rate, you've once again knocked it out of the park, Slugger! If someone told me last year that out of all space themes, I would gain a renewed appreciation for Unitron in a week, I'd call them crazy, a liar, or both (at great risk of sounding like a hypocrite!). But as it is, your skills of subtle persuasion are simply superlative.

[@RRSlugger]

I love this! Thanks for the great read! ❤️ Unitron has jumped up higher and higher on my list of favourite Space themes, and even though it only contains 4 sets, they're all notable in their own way! I believe the monorail was the only one available outside of North America; it released a year earlier and doesn't actually say the name "Unitron" *anywhere* on the back - not the front, back, inside flap! 😮 The other 3 Unitron sets appear to have been North American exclusives, like you said, further adding to the rarity and intrigue behind the series. Once I figure out a way to photograph/film my Monorail set, I'd love to make a Unitron video! 🙂

[@packaged_goods]

@@RRSlugger I actually had no idea that the other three sets were US-exclusives! A bit of a massive thing to overlook on my part (LOL), but it definitely makes sense given all the information I didn't miss. Kind of reminds me of how the original Timebuster comics had their spans of exclusivity in certain countries before they ended up expanding to more markets. The Timebuster comics archive I used during my recent binge-read had an excellent section on the out-of-universe history of the comic, though I have a feeling you're probably quite familiar with it already!

[@RRSlugger]

@@packaged_goods Indeed! Is that on Emily's Internet Zone? 🙂

[@packaged_goods]

@@RRSlugger The very same! Emily's work on media archival is something I appreciate on a scale I don't think I'm capable of expressing through words.

[@joseramalho3297]

Completely agree. Fantastic video! LEGO should watch it!! For once i was expecting Aliens walking on two legs.

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! ❤️

[@blue8586]

Man, I just like space lego, I wish to see more sci-fi elements

[@jamesreilly5905]

To me these sets feel very Classic Space-y but with a mix of Galaxy Squad and the more realistic grounding of City.I would consider them space but that's just my opinion.

[@bluecko72]

They are definetively not Lego Space, but just for the simple reason they are Lego City, Lego Dreamzzz and Lego Friends first, and then just a little Space sprinkle over them. I see it as a way to enjoy something with our kids and having engage in the themes they already like, but having that twist we yearn for. Dont get me wrong, I would love to have Ice Planet revisited and have a full line of sets from that theme, but that wont happen, and thats probably for the best. There are new themes, things should evolve. New generations would drool over these sets in 20 years, and not because they were awesome, but because they were theirs.

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed, I think you make a good point in saying that they're City/Friends/DreamZzz sets *first* and Space sets second. 👍 And to clarify, I'm not out here lobbying for Ice Planet 2, Unitron 2, etc. I just want to see something riskier in that vein, rather than the same safe NASA-esque vehicles we've been getting for the last decade. 😥

[@jo3y960]

Reminds me of a power miners situation with the new colors and Sluggers -wrath- indifference and what not 😂

[@RRSlugger]

Oh man, if Power Miners was *white* and orange, I don't know how I'd feel. 😆

[@jo3y960]

@@RRSlugger lime green is close enough 😆

[@imahaloguy]

I absolutely adore the 1999 Space Port. Mostly for 2 reasons: old dark grey space rocks, and chrome gold visors! I really wish lego would find a way to bring back the chrome parts. I know it was discontinued due to the chrome paint flaking off, but come on! It's been over two decades, I'm sure they can come up with a new method!

[@RRSlugger]

Those chrome visors are so great!! ❤

[@nihili4196]

After thinking for a moment.... I think that old OLD lego space feels so unique is because of two things: Internal competition, and very limited part selection 1 lego space used to somewhat compete with itself back then. Yeah, the themes were taking place in same universe, often were encouraged to interact with each other.... But they were still unique, and Lego couldn't just make same ship in six different colours, slap slightly diffrent fraction oriented accessories and call it a day. No. Each fraction needed to stand out on its own not just from colour scheme alone. Space police and all the Trons, although simialr, had very different subtle designing philosophies behind them. And rest of the space themes were just so uniqually different, you would never mistake insectoids for Ice Planet. 2 Lego had very few parts to work with back then. A lot of them are retired now, but still. If they introduced new mould, that mould was the backbone of said theme. Lego would have to reuse same few parts in as many different combinations as possible, so "better looking" ones were left for flagships. Smaller ships are often pretty much just few wing plates, fenders, some console for steering and fraction gimmick. Those builds were unique mainly out of neccesity, not exactly the expressive expression. I hate to damit that, but old weirdness of space sets was a crutch and a result of limitations, and to try and imitate that now, where Lego is all smooth, covered, detailed would be a hinderence and a risk that would definitely not be worth it. I too want weird and fun looking sets of old, funky ideas and risk taking themes... But that's not lego now. Biggest risk lego is willing to take is Dreamzzzz, and there sets are just two things smashed together, pen-pineapple-apple-pen style. Also, as long as Star Wars is a thing, Lego won't be bold enough to seriously try anything not Nasa adjescent. I mean, this time they've split the theme across almost every theme they have. Lego is not confident in Space theme, and if thins thing flops, which luckily it seems like it might not, we may risk not seeing space for another decade

[@Mischievous_Moth]

It would be super cool if they did a series like... Unitron Rangers! Where it's a peacekeeping force between all of the factions on Unitron that keeps them from all going for each other's throats.

[@RRSlugger]

I love this idea! There's so much potential to be had on Planet Unitron; it's like a blank cheque for creativity!

[@catfish552]

I'd also like to see a fully "Lego Space" theme again, but I don't think that's where current sci-fi and space sensibilities are at currently. I feel like there has been something of an uptick in public interest and attention for space exploration and where it's headed within the past... 10-15 years? High-profile missions like the Mars rovers, private companies like SpaceX entering the business, the way social media and live video allow us to engage with space missions and launches much more directly. NASA has tangible plans for returning to the Moon; people are talking about Mars. Fiction is sort of aligning itself in that direction too. You mentioned Interstellar and Starfield, and The Expanse comes to mind for me too. Even the more fantastical works take on a "realistic" style that looks like it could eventually grow out of the space exploration we are dreaming of today. We'll see how long that lasts, but I feel like Lego is trying to hit right into that cultural zeitgeist at the moment. I find this cross-branding exercise interesting though. The last time I can think of Lego doing something close to this, with different themes under a common umbrella, is Drome Racers. That had sets that were broadly "System", cars of a similar size but without minifigs, polybags that are arguably microscale, Technic, and even RC cars.(Also an "Exo Force" race team years before that line existed!)

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed - it's certainly "in vogue" right now. In fact, I think you could easily make the argument that LEGO is late to the party, haha. What year did Interstellar come out again? 😅

[@koloth5139]

Yea I have to admit after nearly 10 years of Lego collecting, I am definitely seeing the "risk adverse" in Lego. They stick rater rigidly to "safe" themes and sets. We know there will be Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Ninjago every year now. And it isn't even difficult to guess what the sets will be. Probably another X-Wing, Hogwart's Express, and a dozen mechs. There is always something to get excited about as a longtime fan. A Rivendell, or an Anniversary Castle. Just enough to keep us around. But Lego needs to bring back some of that old creativity. Dreamzzz is kind of there, it has some cool concepts. But I was really hoping for something much crazier.

[@RRSlugger]

Totally! I find myself buying fewer and fewer sets each year… 😕

[@thatguythatdoesstuff5899]

The word that describes lego space the best to me is AeStHeTiCs, if I am using the meme right. And also weird, the vehicles had things you didn't know what exactly they are and what they do. Are they weapons, some sort of science thingy or what. While as when I look at new sets it's clear what is the engine, what is a weapon and what is a communications device. Lego space and lego in space is an excellent way of differentiating the two.

[@RRSlugger]

This is a great point! There was something about the older craft themselves that had an air of mystery about them. The new sets are cool and all, but spell everything out rather bare.

[@thatguythatdoesstuff5899]

@@RRSlugger Yeah there used to be more room left for imagination. A different planet with a different people, completely removed from Earth or a far off future, who knows. Modern space sets seem like technology that is around the corner.

[@bosunsbricks]

I agree with you. That Space logo is a weird choice by LEGO. Like, Friends has nothing to do with Space. The Racers comparison was perfect. I don't really see the commercial rationale behind it either. It's merely confusing.

[@chickennugget481]

if you changed out the white for something like dark blue or purple, then that reddish orange would stand out a LOT more

[@RRSlugger]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@Silly_man_doorbreaker]

I like to believe that the city and friends space sets along with the oceanic subthemes are supposed to represent the early days of the space and aquatic subthemes

[@TheNeonCaster]

So, as someone new to Lego as a hobby and doesn't have the nostalgia (or easy access without shelling out) for the old Space theme, I really like that it's a thematic crossover across several ranges - it was interesting to see how lines with very different aesthetics approach the one idea. Likewise that the build type and colourways match old lines that aren't available any more isn't a big issue for me... since those sets are out of print! I would very much not mind if they did re-releases of old sets instead of designing very similar ones, but I wonder if long-time collectors would feel the same way?

[@brianriff8550]

Slugger: This new line of space sets set in space featuring spaceships, rovers, mech suits, literal 3 eyed green aliens, and an overarching connective theme about the crew discovering an exotic new crystalline power source, isnt Lego Space Also Slugger: Aquazone is Lego Space

[@RRSlugger]

Haha, personally I *don't* consider Aquazone to be LEGO Space, but I think those who do have a strong case on their hands. Additionally, I have no issue with those who lump these new 2024 sets in with LEGO Space of yesteryear - I personally don't, but to each their own. 🙂

[@oneMeVz]

The colours looked way better in the live build stream. My favourite colour is what this new orange matches. But the trans-purple and trans-cyan don't match with it. They should've went with a blue that properly complements the orange. As for theming, the "Interstellar" Spaceship feels derivative of Lightyear's X15, even having a hyperfuel plugin.

[@GermanPeter]

To answer the question whether or not they're "Lego Space", here's another question: if they ARE Lego Space, then why are they spread across so many different series? Lego Space can stand on its own, no? But if it has to rely on being part of City and also Technic and also Classic and also FRIENDS, then it really can't stand on its own. That's like saying the Twisted Time Train is part of the "Trains" theme. No, the Trains theme has cohesion. It has rules and boundaries, and you can put all the sets together. Can you put the DreamZZZ spaceship together with the Technic one? Hell no. I genuinely believe they're using the "Space"-sticker merely as a descriptor. Not "It's Lego Space", but just "It's in space!"

[@RRSlugger]

100%! I think you make a great analogy here. ❤

[@BoardGamesBricksHobbies]

The space multiverse no one was prepared for 🤣

[@latemammoth]

even if Lego space isn’t back rr slugger is back in 2024 ladies…. take your time and soak it in.

[@ClassicStudStudios]

Lego space is back* in retrospect, this is certainly the farthest lego city has gone from “the safeness” they’ve had for the past decade. I personally like the friends space station because it introduces purple!, which I think is the perfect colour for a space theme, as I also feel the purple windows are a wonderful thing on that ship!. I’m happy you enjoy the two new space sets you have and I do think their play features capture a bit of the classic space feel!. Though the colours are a different story, not bad but as you said very safe!, wonderful video Slugger have a good day and can’t wait for that castle review 😉

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed! It certainly is the furthest we've gotten, but it's taken a decade to get even this far. At this rate, maybe LEGO will inch their way to Planet Unitron before I die! 🙃

[@ClassicStudStudios]

@@RRSlugger haha hopefully!, though a Unitron set in the style of city of lanterns could be fun! Builds of all the classic little space robots, prints and stickers ( obviously ) and let’s of greys, whites, and trans colours, and some wacky space architectural, REALLY go for that space city vibe 😄

[@RRSlugger]

@@ClassicStudStudios Ohhhh don't plant these thoughts in my brain! A giant Space City would be amazing!! 😭

[@Ogre6972]

@@ClassicStudStudios I would absolutely buy that!

[@vaimantobe3034]

In general lego seems to be risk-averse now. I grew up in the late 90s-early 2000s and while I don't want lego to go bankrupt I'd like to see more new original stuff. Ninjago is 13 years City is 19 years now. Friends 12 years. Monkie Kid is new-ish but never available here. And still 4 years. Creator is technically 23 years. functionally about 18 years (Designer filled its role) Last year we got Dreamzzz and that's about it. Most other themes are now licensed. New themes are often either weirdly enforced subthemes or new licenses.

[@alt0248]

It's basically between Lego city space port stuff (where it's more grounded and city adjacent) and the short lived discovery series (the first NASA branded sets before the current runs) versus their far more fantasy life on Mars, space Police, etc. I also really miss the life on Mars and the reboot sets. I loved the little aliens and the cool rts flash game that was a spin off of the da game.

[@Raven319s]

I’m going with the head canon that (at least the new city space sets) that this is Futuron 2 or just the LEGO Earth based explorers where the ‘old’ sets are deep space factions. Maybe I’m holding on to nostalgia but it gives me warm fuzzies for these sets. Having said that, I absolutely agree with your take. They are cool looking, but definitely familiar to modern day projections, where the 80’s and 90’s were absolutely unique and inspiring. They also encouraged builder creatively where the new sets feel complete and may not inspire builders to expand in their models.

[@sonicguyver7445]

I think Lego was simply trying something new. Taking "Lego in Space" and throwing the new "Space" tag on it. Then putting it across different themes to create a sense of unity. City Space 2024 feels like the missing link between Space port and classic Space.

[@seoteltrut]

I could maybe see Lego slapping that space banner on all those "space themed" sets to gauge whether or not they should bring Lego Space back in earnest. If the sales for all those sets do well, then maybe we'll actually see it return.

[@RRSlugger]

Who knows... I personally don't put a lot of stock in hoping for that, but I'd be happy if it pans out. A lot of folks were saying a similar thing about LEGO DreamZzz - "let's support this theme so that hopefully LEGO one day gives us an original theme we actually like!" or something to that extent. I'm not really on board with buying something I don't want because it might (emphasis on MIGHT) lead to something I do. Not saying that's what you're proposing here, but it's easy to go down that road. 😅

[@jinpayne]

Totally agree, I have all the same grievances. They exist in an uncanny valley of not quite city but not quite space. Would love a video about the new Vampire Knight CMF and Fright Knights in general

[@marooncactus7111]

It would've been cool if the new orange was the primary color, flipping the overused color scheme on its head. Heck i could imagine it being "camouflage" against the terrain just in case these aliens aren't so peaceful

[@RRSlugger]

That would have been cool! Would've given us a ton of bricks in the new orange colour too! 🙂

[@surebetsa1594]

I'm generally positive on these sets, even if they're definitely much more near-future than the original space sci-fi. They look like they include a variety of really interesting bricks and techniques, and the minifigs would be at home in a classic space MOC, especially if you give them a 3838 air tank and 2446 helmet. Hopefully these sell well to the broad public, signifying to Lego they should consider returning to the classic space theme.

[@theonewhowatches869]

`Doctor Cyber watched with pride as he watched the rocket take off. He always enjoyed exploring the history of space exploration. He was still a far way off of the days of Planet Unitron and groups like the Exploriens and the Rock Raiders. Nevertheless, it was still a marvel of science and engineering. It reminded him of why he was proud to call himself a scientist.` Interesting video as always Slugger, as someone who's never had a large lego budget I don’t have that deep an attachment to Space, despite how interested I am in Space exploration in real life, so I always find your opinions on the subject interesting.

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! Now I need to add Hypno Discs to the rover wheels! 😆

[@muffin3959]

You building the sets on stream was so satisfying , the stream was fun

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! I hope to do it again soon! 😊

[@muffin3959]

@@RRSlugger I hope I can join at the beginning this time instead of middle

[@Voxka8642]

I noticed that they have the crystals like mars mission, rock raiders, and power miners

[@OliviaGeist]

I've always kinda had the impression that the star wars theme kinda forced the proper sci-fi lego space out. I've seen the idea presented before that, to the company, making their own original creative space theme isn't usually worth it anymore, as parents and kids alike may be more likely to see them next to the star wars ones on the shelf, and opt for the latter instead. And as a result, when we get anything space related outside of it, it tends to be much more grounded in reality to contrast. I really hope we get back to that though, my favorite thing about lego themes as a kid was the unique worldbuilding and bold designs!

[@RRSlugger]

I'd love to blame Star Wars for this too! You don't have to twist my arm! 🙂

[@catface101]

Gimme clunky and used-future over sleek modern futurism any day. Although that ship kinda looks like an A-Wing so I don't hate it?

[@mihailos8701]

Thanks for well made video with constructive criticism and a interesting information about OG Lego Space

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! Constructive criticism is definitely a goal of mine in a video like this! 😊

[@mihailos8701]

I'll be glad for you to keep going with it@@RRSlugger

[@PlasticToa]

My assumption ever since it leaked has been that the cross-theme space branding is just gonna be a one-off event. Maybe it could lead to a more dedicated theme if the 2024 space sets do well enough? I imagine the continued focus on the nasa-punk aesthetic here is because most of the themes involved in this crossover are relatively realistic modern day settings, and those that aren't are basically forced to stick with the same feel for the sake of consistency.

[@JoshuaMiller-ny5uf]

I totally agree that without the reddish-orange the cooler color scheme feels nicer and I'd be excited to see the old space factions come back! Sorry I haven't bothered you for, oh, seven months but I hope your channel has been doing well!

[@RRSlugger]

Hahaha, no worries Joshua! Glad to see you back! 😊 There's plenty of back catalogue now, should you want to go back and check out what we've been up to here!

[@shadowminor]

Here is what I say. This may be a slight market test. It could expand out to a new real theme if it sells well enough.

[@RRSlugger]

Possibly! It's definitely a frustrating position to be constantly put in though - "if this does well enough, *maybe* you'll see sets that you actually want!" 😅

[@sporksporkersin4384]

I agree with you, the direction Lego space has been taking is a little bit tiering. Don't get me wrong the sets are grate but ween its don over and over again with no change it can get less existing. And it being categorized under city gives me a little less hop for change. plus, now that Lego has licensed themes there might not be much reason to change the direction of where it's going. I hope that Lego can at least have a change in the style of their space sets or even a new location would work like an alien plaint.

[@edopronk1303]

I understand that a whole new space (sci fi) is risky. They still could do one or two, put them in creator and see how it goes, if they can expand on it next year. The botanical garden of friends also got a lot of traction outside of the friends fans, so it's possible.

[@selahgreen9648]

im mixed on the orange i feel in some places it adds a bit of industrial work to it like this was made on earth with some idea of realism but its also nice when it wasn't there i could honestly take it or leave it the orange doesn't really bug me and i can have a logical reason for it being there.

[@RRSlugger]

Honestly, I feel pretty similarly. I don’t hate it by any means, but I am kind of tired of it at this point. I think the biggest culprit for me though is the white primary colour - has LEGO even made a single space theme without using white as the primary colour in the last 20 years?? 💀

[@selahgreen9648]

@@RRSlugger I used dark green blocks to make cool spaceship and I felt it add a more halo, militarize esc look. A dark green with like accents of dark grey. I feel like for windows we could just stick with the dark grey windshields Lego uses. you could also go with just black and add any accent since basically anything can go with black. Make factions and maybe make them stylized different. I feel Lego wouldn't do that since its kind of more aimed at teens when it seems they prefer young kids. and little kids like more bright stuff. you can only dream or make mocs but i don't got near enough cash for that stuff.

[@PrimalAttitudeArvy]

Nice video, thanks! I also have nostalgia for the old style space sets, but if I was a kid these days I would go crazy over these new style “space” sets, and themes like marvel, Star Wars, Jurassic park (not world! 😂) etc. As a 40+ kid I still buy modern play focused sets, just to see what’s new in terms of part types and just to relive some fun memories.

[@JeffBuilds]

I had heard that the feature behind the SPACE Branding for 2024 was that they had some manner of Synergy, like builds from City Space could swap out easily with Builds from Technic or something. The closest to the return to the classic sub-themes we're going to see will be the May release of SPACE branded CMFs featuring an M-Tron guy or a Blacktron Gen-2 guy.