LEGO Star Wars ~ The Other Dark Meat

Today we're taking another look into a forgotten gem from 1999 - LEGO Star Wars! This small theme had some interesting elements going for it and were it not dwarfed by the success of Rock Raiders, I could imagine a scenario where it could've taken off.
Photography and other resources used in this video: drive.google.c...
X Wing photograph @ 4:10 from jangbricks.com
The original music in these videos can be found for free on my Bandcamp page:
rrslugger.band...
If you haven't already, check out Manic Miners, a heartfelt recreation of the Lego Rock Raiders PC game: manicminers.ba...
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
Interested in the history and research that goes into videos just like this one? You can join the discussion in the Lego Research Realm Discord: / discord
I created the photography, stop motion animation, and music in this video. Original artwork by Brett Halland. Thanks for watching!
High Adventure, Deep Underground.

[@RRSlugger]

Thanks for checking out the video everyone! I’ve definitely got more to say about Lego Star Wars, but I think I’ll save that for a future video. 😊

[@mrmuck8066]

Looking forward to that! I'm a big fan of Lego Star Wars old and new (in addition to Rock Raiders of course of course.)

[@permanentdetour]

Don’t worry Slugger we haven’t given up and turning you into a Lego Star Wars collector, it’s only a matter of time 😉

[@philippak47]

H Y P E

[@permanentdetour]

I hope one day Lego Star Wars gets the recognition it deserves. Such an underrated theme

[@RRSlugger]

😉

[@graysodastudio523]

Sarcasm ☕️

[@palpee8820]

Same

[@grape3587]

yeah never hear anyone talking about it, hopefully someone at lego cleans off the dust though and starts putting out some new sets in the theme, been a while

[@YourFoxFriendYT]

Yeah, unlike the popular Blacktron and space police series that are still going on today, it’s so sad that original themes had to go and replace licensed themes….

[@seigewardsiqusman9698]

I cannot tell if Slugger is spending hours finding obscure Lego information, or simply omniscient when it comes to Legos. Either way I'm very impressed.

[@RRSlugger]

It’s certainly not the second one, haha. 😅

[@deckie_]

Slugger is the Krishna of Lego Lore, the one source from which all springs

[@mac_dale]

this the most slugger thing ever. looking at Lego box art from the 90s and noticing the tiny details

[@zethperez7074]

I stare at Lego box art for hours at a time.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

As a fan of both themes and Lego history, I find this absolutely fascinating

[@RRSlugger]

Me too! 😊

[@RoachDoggJr2112]

I love, especially as a massive Lego Star Wars fan, how you take over half of the video to talk about Rock Raiders. It’s genuinely refreshing with all the massive focus and memberberries scourge that LSW is getting.

[@AminalCreacher]

I remember, when I was a kid, noticing that the couplers on the box art for my 7897 passenger train used the old (better) type of magnets, but the actual product in the box had the new ones. How unfortunate :(

[@EqualsN]

Babe wake up, a new Slugger video just dropped 👀 I did not know about how closely these two sets were developed, or how many artifacts of prototype designs were present across box art and promotional images! Very fun video

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! 😊

[@cartkart1]

I don’t buy lego much anymore, and DEFINITELY not long out of print vintage ones like these, but I love listening to people talk about things they’re passionate about, and you clearly love lego so much that it makes it interesting *because* of how excited you are!

[@Bionickpunk]

Yes I do stare at old Bionicle canister art, and the canisters themselves are integrated in the story and play. Bohrok sleeping in their pods and being viewed from inside is so mesmerizing. It was also fascinating seeing the Bionicle figures achieve poses the actual sets were never able to do, such as bendable Mata limbs, or torso articulation.

[@TheHylianBatman]

Fascinating! I would love to dive into the alternate universe where LEGO Star Wars was a one-wave theme in the late 90's, while Rock Raiders made LEGO famous. I've never really paid much attention to my LEGO boxes. Maybe I ought to start and see if I can trace the development of the set.

[@crudeFLORL]

Your videos have a ‘cozy’ feeling that is a very unique characteristic of your channel. Stay humble when you get big!!

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! Hopefully the channel doesn’t get much bigger than this! 😅

[@thrillhouse4151]

I’ve started messing with stop motion animation thanks to you, I’ve been having a blast learning about it and experimenting. Words cannot do justice how it makes my heart feel to be able to breathe life into my minifigures and rock monsters.

[@RRSlugger]

That's wonderful! The whole reason I got into it was because I wanted a new way to play with my toys, haha. 😊 It can be so satisfying watching a clip back and seeing the figures spring to life!

[@SuperSecretBricks]

So nostalgic. I loved my Rock Raiders sets, as well as my 1999 Star Wars sets! Both also provided us with minifigs that had definitely more personality than what I was used to! That ratcheted joint with lock fingers was an instant favourite of mine, it allowed so many new possibilities that never were accessible before that, and sure to the point the Life on Mars theme proved it with its awesome mechs. Thanks Jar Jar Slugger, for scrutinising those box arts and bring us those long lost insights!

[@RRSlugger]

Hahaha, wish I had thought of “Jar Jar Slugger”! 😂

[@Lordodragonss]

My fav mistakes are: first ice dragon from ninjago has few transparent bricks under belly in MAIN BOX ART. Spinjitsu training, a small set also from ninjago HAS BROKEN TORSO on main box art xD LOVE how unique yet not forced your topics are!

[@pfxzin]

its also interesting the use of a prototype lightsaber hilt on some of the first lego star wars sets, as an example luke landspeeder 7110 and lightsaber duel 7101

[@RRSlugger]

Good eye!! I never caught that one before! 👀

[@catfish552]

7101 also has an odd Qui-Gon hairpiece. I'm not even sure if it's a prototype mould, it almost looks like the basic male hair (like Ep I Obi-Wan uses) with some extra bits sculpted on.

[@dojoworks7704]

Still a big fan of the original star wars sets, I really always wanted the AAT and the Naboo fighter, something about the box photography and lighting is just so much closer to how the movies looked.

[@RRSlugger]

The lighting on the box art of these old sets really set a mood! I love the look of the X Wing box. ❤️

[@davydigger708]

Even though I have kind of lost interest in Star Wars in general for various reasons, I do prefer the original Star Wars sets over the newer ones because they were made with more bricks and standard pieces, and less of those curved and rounded pieces like we have today. While they may look less detailed - they feel more like true Lego in my opinion, plus the parts are more usable when building MOC's in my experience. It kind of feels like LEGO is truing to make the newer one feel more like Hasbro's Star Wars toys than LEGO sets...

[@quincymuller4597]

Man it’s truly impressive how much effort goes into making these. It makes me wonder how you dig up all this obscure Lego Info

[@RRSlugger]

I don’t do it alone! There are small niche communities out there that find this stuff interesting too. 😊

[@quincymuller4597]

@@RRSlugger ur a legend man

[@lbricks7631]

I imprint box art images into my brain.

[@RetroPlus]

This video is edited and presented like some big budget documentaries i've seen, so underrated

[@l.d.murphy]

This is the kind of fascinating and creative work that keeps me excited for every single Slugger video.

[@sTeVe-vl3nh]

Really cool channel. I love the old Star Wars sets like the Falcon etc

[@mrmuck8066]

I have never looked at a Lego box this hard, haha! Definitely cool to see prototype differences on the boxes themselves!

[@modernmedieval2312]

The tone in which he said “well that’s because it almost certainly is” brought back nostalgia to something and I have no clue what it was

[@RRSlugger]

Eerie! 😮

[@jakeisjake112]

You really put in the leg-o work with your videos. I love them very much!

[@CarsSimplified]

Very interesting detail! Pretty clever use of parts for the photo shoot, too! I don't know why, but I really want one of those prototype roll cages that match the shape of the 90s long clear angular canopies (part number 2507). Part number 47758 seems to be the closest we got to anything close to that aside from the obvious brown RR roll cage, but clearly there is a size difference.

[@WackoMcGoose]

Can't wait for the inevitable "Rock Raiders takes place in a certain Galaxy Far Far Away" crossover theories 👀 Power Crystals are geologic cousins of Kyber Crystals? Slimy Slugs are an offshoot of the Hutts, and probably also Force-sensitive? Han Solo once got a rescue by the LMS Explorer crew? The possibilities are endless...

[@aquaslime6692]

I actually thought this was about the differing color of the classic chicken leg piece, I swear some are darker than others, still a great video!

[@RRSlugger]

You’re totally right! Many of them used to be in the colour “Earth Orange”, but that shade is long gone.

[@aquaslime6692]

@@RRSlugger Thanks! I always wanted to know what happened to the OG meatstick

[@laamonftiboren4236]

I thought that too, so I was a bit confused when it reached the end and hadn't addressed this pressing issue. Still entertained though, so no complaints.

[@philippak47]

That x-wing was my first lego set,had the box art pasted on my wall like a poster and never noticed the clips 👀👀👀

[@SarumanBang]

dude you are the youtuber i was looking for, finally youtube recommended you!

[@RRSlugger]

Awesome! I’m glad you found your way to the channel! 😊 Hopefully you enjoy going through the back catalogue - there’s a lot of it and I think it all holds up. I’d like to think we started the channel off at a fairly high level of quality. ❤️

[@TicketForAnAeroplane]

Awesome! Never thought about such a connection between the series

[@Omabatfartsbruh]

that's some deep shit slug no pun intended

[@roseconleey103]

funny story, I discovered this channel the same night I had my new favorite local restaurant for one of the first times. I went back there today to celebrate getting my first full time job and came back to this notification!

[@RRSlugger]

That’s awesome Max! Congratulations!! 😊 Seems like the timing worked out perfectly!

[@Ace_of_Horns]

I absolutely love the obsessive compulsiveness of collectors lol it shows the passion that we have for our collection of choice. I'm the same way with movie and video game packaging.

[@LKitesar]

Solar Sands brought me the jams and hyper fixation are why I'm gonna come back

[@MatTheGameGuy]

LOVE your rendition of the Star Wars theme! sounds like an old snes title song

[@RRSlugger]

Ah! I cannot take credit for it - it’s lifted directly from the “Rogue Squadron” soundtrack for the PC. Loved that game! 😊

[@thefourthfrank8814]

0:00 oh good I'm not the only one

[@Skorpeonismyrealname]

Okay, the part 989 part drove me crazy as a kid. We had the Ultimate LEGO book, which contained an image of the prototype parts. Siblings and I would rage debate whether or not 989 had a clip alternative.

[@RRSlugger]

Hey, it wasn’t just me then! 😅 My school library had the ultimate Lego book and I would always take it out when possible just to stare at the images on the Rock Raiders page - so much so that the school librarian eventually banned me from taking the book out anymore, haha. Well, the jokes on her now as I have my own copy!! 😂

[@Skorpeonismyrealname]

​@@RRSlugger The local library just threw the book away since my family was the only one checking it out apparently. They didn't offer to give it to us, they didn't even let us know until one of us wanted to check it out for a school project. "Oh, yeah, we only had one family checking it out the past five years, so we decided to toss it in recycling."

[@RRSlugger]

@@Skorpeonismyrealname 😭😭😭

[@tuerry]

This video is so good, I wish it was longer!

[@RRSlugger]

I may revisit this topic again sometime in the future - I think I left some stones unturned here.

[@doctordoctor7469]

You love Legos so much!

[@sablesalt]

Those first 11 seconds make me concerned for your sanity slugger

[@ClassicBrickStudios]

Oh wow, thats interesting! Never noticed the clips on the box fotography.

[@ThatGenericPyro]

I don't think I've ever seen the ratchet clip *brick* before... Just the plates

[@TheManuHimself]

Surprising to see how legal the connections of ratchets and clips are. I think the only other set that uses it, and not just for the boxart, is 6432 (for some farings in the back of a truck), though there could be more.

[@RRSlugger]

Indeed! That’s a strange connection point on that piece, 30263. It’s like it’s made to attach to the ratchet connection points, but it doesn’t actually have any grooves for the ratcheting to articulate - very strange!

[@TheManuHimself]

@@RRSlugger looking back, the piece it attatches to, 30350, has these clips. But they are not the typical C-shaped clips, they have a sturdier trapezoid frame. Maybe they were an earlier attempt to replace finger connections that didn't take off in the same way as ratchets, or a pecursor to them. Though that's just guessing.

[@user-go6bs2ky4t]

The supports of the turret from Alpha Team set 6775 also connect a black stop sign piece with clips to a 1x4 ratchet beam.

[@minerman60101]

70723: Thunder Raider uses this technique as a way of lightly securing a transformation function

[@jorymo4964]

I know one of the newer X-Wings actually use that connection for landing gear, oddly enough

[@redeye4516]

This kinda makes me want a Rock Raiders video game similar to the original Lego Star Wars one. In fact, those may need a look over, I think they may actually contain a little reference or two to Rock Raiders in the custom character creators. I do know that there's a few heads, hats, and body pieces there that aren't from Lego Star Wars. At least, as far as I know.

[@dominicpaul1]

When I was 18 I got inside a giant box and got my mum to build me. Best. Day. EVER!!!

[@Tanookicatoon]

It was still called "photoshopping" back then. The act of doctoring a photo is photoshopping. The photoshop is the place you develop as well as doctor photos.

[@RRSlugger]

Mmm, good call! Photoshopping… before the Photoshop program! 😅

[@Funky_Player2]

Great vid as usual :)

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! ❤️

[@Zeldrake]

urge to model an AT-ST walker and replace it with the Granite Grinder in LRR intensifies :p

[@photosynthescythe2939]

This is some very high quality for such a niche topic. I’d never even heard of Rock Raiders before now but every video I’ve seen of yours I’ve watched all the way through. Have you ever thought about branching out to other old themes and covering them?

[@RRSlugger]

Thank you! Slowly but surely I plan on expanding outwards; still, some themes will take me years to get to… hopefully everyone (including me) has the patience to get there. 😅

[@photosynthescythe2939]

@@RRSlugger Thats awesome! Unfortunately I was bitten by a strange bug and will slowly disintegrate over the next 6 months but I’m sure your future content will be great😋

[@RRSlugger]

@@photosynthescythe2939 If true, I hope you enjoy the next 6 months to the best of your ability! ❤

[@inthetoyroom4life]

You and I, we gotta get together and talk Lego

[@Matt..S]

I remember being really disappointed to the point where I actually called customer service...as a kid...when the original Sail barge came with a leaflet showing a crossed out 8x8 grate in favour ot a normal 8x8 tan plate. I wanted that. I was so looking forward to it based on the box art and catalogue images. And then they betrayed me on CHRISTMAS!

[@RRSlugger]

I didn't know that! Do you remember how customer service responded?

[@Matt..S]

@@RRSlugger I believe I got put on hold forever, because I definitely never got the parts hahaha. But then again, it has to be said that Lego has the absolute best customer service of any product I ever had problems with. Still. False advertising imo

[@rkeistudio]

If those Lego star wars sets were released today, reviewers would bash Lego for false advertising lol

[@RRSlugger]

So true! Crazy how the mindset has shifted.

[@wyattlandry9579]

I have never been click baited so hard before

[@SanderKoenen-lq7bk]

I never really thought about it. Perhaps I should check the instruction manuals. Have you seen the concept op the first Millenium Falcon? That one looks weird in a cool way.

[@RRSlugger]

Super neat! There was a ton of R&D that went into these initial LEGO Star Wars sets.

[@drbob3484]

great video slugger! did you ever heard the tradgedy of darth plagueis the wise…

[@RRSlugger]

I have not, but I do know of a Darth “Slugger” The Wise… 😉

[@sorastitchi]

The video was interesting but i am... completely confused by the use of the term "dark meat" in this video.

[@RRSlugger]

I’m sure you’re not alone in that regard. 😅 I don’t know if the title really means anything, I just thought it was funny, haha. I’m pretty sure “the other dark meat” is a colloquial expression, but I could be wrong!

[@empatheticrambo4890]

@@RRSlugger I have absolutely no idea what “the other dark meat” means colloquially, and Google had been useless trying to find out. Can you share a definition? ...also, perchance a Lego prototype related theme and thumbnail could be in order, unless your strategy to keep the channel small and intimate is to proactively sabotage SOI lol

[@sorastitchi]

The term tends to be "the other white meat" and like, I'm not telling you how to do your thumbnails or titles but I feel like it's not very reflective of the video's actual content. As like a meat "metaphor", you have to actually set up what's the "dark meat" in the first place- and like not only did you not do that but also never explained why you would even compare lego to meat? Given this video is about how lego star wars and rock raiders were developed in tandem and share prototype pieces, like I can kind of see how this title got made- they both fundamentally have core traits in the line they share (aka "meat") but like, that should be in the video if that's the case. As is, it's kind of only used as a term with like no context and as the title of the video, well it just makes it a bit confusing to follow.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

@@sorastitchi I agree! Tho to be fair to Slugger, quirky metaphors and names is part of the fun! I still don’t understand it. Isn’t the other white meat pork or tuna?

[@The-64th-Gamer]

@@sorastitchi Definitely agree. Video would have been better set up with an explanation of the term, and then not reveal its Star Wars until later for correct payoff. Was absolutely confused the entire video.

[@plasmawarper5837]

All the generic rock raiders were obviously Jango clones

[@matthew_thefallen]

I thought I was the crazy one at the age of 7 to think at these things by looking at the boxes 💀💀💀 thank god ahaha

[@RRSlugger]

One of us! One of us! 😉

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Great video, also Mr. Slugger, did you make the Star Wars opening theme remix featured in this video? Because it sound really, bloody, good!

[@RRSlugger]

Thanks! It's actually taken from the "Rogue Squadron" video game for the N64 and PC, if you're interested in hearing the full version!

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

@@RRSlugger Thank You, Mr. Slugger!

[@taxmanatdoor647]

I have the original 1999 snow speeder

[@RRSlugger]

It’s a great set! Really impressive build for the time, and it basically laid the groundwork for every Lego Snowspeeder that followed. 👍

[@BluShiGuy]

Bricky

[@ender7278]

What do you mean by dark meat? Are they tasty?

[@Danieloasis]

Was all the alpha team a hint on your next vid slugger

[@RRSlugger]

Soon! 😉

[@aemvee]

well photoshop was liked and highly established already back then. I wouldn't call it "early photoshoping"

[@imahaloguy]

A bold claim that Lego Star Wars would not be what it is without Rock Raiders. Do you have supporting evidence? Feels like the video ended right when you were getting to the juicy stuff!

[@RRSlugger]

Haha, I suppose that's what the section starting at 4:53 was for - showing off some of the moulds/pieces that both themes pioneered together. The sci fi binoculars and part #30303 seemed to me to be the ones most likely designed for Rock Raiders that then found a second home within Star Wars. I didn't mention it in the video, but the 1x2 control panel print that we see in most Rock Raiders sets was designed for the theme and continued seeing use within Star Wars (and many other themes) for 20 years afterwards. You can even see its redesign in a Star Wars set at 5:14 I suppose the thesis of the video is that these two themes have more things in common than folks may realize! 😊

[@AskTorin]

Part 30303.... Sucks. Yes. I hated it as a child, and seeing it again makes me equally frustrated. Great sets though, just haven't been able to use it freely.

[@RRSlugger]

😭 Well, to each their own! 😊

[@hensli]

Bro, you only have 25k subs, how much time are you putting into these videos, what the hell...

[@jonniesaur]

Not gonna lie, I’m a clip elitist. I much prefer them over ratcheting joints.

[@ViliousTorch]

v

[@BrickSystemBros]

Oh, it's THAT piece! I had a bit of an "ah ha" moment last year when I got one apart, rotated the top 90 degrees and popped it back together: flic.kr/p/2mjdnkE EDIT: Well, I guess I should have watched The Curse of Rock Raiders before I opened my mouth....

[@RRSlugger]

Hahaha, no worries!

[@user-go6bs2ky4t]

Oh my god, I had no idea it was two connected pieces, thank you.