Vintage 1987 LEGO Blacktron Invader reviewed -- The original set 6894!

[@touroleite9920]

Crazy to see how old these pieces actually are, almost 40 years later and these piece have been utilized in so many ways

[@empatheticrambo4890]

I love when you do reviews of “vintage” Lego. You’ve always got some perspective to share!

[@kapcorbricks]

Great thing, wish LEGO made such sets not only as GWPs nowadays.

[@MetalSonicBricks]

About the inverted Tri-force thing... It's actually very unlikely that designers were inspired by Zelda. In Pal territories - Denmark included - the original Legend of Zelda game did not come out until Christmas 1987, and the NES didn't really take off in Europe until 88 or 89. So unless the designers had access to a Japanese Famicom or an American NES, It's probably a coincidence.

[@natbarmore]

The American release of Zelda was also in 1987, almost 5 months _after_ Blacktron hit shelves in the US. So even having an American NES wouldn’t help the timeline. It’s just barely plausible that someone at TLG was aware of the Japanese release of Zelda in late Feb 1986, _and_ knew about the Triforce in it, _and_ that this happened before the graphic design of Blacktron had been finalized. But IMHO the timing is way too tight, and there’s no realistic way that Zelda had any influence on Blacktron.

[@batsamd]

Got a chuckle when you said Blacktron 2 was more fondly remembered than Blacktron 1. For me, I got into tail end of classic space snd immediately fell in love with Blacktron 1 when I saw it in catalogs and stores. Had the entire wave if Blacktron 1 when I was a kid. When I saw Blacktron 2 in stores, and how there was very little black in Blacktron 2, I entered my dark age. Love Blacktron 1 color scheme and logo. If LEGO would make a Blacktron 1 inspired theme again, I’d quit Star Wars just to focus on that theme. Can’t imagine how awesome an updated Message Intercept Base would be. Maybe they’d even bring back the crater plates for it. 👍

[@Vadahann]

It still holds great even with today standard, nice play features for the size and it's not too blocky for "old Lego". And great job Jangs, going the extra mile giving us a proper review of the vintage set before the doing the updated version. Thank you.

[@Rocket1377]

I don't think more people are more nostalgic towards Blacktron 2, Blacktron 1 was much cooler. LEGO themselves have included more references to the original Blacktron in recent sets, like minifigure series 19's Galactic Bounty Hunter.

[@Endigo_Vandane]

The logo was also used in a short lived cartoon series. Starcom: The U.S. Space Force. It was released in 1987 and ran for only 13 episodes. The bad guys (Shadow Force) used a Triforce like design as their logo.

[@shadowminor]

Blacktron one is hands down my favorite space minifig.

[@prokesuk]

This one reminds me of the Battlestar Galactica Stellar Probe from about a decade earlier. All of the Colonial ships were modular, but the Stellar Probe had a pilot section, a cargo section, and a rear end that could be combined with an included nosecone to create a satellite. There was another toy called the Star Bird that was also modular like this. Lego often borrows from other sources.

[@gaxiola1701]

Blacktron 1 with black, transparent yellow and red accents all the way. I only had, and still have, a single Blacktron set as I was growing out of that style of LEGO at the time. It's the Blacktron Renegade and I thought its asymmetric design was great. It also had modular pieces and I get the sense you could mix and match across the various Blacktron sets. It's a neat contrast to what had come before, especially when paired against the original first generation space vehicles.

[@natbarmore]

Yes, you could mix and match the parts from the first 3 Blacktron sets. I believe it was Lego’s first line to have that modularity between sets, and they screwed it up slightly: they weren’t consistent in which ends of modules had pegs and which had holes, so some parts that should “obviously” go together couldn’t, and others felt “backwards”. Still, it was awesome!

[@tylertichoc7330]

This is amazing, hard to believe this set is from 1987 and it honestly in my opinion still holds up today. I mean it has everything you could imagine. Not only is it modular but it has a three way split function in something that you can still hold with a single hand! Also the middle cargo section can just be left out on its own with the front and back combining to make that sick space fighter. And then it looks like a 6 wing fighter jet rocket, how cool is that? That little droid using an old discontinued singular Microscope piece is just perfect cause not only does it give enough clearance to fit inside but it honestly looks to me like it's a cranky old hunched over robot whose just done with everything. 😅 Man alive if I grew up with this it would've probably been one of my most prized possessions period. Clearly Lego had quite the design skill even back then. This certainly makes me give even more respect to older fansof Legos who grew up with this.

[@tawesssoabbox]

I remember getting this and it was the coolest thing i ever saw. The amount of stuff you could make with it and that all blacked out helmet. It was awesome.

[@Bucketroo]

Yeah, I love this set. I bought three of them back in the day to make one long Invader. Blacktron is the best Tron! Well, aside from TRON.

[@leroy555cg]

This was my very first Lego set,back in 1988. Amazing to see it after so long. Brings back memories of being a kid again.

[@PBJ_Builds]

This was an informative review to set the historical context of the new Blacktron Cruiser and when used to compare the new to the old, to appreciate the differences in parts and building techniques. So helpful!

[@empatheticrambo4890]

It’s funny how much it looks like a modern fighter jet when you use only the first and last modules with the wings pulled back

[@peti7788]

I think the old version is better, because is simple builds and the technic pin connectors is a better solutions then the clip joints.

[@wich1]

Yeah, I don’t understand why they didn’t stick to the pin system and keep it compatible with the old set

[@josephd27]

Wow seeing this original blacktron set makes me like it more than the GWP, I love printed pieces so much

[@paulsbricks]

Cool set. It would be great if you did more reviews of these old set's.😀👍

[@brickchef8282]

Nice. Still a shame they didn't use the same "clipping" mechanism for the modules in the new gwp. Would be awesome and easy to do so using 4730 or its new version 6232

[@Andy-the-Collector]

Love this set it's the first set I remember getting as a kid and so many good memories of it especially building it on the Amtrak train from Indiana to Texas with my grandpa

[@LazarusRemains]

The triforce was a Japanese samurai "mon" long before it was used in Zelda.

[@CrazyBunnyAids]

Another one! Nice review Jang!

[@skydude2529]

Legend of Zelda released in Japan in 1986, one year before this, but wasn’t in the US or Europe until 1987, the same year this came out. With the time in advance to design and produce sets, and the lack of everything being on the internet, there is a good chance that this design wasn’t directly inspired by the triforce. Especially as that design of the triforce wasn’t in the original game (the third triforce part didn’t appear until Zelda II).

[@michaelcasserly5861]

I have some of these parts in my collection. Nice to see a full set reviewed.

[@reddburg]

Mattel had a space toy line around this era called Starcom & the villain faction used inverted, red color tri symbol on black, grey, or purple vehicles.

[@cursedwanderer1753]

I think this one is better for having the full transparent tailwings and prints instead of stickers.

[@Trueffelguy]

Found some parts of this in my grandma's loose brick Box, the printed nose piece, the piece with the arrow on it, and the Cargo Cover pieces. Not much more sadly, but i might try to complete it with replacement pieces..

[@undead.rising]

Sideways building of castle pieces in a 1987 set? Good part usage AND unusual techniques? This set was ahead of its time!

[@CarlosLopez-oc9nh]

Awesome!!!! Remember this one on stores thank you for uploading :)

[@defenderprime8046]

This retro review is quite amazing, the Blacktron series happened in my own Lego Dark Ages so I wasn't too aware of these sets, still, thanks for showing this review, Jang!

[@Straigo]

For those wondering about the Triforce and Blacktron 1 logos and which came first: The Triforce was only first seen as that three triangle Hōjō mon (emblem) in the instruction booklet and after the credits of Zelda 2. Which released in ‘87, the same year as the first Blacktron released. And it wasn’t depicted heavily until A Link to the Past in 1991. Blacktron’s prototype set images first displayed this symbol in a 1985 publication, predating Zelda’s Triforce by two years. Zelda used an exact Hōjō mon, the emblem of the Hōjō Clan, where as Blacktron used isosceles triangles in an inverted arrangement. The Hōjō mon is ancient Japanese symbology where as the Blacktron’s version is a unique variant of these “Sierpiński Triangle”-like symbols. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hōjō_clan

[@Straigo]

What’s interesting is that many Zelda fan aren’t aware that this 3 triangle Hōjō mon Triforce symbol is a retcon introduced in Zelda 2. Originally the term “Triforce” referred to each one, not the collective unit of all three. In the first Legend of Zelda there were only 2 Triforces, not 3. The term “Triforce” comes from the words “Triangle Force” and refers to their shape, not the total number of “pieces.” Zelda 2 retconned this by adding a third, secret Triforce and then began using the Hōjō Clan’s emblem to represent all 3 Triforces, later retconned as “pieces.” In the original game “pieces of Triforce” only referred to the Triforce of Wisdom being broken in 8 pieces. Each Triforce, Wisdom and Power, was it’s own Triforce and not a “piece of Triforce,” but that all got retconned by the time A Link to the Past released.

[@colewernette4601]

LOL you killed me with the “anotha one” DJ khalid reference. I always say that jokingly. unexpected from you Jang

[@StyngMe]

The original Zelda came out only a year before this so I'm not surprised it has a Triforce on it. Although with development time I wonder how early that design was chosen.

[@Straigo]

Blacktron prototype images using this symbol were shown in 1985. Zelda didn’t retcon the third triforce and adopt the Hōjō symbol until the second game in 1987.

[@Salty_der_Regenmacher]

I hope they keep remaking more old sets

[@vincentwiddershoven2122]

Lovely troughback to the past. Ty Jang. 😁👍

[@ComicBoy750]

It’s interesting to see how this compares to the remake I got.

[@pinkraven4402]

These transparent wings are... chef's kiss

[@sumeragi69]

Something is strange, because in France or England, 1988 was the year of Blacktron, not 1987. 1987 was the year when Futuron were launched. Then Space Police in 1989, M-Tron in 1990... Besides this information also featured in the Lego Collector's book, I am so happy to see things about Blacktron I back in 2023. And yes you can combine all the Blacktron I vehicles modules together, except for the little ship in the 6987 Message Intercept base.

[@destinycaptain247]

This is the first set I got when I got back into LEGO in 88’ at the age of 18. I missed out on everything from 83’ to 88’.

[@PeterSwinkels]

I got one too. Since childhood. I believe the designer could have seen that symbol in books dealing with geometry or possibly even in a puzzle.

[@Straigo]

Really cool you did a review of the original along with the new one. I just ordered some addition bricks with pins to sub in to the new BT Cruiser. Going to try to see if I can modify it to get it to connect to the older BT1 sets.

[@KenTails]

Side looking minifig head made me chuckle, it felt as if the little guy was distracted or something.

[@kentslocum]

As someone who knows absolutely nothing about Zelda, it is entirely possible that a LEGO designer came up with the Blacktron logo independently. What IS highly unlikely, however, is that no one else would have noticed the similarity.

[@theBlankScroll]

After getting my legosnoutnfor my kids I made a Space Explorer version of the invader in mostly white and blue. I managed to stuff a ball joint crain into the cargo compartment that extends down through a slit in the floor Its my all time favorite lego space ship design.

[@metalkage]

the "triforce" is from a japanese clan called the hojo clan so it way older then you think

[@fromvoid3764]

I think the Triforce consists of equilateral triangles. And the triangles in the Blacktron logo seem to have one shorter side.

[@Hazel776FE]

Was confused why you uploaded the same review twice then I realized OH this is the original haha

[@JA-mg8cn]

Fun fact about the symbol; the symbol was not invented by Zelda, it has a longer history in Japan. The "Hōjō" clan, one of the biggest samurai families, used it in their banners.

[@WOLKsite]

I have this one, I just absolutely love it! :)

[@Benjamin0119]

I am definitely more nostalgic for Blacktron II myself. Those were the first Space sets I had and the Super Nova II was my first LEGO set period. I hope LEGO will get to a point where they redo those 90s Space sets and not just keep redoing the Classic Space stuff over and over. At any rate, without Blacktron, there would be no Blacktron II, so I can appreciate these sets for that, even if I'm not a big fan of the designs. Those minifigures were cool, though.

[@uwuloot]

I really liked the old connection clips like the ones used on the windows

[@ThePeacemaker848]

Cool ship. If that slope transition at the back was better this ship would look real good and stand the test of time.

[@117johnpar]

I had the front nose with the printed triforce and never knew what set it came from. now I know.

[@117johnpar]

I also did not know Zelda was so old. I thought it was from the mid 90s.

[@Zenlore6499]

Humble beginnings for Blacktron!

[@yomekpiecemaker8764]

Nice ! I'm not a pro in Lego and it is the first time I see a black visor for the helmet of the pilot other that the one I own from the minifig X-Racer's helmet of the Speed Racer(Mach Go Go Go) Movie and Lego sets from 2008. I really like the old-school look of that spaceship and the modularity it offers. Now let's watch the 2023 version review from the Jang.

[@CladeryHeart]

Oh this set is gorgeous, I like it more than the new version I must admit.

[@JPD2587]

If this was a “newer” vintage set I 110% would have bought the Jazz Club to get this. But 1.0 Blacktron is a little before my time. I want Space Police, Ice Planet and Spyrius!

[@Dreadwolf3155]

as a kid i loved the fact that this one actuall SEALS!

[@MayoHosko]

Even though I grew up with blacktron 2 I end up building more blacktron 1 MOCs strangely

[@lordcthulhu17]

didnt blacktron happen before Zelda?

[@natbarmore]

Depends where you were. Blacktron was available in US and Europe before Zelda was. Zelda was available in Japan before Blacktron existed. But there were public pictures of Blacktron before Zelda existed. Also, apparently the Triforce didn’t actually appear in the first Zelda game, so when it did appear, that was after Blacktron, no matter where you were-but probably not _enough_ after Blacktron for them to have had time to see it and incorporate it into the game. So it was pretty much simultaneous, and neither one realistically could’ve borrowed from the other.

[@justthink1616]

I really wonder if the new one is better 🤔

[@Averybravebeexx]

I have most of the pieces from this original set just was a hammy down from my oldest sibling

[@canuckled]

I had hours of fun with this set

[@MartenFerret]

I had this. :3

[@louis44]

MORE RETRO REVIEWS!!!

[@saxus]

I never ever played or followed any Zelda thing, I didn't even know that it had this triangle logo in it's own until now. But when I was young and learned some programming in BASIC I tried to do a game which had this kind of logo too. It's quite simple, trivial thing.

[@Kelkschiz]

BT1 FTW

[@choojoy48]

Is it origonal set or moc??

[@frostedbutts4340]

Classic set

[@Brick-Life]

A cool looking toy

[@saoldanify]

Isn't that a japanese shogun symbol?

[@LCFC81]

Definitely more Starcom: the US Space Force inspired than by that Zelda guy.

[@HerrSchock]

Seems likely. Starcom Toys also came out in 1987.

[@Straigo]

Starcom was late ‘87. Blacktron prototypes depicted this logo in ‘85.

[@thrillhouse4151]

The Triforce was also the Hojo Clan’s insignia during Sengoku era Japan.

[@DawsonGLGM]

Nice

[@r.girouard5886]

People are more nostalgic for BT2 over BT2?! *Eewww*

[@massimookissed1023]

This set is from 1 year after the first Zelda game, however Sierpinski first triangulated his triangle in 1915 !

[@BrickTemplar]

You know, I would rather have this old one than the new stickered, clipsed and tiled off one. Gosh, how they managed to include all techniques that I dislike in one set remake, lol.

[@wich1]

Yeah, I just *had* to get it because of Blacktron, but it could’ve been so much better…

[@Mut4ntG4m3r]

ah, back when Lego was still able to actually print pieces :D