The 1989 Sets versus 2009 Sets

[Rick]

Exactly 20 years after the first line of pirates ('Pirates I') was introduced, the second line ('Pirates II') comes out. The majority of the first wave of sets of both lines (which appeared in 1989 and 2009, respectively) show a striking resemblance in terms of ideas/themes. So, the question naturally arises: which first wave of sets do you like best?

Overall:

Pirates I (1989) vs. Pirates II (2009)

Specific sets:

6285 Black Seas Barracuda vs. 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty

6276 Eldorado Fortress vs. 6242 Soldiers' Fort

6270 Forbidden Island vs. 6253 Shipwreck Hideout

6260 Shipwreck Island + 6245 Harbor Sentry vs. 6241 Loot Island

6257 Castaway's Raft vs. 6240 Kraken Attackin'

6251 Pirate Minifigures vs. 852747 Pirate Battle Pack

6235 Buried Treasure vs. 8397 Pirate Survival

And then there are these soldiers' sets that do not have a match in the other first wave of sets:

6265 Sabre Island

6274 Caribbean Clipper

6239 Cannon Battle

8396 Soldier's Arsenal

I would be grateful if an admin could add a poll to this topic.

[Mister Phes]

Did yer want a poll to go with that?

I think you really mean is 1989 Pirate sets versus 2009 Pirate Sets.

Pirates I versus Pirate II might confuse people into think Pirates I represents the entire Pirate theme from 1989 to 1997.

[Rick]

Did yer want a poll to go with that?

Yes please

Although Pirates I has quite an advantage given it lasted 8 years with over 60 different sets.

That's why I'd like to compare the first wave only, although a lot of those first wave sets (like BSB and Eldorado Fortress) also lasted a lot longer than many of the 'modern' sets.

I think you really mean is 1989 Pirate sets versus 2009 Pirate Sets.

Pirates I versus Pirate II might confuse people into think Pirates I represents the entire Pirate theme from 1989 to 1997.

You're the pirate master, please change the title to whatever you think is least confusing...

Edited August 4, 2009 by Rick

[Mister Phes]

Ok, poll added!

I've also retilted the thread slightly - is that clear enough to everybody?

[Stauder]

A Classic will be a classic.

1989 On!

Stauder.

[Fluyt]

1989 wins, obviously. The entire "pirates I" (1989-1997) is better than the current ones, I don't really like the new sets at all, except the "fort", but I must admit, the new minifigs > the old minifigs (and some accesories like the telescope should have been made way earlier, only unfortunately, the new line doesn't have compasses).

[brickzone]

Tough one. The building/part styles in the older sets are so different. Take BSB, it's more detailed than BB, but the latter has the benefits of modern colours, parts and building styles. For example, the studded rails and so on on BSB look dated now. It is my intention to build a re-imagining of BSB using BB parts and modern brick colours (although I'm not sure entirely how to do this yet - tan and brown alone would be too different from black/yellow, but black/yellow is too "basic" as well).

If the 1989 sets were designed today they would I think beat the 2009 ones, but I think between the originals as is, and the new ones, I prefer the new.

Even if todays sets are perhaps more built to a price - the ones today are incredibly more affordable than the originals were back in the day given the little difference in absolute prices but vast difference in money's worth today - i.e. it's worth a lot less.

[Wily Manc]

I surprised myself by voting for 1989. Most of the sets are as good as each other, and although 2009's Soldier's Fort is an improvement (on an already great set), 1989's minifig collection and buried treasure are better for me, and 6270 Forbidden Island is the clincher - what a set that was.

I just hope we don't see any Pacific Islanders with the new pirate sets, the line died for me when they came out.

[Rijkvv]

I think the Soldier's Fort doesn't even deserve that name. You can hardly call it a fort. I think the 2009 sets are way inferior to the 1989 ones. The minifigures and some of the pieces are great, though.

[The Cobra]

Shouldn't there be a neutral option too?

Well, I'll think on.

[martinsuper]

I think the old sets are better, but the new minifigs are much better. One nice thing is that you can use new items like side-packs to "dress up" the old figures a little and it makes them look nicer.

-Super

[Rijkvv]

What do you mean with side-packs?

[Hound Knight]

Ha-h'm... the only thing that tips my vote in favor of the '89 sets is the Eldorado Fortress. Otherwise, I would say that I like the new sets better.

What do you mean with side-packs?

Probably the Indy bags.

[Zorro]

I voted for 1989 because the sets released in that year where intended for buyers of a higher age then the new sets.

Not that the new line doesn't have advantages, the doubleside-printed new redcoats are wonderfull IMO, and so are the new shakos!

[Rick]

Ok, poll added!

I've also retilted the thread slightly - is that clear enough to everybody?

Thanks, this is as clear as it gets.

Personally I favor 1989. Nothing beats the BSB and Eldorado Fortress yet (I hope the new line holds some surprises the coming years, maybe an s@h exclusive like castle had with the Medieval Market Village, ok I'm getting carried away). I can't decide on the minifigs though: the 1989 are just... classic, the 2009 are just so detailed with their double-sided torsos. The smaller sets are pretty much equal in terms of quality. One touch about the new line I really like are all the small army builders that are available.

[General Armendariz]

1989 will always be the best no matter what there sets were kick megablocks!

[Commodore Hornbricker]

1989...BSB, Eldorado, Forbidden Island. That was a good year indeed! But I agree with Super. The new minifigures are a significant step forward. If by the time this line plays out we had new bluecoats, islanders and Spanairds that would make this new line stand out very well.

[StoneW4]

I prefer the year 1989, because IMO these sets were more magnificent and realistic (but also more expensive). Take for example the Black Seas Barracuda: she has much more lovingly details than Brickbeard’s Bounty. I think the new sets are more playable for children...

[Rick]

Looks like 1989 is winning hands down... do you think there's any 2009 set that comes close to beating its 1989 equivalent?

[kabel]

if they had come up with an emperial ship for the 2009 line (maybe something smaller than the pirate ship) i think they would be equal, but redcoats without a ship to contend with just suck a lot

[Drakon]

I don't think the 2009 sets stand a chance considering who we are.... :) At the very least, the old sets have a nostalgic place with us.

With that said.....if they started to release more complex (and thus expensive) sets geared for an AFOL I think the 2010 could easy win.

[Zorbas]

I can still remember the feelings and the first impressions that I had when the first Pirate theme was introduced.

This catalogue's first page was the very first contact back in 1989:

First reaction for the next 8 seconds:

"Ohh, this doesn't look like Lego at all!!!!"

I was 9 1/2 years old and a child's mind can think all sorts of things.

By the end of the day and looking -or drooling over- the inside pages I was amazed! Few days later the first set came, (Sabre Island) and few months later, "Dark Shark" (a.k.a BSB) was plundering the rough seas of the Carpetic Ocean.

To cut a long story short, the first impression that the 2009 Pirate line left me was the same when it comes to "Legoness". It didn't feel like LEGO at all.

The big difference?

It still doesn't feel like 100% LEGO for me. Especially when I first saw Brickbeard's Bounty I was . I know that this may sound strange or even "bad" or retromaniac but that's the overall impression I have for the new line, compared of course with the 1989 line.

Overall point of this post:

1989 Pirate line is still the best introduction to the world of Pirates. That's my vote.

....or rephrasing a Stooges song:

"Is 1989 o.k? Sail across the floor that's gray!"

(I'm the worst lyrics composer, I know... )

[Casval]

I voted for the 2009 sets. Not because I have anything against the 1989 sets. Just that I only really own 2009 sets. Had I been big into the Pirates sets in 1989 (instead of Police and Space Police), I am sure I would vote the other way. But unlike a good number of people here, the nostalgia isn't there for me.

[Rick]

I can still remember the feelings and the first impressions that I had when the first Pirate theme was introduced.

This catalogue's first page was the very first contact back in 1989:

The 1989 Dutch catalog cover :

[Dr. Steve]

I will go wth 1989.

BSB and the fort are my two all time favorite sets and we had a ship for the bluecoats.

The minifigs for 2009 are amazing. The smaller sets are wonderful. Cannon Battle and the Soldier Impulse are great. I can't wait to get some tic tac toe sets