Top 3 Best\Worst Themes

[just2good]

My top 5-

1.Adventures/Orient Expedition

2.City/Town

3.Pirates

4.Studios

5.Agents

Runner Ups-

1.Island Extreme

2.Castle

3.Power Miners

Worst-

1.Galidor

2.Technic/BionicleUse to be good

3.Star Wars-Use to be good

4.Racers

5.Sponge Bob

Edited February 17, 2009 by just2good

[Legomyeggo]

As I predicted, this topic is rapidly descending into a "favorite and least favorite themes" topic, which is not what the topic states. Look, if you hate a theme, fine, but you can't automatically rule it out as the worst.

Agreed. I posted this to see really what are the legitimately worst sets, basically flubs on Lego's part. I pretty much missed the whole Lego boat in the 90's so was hoping you guys would tell me what I missed with posts like these.

I'm not a fan of the SW sets, but I do admit they've done some amazing ships and the Death Star II was stellar. So no way I would say that SW sets are lame. I think we need to focus on what sets Lego basically fumbled the snap on. Sounds to me like Galidor and Exo-force are leading the charge. I hate to pick on Bionicle, because condolences if you do really like it, but I just think it's just not Lego. City to me is Lego at it's purest, which is why I rank it #1.

[hewkii9]

I'm surprised I'm the only one to have mentioned JPIII, that line was an embarrassment.

[mandziarat]

Bestest

1. Good Old Pirates!!!!!

2. Indy.

3. Star Wars

Runner up: All Space Police

Worstest

1. Avatar

2. Spongebob

3. Rock Raiders

Runner up: Bionicle

[5150 Lego]

As I predicted, this topic is rapidly descending into a "favorite and least favorite themes" topic, which is not what the topic states. Look, if you hate a theme, fine, but you can't automatically rule it out as the worst. This is where Bionicle always takes a ton of bashing that it doesn't deserve. I'm getting really tired of people using the same repetitive statements to justify their unwarranted bashing.

Grevious,

While i agree that this is turning into more of 'Whitch is your favorite/least favorite theme", what did you expect? There weren't any guide lines as to what qualifies a theme as best/worst. So to be honest, there really isn't any right or wrong anwser. You also have to remember, people are going to have different reasons why they feel certain themes are the best/worst. While you might feel JPIII was worst because of set design or sales,somone might think the designs were good. Same with other non popular themes.

Comments like "oh, I can't pronounce the names, so it's terrible" and "the pieces are totally useless" are not only not true but are also rather silly. The theme was never meant to be for AFOLS - and neither are any of the other regular lego themes - but that hasn't stopped people like Jinzo, Cajun, Darth Vader, and BigFatSlob from using the pieces in amazing ways.

Your absolutly right. Just like how many people here make claims of "<insert that tiresome argument>" parts like the passenger plane wings when its been proven that ther has been quite a few different uses for them. Your also right about them being first and formost kids toys. LOL. You sound a bit like me when i argue with people when they complain about junorized parts!

As for me not liking bionicle. Well, what can i say. I don't like the theme. Never had, never will. I never cared for the whole story, never cared for the character design, and yes, i have a hard time pronouncing the names! So for those reasons, i don't like bionicle. IS it a succesfull theme? Absolutely. One of Legos most successfull. But that doesn't mean i have to like it.

[Clone OPatra]

Best (because of how long they ran and how generally cool the stuff was/is)

1. Adventurers-all: I'll admit the dino part was a little weird, but everything else rocked (the vehicles, buildings, guys, etc.)

2. Star Wars: from the beginning, this was an awesome theme to recreate some of the most widely loved movies ever

3. Pirates/Castle -all: great sets with tons of possibilities for adventure

Worst:

1. Galidor: Why call that LEGO? (also LEGO's first trip to chinese made stuff, I might add)

2. Scala: Dolls with minimal LEGO parts? What? (Bellville I understand, at least that was mostly LEGO)

3. That underwater stuff (stingrays and aquazone): The very original underwater stuff was ok, but the next wave looked really ugly, with blocky uninteresting vehicles and bad colors (the only good thing was the helmets on the stingrays)

EDIT: oh wait, I forgot Clikits, maybe that could be swapped with stingrays

While I understand why somebody could like stingrays or aquazone, Galidor and Scala go without saying as a on LEGO's part.

Edited February 17, 2009 by Clone O'Patra

[CP5670]

I didn't like the weird looking Stingray minifigs, but their sets were great, especially the largest one that was shaped like a giant manta. The Hydronaut sets were a mixed bag though.

[Algernon]

Wait... you're criticizing the Star Wars Theme BECAUSE it's popular? *sigh* As I predicted, this topic is rapidly descending into a "favorite and least favorite themes" topic, which is not what the topic states. Look, if you hate a theme, fine, but you can't automatically rule it out as the worst. This is where Bionicle always takes a ton of bashing that it doesn't deserve. Comments like "oh, I can't pronounce the names, so it's terrible" and "the pieces are totally useless" are not only not true but are also rather silly. The theme was never meant to be for AFOLS - and neither are any of the other regular lego themes - but that hasn't stopped people like Jinzo, Cajun, Darth Vader, and BigFatSlob from using the pieces in amazing ways. I'm getting really tired of people using the same repetitive statements to justify their unwarranted bashing.

And it's not just that. Now, it seems that some people are taking it as far as flaming those who like certain themes. Or at least, you seem to be, Peppermint. I don't think it's very nice of you to bash all the people who love the Starwars theme so much. Have they committed some unforseen crime against you for liking a theme that you despise?

Ugh, this is seriously getting annoying.

I find it funny that you chide everybody for having opinions on themes and then proceed to defend Bionicle and call their opinions silly.

And besides, I don't quite get what you were expecting... how on earth are you supposed to judge LEGO's best themes without some degree of opinion taking part?

[brickfreak99]

Best

City: just such a good concept

Agents: great storyline and playability

Technic: so functional!!!

Worst

Bionicle: they are just action figures

Mars Mission: Let's go to Mars!!

Jack Stone/4J: I like paying 50AUD for 50 pieces!!!

[Nimirdil]

Best:

1. Pirates

2. Town/City

3. Star Wars

Worst:

1. Jack Stone & 4+

2. Exo Force

3. New Bionicle

[Peppermint_M]

Wait... you're criticizing the Star Wars Theme BECAUSE it's popular? *sigh* As I predicted, this topic is rapidly descending into a "favorite and least favorite themes" topic, which is not what the topic states. Look, if you hate a theme, fine, but you can't automatically rule it out as the worst. This is where Bionicle always takes a ton of bashing that it doesn't deserve. Comments like "oh, I can't pronounce the names, so it's terrible" and "the pieces are totally useless" are not only not true but are also rather silly. The theme was never meant to be for AFOLS - and neither are any of the other regular lego themes - but that hasn't stopped people like Jinzo, Cajun, Darth Vader, and BigFatSlob from using the pieces in amazing ways. I'm getting really tired of people using the same repetitive statements to justify their unwarranted bashing.

And it's not just that. Now, it seems that some people are taking it as far as flaming those who like certain themes. Or at least, you seem to be, Peppermint. I don't think it's very nice of you to bash all the people who love the Starwars theme so much. Have they committed some unforseen crime against you for liking a theme that you despise?

Ugh, this is seriously getting annoying.

No, I'm not bashing or flaming.

Sorry.

I legitimately believe Star Wars to be one of the "worst" themes. The price, generally small/limited construction (I have had quite a few sets, if you check my brickset listings, I have the same username there) and the fact all the sets are just taken from an overgrown leviathan of a franchise. I do not hate it for its popularity, I just feel sort of sad that many people buy it just for a pretty star wars spaceship/scene/minifig for their star wars merchandise collection, not for Lego's well known true purpose; MOCing , and so so many end up gathering dust on a shelf alongside the die cast and kotobukiya kits. I am afraid at the time of my post I had been thoroughly wound up by my storm trooper friend (I made the mistake of linking the Akbar minifig to him..) all in jest of course, but highlighting to me the problem I have with Star Wars as a Lego theme.

To summarise: I use star wars Lego, that’s why I buy it. What I regret is fact it is one of the themes that doesn't encourage creativity in others. This is why I have put it in my "worst" theme list.

I apologise if I offended anyone, and I curse my lack of foresight in not explaining my reasoning adequately. However, Star Wars will remain in my list.

Please don't jump to conclusions about things, people rarely explain themselves properly on the internet. (If I were flaming I think I would have used more caps, and 1337)

Post Script: I'm not talking about the ultimate collectors edition sets. Those are very detailed and have a thumb numbing piece count, if it weren't for their price I would have some of those. Even if they are true display pieces.

I must also add: I am the staunchest defender of "Lego is made for Children not AFOLs" (people never seem to notice my posts most of the time...) I love the parts people complain as <insert that tiresome argument>. I can see the positive in 4+ Pirates!

If there are certain rules as to what qualifies sets as good or bad, please let me know and I can re-acess my lists. I can see many lists I disagree with (Rock Raiders were one of my favourite themes, and from my list you can see Exo Force was my favourite right up until they discontinued it) I am afraid that the 90s is a bit of a blur, it being my pre-teen years, all Lego was the bestest ever in my mind at the time. So I can't really say much about them, apart from Alpha Team, Adventurers and Rock Raiders featured greatly in my (sadly uncompleted) wish lists.

(sorry for the misspelling, the true spelling was censored )

Edited February 17, 2009 by Peppermint_M

[CP5670]

I must also add: I am the staunchest defender of "Lego is made for Children not AFOLs" (people never seem to notice my posts most of the time...) I love the parts people complain as <insert that tiresome argument>.

Actually, I bet that most kids don't like those big, specialized parts either, since they inhibit MOCing. There is a reason why TLG is gradually moving away from them. There were occasionally such parts used in the late 80s/early 90s when I was a kid, and I never liked them even back then. (this was an extreme example, and this wasn't as bad but much more common)

[Peppermint_M]

True, true. But my point still stands, I do enjoy the challange of <insert that tiresome argument> parts. They may cut a lot of corners but have some fantastic effects that most "traditional" Lego cannot achieve.

On topic

Well, I thought about the 90s themes and the best and worst for me in the 90s were:

Best:

Adventurers

Alpha Team

Rock Raiders

Worst:

Aquazone with the odd non-human looking Stingrays/Hydronauts

Znap

...

I cant think of a third one.

[General Magma]

Here's my opinion...

BEST

1. Star Wars; This line is the best ever, you may understand then why it is TLC's bestselling line!

2. Castle; Very cool, I would liked some human VS. human sets, but fantasy is great too.

3. Power Miners; Awesome little monsters, cool vehicles - one word: Great!

WORST

1. Clickits; This isn't LEGO! Little flowers - worst line ever. I'm glad TLC discontinued it.

2. New Bionicle; This isn't like the old BIONICLE..I used to like Bionicle but the Glatorians, and those other things (the "comeback" of the Toa Nuva) made it..yeah..very uninteresting.

3. Galidor; I don't know what this stuff is meant to be?!!!

[Zorbas]

Best themes:

1. City (For me this theme includes trains, the modular houses, and the factory and creator houses.)

2. Castle (from the beginning 80s till the mid-90s)

3. Pirates (Here I'm thinking of the old pirate sets more than of the new ones.)

My choices too, even the comments are my exact thoughts.

As for the themes that i don't like at all:

1. Bionicle

2. Belville

3. Exo-Force

[Algernon]

I rather liked Stingrays (at least the big sets)... I'm surprised they're getting so much hate.

[CP5670]

I rather liked Stingrays (at least the big sets)... I'm surprised they're getting so much hate.

I think the minifigs are what turned people off those. They look like some kind of Castle era goblins and don't fit an underwater theme at all. Some of the sets are actually really good, as I said earlier.

[Zarkan]

I find it funny that you chide everybody for having opinions on themes and then proceed to defend Bionicle and call their opinions silly.

And besides, I don't quite get what you were expecting... how on earth are you supposed to judge LEGO's best themes without some degree of opinion taking part?

You misread me. I was not chiding people for having opinions - I was simply getting tired of people using the same generic statments to justify calling themes like Bionicle the worst themes ever. Like everyone else here, I strongly support opinions and heated discussion - what I do not like is when topics get to the point where half the members are saying the exact same things instead of giving good reasons. Now, I'm not saying that everyone has to go into detailed explanations of why they hate a certain theme - not everyone has the time or patience for that. However, when I hear comments like "bionicle is the worst theme because I hate it," I feel that is rather silly. Not all of the members here are doing this, however, so I'm not bashing everyone for expressing their dislike of Bionicle.

The point I'm trying to make is that, while opinion has a huge part in topics like this, some people seem to take it way too far and let it cloud out any objective reasoning of why a theme is terrible. Since this topic is asking what the best and worst themes are, I think people should at least consider their answers beyond "which theme is my favorite" and "which theme do I hate the most." Ex. Someone could claim that Town is the best theme because it's the most diverse and creative theme that doesn't revolve around conflict. Or, someone could claim that Adventurers is one of the top three themes because it has a huge amount of wonderful pieces, creative sets and minifigures, and is a great alternative to licenses. Comments like manage to both be opiniated and well thought out, and IMO are the best kind of post you can make in a topic like this.

Also, since I unfortunately didn't give reasons for my picks the first time around, I'll do so now:

The Best Three Themes:

1. Town/City - this theme is IMO the greatest lego theme ever, because it allows for such a huge variety of buildings, vehicles, minifigs, and other sets. More so than that however, it is closer to real life than any of the other themes, and thus is more relatable to.

2. Castle - a close second, Castle allows for a rich world of fantasy and adventure while giving boys a good level of conflict. The figure and weapon variety is simply incredible, and the color scheme and set designs are beautiful.

3. Pirates - this theme falls right behind Castle only because it doesn't allow for as much variety as the latter can. However, it shares many of the same positive things that Castle does, including figures, weapons, and a great color scheme.

The Worst Three Themes:

1. Galidor - Far worse than any other theme TLC has EVER produced, for the simple reason that no one can actually really call it lego. It's a generic action figure line, and nothing more, and thus it should have never been made. Also, it was based on a really pathetic TV show, and was obviously nothing more than a hopeful cash in by TLC, instead of a well thought out license agreement

2. 4+ Pirates - A complete joke, which attempted to replace the wonderful Classic Pirates with a <insert that tiresome argument>, cartoony preschool line. Terrible molds, awful one piece figures, ridiculous "missile cannons," and simplistic, boring set designs. Simply rubbish.

3. Island Extreme Stunts - A line based on Lego Island could have been decent, but somehow TLC managed to take all the charm out of the original game with a line that consisted of boring vehicles, even worse buildings, and terrible figure designs that turned the cheerful, cute figures of Lego Island 1 into ugly, "coolized" shells of their former selves. Not to mention that the figure selection was so limited that you got Pepper, the Brickster, or Snap Lockit in EVERY set.

No, I'm not bashing or flaming.

Sorry.

I legitimately believe Star Wars to be one of the "worst" themes. The price, generally small/limited construction (I have had quite a few sets, if you check my brickset listings, I have the same username there) and the fact all the sets are just taken from an overgrown leviathan of a franchise. I do not hate it for its popularity, I just feel sort of sad that many people buy it just for a pretty star wars spaceship/scene/minifig for their star wars merchandise collection, not for Lego's well known true purpose; MOCing , and so so many end up gathering dust on a shelf alongside the die cast and kotobukiya kits. I am afraid at the time of my post I had been thoroughly wound up by my storm trooper friend (I made the mistake of linking the Akbar minifig to him..) all in jest of course, but highlighting to me the problem I have with Star Wars as a Lego theme.

To summarise: I use star wars Lego, that’s why I buy it. What I regret is fact it is one of the themes that doesn't encourage creativity in others. This is why I have put it in my "worst" theme list.

I apologise if I offended anyone, and I curse my lack of foresight in not explaining my reasoning adequately. However, Star Wars will remain in my list.

Please don't jump to conclusions about things, people rarely explain themselves properly on the internet. (If I were flaming I think I would have used more caps, and 1337)

Post Script: I'm not talking about the ultimate collectors edition sets. Those are very detailed and have a thumb numbing piece count, if it weren't for their price I would have some of those. Even if they are true display pieces.

Ah, okay. I guess I just didn't understand what you meant. However, I still don't see why you hate Starwars so much. Personally, although I don't buy any sets from the theme anymore, I've found that the sets have become more and more complex and detailed over time, to the point where IMO they are some of the most well enginered kits lego currently makes. And also, the price is really no worse than any of the other themes currently. I know the price did increase last year, but now it's really the same as City, Power Miners, Pirates, and all the other themes. It's more of an issue that they make so many Starwars kits each year, thus making collecting all of them a real hassle.

Also, I think you need to understand is that, while MOCing is a huge part of Lego, it isn't the whole picture. I've often felt sorry for lego fans who can't seem to enjoy any kits exactly the way they are out of the box (and no, I'm not saying you're one of those), since lego kits tend to be very well designed. A lego kit to me should be just as much about the playability as the building, and for kids this especially rings true. Yes, MOCing is wonderful, but for people who don't have the time or paitence to make tons of their own models, building kits the way they are is the ideal way to enjoy lego. And I don't think there's any reason to fault them for that.

*whew* Man that took a while to type.

[Norro]

What follows is a subjective list, I enjoy a good debate as much as the next lad (I would say more, but then I would have to justify that ) but I really don't feel like justifying my opinions on sub-sections of a hobby, the whole terrain is just too subjective. I will share the reasoning behind my opinions though

Best:

1. Castle (surprise), I still think it is the most versatile theme (in MOC terms), has covered the most ground (set wise), and allows an amazing amount of pieces and colours, to be integrated into a grounded, semi-historical setting. I also just plain love it. Always have...

2. Pirates, simple charm. Sentiment, and associations of fun. I also think the theme struck an almost ideal balance between play, building, history, and a non-mandatory plot line.

3. Aquazone (the original 3 years), Still the most original Lego line (IMHO). All the more shocking for emerging at a time when Lego didn't do short run themes. Very well designed and priced sets, and also a brilliant 'Legoland' ability to have fun with two sets, or an underwater empire's fleet. I know it expanded my mind in MOCing terms more than anything else (but that may have been merely it's contrast to my rut...)

4. (very close) Western, See Pirates.

Worst:

1. Bionicle, not bashing, (I get annoyed by the consistent 'defenders' trying to explain how 'brilliant' it is for what it's worth ) In my mind, and this is entirely subjective, it's just not Lego. It's not part of the 'system'. Even technique integrates in minor quantities, every time I see a bionicle piece, I think to myself how out of place it it. I can't help it, it's as if someone dumped playmobile in my Lego bin, and some of the parts happen to connect dubiously... Sorry!

While I'm offending people and now that my terrible secret has been referred to:

2. Starwars, it almost single handedly killed Lego's independently creative toy company status. In my opinion it has taken all these years to get back to proper sets, because sw cushioned the fall. 98 was one of the worst years ever, 99 began the great SW distraction, and Lego never had to admit that its in-house product was in a state of shambles. I don't buy Lego to re-enact a movie. It's all about being more creative than that. Sorry! Not trying to kill your joy, just explaining my thing...

The second strike against it was the huge non-MOCing fan group it brought into lego. Nothing wrong with not MOCing at all. I just think sw caused this to be too large a percentage of the AFOL population. It also contributed to what I term 'MOC breakaway'. In the old Lugnet days (and I assume beforehand on RTL) the building talent was spread, diverse, there were some standouts, but not untouchables. Now we seem to have the Brothers Brick standard and the 'here are a few plates and a wall I built earlier' group. I think the decrease in percentage of active builders within the AFOL world help speed this regrettable split.

Harsh on the 'greatest/most popular theme ever'? Yep. Risky on EB as well

3. Clickits, Galidor, Znap, and all the other non lego. SW only ranks above these because most of them weren't prolific enough to damage my hobby...

Random thoughts:

Don't be too hard on scala unless you've built some, the detail is incredible, the amount of configurations of furniture made from a few pieces, the techniques used to connect them, the overall look for the quantity of brick used are all very impressive. If I was a female, I would have loved them, as it is I just buy them for others...

God Bless,

Don't shoot...

Nathan

[Oky]

I thought a lot about this, and here is what I think:

Best

1. Star Wars - The combined awesomeness and creativity of Lego and Star Wars results in the best theme ever!

2. City - What can I say - it's what made Lego so popular. Even though I don't buy any, this is simply a lovable, classic theme.

3. Mindstorms/Technic - This is a really neat, smart theme that teaches kids basic physics and IT. I haven't bought any Technic sets since Mindstorms NXT (due to all the fantastic Lego System sets), but I still think it's a great theme.

Hoever, the best theme should be Basic since it's the foundation of all other themes.

Worst

1. Galidor - Duh! The only good thing about this theme is that this is where the cool ball joints came from, I believe.

2. Scala/Belville - I don't know. Lego doll houses just don't seem like a good idea to me. Also, it's very <insert that tiresome argument> and most of the parts from this theme aren't very usable in other themes.

3. Bionicle - Sorry, but I have to agree with Norro that "they aren't very Lego". Don't get me wrong, I really like them. They make for great action figures and actors in a stop motion film. But there is just not much else you can do with them.

Edited February 17, 2009 by Oky Wan Kenobi

[Joey Lock]

Runner up for worst: Indiana Jones - I just think Lego is reaching with these sets. Let's face it there's just not a lot to translate from the movies into Legos. I would like to see the tank from Last Crusade but aside from that it just seems like Lego is really hurting for ideas on this line. I love IJ too, but I can't get into this set.

Strange. Your Sig-Fig picture is a Indiana Jones charecther...

BEST

1. Pirates - Love Pyrates!

2. Exo-Force - Awesome cheap sets

3. Star Wars - The sets are awesome but I dont like the rumour thread. All people do is argue!

WORST

1. Bionicle - Repetative

2. Technics - used to not care for this, and still dont.

3. Castle - Just they never did what I expected. Never a proper affordable castle...Always thin walls or miss coloured on raised baseplates.

[Zarkan]

1. Bionicle, not bashing, (I get annoyed by the consistent 'defenders' trying to explain how 'brilliant' it is for what it's worth ) In my mind, and this is entirely subjective, it's just not Lego. It's not part of the 'system'. Even technique integrates in minor quantities, every time I see a bionicle piece, I think to myself how out of place it it. I can't help it, it's as if someone dumped playmobile in my Lego bin, and some of the parts happen to connect dubiously... Sorry!

2. Starwars, it almost single handedly killed Lego's independently creative toy company status. In my opinion it has taken all these years to get back to proper sets, because sw cushioned the fall. 98 was one of the worst years ever, 99 began the great SW distraction, and Lego never had to admit that its in-house product was in a state of shambles. I don't buy Lego to re-enact a movie. It's all about being more creative than that. Sorry! Not trying to kill your joy, just explaining my thing...

The second strike against it was the huge non-MOCing fan group it brought into lego. Nothing wrong with not MOCing at all. I just think sw caused this to be too large a percentage of the AFOL population. It also contributed to what I term 'MOC breakaway'. In the old Lugnet days (and I assume beforehand on RTL) the building talent was spread, diverse, there were some standouts, but not untouchables. Now we seem to have the Brothers Brick standard and the 'here are a few plates and a wall I built earlier' group. I think the decrease in percentage of active builders within the AFOL world help speed this regrettable split.

Harsh on the 'greatest/most popular theme ever'? Yep. Risky on EB as well

Well, considering that you didn't even include Town or City as one of the top 3, I'm tempted to just ignore your post completely, Norro. But in all honestly, why exactly is Bionicle not part of the system? Sure, it's different, but it's also completely compatible with technic and even normal lego parts. It's also given a number of parts that have incredible possibilities, including the mini piraka spines and barraki eyes.

Seriously, I feel that a lot of people who dislike Bionicle have just never given it a chance. As soon as they see pictures, they're quick to dismiss it as useless, when in fact Bionicle has it's own excellent potential. It's one thing to say that you don't like it, which is a perfectly fine opinion. But It's a whole 'nother thing to say that it's not Lego, because then you're dismissing all the evidence against something like that. Then again, if your picture of lego is exclusive to stud-full minifig sets and nothing more, then I'm afraid I really can't agree with you at all.

Also, I'm not getting your logic about Starwars. So, you're saying that it was a bad thing that Starwars kept TLC from ceasing to exist as a company? That makes absolutely no sense. It was either that TLC got the Starwars License and it took 10 years to go back to the classic themes, or that TLC did not get the license and went bankrupt, meaning no more classic themes at all. There's not much of a choice really.

And on another point, if Starwars influenced the so called "MOC breakaway," then why are there just as many excellent Starwars MOCs as MOCs of other themes? Because TLC can't possibly make every ship and figure, tons of fans have resorted to making their own creations to fill in the gaps. I really don't understand where you're coming from, Norro.

BEST

1. Pirates - Love Pyrates!

Careful now - the generic Megabloks Pirate line from several years ago was named Pyrates.

Edited February 17, 2009 by Grevious

[Peppermint_M]

Well, now that misunderstanding has been cleared up...

I have to say I agree with Norro's explantion of his dislike of Star Wars, he articulated some of the thoughts I have in a much better manner .

If I may explain my Bionicle and agree why it belongs on both lists. It was good because it was new, I have to say the first generation was fantastic, the second even better but beyond that I just couldn't "get" it and started to see it as a cash cow. Now it's nothing like its roots. If Lego were to (dare I say it) re-boot the theme it could be great. Current building techniques combined with the original story or a similare tale would be fantastic.

I must also add: Stingrays was just such a departure from the Aquanauts I had been bought as my first Lego. It was mildly scary (to a 8 year old child) and my mum wouldn't let me have anymore sets. So that's why I don't really like it.

[m'kheyl]

It's real tough to isolate 3 themes out of the general awesomeness of LEGO's

Anyway here's mine...

Best:

-Pirates - my all time favourite

-Western - not many sets but they were all really really good, really underrated I think.

-Castle - I wasn't much into it but my girlfriend and the new Castle Town Square made me change my mind, and IMO the most beautiful MOCs are made around that theme.

Worst:

-Bionicle - doesn't look much like lego

-Sport - uh well...

-Recent years Space - they just look weird to me

I do agree with some posters about Star Wars... I find many of the sets beautiful, but hardly creative nor playable, mostly just good to sit on a shelf and that's not quite the idea I have of Lego's. Kind of a love/hate thing

Re Technics, I really loved the old sets which were build for the Technics "mini" figures, these packed a lot of fun for little boys (and girls) who love playing with huge badass cars/planes/submarines and whatnot

And City is in a league of its own, it's kind of the backbone of LEGO.

Edited February 17, 2009 by m'kheyl

[Norro]

why exactly is Bionicle not part of the system?

In fairness I warned that it was a subjective definition of system. Although I think the idea of Lego system was complete interaction of parts and scale. Something that bionicle fails to do in my opinion (stress on opinion).

It's one thing to say that you don't like it, which is a perfectly fine opinion. But It's a whole 'nother thing to say that it's not Lego, because then you're dismissing all the evidence against something like that. Then again, if your picture of lego is exclusive to stud-full minifig sets and nothing more, then I'm afraid I really can't agree with you at all.

I don't quite follow your logic. I could apply this quotation to galidor...

And we'll just have to diasagree, because my definition of system is based largely around 'stud-full minifig sets', although the minifigs aren't strictly necessary.

in fact Bionicle has it's own excellent potential.

My point exactly... sorry to take you out of context, but I do think this is subconscious support for my limited system feelings...

Also, I'm not getting your logic about Starwars. So, you're saying that it was a bad thing that Starwars kept TLC from ceasing to exist as a company? That makes absolutely no sense. It was either that TLC got the Starwars License and it took 10 years to go back to the classic themes, or that TLC did not get the license and went bankrupt, meaning no more classic themes at all. There's not much of a choice really.

I'm afraid you've extrapolated a point which I didn't make, rather tenuously, from my statements. (This may be a cultural division in thought, it's hard to read intentions over the internet...)

I think sw helped Lego to procrastinate about fixing it's own product. I didn't speculate about bankruptcy, merely about where attention was fixed. You preclude the possible (though not likely) option that the financial danger forced TLC to fix its product without sw.

And on another point, if Starwars influenced the so called "MOC breakaway," then why are there just as many excellent Starwars MOCs as MOCs of other themes? Because TLC can't possibly make every ship and figure, tons of fans have resorted to making their own creations to fill in the gaps. I really don't understand where you're coming from, Norro.

"so called"? What do you think (side topic)?

I consider sw less creative, I stand by that. It's like comparing writing a short story based in Tolkien's world with writing your own.

And I really don't see the relation between the number of good sw MOCs vs those in other themes and my point.... I was commenting on a ratio of good MOCs to AFOLs, not a particular concentration in a theme. I honestly feel in this last section that you've failed to read my post accurately, or perhaps I'm not expressing myself well. Although it may just me be an opinion divide as Peppermint_M seemed to understand what I was getting at.

Seriously I'm not trying to force a view of a line down your throat, or attack all you hold dear. Merely explaining my *preference* and the basis for it...

I'd also really appreciate it if you focus on discussing the reasoning behind the choices (as you suggested earlier in this thread) rather than sensationalizing without explanation (as you criticized when applied in an anti-bionicle context), for example:

But It's a whole 'nother thing to say that it's not Lego, because then you're dismissing all the evidence against something like that.

So, you're saying that it was a bad thing that Starwars kept TLC from ceasing to exist as a company?

In the first case you provide no reasoning, merely scorn mine. In the second you speak on my behalf (an idea I never put forward), and then ridicule it.

I really don't understand where you're coming from

I know the feeling...

God Bless,

Nathan