Best Sci Fi theme?

[LegoGarlicBread]

I think the best Sci Fi theme is a tie between Blacktron 1, Space Police (all 3) and UFO.

[legitimatealex]

Exoforce. Forget the Space Police 3. Only the second year of Space Police 3 is good.

[Defferwa]

Defiantly SP3. I also liked the mecha in Exo-Force but they kinda pushed the Manga/Chinese cartoon too much.

The UFO characters were really cool, a shame I didn't pic one of those up.

[Artanis I]

Space.

If we're talking subthemes & the vibe that the overall subtheme's colours created, then I say Blacktron I & Unitron.

If we're talking the coolest sets/ships whatever or even minifigs, then I can't decide. There are so many really good ones.

[ProducePrincess]

I don't think there is a best sci-fi theme. Each one had it's own qualities and faults.

Many people can't answer fairly either because they weren't around or into lego when most of the space sets started.

My favorite is Exo-force because i'm a mecha junkie but it isn't the best.

[jonwil]

Ice Planet 2002. Definitly.

[KurttKrueger]

SP3, and anything between 87 - 96. Does that count?

[legotrainfan]

Classic Space, Futuron, Space Police 1 + 2, Ice Planet, M:Tron, Blacktron 1 + 2, and Spyrius. I'm sorry, but I cannot decide on one particular theme. I loved the era in whoch those themes mentioned above were released!

However, aren't those all subthemes? So in this case the best sci fi theme would be space!

Edited July 1, 2010 by legotrainfan

[lightningtiger]

I would say the early classic space for it being original while still being COOL and the latest SP3, especially for the helmets and police craft which are excellent !

I'm a conformist! !

[LegoGarlicBread]

By SciFi theme I ment sub-theme. Sorry for the confusion.

[M:tron engineer]

Main theme:SPACE (1989-1996)

subtheme: M:trons (especialy because of mega core magnetizer)

Blacktron I

Blacktron II

Space police 1 and 2

ice planet 2002

Spyrius

UFO

Exo FORCE:

All sets, especially like those "slave" robots with unique copper/brown design and mecca ONE with its gold and black color.

reading through topic, i can see that there are many(well most of posts) who really liked "OLD" space, and not Star wars or Sp III. Also i can see that there arent many sci fi themes(apart from sp3 adn star wars) today. I wish there would be more "old/classic space sets available on market. They should ressurect blacktrons or any of "old" space sub theme. For crist sake is it so hard to make new models with old color scheme or what?! If they need insporation, well here is eurobricks, brickshelf, flickr, MOCPages....

[Artanis I]

there arent many sci fi themes(apart from sp3 adn star wars) today.

What about Atlantis? And rock mining stuff? And does Ben 10, Bionicle and Hero Factory count?

[ProducePrincess]

What about Atlantis? And rock mining stuff? And does Ben 10, Bionicle and Hero Factory count?

^

Thats a point i've been wondering about too. Theres so many themes that could be considered sci-fi and so many sci-fi themes that could be considered an action theme.

[vexorian]

Hmnn, I can't answer this one by just giving a single sub-theme.

Consider spyrius: It introduced the droid fig prints which were then used in robotron and exploriens and you got to accept that's a great looking droid :). Then we have the fact that even the small ship: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6835-1 had a nice design and tight cockpit. Then there are the cute giant robots. I myself ended up getting one guard and two recon robots. But do not forget : The large saucer and its drop vehicle function! OMG (not to mention the claw). Unfortunately, they didn't have a flag ship and the base was just an average base (although hidden nuclear missile was nice) (Ok, go and call it a satellite).

There's also Ice planet: magnets done right. The rather complete base. But most importantly, the deep freeze defender! That is really one hell of a ship! In fact, you could transform it into two large ships if needed. But ice planet is also strong in small sets: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6898-1

But well.. To be honest I was never a fan of the neon orange in the color scheme. Most importantly, Ice planet didn't have robots. And really, space was never about exploration or humans it was about robots! ( j/k ) - Seriously though, classic space had robots in every sizeable ship, why can't ice planet have them? They could have used them in dangerous icey situations.

Honorable mentions go to blacktron 2. The minifigs were a regression from blacktron 1. But they had such cool things like the spheric cockpit :) and those canons/trust accessories in some figs, I always wanted a blacktron 2 set, but couldnt get any.

If we cheat and consider spyrius and ice planet to be a single theme. Then they will win hands on. (Plus according to catalogs they interact and are enemies) so I am going to pick them both as the best theme.

Edited July 2, 2010 by vexorian

[M:tron engineer]

What about Atlantis? And rock mining stuff? And does Ben 10, Bionicle and Hero Factory count?

Atlantis line looks rather nice, but the design of subs doesnt look good for me.Waaaay back we had aquanauts with their gorgeous submarines in YELLOW color(who doesnt love subs in yellow?), and now we have red with grey and trans neon green? But i do LIKE new minifigs(from divers with their diving suit-which looks great for space walks too, fantasy oriented enemies(shark man and manta are so nice), maybe there isnt enought sets to judge theme so fast. Power miners indeed look great(if you're kid :P) with vivid colors and with many play functions(late models). BEN 10? whats that?! Bionicle and hero factory are the same(although bionicle had backstory and was quite popular) in way of building. Some Bionicle could be integrated in more SCI FI oriented moc(with evn few minis to acompany big bot), but other than that i dont see point of bionicle.

Edited July 2, 2010 by M:tron engineer

[Aanchir]

Atlantis line looks rather nice, but the design of subs doesnt look good for me.Waaaay back we had aquanauts with their gorgeous submarines in YELLOW color(who doesnt love subs in yellow?), and now we have red with grey and trans neon green? But i do LIKE new minifigs(from divers with their diving suit-which looks great for space walks too, fantasy oriented enemies(shark man and manta are so nice), maybe there isnt enought sets to judge theme so fast. Power miners indeed look great(if you're kid :P) with vivid colors and with many play functions(late models). BEN 10? whats that?! Bionicle and hero factory are the same(although bionicle had backstory and was quite popular) in way of building. Some Bionicle could be integrated in more SCI FI oriented moc(with evn few minis to acompany big bot), but other than that i dont see point of bionicle.

It's actually not trans. neon green; it's trans. bright green, which is a new color for this year. And I certainly like that color scheme. But since Eurobricks considers it an action theme rather than a sci-fi theme, it really doesn't matter to this topic.

My favorite Sci-Fi theme would probably be Space Police III for its various callbacks to older themes, its overall mood and style, and the gorgeous design of so many of its sets. However, it's only natural that I'd prefer its set design, since it's the most up-to-date-- otherwise, Spyrius would be a tough contender with its consistent theme of saucers-and-robots, as well as its attractive color scheme and easily-identifiable role in the grand scheme of multi-faction LEGO Space.

[Artanis I]

It's actually not trans. neon green; it's trans. bright green, which is a new color for this year. And I certainly like that color scheme. But since Eurobricks considers it an action theme rather than a sci-fi theme, it really doesn't matter to this topic.

My favorite Sci-Fi theme would probably be Space Police III for its various callbacks to older themes, its overall mood and style, and the gorgeous design of so many of its sets. However, it's only natural that I'd prefer its set design, since it's the most up-to-date-- otherwise, Spyrius would be a tough contender with its consistent theme of saucers-and-robots, as well as its attractive color scheme and easily-identifiable role in the grand scheme of multi-faction LEGO Space.

Maybe Space Police III is action rather than science fiction. All the cannons and flick missiles, the videos on the Lego site certainly look "action-y" (wow look at the cool things that are happening - this is no dull science fiction crap) and the sets don't exactly look like anything happens slowly.

For me, the good science fiction stuff is really slow and interesting (brain engaging) and action is brain numbing stuff where there's always something exciting happening (ie things blowing up or people getting shot) and it's all ridiculously over-the-top (Transformers 2?)

[feanor]

My Top 5 list:

1. Futuron: After the already excellent Classic Space era, the Futurons introduced a unified family identity, many futuristic designs that influenced all Space themes thereafter and a very space-like colour combination. Designs like the Stardefender 200 look great even with today's standards (I think it puts into shame even modern similarly sized spaceships like eg. the VX-Facon) and space bases like the Cosmic Laser Launcher set the pace for pretty much all bases that followed. And let's not forget the Monorail Transport system.

2. Space Police I: Tmho the best colour combination (though less space like than Futuron, or SP III) and very aesthetic and clever designs.

3. Blacktron I: Similarly to Futuron and Space Police I, the Blacktrons had their own unique identity and some great designs. The interchangeable parts were also very well resolved.

4. Classic Space: Well, it's classic... Only the Galaxy Explorer and the Galaxy Commander are good enough reasons, I think.

5. Hmmm... I'm torn between Mars Mission and Space Police III: Apart from the nasty aliens and boring astronauts, the second year of Mars Mission brought many gems, like eg. the MX-81 Hypersonic Operations Aircraft, the MT-61 Crystal Reaper or the ETX Alien Infiltrator. I think Space Police III is a bit more conventional and a bit uninspired in direct comparison, but it comes with better colours, better minifigs and consistent designs.

[Aanchir]

Maybe Space Police III is action rather than science fiction. All the cannons and flick missiles, the videos on the Lego site certainly look "action-y" (wow look at the cool things that are happening - this is no dull science fiction crap) and the sets don't exactly look like anything happens slowly.

For me, the good science fiction stuff is really slow and interesting (brain engaging) and action is brain numbing stuff where there's always something exciting happening (ie things blowing up or people getting shot) and it's all ridiculously over-the-top (Transformers 2?)

Well, Eurobricks forum divisions don't necessarily make that much sense, but realistically they help keep discussions relevant to particular audiences. Myself, I think Space Police is perfectly legitimate as a sci-fi theme, although I, too, am a fan of the slower Arthur C. Clarke types of stories that you seem to prefer. But let a kid choose between Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the choice they'll make is a no-brainer.

[Artanis I]

Well, Eurobricks forum divisions don't necessarily make that much sense, but realistically they help keep discussions relevant to particular audiences. Myself, I think Space Police is perfectly legitimate as a sci-fi theme, although I, too, am a fan of the slower Arthur C. Clarke types of stories that you seem to prefer. But let a kid choose between Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the choice they'll make is a no-brainer.

Yep. I'm an action fan too. I see Alien to be more of a sci-fi movie, and Aliens to be more an action movie. In the same way (for me) the new Space Police is "action" as opposed to the older Space Lego which seems more sci-fi the further back you go. I don't have a problem with calling SP3, Aliens, sci-fi (or Star Wars for that matter), it's just less so than other stuff.

[Apollo]

I personally do not think that there is a best Sci Fi sub-theme, only because each one has had their own unique style, pieces and concept. If I were to choose the best, it would be the greatest sub-theme in terms of set count, diversity and originality, and we all know that Classic Space is one of the top candidates for that title.

However, if I were to choose my own 'best' themes, they would include Insectoids, Life on Mars, Space Port and Rock Raiders. I know that may seem like way too many, and way too strange of a choice, but the main reason I choose such themes is because of the nostalgic value and fond memories they have given me. They were a main pillar of my childhood imagination in LEGO, and no recent or classic theme beginning to find their way into my collection has given me that same sentimental feeling in that great of a scale.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Apollo

[The Green Brick Giant]

Ice Planet, UFO and Exoforce are all my favorites.

[Algernon]

Ice Planet 2002 has got to be on that list somewhere. It was a gorgeously realized theme with consistently good sets. I think that would probably be top for me.

After that, I was very fond of UFO, Mars Mission, Space Police III, and perhaps Insectoids. I was also a fan of Life on Mars, although pretty much only for the Mechs. The rest of that theme was pretty bad.

I'm not really a classic Space fan. I appreciate the beauty of M-Tron and Space Police I, but I never collected them so I don't think I can really call myself a fan. I didn't start collecting LEGOs until the later 90s.

[Cpt. Dan]

SP 2 and Ice Planet 2002. Love the early 90's lines! I loved the little posters that came with the sets.

[slacker int]

Much like in the "best spaceship released by lego" thread, I don't think it's possible to pick a "best Space subtheme". Obviously it's based on personal opinion and varies based on context. One's age, what they grew up with, how they define good design, nostalgic value, colours, piece variety, and what they consider the qualities of "the best" all play a factor.

That being said...

First and foremost I love classic space! I only had smaller sets from this line as a kid, but they were great! The simplicity, colours, and designs are, as Artanis put it, the stuff of "real science fiction". I'm also liking what the Neo Classic Space crew have been doing lately and intend to contribute to this genre soon.

After the "classics" it's a toss up between the different lines of the 90's (the ones I primarily had growing up). If I had to rank them it would be:

Blacktron 1 and 2, Space Police 1 and 2, Ice Planet, Mtron, and Exploriens.

Lately I have been building ships that would fall under the Blacktron 2 category and am lovin this subtheme...The colours and design elements are just great!