Surging minifig popularity?

[TGping]

Minifig collecting has become so popular I feel its starting to overshadow the LEGO sets they come with. Now, growing up with lego in the 80s and 90s, I may be biased towards lego sets that focus on vehicles/playsets rather than minifigs.

I've noticed that sometimes the reviews here factor in minifigs more than the actual set, how can something so small bring the rating of a set down from a 9 to a 7(10 being the best)?

I feel that too much value is placed on minifigs nowadays. And why does the amount of figs make or break a set? I mean, reasonably, ok if I get 3 figs in a set instead of 4 I'm not going to dock the score I give a set by a whole point.

My position: Minifigs are OK, I like the vehicles/playsets more. If a tie fighter only comes with one pilot, I'll be more than fine.

I guess I want to know when minifig fever happened? I'm sure people disagree, and I'd especially like to read why you like minifigs so much and why they are so important.

Edited July 14, 2010 by TGping

[JimBee]

Interesting question.

Minifigs have always been important factors in Lego sets for me (and I'm for many others as well). In fact, I don't think I would have much Lego without them. IMO, they make everything much more interesting and playable. More importantly for me, they're great collectibles.

While I would like as many minifigs in sets as possible, I agree with you that realistically, I'm fine with just a single TIE pilot (or just one minifig in similar cases). We fans could ask for a droid throw-in, but it really doesn't have a point if there's only one pilot.

The figs have to be good, too. No one likes too many repeats (i.e. the overused Bruce Wayne head for Indy soldiers), and introducing new figures always brings excitement.

In summary: Yes, I do believe minifigures are very important in Lego. No, that does not mean I want five unrelated figs in every set, but I like them, collect them, and look forward to new ones. And if a set's figures are not interesting, yes, I will dock points in my review.

[TGping]

JimButcher, Thanks for the indepth reply :)

I do agree with the playability, The figures really do add to that, without them there wouldn't be too much except swooshing. After reading your post I am reminded of the Toa Terrain Crawler, I forget how many minifigs it had, but it seemed like there were too many, if thats possible. When all attached or packed in the vehicle gets crowded. Is there a point at which there are too many minifigs?

A lot of the times rather than have that extra fig(I mean in addition to what would normally be there) I would like more thought put into the set itself. There are instances that I'd rather sacrifice an extra minifig to get a better vehicle/playset.

You did mention that if a sets minifigs aren;t interesting you'd dock points, does that go more for the quality of the fig or quantity of the figs?

[Cardinal Brick]

To me minifigs are really important, I think without them Lego would just be a construction toy to me and not something more, though I can't really describe what it is with minifigs.

I would (and do) dock points for poor minifig selection from a model in my review, a Lego set isn't just about the ship or car it's an overall balance between all of the different elements. But I also happily dock points from a great model if it wasn't good as a toy unless it was designed as a model, for example I wouldn't penalise the Eiffel Tower but I would the Carousel if it was as good a working model as it is.

I also don't think this is some thing new if you look back at a lot of the small sets, as Space Police 1916 (it's on my desk at the moment (review coming soon shameless plug!)) The set is clearly not about the model it's about the minifig and a cheap way to get a Space Police II officer.

In licenced sets minifigsd are more important still, they have to fit the film well and provide the figs we all want and remember in order to recreate the different scenes.

Well that's what I think anyway.

[quietworkshop]

Well, in regards to the poll...I believe that the two go hand in hand.

When I was a kid, mini-figs were the best. I think mine ( all 30 or so ) had individual names. I remember building 6769 Fort Legoredo and re-enacting an odd mix of 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly' with a little bit of Arthur Conan Doyle thrown into the mix. (Professor Summerlee fighting Tuco, anyone?)

I loved my sets, too - but mostly I took them apart and built other stuff, never keeping track. Now that I'm in my twenties, I find sets more interesting and am happy with the plain old mini-fig expression. The flesh-colored mini-figures strike me as un-Lego like, but, admittedly, I've only recently rediscovered Lego. A few weeks back I bought a set [7599, Garbage Truck Getaway] and sold the figs while keeping the set for cheap. Considering what the mini-figs went for [never could've guessed there was such a demand for the 'dirty' Buzz], I'd have to say that the popularity definitely appears to be rising overall.

[Norro]

I have to agree. While I build almost exclusively in what I describe as 'real minifig scale' I still find myself wondering when exactly the average Lego 'builder' became a minifig collector. I'm now wondering if it coincided with the population explosion of online Lego enthusiasts? Did Lego change or did a new kind of fan arrive en mass? Personally I bought a set solely for a fig for the first time ever this year. I needed the torso for a MOC and the cost on bricklink was almost half of the set's cost. I figured the other bricks must be worth something. But I have to admit I felt almost 'dirty' afterwards. ; )

God Bless,

Nathan

[blueandwhite]

Speaking personally, the appeal of minifigs for stems from the fact that as you collect more bricks sets themselves seem to become rather lackluster. Figures are a different matter. I have so many bricks at this point that if I really want more I'm more likely to go to Bricklink or even use LEGO's Pick-a-Brick before considering a set. The models featured in most sets while nice don't really interest me, so it's become entirely about the bricks themselves and the figures.

Figures collecting makes perfect sense when you have a collection of 400,000 or more bricks. When building a minifig-scale MOC, having the perfect figure to occupy the scene. In many ways, I see minifigs and their accessories as being icing on a very large cake. I was thrilled to have more peasantry added to the castle theme these past few years as it is something that was noticeably absent from my collection.

Collecting figures is also a cheap way to keep yourself invested in the hobby. I simply am at a point where I don't need many new bricks and the ones I want are specific to a MOC I'm building. I can't justify dropping $50+ on a set for a handful of bricks when I can go to Bricklink and fill an order. Figures are a different matter. Often overpriced on Bricklink, I can sometimes justify buying a set if it has a number of useful figures along with a good assortment of basic bricks. The recent minfig collector's series has been great as it's given me a number of useful accessories needed to diversify my minifig populous (and 16 forestmen and cheerleaders of course). I haven't purchased many new sets, but I have dumped a lot of money on bricks and figures. The figures help me keep my collection feeling contemporary.

(edit - Where is the "I prefer bricks to minifigs and sets" option?)

Edited July 13, 2010 by blueandwhite

[prateek]

I'm gonna go the diplomatic way and say I like sets and figs equally. It really depends on how big the set is, or which theme it is. If it's a small impulse set, I usually look at the figs first. If it's a medium set, the figs are more important, but the model has to be good too. For big sets, it's all about the model, and the figs are just a bonus IMO.

[vexorian]

Minifig collecting has become so popular I feel its starting to overshadow the LEGO sets they come with. Now, growing up with lego in the 80s and 90s, I may be biased towards lego sets that focus on vehicles/playsets rather than minifigs.

That's strange considering how those years were the start of the minifig thing. Without minifigs LEGO sets would rather become generic model things. I think I would have stayed with Rasti if it wasn't for the figs which help turn the sets into something that can be played with rather than just constructed. And I am a guy that cares more about construction. I think that kids for example love the minifigs because it gives them something to relate with, instead of a pilot-less ship.

I've noticed that sometimes the reviews here factor in minifigs more than the actual set, how can something so small bring the rating of a set down from a 9 to a 7(10 being the best)?

I feel that too much value is placed on minifigs nowadays.

It is two points out of 10, it could be worse, like making the set drop to 5 points. When reading eurobricks reviews you shouldn't really give too much value to the final rating but the pictures and the paragraphs, because everybody gives different values to things. For example, I remember a revent review that gave something a 9/10 even though there was a grave plastic quality issue when looking at the pics . The review was still very helpful but I tool a different conclussion than that of the reviewer.

And why does the amount of figs make or break a set? I mean, reasonably, ok if I get 3 figs in a set instead of 4 I'm not going to dock the score I give a set by a whole point.

I would if the set was large. Less minifigs = less playability and that's very important as you know, it is a kid's toys. Large sets shouldn't get away with having fewer mini-figs than their price would imply, i thin low rating hammer is deserved in those cases.

[Peppermint_M]

The figure is an important part of Lego. I prefer a set or MOC scaled to a figure.

The figure is more than a helpful scale tool, it is also a character of a vibrant world. My main part of the hobby is MOCing and it runs 50-50 between making a MOC from a concept and populating it or making a minifig then giving it a MOC.The collectors are somewhat confusing, but I know the appeal of minifigures, so I can see why some want them and only them.

The main reason I am not sold on the Toy Story sets is their "off scale" designs.

Urgh, is hard to explain.

[Sandy]

Some of the comments had me thinking, and I too think I would not have returned to my childhood LEGO hobby if there were no minifigs. They bring the life and soul to MOCs, in my eyes. Plain brick-built things can of course be impressive and aesthetically pleasing, but without minifigs and accessories they seem lifeless to me (like for example the Taj Mahal set). I recently bought the Creator set "Apple Tree House", and as well-designed it was, it somehow felt like a ghost house since there weren't any minifigs included. It's hard to explain, really.

I also think I know why minifigs have increased in popularity: they've become more and more detailed, varied and complex. They're not just a smiley face on a monochromatic torso and legs, now we have dwarves and aliens and children and cheerleaders, and with a little mix'n'matching and customizing, you can have just about any person, character or creature you want. There's just so much more to get enthusiastic about with minifigs nowadays. As a child, I was always excited to count all my female minifigs and how many different hairpieces I had for them, and that same excitement still takes over me when I get new, personalized figs.

LEGO is a multifaceted hobby, and minifigs are the reason why some of us have this interest. Some other people are into LEGO for totally different reasons, but that's alright, isn't it?

[CP5670]

I like minifigs, but I basically collect them for the purpose of populating my models. They are an important part of the models, but they aren't the main focus for me and would be of little use to me on their own. I would generally rather have a well designed set with too few or boring minifigs (as I can easily add more or replace them) than a crappy model with a good minifig selection.

[Tom Bricks]

I prefer quality sets to quality figs but there are just more quality minifigs than there are sets. I'm at a point where I have almost any brick i would want to build something in most themes (one place were my collection is lacking is modern Space pieces) so the minifigs become a focus. I but sets for the figs and the parts all the time but this is only because the while the pieces might not MOC into something else alone with a large collection they can make anything. This is not what i prefer however, I would rather have quality sets like the modular buildings (that have rather basic figs) than a set thrown together with some nice figs. In short I like sets to be made for the actual model but most are for the minifigures.

[JimBee]

Is there a point at which there are too many minifigs?

IMO, no. It's just when the set gets too expensive because of the figures (specifically the new SW sets), with new molds and such. But sets like the MTT, where there's 20 of the same, inexpensive minifig, are great for army building. I just don't want too many new mold figs so the prices soar.

A lot of the times rather than have that extra fig(I mean in addition to what would normally be there) I would like more thought put into the set itself. There are instances that I'd rather sacrifice an extra minifig to get a better vehicle/playset.

Agreed, although that's not usually a problem with Lego sets in my experience.

You did mention that if a sets minifigs aren;t interesting you'd dock points, does that go more for the quality of the fig or quantity of the figs?

Both. If the figs are repeats (especially in an expensive set), I will dock points for quality. If there's only one or two in a big set, I'll dock points there for quantity (although that's not a huge issue either).

[jonwil]

I like figs a lot and always try to get the more interesting ones.

I just wish there was more variety in City minifigs instead of the same torsos, heads, headgear/hair and accessories all the time.

[Lego_Hero]

I enjoy the little guys more than the sets. I don't have the opportunity to build that often, so I'm relegated to customizing my minifigs into superheroes. I plan on making vehicles and headquarters one of these days. But even that building is for the minifigs' benefit.

[Derek]

I usually prefer the figures and sets equally, but I have bought a crappy set before just for the figures.

If there is actually a more recent surge in popularity of minifigures, it's probably because Lego has vastly improved the quality of them over the past couple years. Increased back prints, leg prints, and even arm prints, have all contributed to this.

Edited July 14, 2010 by darthperson

[Raphy]

We like them because we get more new torso prints, hair pieces, face prints, leg prints, etcetera, and we can use more pieces for more variety in our creations featuring them...... it gives the creation life, in a way.

I however, like sets equally to minifigs if not more. :)

[TGping]

First of all, I'm thrilled by all of the well thought out replies and discussion. Everyone makes a great point. Sorry if it sounded like I had a personal beef against minifigs :) But I find things more interesting if I allow commentary true to myself seep through.

Right this moment I cant reply to every post, but I need to address a couple right now:

Vexoruan- thanks for pointing out that when I started building LEGO the minifig started playing an integral role in lego sets, for sure they added to my adventures. I don't think I'd be asking these questions if that hadn't happened :D

I'd like to point out that I dont have an extensive LEGO collection, I've always had to limit my LEGO/toy spending to include only those that are my absolute favorites of whatever I'm collecting. So when a couple of posts revealed that minifigs help add character to super large brick collections, I was enlightened :) Which leads into this-

Recently I finally bought the Crystal King set from the PM theme. I was looking forward to acquiring it for some time, months before and after release. I finally got it, I enjoy it very much, but couldn't help think that if the minifig were sacrificed(or at least that silly backpack) then the budget could have allowed for a better monster. Maybe some knees or a proper back... although the back is still a sight better than some Exo-Force mechs(which I love). I know that's what MOCing/modding is for. But I still appreciate it when sets don't need modding to be better. I guess getting rid of the minifig in this instance would eliminate the conflict between monster and minifig, in this instance its an easy sacrifice(partly because I got themining mech as well).

And I do like the creator/designer sets of Dinosaurs and Dragons :D but it helps that dinos and dragons can fight each other without the help of minifigs :D

Again, thanks for sharing.

[blueandwhite]

Thanks for updating the poll. Currently I stand alone in my support of the brick .

[TGping]

Thanks for updating the poll. Currently I stand alone in my support of the brick .

Just lookin out for ya ;)

You might just be the anomoly though, nah, I was probably too late in getting that 4th option set up :D

[Cutty]

Having limited space atm I'm impeded in utilising my collection to its full potential. The minifigs are a great way to be creative while still being the Lego I am attached to. I cherish every figure that comes with sets, even multiples, since you never know when they're going to be useful in the future.

Globally speaking I do not notice a surge in popularity. To my understanding it's more likely TLC tapping the full selling-power of one of it's most iconic products and making good use of it. The growing variation of faces, torso prints and now even a considerable amount of limb prints leads me to thinking TLC did underestimate the minifigure's appeal on its customers by far in the past and now making up for it! Customs and manufacturers like BrickForge and the like, who have been in business for some stretch of time now, are further proof for a high yet steady popularity in minifigures.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Cutty

[XimenaPaulina]

Very nice topic, this had me thinking deeply before posting my answer. For me, it's always a case-to-case basis on whether I'll buy a set just for the minifigs or the set itself. Just to give examples on some of the recent sets that I bought:

8088 ARC-170 = bought the set for the ship + Kit Fisto

3834 Good Neighbors at Bikini Bottom = bought the set for the minifigs

8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack = bough the set for the minifigs

7676 Republic Attack Gunship = bought the set for the ship

6212 X-Wing Fighter = bought the set for the ship + minifigs

7993 Service Station = bought the set for the gas station/vehicles

From the examples above, it really depends on what ultimately attracts me the most (minifig or set or both) to buy a cetain set. Sometimes it's for the minifigs, sometimes it's for the set, or sometimes it's for the overall package. I guess it would really be hard to generalize and say 'I always prefer minifigs over the set' or 'I always prefer sets over minifigs' or 'I always prefer them both equally'. There is no single answer and it will always be on a case-to-case basis.

So for me, no points for Team Minifigs, Team Sets, Team Bricks, or Tag Team of All.

[Sandy]

Globally speaking I do not notice a surge in popularity.

Really?! Do you honestly think TLG would have started selling battle packs, vintage minifigure collections, collectable minifigs, build-a-minifig packs in their own stores, magnets with detachable minifigs or even the chess sets if there hadn't been a real demand for getting just minifigs? Because all these products started appearing only about five or less years ago, and to me, at least, they prove that as the variety and details in them have grown, minifigs have become increasingly popular.

[Fugazi]

Is 'delete my vote' a new feature of the board? In any case, it's a useful one! I just moved my vote from 'sets' to 'bricks'

Not that I don't like minifigs or sets, but my major buying incentive are the parts rather than the whole.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Fugazi