2011 NINJAGO sets

[Delta 38]

I'm just saying that I'm grateful for the more modest colors because if the colors were indeed as diverse as was expected, then there'd be no end to the complaints by the historic themes fans.

I guess so. The main reason why people may have been thinking that the colours were diverse was probably because in the first post Klaus-Dieter said that there are ninjas in colours such as violet and orange. While this could either be preliminary or a mistake on his part, maybe that could mean we will get more colours. Still, that probably was what caused it.

As for how the spinners work, I think I might know one possible way. In some of the images, the feet of the minifigs sink in a little, so there's probably a centre of some sort where they're supposed to be placed. I think it might be possible that the centre also spins (maybe winded up?). That could either mean the whole bottom part spins, or just the centre. That's my theory, anyway...

[the last chronicler]

As for the tops themselves, it's still not clear how they work. Do they use a "rip cord", like Beyblades or the BIONICLE Rhotuka spinners? Are they some sort of wind-up feature? Or is there a new, completely original method behind their functionality?

Isn't it obvious? The magnets within the feet of the minifigures activate an internal engine that spins the disk, and only when the figures are knocked off do they cease to spin. As some members stated before, this is not like bay blades or that stupid m#g# Bl%ks knockoff, and the point of the game is not to stop the enemy top with sharp saw-like edges. This means the disk could rotate for long periods of time before any player succeeds at knocking out an opposing ninja.

[Aanchir]

Isn't it obvious? The magnets within the feet of the minifigures activate an internal engine that spins the disk, and only when the figures are knocked off do they cease to spin. As some members stated before, this is not like bay blades or that stupid m#g# Bl%ks knockoff, and the point of the game is not to stop the enemy top with sharp saw-like edges. This means the disk could rotate for long periods of time before any player succeeds at knocking out an opposing ninja.

That seems awfully complex. And you'd think that if there were an internal engine within the tops, it would be be advertised as "motorized" in the retailers' catalog, the same way "light and sound" sets are advertised as such.

Honestly, that explanation would be awesome, but I don't see any reason to believe it's the case. A wind-up feature seems more likely to me, but again it's not the only option. It's possible that it could be just a pull-string like the classic game "Skittles" (although that seems immensely unlikely to appear in a modern-day toy). Various options are open at this point.

And I never expected that the point of the game was the same as Beyblades, only that the function could operate the same way. It's one of the most effective ways to operate a top of this sort, and certainly a lot simpler and more cost-effective than an internal, magnet-triggered motor. So I don't see what makes the answer so "obvious" that I should have immediately noticed the difference between this and the other spinning-top-based games that probably inspired it.

[Delta 38]

That seems awfully complex. And you'd think that if there were an internal engine within the tops, it would be be advertised as "motorized" in the retailers' catalog, the same way "light and sound" sets are advertised as such.

Yeah, I agree. Was that sarcastic, by the way? I never thought of there being a motor inside.

Maybe my idea is also too complex. I always thought that it was just manual (like knocking and spinning the bases into each other).

Either way, I hope the base is compatible with pieces on the bottom. It appears to be smooth, but it would appeal a lot more to be if they had openings on the bottom. Hopefully the smooth part is a separate piece or something.

Quick edit: another thing is that if the minifigs are held by magnets, it might be a bit hard to knock them over with other minifigs.

Edited October 4, 2010 by Delta 38

[the last chronicler]

That seems awfully complex. And you'd think that if there were an internal engine within the tops, it would be be advertised as "motorized" in the retailers' catalog, the same way "light and sound" sets are advertised as such.

Honestly, that explanation would be awesome, but I don't see any reason to believe it's the case. A wind-up feature seems more likely to me, but again it's not the only option. It's possible that it could be just a pull-string like the classic game "Skittles" (although that seems immensely unlikely to appear in a modern-day toy). Various options are open at this point.

And I never expected that the point of the game was the same as Beyblades, only that the function could operate the same way. It's one of the most effective ways to operate a top of this sort, and certainly a lot simpler and more cost-effective than an internal, magnet-triggered motor. So I don't see what makes the answer so "obvious" that I should have immediately noticed the difference between this and the other spinning-top-based games that probably inspired it.

Sorry, I was being a bit sarcastic with the whole "obvious" thing...

What led me to believe the tops are completely internally powered was the fact that they where a single solid piece. Being LEGO, I would expect them to be designed a a building toy, but since it's not that means somethings up. Even beyblades are built, so if the disks are spun with sort of external force one would think TLG could just as easily design constructible tops...

It could also be air-power (blow into the side of the disk winds it up.) Or the rip cord sticks right inside the toy...

As you said, it would be awesome for the engine, and in my mind I think LEGO would take advantage of "awesome".

[Aanchir]

Our first look at Ninjago minifigs in the flesh has arrived, courtesy of gaming website Kotaku! They had an article about the LEGO Universe offices at NetDevil, and have this gorgeous gallery of images. The one most relevant to this topic is this one, where the mutant skeletons, regular skeletons, and a couple of ninjas appear. Click "full view" to be totally amazed.

I'm definitely impressed with the new arms and "boots". Not so much with the new torsos, since the old skeleton torso design (both with bar- and ball-joint-shoulders) is a work of art. But anyone who buys these sets can easily swap the new arms onto the Fantasy-Era skeletons to get a skeleton with by far the most loyalty to the standard minifigure design by far.

Also, I'm sure plenty of people will be happy to see that the new arms have hands aligned to hold things vertically, not horizontally.

Enjoy!

Edited October 5, 2010 by Aanchir

[Peppermint_M]

Great Find Aanchir! (I read io9, and rarely see Kotaku output) Thanks for linking it over here.

[Oky]

LOL, I like that baby skeleton with the scarf!

And you guys are thinking WAY too complex about the tops! Has anyone considered that these might just be ordinary tops that you spin with your fingers, and they're one piece so that they don't fall apart during play?

Edited October 5, 2010 by Oky Wan Kenobi

[Aanchir]

LOL, I like that baby skeleton with the scarf!

And you guys are thinking WAY too complex about the tops! Has anyone considered that these might just be ordinary tops that you spin with your fingers, and they're one piece so that they don't fall apart during play?

Spinning them with your fingers, though, usually requires a part on top that can be spun easily. All these have at the top are the minifigs, which due to being flexible would not contribute to a steady spin.

The thing about them being one piece so they don't fall apart makes sense, but another reason is to ensure that the weight is balanced. Again, for the purposes of the tops actually doing "battle", they need to spin with a certain degree of smoothness so they don't fall down the first time they hit something. Otherwise, any "victory" in a battle between the ninjas and skeletons would tend to be a pyrrhic one.

EDIT: Looks like LEGO got the new pics removed from Kotaku. Oh, well. That's their prerogative, and I imagine they won't be that happy with whoever was conducting the tour of NetDevil studios for letting pics of a new theme's figs surface before the theme has even been revealed in anything official. It was still a worthwhile "sneak peek" while it lasted, and I'm certain those who got to see it appreciate having gotten that unexpected opportunity.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Aanchir

[Masked Builder]

EDIT: Looks like LEGO got the new pics removed from Kotaku. Oh, well. That's their prerogative, and I imagine they won't be that happy with whoever was conducting the tour of NetDevil studios for letting pics of a new theme's figs surface before the theme has even been revealed in anything official. It was still a worthwhile "sneak peek" while it lasted, and I'm certain those who got to see it appreciate having gotten that unexpected opportunity.

Phooey I missed them.

[Zzz]

Are there any news on the prices, especially for those small sets? While their content seems rather marginal at least, the action-figure style packaging seems to shout out 5€ to me.

[JamesBenjamin]

Brickset.com just posted a pdf from lego.com that explains the rules to the ninjago game.

(though I don't want to repost/host it here, because of the rules and such, i'm still a n00b here)

[Bfahome]

Should be fine, since it's on the actual LEGO site. Here it is.

So yeah, no fancy motors or anything. Just a thumb and index finger (from opposite hands, though).

[lisqr]

The top looks awfully simple. This piece plus a 6x6 round brick.

I tried it with a 4x4 round brick and it worked surprisingly well. Give it a try.

Edited October 8, 2010 by lisqr

[Peppermint_M]

Been there, done that. When bayblades were popular I was too old to be bought them and wanted to buy Lego. not spinning tops. However my love of anime, competition and general cool stuff meant I did want some... Before I was able to accumalate enough parts for my own top (old pokemon cards for spare parts ) I made spinning tops out of Lego. The "Glider Round" made a very balanced and useful spinning focal point.

[TheWarden]

Rules pdf is going, going... and it's outta here!

That's ok, I'm patient. Note to others, no need to click that link for now.

[Aanchir]

Rules pdf is going, going... and it's outta here!

That's ok, I'm patient. Note to others, no need to click that link for now.

Really, it's not like it was all that interesting anyway-- the images were small and unclear. The only really noteworthy thing we got from it was learning how simplistic the top function is, and how the cards will tie in with the spinning-top game. The other stuff was just needless detail that won't really matter until the sets are out anyway.

EDIT: Not sure if anyone's pointed this out yet. I was just checking the Borders site for the most recently published stuff and this came up early in the search (since it's not yet released). I'm curious what sort of parts this might have-- sure, we know that it won't be economical (the Brickmaster books never are), but it might still have an interesting parts selection just as the Atlantis Brickmaster book did.

Edited October 9, 2010 by Aanchir

[Delta 38]

I saw the instructions pdf in time, but yeah, nothing special.

I knew it! They are manual! Of course, it doesn't take much logic to figure that out.

From memory, it seems that those are standard pieces (i.e. there isn't a smooth underside, instead, a smooth piece). That's good news for me, because personally I like the decorative bases.

[The Cobra]

I like the skellie armour and the weapons (and the fact you HAVE to say "Ninjago!" to play!).

I'm a but too old to enjoy the game itself, but I'll collect some of the impulse sets (and probably none of the regular ones).

[Bfahome]

Really, it's not like it was all that interesting anyway-- the images were small and unclear.

Well it did have some pretty nice vectors of a ninja, some weapons, and a skeleton silhouette.

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

Are there any news on the prices, especially for those small sets? While their content seems rather marginal at least, the action-figure style packaging seems to shout out 5€ to me.

German prices definately are

XXXX Figure 9,99€

2260 Icedragon 19,99€

2263 Turbo-Shredder 29,99€

2505 Garmadons Fortress 69,99€

2504 Spinjitzu Trainingcenter 39,99€

2516 Ninja Outpost 4,99€

2258 Ninja Ambush 6,99€

2259 Skelett Chopper 14,99€

The price for the figs is unbelievable high, I bet that they rot in the stores like Ben 10 and Galidor.

[Rick]

The price for the figs is unbelievable high, I bet that they rot in the stores like Ben 10 and Galidor.

It must be the cost of the 'bases' then...

[prateek]

That's how much Beyblades are. I'd rather get one of those for that price.

[Aanchir]

It must be the cost of the 'bases' then...

Unlikely. From what I can tell, it's probably the cost of the packaging if anything. They seem to each have form-fitting blister packaging that displays the ninja/skeleton and all of their weapons. Oh, and the ninjas, skeletons, and weapons are all pre-assembled. Those factors together probably account for the unreasonable prices. For us AFOLs, it's ridiculous. But for the target audience, perhaps this sort of packaging will be enough to capture buyers' interests.

If it were the cost of any of the pieces, then sets like the Spinjitsu Dojo (which has roughly the same sort of pieces inside) would also have inflated prices, whereas it's just the single-figure packs that have uncharacteristically high prices.

Needless to say, there goes the likelihood of AFOLs buying just the figures and passing on the models. Which is just as well-- from what I can see, the models are really nicely-designed and have all scores of versatile pieces. For the price of a figure you could just as easily get the gorgeous Ninja Outpost and Ninja Ambush sets and have money to spare. For the price of one Ninja figure and one Skeleton figure, you could get the Icedragon set that has both, along with a whole slew of useful and attractive parts. Or again, you could get the Skeleton Chopper set, containing two figures and several 1x1 round plates in dark purple (Medium Lilac) with roughly five dollars left over!

In my opinion, since the parts I covet most out of the assortment are the skeleton boots and new skeleton arms, any of those purchases would be a good deal. Think of it this way: no matter how many perceivably "useless" parts there are in any of the larger sets, you're getting about the same parts as you would have gotten from the small figures you so coveted. You can think of the parts you don't like (and the other assorted parts) as free LEGO-- and who here, if they had to choose between getting a set they liked or the same set plus a set they disliked, wouldn't choose the option with the most net value?

[Peppermint_M]

Well, methinks I shall pick up those with the best colours and weapons. Then the cheaper sets. Blisterpacks means I get exactly what I want