6085 Review

[Norro]

Another castle review...and this time of a castle ; )

6085 Black Monarch's Castle

Year: 1988

Elements: 665

Figs: 12

list Price: $68 (USD)

Lugnet score (out of 100): An impressive 91

Review # 2

Resources:

-Comments left on Lugnet

-Building instructions and Set inventory from Peeron

The Thoughts of the Legendary Norro:

...in under a word per brick...

The first black Castle had quite an imposing presence. Initially it looks as if the switch to black has lessened the attention to detail, but after building it you realize it is one of the most detailed castles yet produced. MOCers will love the numerous inverted grey slopes that hold up the battlements and army builders can appreciate the 12 chain mail/ plate armour figs, all of which lack a limiting printed allegiance. As well as conforming to the 80's modular standard the pieces also offer potential for a great variety of MOCs in the original spirit of Lego.

Guest Minifig Comments:

Yep that's me... cranking the *&

[Thrash]

Wow! What a great castle. I wish I had gotten one or two of those while they were out.

[gylman]

This, and 6080, are the castles that mean "classic castle" to me more than any others. It is a better build and more fun set than 6080, althoughI have to say that a black castle just doesn't seem as right as a gray castle.

This is what "not <insert that tiresome argument>" means:

No raised baseplate *y*

And four horsemen and 8 footsoldiers!! Fat hairy chance we get anything like that any more.

Overall, this is one of the top 3 castles ever made. On some days if you ask me I would say it is the best ever (on the days when the black colour doesn't bother me).

Usually goes for 80-100$ complete with instructions but no box on eBay. Recently saw a MISB 6085 go for 325$

EDIT: Just found another MIB on sale on eBay.... 500$ and climbing!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/1988-Legoland-Castle-S...1QQcmdZViewItem

[WesternOutlaw]

Now that's a castle! What I like most about all these classic castle sets, is that you can actually build MOCs from the numerous pieces. You can't do the same with the new KK sets, because the pieces are too specialized, and there's not enough of the same pieces to work with.

[Sir Dillon]

This is a great set! Probably my second or third favorite castle overall. I had a choice to buy this or 6080, and chose 6080, which I don't regret, but I do wish I had this set. I don't like the black as much as grey, but way it's mixed looks really sharp, IMO.

I also think it's design looks a little better then 6080, as I like the front more, with the two little side towers, and doesn't look quite as square.

It has a great supply of figures and pieces, overall a great set. *y*

[Norro]

Overall, this is one of the top 3 castles ever made. On some days if you ask me I would say it is the best ever (on the days when the black colour doesn't bother me).

This is such an exact echo of my sentiments I had to quote it....

God Bless,

Nathan

[Athos]

This is a great set. I got it for Christmas the year it came out (I used to get a large lego set every year from 'Santa'). I still have it completely assembled, fully manned, and connected with the 6059 and surrounding the keep (6086). X-D

One thing that made this set better than 6080 is the gate moves up and down a lot smoother in this set. The one in 6080 was kind of clunky.

Steve

[Mister Phes]

Splendid job on your review Mr Norro, so now I'll do it some just by providing a response. However I'm in class right now so I can't spend too much time and therefore I shall only share my immediate impression.

If money weren't an issue then I'd also collect Castle sets, but alas money is and issue and because of it I don't have any Castle sets whatsoever. Ok! I lie! I have one.

Never having owned or seen this set in real life before I lack the visceral experience of its three dimensionality which obviously creates difficiencies in forumlating an accurate opinion. But my immediate visually stimulated opinion is: They don't make em like they used to.

This set looks to be a good solid castle bustling with mini-figures. Unlike today's Knights Kingdom sets which seem to be flimsy constructions with an excess of "bling bling" hanging off them. This castle was made at a time when The LEGO Company designers were excelling at creating the sets that had a right balance of everything...

And there you have it. My initial impression. If I have time later I'll write some more.

[Norro]

Splendid job on your review Mr Norro

Thanks much!

Never having owned or seen this set in real life before I lack the visceral experience of its three dimensionality which obviously creates difficiencies in forumlating an accurate opinion. But my immediate visually stimulated opinion is: They don't make em like they used to.

I liked this piece of oratory so much I had to repost it... what class were you in that so inspired you?

God Bless,

Nathan

[SuvieD]

Great castle.

Nice review.

[metalandi]

I just got it on ebay. But that's not all, it actually is NEW, tht means NEVER opened and NEVER built!!! But i think for the price, i got to do some extra work the next months to get the money back in, haha :-D