WhiteFang Posted August 19, 2012 Hello everyone, It is a surprise to see myself to review a LEGO Friends polybag. Although this is my first attempt to review the LEGO Friends theme, but I always had a fair interest over this lovely new theme. Furthermore, it is not always common to see this available in Singapore LEGO shops where I can just pick it up at a reasonable price with no regrets. In fact, I was very pleased to get this polybag. Read on to find out why. Name: 30101 Skateboarder Theme: LEGO System / Friends Year: 2012 Pieces: 32 Minifigs: 1 minifigure Price: USD$4.99, GBP N.A, EURO N.A, SGD$6.90 Resources: Brickset, BrickLink An original polybag image of the 30101 Skateboarder Back view of the original polybag image of the 30101 Skateboarder Mia is learning skateboarding and she is doing very well I wanted to prepare this review for the Eurobricks theme month: Summer of Friends! but I did not make it in time, so I saved it for the fourth Reviewers Academy anniversary. There are a couple of nice Friends polybags available in parts of the world through different forms of distribution. Unfortunately, I do not have the chance to acquire the rest yet, but I am still glad to see this polybag available in local shops. This polybag revolves around one of the Friends characters called Mia, and she is a very active sports person who enjoys the great outdoors. In this case, she is taking up the skateboarding hobby and she is intending to show her friends how good she really is when she skates and eating her ice cream sundae at the same time. Instruction Manual (Front) Instruction Manual (Back) The content of the sealed package These are the building content which is contained in this lovely polybag. You might noticed that the Friend's minifigure torso and the leg parts are packed separately. I will think these are some of the parts that are made exclusively elsewhere, other than normal production sources for these specialised parts. After finishing the built, these are the remaining spare parts. The new Friends minifigure building parts Aww, this is the first time that I had physically handled the new LEGO Friends minifigure. The LEGO Friends minifigure is based on the minifigure's fundamentals, where there is a hairpiece, a head, a torso and the leg piece. The design and the ergonomics of the Friends' minifigure is much different than the traditional LEGO minifigure and personally I find this a successful breakthrough to position this group of Friends minifigures as the new 'dolls' minifigures. In some ways, I find this new design is pretty appealing and attractive to the new female children market, where they had never been exposed to LEGO before. In my opinion, I find this much better than Belville or Scala. Meet the cheerful looking Mia This is the cheerful looking Mia. Even though Mia had appeared in a number of LEGO Friends set, but the same lime cropped trousers with light blue top is only available in these 3 sets. Here is a image of the sideview of Mia and backview of Mia. Take a look at the fine details of Mia's facial expression. Taking measurement of their height Mind no attention, to the guy on the left. I am just merely taking a height sample of the traditional LEGO minifigure against the new LEGO Friends minifigure. As you can see that Mia is much taller, even with just wearing mere scandals on her feet. Mia also can don other LEGO hairpieces from other minifigures and similarity, her hairpiece can also be used interchangeably with others. The new LEGO Friends hairpiece is rubbery feeling instead of hard ABS plastic. The very simple built-up This is a very simple layout of the entire built where you are able to get the ice cream sundae, flower pot, a small tiny section of the walking pavement with lightings on a table and a fire hydrant, plus the cute blue skateboard. The new LEGO Friends Flower pedal design I seriously was not aware of the new LEGO Friends Flower pedal design until I opened this polybag. I didn't pay much attention to the new parts and most of the time, I could only registered it permanently into my head when I actually came across it physically. Through some search, I realised that this new design is actually available in many sets and it is not entirely new. I really didn't take careful notice of it and now I am glad I did as the new ones are actually hard ABS plastic and sturdy. Mia is hanging out with her new cool friends To conclude, this is a very fun polybag set that give a very good introduction of what LEGO Friends is all about as I am able to establish my thoughts of the new LEGO Friends' minifigures designs with much better handling through this purchase. I am impressed with the new design and I find the parts assortments are useful. I don't find it a problem of integrating the new LEGO Friends into my collection. I guess it is only a matter of perspective. Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed purchasing this small little buy especially when it cost lower than the smallest LEGO Friends building set and it could give you a good insight whether you will think you will enjoy this new LEGO theme. Summary review Playability: 8/10 (Can be quite simple and fun to play with.) Design: 8/10 (Simple design that can be used for skateboarding purposes.) Price: 8/10 (Reasonably priced in local LEGO store context.) Overall: 8/10 (Get this polybag even if you are not a LEGO Friends collector and you will be surprised how much you enjoyed it.) I gave it a "4" based on my Review Score Card. What about yours? I hope every one of you enjoyed reading this simple review of mine. Comments and Criticisms are strongly welcomed. Pictures can be found in My Flickr and My Brickshelf (When moderated) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferrik Posted August 23, 2012 Another great review, Whitefang. This set will be excellent to FOLs who are have never had a Friends set yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuxorV Posted August 23, 2012 I really think TLG and Friends' team designers digged the 'city corner' aspect very well in this polybag. Thanks for another great review, WF. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted August 23, 2012 Nice review 'Fangy', though eating ice-cream while skateboarding......dangerous but I guess radical ! Brick On Review On ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Masked Builder Posted August 23, 2012 Another polybag that I would happily pick up! Nice review as always Fangy. There's a nice selection of parts in this set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oky Posted August 23, 2012 Indeed, nice review, Fangy. I own this set too, and I agree, this is quite a nice set. It's a great way to get Mia, and it doesn't have a lot of girly colors, so it could be integrated into City quite easily. If it included a new design for Mia or some other exclusive parts, it would have made it great, but as it is, I rate it above average too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteFang Posted August 26, 2012 Thank you guys and I am glad you had enjoyed reading this review of mine! I certainly do enjoy this small little built. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
