Review 6th Anniversary REVIEW: 70161 Tremor Track Infiltration

[LuxorV]

70161_000 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Being a fan of the old Agents theme, I could not pass getting at least an assay of this year's Ultra Agents sets. I started with the second smallest one, which I chose for its design, as well as the figs and parts. In fact, though the idea of a big fisted track vehicle is far from new in the cartoon-ish representation of technological villains of all times, the actual LEGO bricks version did convey the feeling nicely, and I was interested in seeing what building solutions where used to make the set. Let's see if building it and having it in my hands made it live up to the expectations.

Theme: Ultra Agents

Set name: Tremor Track Infiltration

Set Number: 70161

Price: 19.99 $, 17.99 £, 19.99 Euro

Pieces: 241 (+ 9 extras)

Minifigures: 2

Year of release: 2014

Protect the ultra chip from the Tremor Track’s power-punching attacks!

Attention Ultra Agent Jack Fury! Tremor, the iron-fisted Super Villain, is rampaging through the streets of Astor City in his fearsome armored track vehicle. Your vital mission is to protect the ultra chip which contains all the Ultra Agents’ secret plans. Stay clear of the vehicle’s massive power-punching fists. Fend off the flick missiles with the shield and retaliate by firing the stud shooter. Use all your skills to outsmart this heavily-armored Super Villain. Just one mighty punch from Tremor’s vehicle will explode the mainframe database and release the precious ultra chip! Includes 2 minifigures with weapons and accessories: Tremor and Agent Jack Fury.

• Includes 2 minifigures with weapons and accessories: Tremor and Agent Jack Fury

• Features an open cockpit, aerial, huge tracks, power-punching fists, 2 flick missiles and 2 spare flick missiles

• Ultra Agents’ mainframe database features an explode function and contains an ultra chip

• Includes a stud shooter

• Also includes a shield

• Tremor minifigure features unique metallic armor

• Evade the power-punches of the fearsome Tremor Track

• Protect the ultra chip from Tremor’s attack

• Stop Tremor exploding the mainframe database!

• Download the free LEGO® Ultra Agents app for the ultimate digital experience where you become the agent!

• Accomplish challenging missions, create your own graphic novel and search for hidden clues

• Tremor Track vehicle measures over 3” (8cm) high, 6” (17cm) long and 4” (11cm) wide

• Mainframe database measures over 1” (5cm) high, 1” (4cm) wide and 1” (3cm) deep

Links: Peeron, Bricklink and Brickset

The Box

Front

70161_001 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The box is rectangular and sports the new Ultra Agents futuristic/techno style, with a mix of greys and an overall light blue-ish aura. I particularly like the rulers on the right hand side, which suggest the idea we're seeing this through a pair of high tech binoculars or a survey camera of sorts.

LEGO and Ultra Agents logos dominate the upper part of the front, along with the Ultra Agents (in this case Agent Fury) vs Tremor cartoon pic. The middle of the front has a shot of the set in action, with Tremor Track smashing through a wall (not my idea of stealthy 'infiltration', actually) and Agent Fury ramdomly shooting his gun, while the precious chip flies to what will probably be its destruction against the opposite wall.

The age range and set number info complete this portion for the European version; I expect the North America version to have more writings as usual.

In the lower left corner, an eye catching icon plus text informs us you can play an Ultra Agents game via a free app on your tablet. More on this later on.

Back

70161_002 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The back shows the set's play features: shooting missiles, smashing mechanism, rolling treads, randomly shooting Agents Fury's gun (honestly, did he attend shooting range training with the Storm Troopers?) and extracting the chip from its case. The rest of the back is very interesting as well: the lower right corner sports a detail fro the new 'almost spring loaded, but based on simple tension' guns, while the top shows an impossible-to-miss advertise for the Ultra Agents free interactive story app.

Sides

70161_003 by LuxorV, on Flickr

70161_004 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The upper side of the box shows Agent Fury and Tremor, while the usual mug-shot depicts the new gun at 1:1 size. The omnipresent app advertise is here, too.

A lateral side bears the usual LEGO and theme logos, another app advert and a bracketed image of the mission goal, in this case the chip.

Contents

Inside

70161_011 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Upon opening the box, we find an instructions booklet, a sticker sheet, two rubber tracks and a bag of parts. As you can see, there is quite a number of Dark Tan parts to compliment the Grey and Black under-structure of the set.

New pieces

70161_014 by LuxorV, on Flickr

New parts included in this small set are: Minifig, Weapon Trigger for Gun, Blaster Mini, Technic, Axle 5 with Stop, Tile 1 x 1 with Dark Bluish Gray Square with Black Center and Lines Pattern (Ultra Chip), Minifig, Weapon Gun, Blaster Mini in White and most of the minifig parts (more on those later on).

Re-coloured parts

70161_013 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Re-coloured parts in this set include: Black Vehicle, Spoiler 2 x 4 with Handle, Dark Tan Plate 2 x 10, and Dark Tan Slope 33 3 x 2.

Rare parts

70161_012 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Parts collectors and MOCers will be interested in the following rare parts also: Flat Silver Light Cover with Internal Bar / Bionicle Barraki Eye (occurs in five sets), Light Bluish Gray Brick, Round 2 x 2 Truncated Cone (occurs only in four non-Star Wars sets), Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Steering Wheel Pilot's Yoke (first time in a non-Technic set), Dark Tan Dish 2 x 2 Inverted (Radar), Dark Tan Plate 1 x 6 (getting more common this year), Dark Tan Slope 30 1 x 2 x 2/3 (Usually in bigger or Collection sets), and Dark Tan Wedge, Plate 2 x 4.

Spare parts

70161_016 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The usual mix of spare parts includes a long antenna, a second chip tile, some techinc pins and a half pin, a few round 1x1 studs, and a second lever for the new gun.

Minifigures

70161_017 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Both minifigures are new in all parts except Agent Fury's headgear. The new design for the Agent suit is just great and, together with Tremor's armour, is what made me want this set most of all. I love the detail in the torso and legs. Tremor's armour is equally well designed and quite menacing with its dark red accents.

70161_018 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The two minifigs sport back printing of the torso and heads. While Tremor gets angrier, Agent Fury grins, probably to taunt him.

70161_019 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Here we can see the two warriors all geared up and almost ready for battle. Notice the new armour piece on Tremor. While it's one piece (I would have preferred a removable helmet), it surely is more protective than most other armours and has very good aesthetics. Furthermore, it blend nicely with the fist pieces to give this villain an even more menacing look. Finally, notice the two half-sphere bulges near Tremor's mouth: those seem to be microphones for some communication device built in the armour.

What I find strange is the choice of the shield for Agent Fury: I suppose it would have to be made of Vibranium or similar materials to withstand Tremor's (or worse, Tremor's Track) punches!

Instructions

70161_005 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The instructions booklet is nicely thick, and fortunately not divided into part 1 and part 2 like other small sets these days. The cover shows the exact same composition of the front of the box, except for the age range and 'free app' text.

70161_006 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The background uses a blue-ish shade that does not distract the eye nor prevents colour or parts' recognition. As you can see, the rulers' theme is reproduced here, too.

70161_007 by LuxorV, on Flickr

70161_008 by LuxorV, on Flickr

70161_009 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The last pages sport the usual plethora of adds, both for the Ultra Agents theme and App. .

70161_010 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The parts count covers two pages. Again, you can notice the dominance of Black and Grey-s as well as some Dark Tan, with sparse brighter colours' accents.

Building

Start

70161_026 by LuxorV, on Flickr

We start off by building the secure case for the chip. The design is not totally new, since the other similar structures have been used in a variety of themes over the years. Nonetheless, it's a nice little addition to the set and can help increase the playability.

70161_027 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The case opens by pivoting the front part and reveals the chip for Tremor to steal.

Now for the main model

70161_022 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Tremor's Track itself starts with a bunch of technic beams and pins connected to few bricks and plates to provide a building surface for the upper part of the model. Notice the big steering wheel in the back: it is proportioned for the huge iron fist things on Tremor's hands, and it boosts the cartoon-ish feel of this set.

70161_023 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Here you can see the start of the fisting mechanism in place. All revolves around the tan technic axle serving as a 'trigger' for the (yet to be built) big arms.

70161_024 by LuxorV, on Flickr

Only the truncated cone part in the back controls the mechanism: the one in front is there for aesthetics only.

70161_025 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The tracks complete this model. I like the use of the radar dome pieces as hub caps, and the whole set is very well proportioned, I'd say.

Finished set

70161_028 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The shot of the complete set helps us have a better idea of the relative proportions: if Tremor were to use the vehicle fists on either Agent Fury or the chip's case, I doubt he'll have more then a few shards to collect!

Bird-eye

70161_030 by LuxorV, on Flickr

The big vehicle looks pretty compact and well designed, without useless details and full of interesting solutions in the use of space. What I found odd at first was the presence of the antenna. Then again, I reflected and came to the decision that the antenna must be connected with Tremor's armour (remember the communication devices?) and allows him to control the track even when he's not operating it directly (something similar to the Goblin's control over his glider).

Back

70161_031 by LuxorV, on Flickr

I'm always intrigued by the way LEGO designers put peculiar details in their models. Take this Tremor Track, for example: Tremor is a know villain, riding a tank-like vehicle with giant fists, which will never pass un-noticed in the streets, nonetheless, LEGO designers put a full set of braking lights on this track, so that Tremor won't be bothered by the Police for not complying with the traffic laws.

Ready, aim, punch!

70161_032 by LuxorV, on Flickr

A side shot to show the reach of the mechanical fists. They would indeed make a big hole in any LEGO City structure unfortunate enough to be on Tremor's way!

Final comments

Overall, this is a nice set for its value. The figs are great and the part selection includes some interesting bits.

Design & Colour scheme – 9/10 (TLG designers did their best and made a great job in creating the colour scheme for this set; what I dislike, though it is a minor annoyance and probably could not be done differently, is the extensive use of Technic beams in the central part of the vehicle.)

Minifig – 10/10 (As with most of these year figs the Ultra Agents figs have a design and a level of detail that are just great.)

Parts – 8/10 (A lot of common parts, but some interesting bits are in the mix nonetheless.)

Playability – 9/10 (The chip safe case, the track and the weapons grant for hours of play by children.)

Build – 8/10 (Nothing too complex, but some efficient solutions are used.)

Price – 10/10 (20 Euros for 241 pieces plus spare parts is good, especially if you throw in two splendid minifigures.)

Overall: 9/10 Very good

As always, questions, comments, and pic requests welcome!

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[DarthBrickus]

Thanks for the very nice review, i agree with the rating 100%.

The Value for money is excellent, and Tremor instantly shot into my Top 10 Minifigs all Time.

The punching Tank is hilarious, especially when used against a bunch of minifigs.

And for some reason, i really like the chip safe too, the stickers add a lot to it i think.

I got this set and Toxicita's Toxic Metdown on Day One, and i think i'll get the rest of the bunch too.

Infearno Interception is up next, i'll wait for a nice discount on Hurricane and the HQ though.

[Sir Brickalot]

Great review of a great set!

[WhiteFang]

Thank you LuxorV. It is great to see such a nice review of the new Ultra Agents Theme. There isn't much coverage and I am actually inclined to collect this theme as well. I wasn't sure at first, but after reading your review, it gave me assurance that it will be a worthy purchase.

[MontyPython]

Indeed, a very nice set. Great portion of pieces (rare pieces in rare colours) for reasonable price. Thanks for great review!