The 1989 Sets versus 2009 Sets

[blueandwhite]

I'm of the opinion that 1989 was the better year for pirates.

It's not that the 2009 line isn't grand; it's that the 1989 line may be one of the best single lines LEGO has ever released. What really stood out in 1989 were the secondary sets. While the Black Seas Barracuda was definitely the must-have piece for that year, sets like Eldorado Fortress and the Caribbean Clipper were also incredible. This year's Soldier's Fort doesn't really hold up to the Eldorado Fortress and there is no 2009 equivilant to the Caribbean Clipper. While it may be a toss-up between sets like Shipwreck Island and Forbidden Island, the lack of a second ship and an impressive fort really puts the 2009 line a step behind IMO.

On the other hand, when it comes to figures 2009 is miles ahead of the 1989 line.

[Piranha]

1989 had some of the best all time Pirate sets ever made, such as the BSB

Those are timeless classics that I can not really compare to modern day LEGO pirates

The modern day sets are nice too, with great new parts and more details

Since they are so different there really is no comparison (something like Classic Town and Modern City)

Both are very good and have different aspects

However If I were to pick one over another than I would have to go with 1989 of course

(Hm, really love these new to me pirate emoticons )

[ukdevilz]

1989 all the way dude!

[Ronan Dragonov]

1989 all the the way. I grew up on Pirates I - built, rebuilt, MODed and MOCed for many years. I was so unenthused by 2009 Pirates I haven't bought any yet. Echoing others, 6242 Soldiers' Fort is no 6276 Eldorado Fortress and 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty (great name though) is no 6285 Black Seas Barracuda.

[ukdevilz]

I agree with Ronan Dragonov!

[Governor Wes]

The new ones, although there is lots happening with these new pieces, the quality and playability is better in the oldies.

The pirates have no real threats on the seas, just some soldiers in a fort (I know about the imperial flagship in 2010 but it is very expensive !)

[Dreamweb]

I also must say 1989. Mainly because of the BSB, Forbidden Island and Eldorado Fortress - those are all time classics. Plus we had a ship for soldiers, absent in 2009 (the new 10210 Imperial Flagship is officially a 2010 set so I don't count it). But I must say that the minifigs themselves were better in 2009. Also, sets in 2009 had lots of various cool little accessories, like fish, crabs, spyglasses and all that stuff that Lego hadn't produced yet 20 years ago. All in all, both years showed us great Pirate Lego, but 1989 is my year of choice (and the nostalgic aspect is present here as well).

[Swash Buckler]

A Classic will be a classic.

1989 On!

Stauder.

Lego is getting better all the time with design so i vote for 2009 still old sets are great lots of memories- i would vote both if that would be possible! bad things in 2009 sets -are quality -all colors do not stand long- also the figs are not very different to each other- but old pirates had mostly just those striped shirts so actually figs are much better now- once again pretty strange poll here i think- this is "Classic pirates" not "2009 pirates" anyway lego pirates rule (the seas) classic or new

[Finch]

I'm going to stay in between on this subject. I grew up with the 1989 sets and Still think that the structures that they had back then are much superior to the ones in 2009s sets, however the newer minifigs are much better than the 1989 ones and minifigs to me make up 50% of the sets.

[Jack Bricker]

I was going to vote for the 1989 pirates line until I remembered the Emperial Flagship coming out next year . I have never liked schooners or two-masted sailing ships for some odd reason and therefore I never liked the BSB when I was a kid. The SES was a full pirate galleon and that was my favorite set although I didn't get it until I was 13. The 2009 minifigures are light years or at least 20 years ahead of the 1989 figures and I have never really liked the blue coats because Red Coats rule.

[Swash Buckler]

1989 was a thousand times better then 2009.

1. 1989 had way more figs in the sets. (Brickbeards Bounty has a pathetic crew of 4 compared to Black Seas Barracudass crew of 9.)

2. One thing that TLC does that ticks me off, is building a set that is not complete on every side, like Soldiers Fort. El Dorado Fortress was a beautiful set

And last, they over priced some of the sets like such as Soldiers Fort and Shipwreck Hideout.

I don't care much of the sets look since i will build my own forts and ships everytime- old Black seas Barracuda is still one of the best ships ever (don't have it though ) it has great structure cool colorscheme (no tan though and not enough brown) and what is the best is that no stupid childish skullsails just red stripes (2010 imperial flagship wins that though with colors details and sails) also even though crews were larger i have never liked those guys with striped shirt, moustaches and bandanna they are just like sort of clones and all 1989 -piratesets were full of those also the yellow/white/red forts are bad looking- new colors like Tan and Dark tan are so great for pirates- sand is not bright yellow well neither the pirates but yellow skincolor is just classic- although flesh is betterlooking -but sometimes classic just rules- will lego never stop making yellow guys as well

[caniac244]

1989 for sure. I wasn't alive then, but thankfully my older cousins were, and they collected most of the sets and when they "outgrew" them (<--- ) they passed them on to me.

They were broken and mixed in these huge tubs of lego, but when I became interested in the classic sets a few months ago (I've been collecting my own stuff for a while) I began sorting through and trying to peice them all together...

[Alex the Great]

I would have to say the older sets are better, because of the great designs and playabiltiy. Though the new sets are a close second because of detailed minfiigs, newer items, and of course the Imperial Flagship that is coming out is just amazing!

[Aquila D'oro]

My opinion is that 1989 sets had much more elaborate castle/island designs for soldiers and pirates a like.

however im beggining to feel that the Brick beards bounty is an improvement on the carribean clipper and the upcoming 10210 flagship an improvement on the BSB/SES. Only I prefer the colour coding/styling of the older ships, the gold colour pieces of the new ones look a bit tacky to me

otherwise they're pretty neat designs, hence im stealing a few ideas for my own pirate flagship The Aquila D'oro - will post pics soon... when its completed... with 2 decks .... and 40+ cannons Yippee-Kayay!! :jollyroger:

[Andre1983nl]

The sets of 1989 of course!

I miss the round barrels in the 2009 set.

Edited December 27, 2009 by Andre1983nl

[Forresto]

I'm in a fix between the 1989 and 2009 sets. The 2009 sets did a really good job of reintroducing the line with really cool updated parts and people so they were really good. However the 1989 sets though, first had more sets and a little more bang for your buck, piece wise. Ultimately I chose the classic 1989 although both waves were excellent.