SketchBrick

I agree, and we've had much more niche characters from other movies or shows. Shmi and 3PO wouldn't even require new moulds; is it really that difficult to squeeze them into a set somewhere? Literally a few extra minifig-focused playsets per year could help even out a lot of these issues. This year could have introduced a new Watto's Junkyard or something, but it seems like the overall numbers of sets in the theme is more restrained than it was several years ago.

I wholly agree with this comment. I understand the appeal to some degree, and clearly they must be selling with the older fans, but the number of display-type sets and "buildables" is far too high these days in my opinion. We are getting far fewer minifigures now than we used to, as you point out, which is a shame as there are so many desirable characters that Lego has never made, or hasn't remade in many years. Minifigures have huge play value as well as being collectible, and I don't think anybody would be upset with a higher number of them being available on shelves at different price points. For the TPM 25th anniversary this year, for example, they only released one regular playset (with just 3 TPM minifigs at that), unless you also count the GWP Droid Carrier. But we have also gotten a buildable R2-D2, a buildable C-3PO, a buildable Droideka, and a 4-pack of buildable droids (with yet another R2-D2), not to mention a microscale diorama, multiple BrickHeadz, and a plethora of other sets that don't contain or focus on the figures. Granted, some sets have had better minifigure counts than average (Clones vs Droids battle pack, Tantive IV hallway, etc.), but it isn't enough with the total number of sets these days to give us figure tallies like we had 5-10 years ago. I think Lego Star Wars is doing many things well these days, but skimping on figures is definitely not one of them!

This seems likely to be another midi. Dioramas haven't yet been as cheap as $50, nor have helmets recently (and they are supposedly retired). I'm assuming it's a midi ship around the same size as the current Invisible Hand.

Absolutely. Dooku is probably the most significant character to go this long without a minifigure re-appearance, and I'd sorely like to add him to my collection!

To be fair, if it's anything like this year, they don't typically include tons of the "anniversary" sets in the January wave. It's still possible we get several ROTS-themed sets in May or June/August.

Home One let's go! N-1 as in a normal N-1? Or Mando's?

Thanks!

Do we know if it's a Delta-7 or Eta-2 style?

The sets look decent but it's a shame the Peridea set has so many stickers for that price. Basically a stickered based with stickered totems, and then it's $55? Still somehow better value than the Sarlacc set

Agreed! Definitely a missed opportunity from this wave. Maybe we could get a tiger cub in next year's CMF? (inhales copium)

I did wonder about this, but they've printed designs on small animals before, like the flower on that one version of the bunny, or of course the different types of butterflies.

3 total sets for this "wave" revealed, no release dates: 60691 Jungle Explorer Base (sand green croc, reuses of monkey and lion cubs, parrots) 60692 The Lost Crocodile Temple (seemingly sand green croc and olive green baby croc) 60693 Survivor Island Seaplane (light grey regular shark, reuses of several small animals like parrot, crab, fish, and butterfly)

What a weird concept. Hopefully there will be alternative methods of acquiring the new croc!

Definitely, there's a real lack of location-based sets in LSW that aren't 4+ builds or expensive dioramas. I really liked some of the old $20 duel sets, or the $30 Obi-Wan's Hut. Not every set needs to be a vehicle!

You're not wrong, but to be fair most SW sets these days don't live up to those standards. $160 playsets have had 5-6 minifigs for the past 5+ years. The Justifier basically had 4. The 2006 Star Destroyer had 8 (not counting the mouse droid), and the 2024 set has 7. I wouldn't look at that as a huge downgrade, especially considering the new figures are notably more detailed than the classic ones. Would it be nice if the new ISD was bigger? Yes. But I'd also say this one is more detailed and polished off than the 2006 model, so there's always some give and take.

To be fair, this one is barely any smaller than the 2014 model, and actually costs slightly less when adjusted for inflation. Plus we have 7 figures here, literally an increase from 2014's 6. Sure there are subjective things one could argue, but the value here isn't really worse than the previous set.

ISD looks pretty good. Disappointing that the rumors of 10-12 minifigures are untrue, but 7 total figures is still more than we've been getting for most $160 sets (Yavin not withstanding), so I'll take it.

Agreed, it's almost a given we'll get a city-like version of the raven within the next year. I'm also be curious to see if they'll reuse the red panda mould for a raccoon?

I agree. Quickly you build up a whole fleet of vehicles to explore a tiny patch of terrain with a handful of animals. I would love to see more focus on the locations and the biodiversity, even though I agree the vehicle builds look good.

First Jungle set photos on IG via brickclicker :)

I think a Star Destroyer makes a lot more sense, and it's nice to see a big playset with a lot of figures that (hopefully) isn't just a super-sized juniors set as Yavin IV was.

Yes I think you're right! Wonder if it has a printed tile on the back?

I agree. 4 good looking minifigures, with two new moulded helmets, and the bunker build looks like an okay size with hopefully a couple of good play features. Maybe it should be $35, but in today's market it's hard to expect much cheaper.

Is that backpack on the Imperial Commandos and Gideon a new piece?

I love the dog with the printed holiday sweater! Great use of that part.