Algernon

You guys realize you're arguing about children's toys right? The impact of Space Police III on our core cultural values is obviously going to be negligible. I'd say there are far more troublesome sources of racism in this world... like the Tea Party movement. On a more relevant note... I'm quite sure that the aliens won't be offended.

Cool promo. I think this theme is looking excellent, and a nice change of pace from Agents and Racers. Nice to see that the cheaper sets look pretty strong!

Oh yes. Your point is greatly enhanced by the condesending wink emote. :wink: :wink: ...sorry, one of my pet peeves... anyway, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if 2010 is SPIII's final year, but I really don't see any evidence that it is. The reason why it got little space in the latest catalogue is because there are only two new sets available right now. The same is true of Power Miners. Just seems like we're jumping the gun here. :P

...we're getting an entirely new wave of sets that haven't even hit shelves yet... how did you get to the conclusion that the theme is on it's way out? If anything it's vitals are better than ever, we had no reason to even expect a second wave.

That base looks beast. Awesome throwback to the grand Space designs of old.

I did prefer the original TeeVee to the later two variations. It had more charm, even though I never actually wound up buying the set he came with. The minifigs in the first year were definitely the coolest since they weren't as uniform as the following two waves, but I still don't mind that they switched it up a little bit (after all it kind of made sense, I don't think that mechanic chick would have been able to wear that outfit in the subzero Arctic temperatures). But I see your point, the first Alpha Team waves definitely had more personality in terms of minifigures. I still enjoyed the Arctic wave the best though, I think the vehicles were all pretty awesome and that transforming feature worked shockingly well. Back on topic though. Unfortunately I have not had the financial audacity to purchase ANY LEGO sets in the last several months (thus why I've avoided this site, it makes it hard for me to resist with all of these mouth-watering Summer sets about to hit) but I think I might cave and actually buy a few of these new Atlantis sets. I liked the look of the first wave but I'm a sucker for mechs and the sea creatures don't look half bad either. LEGO's really raised the bar in terms of design sleekness. Plus, I have got to get some of those awesome diving suits, even if it's just to have them. The Portal of Atlantis looks a little weird to me.

Fair enough. The TT waves were cool in their own right, and it's hard to argue with a $2 price tag. Given the option though, I'd probably prefer spending a full $10 on something that delivers a little more. (of course, being a college student that pays for his own stuff, it's hard to look at $10 as anything other than a meal these days ) I'm more pumped for these Worlds Racers than anything else I've seen out of the Racers line for some time though. (I know these aren't technically Racers, which might be why I like them since I'm not a big Nascar kind of guy)

I think the consensus is that Atlantis is largely going the way of Alpha Team with the abundant transforming features. Frankly I don't mind at all, and that Mech looks way better in the upright form. Ill probably get it.

I honestly never understood the tiny turbos. It's like the Star Wars minis- kinda cool, but not really worth collecting. I'd rather a larger model with more detail.

The best example of the theme for me was that snowmobile/sled type thing that transforms into a helicopter. The design was actually pretty ingenious and the play value skyrocketted. Some cool parts from that theme too. I'm sympathetic for Alpha Team, though. I liked the figs and I don't mind that they redesigned the faces... I mean would you want to have the exact same figs for the third year in a row?

I like the idea behind this theme. It reminds me of those action-based Racers of old. Only more interesting because it isn't limited to cars. I hope they continue with this theme, I think it has a lot of potential and I'm loving the variety.

If by stupid you mean totally AWESOME I'd have to agree. I'm loving the look of that set. In fact I think just about every set in the new wave of Atlantis is looking sexy. The robot reminds me a little of this set: Only, the new one looks a hundred times better. I wasn't a huge fan of Mission Deep Sea, but I actually really liked the transforming Arctic sets these seem to be taking after. Transforming features are cool and less gimmicky than most of the stupid crap LEGO throws on their new stuff to make them sell. Atlantis is showing a lot of promise. Also, hi again Eurobricks. Long time no see.

Man I miss adventurers... an excellent review of an excellent set! Good one.

Whoa, how did I miss this? I loved LEGO Harry Potter! Are there pics yet?

First of all, I had only read the first couple of pages and gleaned what I did from the initial fan reaction to the names only- I can see that the attitudes have lightened a little now that the pics have been released. My bad on that part. To the rest of it, I guess I just have little patience for the typical fanboy mindset of "if it has a Bionicle label thrown onto it, I'll defend it until the cows come home". But I have every right to point out that I don't like the story. Do me the same respect you ask of me- I get to dislike the Bionicle story as much as you get to like it. But I know what you'll say next, and that's that I should express my opinions with a more respectful tone. I think your tone could use a little tempering as well- but I'll drop it if you drop it. I'm pretty sure that I've argued with you about the story several times (though I'm not sure). We won't change each other's minds, so I guess there's no point wasting our energy. In the end this is just an internet forum that has but a minuscule effect on our lives. Lets not take it too seriously. Oh and for the record, the generic argument that "it's all in the eye of the beholder" really doesn't hold water... but I won't bother going into that. EDIT: Those pics are looking good. I'd be able to take this theme WAY more seriously if it wasn't called Hero Factory.

This is obviously the best Atlantis set... shame, it's too expensive for me. :/ Great review! To me, this set summarizes all of Atlantis's best qualities- very good SNOT techniques, interesting vehicles, cool monsters, and awesome minifigs.

Will everybody just stop with the hate trips? I guess I'm not surprised, this is what usually happens when something with a huge fan base is replaced with something less deep. But looking at the sets, can you HONESTLY say they're any worse than what Bionicle has been pumping out for years? The only difference is Bionicle tried to tie everything together with an incredibly weak story, and now LEGO has finally seen the wisdom in doing away with that in favor of something so much simpler that it's refreshing. Bionicle was dying, and although I can't say I'm thrilled with the replacement, I do think that these sets look far more intriguing than most of the Bionicle sets I've seen over the past few years. I still probably won't buy any.

I'm actually quite interested in this theme.

This is just awesome. How do you get these?

More or less, yes.

I think this is a cool idea.

...I don't remember saying that.

Plenty of people enjoy Hannah Montana. That doesn't make it good. Might be a slightly unfair comparison, but you get the idea. Obviously the later Bionicle years were successful with many fans; after all, LEGO never complained about sales, did they? But that's kind of why I didn't like them. Bionicle has been inching closer and closer to a generic toy line with each coming year... and by definition, generic tends to be more marketable. In my opinion LEGO ruined it when they tried to explain everything and tie it all together- the story is SO fractured and needlessly complicated that loose ends are inevitable. But perhaps more importantly, the sense if mystery is lost. In 2001, you were thrust into this strange biotic island full of monsters and populated by robots. There was a somewhat vague backstory that was always expressed with stones- you didn't know exactly what Mata-Nui and Makuta looked like, but that was why they added so much atmosphere to the premise. Now we know exactly what they look like... and frankly, seeing them transformed from enigmatic demi-gods into generic action figures is a huge blow to Bionicle's largest appeal (in my opinion). The sense of suspense, mystery, and adventure is completely lost. And honestly. The story is terrible. I don't care about any of these characters. Mata-Nui has no personality. In fact, ALL of the personalities are generic to the last degree. How many islands have there been now? There's no unifying, cohesive theme here. It's poorly written. Yes, it's an action figure line, and I could care less about the story- but some of you seem to adore the story, and that baffles me. You're probably going to hit me with the old "that's your opinion" comeback. Yes, this is just my opinion. But I'm explaining why I'm not sad that Bionicle is finally getting the axe in favor of something new and refreshing. The reasons why I loved Bionicle have been completely neutralized by the new sets, but there's still hope in LEGO's next innovation.

I am not disappointed with this announcement at all. Bionicle really has gotten mundane, repetitive, and insipid. The movies all sucked and the sets have gotten so predictable. In 2001, the story was unique and compelling, but each following release has just brought that innovation closer and closer to the generic crap most toy companies produce. No telling if the 2010 figures will be as good as the roots of Bionicle 2001, but even if they aren't, at least they'll be NEW. Seriously people. Your beloved LEGO property needs to die one way or another. At least let it die with some dignity and embrace the next (and far overdue) LEGO innovation. Like the letter said, it's that kind of thinking that BROUGHT you Bionicle.