It’s time to once again join the intrepid minifigure explorers from LEGO® City as they chart the chilly waters of the Arctic. Although these new Arctic Explorer sets have similarities with previous expeditions, this is a completely new set, which doesn’t rift from a past set. If you enjoy collecting LEGO animals then this set is an absolute must-have due to its impressive line-up of sea-dwelling critters including a couple of new ones. Here’s a look at the upcoming LEGO City Explorer Diving Boat set.
Product Details
Set Name: Explorer Diving Boat | Set Number: 60377 | Pieces: 182 | Theme: LEGO City
RRP: £24.99/$29.99/39.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 3 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Minifigures: Explorers x 3 + manta ray, hammerhead shark, crab, 2 fish & 2 turtle figures
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from June 1st (August 1st in NA)
The set comprises of three main buildable sections, with each having its own instruction booklet. So like many of the LEGO City sets, it can be built in stages or by multiple people at the same time. The first section of the build is also the smallest part of the set. If you are going to explore the deep and dark depths of the ocean, there’s no better way to do it than with a remote mini-submarine. This looks exactly as you’d expect a remote-controlled submersible to look, but uses the colour scheme featured on all of the Arctic Explorers’ equipment. The mini-sub can be attracted to the small crane found on the back of the boat.
Speaking of the boat, this is the biggest section of the build. It uses the larger raft element as the base of the boat. Although it doesn’t expressly note on the box, instructions or product page, this does float, even once the extra elements are added to it. Normally these boat bases have little added to them and are used a simple rafts. But here it becomes the basis of a cool-looking research boat. Obviously, space is limited but it features a small cockpit, which can be accessed via a lift-up canopy and there’s a simple crane on the stern of the boat. One feature I really like is the little dive platforms on the sides of the boat.
The only other buildable section of the set is a small underwater reef. This uses a colourful array of elements to create a small part of the seabed to explore. A couple of coral elements are used to hold two different coloured fish and of course some sunken treasure. Which does beg the question, what exactly are the Arctic Explorers researching? Are they monitoring the local sea life or merely treasure hunters?
Regardless of exactly what the Arctic Explorers’ motives are, the true treasures of this set aren’t a bounty of gold coins but a bunch of LEGO animals. We have been treated to a number of new LEGO creature figures in the last years and that continues with the latest wave of sets. This particular set has the most. They include a hammerhead shark, which has only been featured in a couple of previous sets. It’s joined by another returning animal element in the form of a manta ray, this time featured in a darker blue colour. The set also includes two sea turtles, including a recoloured version of the smaller turtle, which was featured in other LEGO City sets and was introduced in Series 20 of the LEGO Minifigures. It’s joined by a new, larger turtle, further expanding the line-up of adult animals and their young.
The minifigures really play second fiddle to the animals but the set includes three characters. Two divers who have orange air tanks should be in the market for any and can wear either a diving helmet or an alternate hairpiece, these both use the same torso and legs. They are joined by a researcher who features a different outfit.
The combination of all the elements results in a great set, it has an impressive collection of animals and the ability for the raft to float offers a unique play feature. One thing I have noticed about these new LEGO City sets is the North American pricing. Normally if a set is £24.99 then the US price often becomes $29.99 this set jumps to $39.99 and other LEGO City sets feature a similar discrepancy in pricing. Hopefully, this doesn’t signify an upcoming price rise for the UK and Europe as this and other Summer sets being released on June 1st aren’t released in North America until August.
Coming Soon: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
These sets were provided to BricksFanz.com by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
