To personal the most effective U.S.S. Enterprise mannequin in the marketplace is one thing each Star Trek fan would like to do. We have reviewed each the Playmobil Enterprise and the brand-new Lego Enterprise, so which is healthier? We’ll get into that under.
If you happen to’re a fan of Star Trek — and let’s be actual, in case you weren’t, you most likely would not be on this web page — you may most likely be taken with the most effective U.S.S. Enterprise fashions in the marketplace. Playmobil has loved the title of being the most important toy producer with a significantly spectacular Enterprise mannequin, however Lego has now launched its first-ever Star Trek set. We’ll have a look at design, the options, the extras, the worth and the whole lot in between to find out which is finest.
Design
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On the subject of evaluating the design of the 2 fashions, there are a number of issues you possibly can have a look at, regardless of the 2 fashions replicating the identical ship. Firstly, the variety of items that include every set that you have to assemble. Lego’s set provides you 3,600 items of constructing, whereas Playmobil provides a meager 150. That is just because with Lego’s set, the concept is to construct the ship utilizing numerous little plastic bricks, whereas the aim of Playmobil’s set is to assemble fewer, bigger components so you will get to enjoying with and displaying the set, together with the characters.
Naturally, Lego’s new set is significantly tougher and time-consuming to assemble. 3,600 items means you have to put aside a number of hours, if not a few days, to construct this set. Massive components of it are mirrored, however it would not really feel boring or repetitive. There are a few fiddly and flimsy components in direction of the tip, however total it is an pleasurable construct. Whereas Playmobil’s Enterprise mannequin has bigger components that clip collectively with none situation. The one fiddly particulars got here from some smaller components for the inside of the ship and loads of stickers, however total it was a comparatively fast and pleasurable construct.
Each units are behemoths, though the Playmobil mannequin dwarfs Lego’s, measuring at 39.4 x 18.9 x 13.4 inches versus 11 x 19 x 24 inches. Sure, Playmobil’s mannequin measures over a meter in size and may be hung from the ceiling, utilizing the hanging wires included, whereas Lego’s set comes on an angled stand to show.
Each may be performed with, though they make for significantly spectacular show objects. The inside of the Playmobil may be accessed via a removable roof, and it options LED lights and sound results, too. Lego’s set would not give you wherever close to the identical stage of playability and actually is designed as a show mannequin for collectors and super-fans solely.
Element and Performance
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We touched on the playability of the Playmobil Enterprise and the dearth of it within the Lego set. The Playmobil set does supply LED mild results in addition to sound results, so you possibly can go boldly the place no Playmobil set has gone in your individual adventures, and also you get an augmented actuality app. The LEDs used are multicolor and the sound results vary from strains from fan-favorite characters to warning alerts and extra. No such options seem in Lego’s set.
That is to not badmouth Lego’s set in any respect, it is an correct and trustworthy recreation of the enduring ship. It comes with its personal show stand and data plaque, which emblazons the again wall of the ship’s bridge and options key info in regards to the Enterprise. Whereas there are some stickers and printed components (these embrace the ship’s registration together with emblems and decor), these are nice additions and never an excessive amount of problem to connect.
Each units include figures, or minifigures. In Playmobil’s set, you get Captain Kirk, Spock, Uhura, McCoy, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov figures. Lego’s differs although, as you get Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, Lieutenant Worf, Lieutenant Commander Information, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Lieutenant Commander La Forge, Counselor Deanna Troi, Bartender Guinan and Wesley Crusher. Additionally they include equipment, which embrace a teacup, trombone with a stand, a phaser, tricorder, engineering case, PADD, bottle, moveable tractor beam generator and a cat determine.
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As talked about within the part above, Playmobil’s mannequin additionally options some high quality hanging wires, so your ship can cling from the ceiling and look as if it is venturing throughout the ultimate frontier. Whereas this is not a function of the Lego set, it most likely would not be a good suggestion, as a fall from any sort of peak may put you again to sq. one with constructing it.
The important thing distinction right here is that one is so clearly a show piece and the opposite is a show piece with some cool playable options. The Lego set is aimed toward these aged 18 and above, whereas the Playmobil set is for Trekkies over the age of 10. Sure, the Playmobil set is sturdier and has extra playable options, however the Lego set has such nice enchantment.
Worth
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A key think about deciding if one thing is value it, or certainly whether or not or not you may truly purchase it, is the worth. Now, it is value noting that Playmobil’s U.S.S. Enterprise mannequin has been round for just a few years now, so it is come down in worth because it first hit retailer cabinets.
Playmobil’s mannequin first value $500, which is quite a bit. It now usually retails for between $250 and $350, going off its worth historical past, which is significantly much less.
Lego’s brand-new U.S.S. Enterprise will set you again $399.99. That is steep, however you get extra than simply the enjoyment of displaying it off or imagining your individual adventures — the expertise of constructing the entire thing is nice, and it is not simply clipping collectively some giant components. It is a journey and an expertise versus a play and show mannequin.
Verdict
It might be straightforward to take a seat on the fence and say they’re each good. However that is not why you are right here. It is also not why we wrote the article, as tempting as it’s. In brief, nevertheless, it is determined by what you need out of your set.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for playable choices and additional results, the Playmobil mannequin is the higher possibility. There’s far much less problem within the constructing course of, it is (now) cheaper, and it encompasses a detachable roof together with mild and sound results, in addition to an app.
Nonetheless, in case you’re a collector, a Lego fan or if you wish to proudly show your ship, it is the Lego U.S.S. Enterprise by a rustic mile. Sure, the Playmobil mannequin is bigger, however larger is not at all times higher. The satisfaction of the construct, the unbelievable element on the completed mannequin and it being displayed at an angle actually sells the Lego Enterprise as the higher mannequin in case you’re on the lookout for something aside from playability.
