Lego Mobile Command Center
Having grown up on the wonders of LEGO, and witnessed so many different manifestations of their adventures (including a “girl-friendly” beach house kit—as if LEGOs weren’t already girl friendly!), it’s not surprising that the company has done it again: this time, with the Mobile Command Center.
This new toy (or set) not only includes a ton of pieces and real estate for the future architect, it also comes with a back-story, and, better yet, a mission. The mission? Alert all of the LEGO Agents (four total; included) to prevent the evil Dr. Inferno from escaping from the Command Center prison; all while his henchmen (also included) attempt to set him free! In addition to Agents Chase, Fuse, Charge, Trace, and Gold Tooth and Spy Clops, the set includes a jet boat, place, and two cars.
Perhaps the best news for parents is that the entire Mobile Command Center is stored in a truck that is over 20 inches long and six inches high. When the truck is open, it’s time to play. When the truck is closed, the Command Center is in “undercover mode,” which is code for “no stepping on any of the 1,154 pieces as you walk through the room” (that is, if the unit is properly cared for).
As an old school LEGO lover, the only foreseeable drawback to this hot toy is the same thing that makes it super-cool: the mission. Every kid wants to pretend he or she is a spy, and it’s possible with the Command Center. But I wonder if kids will find themselves tiring of being hand-fed what to do with this toy instead of creating their own plots and developing their own characters. It’s not much of an argument against the set, though, because we all know that if kids’ imaginations are wild enough to make plastic blocks interesting for hours on end, they will also be able to find ways around the creative confines the Mobile Command Center presents.
Now, more than ever, LEGO is being forced to “keep up with the Joneses” by making best-selling Christmas toys that can compete with actual robots, wireless video games, and even the convenient gift card. Thanks to the Mobile Command Center, LEGO's putting up quite a fight. Could it be one of the best selling christmas toys?
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 LEGO POLICE MOBILE COMMAND CENTRE 7743  US $34.77
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 Lego Alpha Team Mobile Command Center 4746 US $25.00
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 LEGOS 8635 AGENTS MOBILE COMMAND CENTER US $239.95
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 Lego Alpha Team Arctic OGEL MINION Minifig Mobile Command Center 4745 4746 4748 US $4.95
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December 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
The Kota missed its September launch, but the 3-foot tall Triceratops is finally here! Back in July we first saw the 37-pound robotic dino and John came away impressed , I think. The tiny giant beast isn’t the most agile