We are heading back to the Moon, well NASA is with their Artemis program, and LEGO it seems is tagging along for the ride.
The second-largest set in the new LEGO City Space subtheme is 60350 Lunar Research Base.
There have been many moon bases in all shapes and sizes in LEGO themes over the years, but none that really cover the scope of what this set is offering. It doesn’t appear to be a redesign or replacement for any of the 2019 sets, like others in the subtheme might be considered to be.
I don’t think this is something we have seen as the subject of a standalone set before. Yes, we’ve seen research bases, lunar labs, habitats and all sorts of moon exploration activity, but 60350 is all of those things and more besides. In particular, that Biodome is a pretty special looking new feature.
Let’s get inside the airlock and take a look.
Summary
60350 Lunar Research Base, 786 pieces.
£89.99 / $129.99 / €99.99 | 11.4p/16.5c/12.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A wonderfully complete and well-designed playset, that really does represent a fact-finding exploration mission to the moon. However, it is a little overpriced.
- A full complement of vehicles and locations to play with
- Fabulous Classic Space/Real World mash-up
- New biodome pieces
- Fairly expensive
- Another drone
- No trans yellow pieces (joking, a little)
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Instructions
The instructions are provided as three books using a different format for each. Again, I find myself thinking that I really would welcome a much more standardised system for all instructions. I can very much appreciate that the books as supplied here will enable us to build ‘in tandem’ (or concurrently).
There is certainly enough here to occupy at least two people, and therefore it is logical and desirable to have more than one book. I just wish they came in fewer formats to aid storage and or organisation.
Stickers
It’s just two medium-sized sticker sheets. One is entirely given over to mirrored solar panel designs.
The other sticker sheet is full of very interesting logos!
Minifigures
We have a whole new team here. Six minifigures are featured in the set and shown here in the order we encounter them.
From bag 1 we have two astronauts in white spacesuits (the EVA suits of the real world missions) each character comes with alternate expressions and a hairpiece.
The design of the suit is pretty accurate, but compared to the other crew, they’re missing a moon (I think) even if there is a big one printed on their xPLSS (Exploration Portable Life Support System, or backpack for short!).
In bag 2 we have one pilot astronaut in a yellow (Bright Light Orange) flight suit (the actual suits are orange, but I can see the desire to distinguish these new characters from the 2019 minifigures). An alternate hairpiece is also provided too.
The design is also pretty accurate and our first look at that great new logo with a gold moon.
Bag 3 provides a third astronaut in an EVA suit.
The first of two science officer astronauts comes in bag 5. The blue (Dark Azure) jumpsuit is also a fairly accurate representation of flight suits worn by the astronauts. The blue suits feature a similarly located gold moon mission logo as seen on the pilot minifigure.
The man features an alternate expression and is featured in bag 7.
Construction
Bag One
These are the side builds; a moon buggy, a remote control solar-powered mineral collecting mouse droid (or LTV - Lunar Terrain Vehicle) and a crater with a boulder.
The buggy is a really charming little build.
The boulder/rock/meteorite is a fantastic development. A geode no less. It’s a significant improvement upon the existing boulder pieces in respect of the dual moulding. Here presented in Dark Bluish Grey and Trans Light Blue.
A Trans Purple one would be very welcome in our house, my daughter gravitated to the boulder but wanted it to be an Amethyst one.
There’s also a really nice 1x1 round tile printed with an amoeba design.
Here’s that logo again and I’ll cover it a little more later on.
Bag Two
This is the lunar escape module rocket, which very much represents the Human Landing System (or HLS) of the real Artemis program.
Some nice new parts are included here, including a two part cockpit, the shape of which makes me think of a beloved spaceship of a certain space pirate and his hairy first mate. I’m not going to stick my neck out and make a prediction, but I won’t be surprised if that turns out to be a future usage of the parts.
Plenty of space for one Astronaut.
The rocket is actually a two-stage, with the new cockpit piece coming away. The parts don’t always detach in the right way as the clutch on the plates is a little less tight than the clutch on the technic pins.
3…2…1… Lift-off! Simply picking up the rocket actuates the flames, and it’s a simple but effective. So much so that I failed to suppress my rocket SFX and swooshing… GGRRUUUUUUMMMMBLE, KKKKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRR, FWOOOOOSSSSSH!
Bag Three
This is the beginning of the construction of the lower section of the main body of the lunar base.
However, we begin this bag by building a drone. I honestly don’t understand the continuing obsession LEGO has with these machines. One or two were fun, and this is undoubtedly appropriate to the exploration.
…and yes, it is fun when you add the grappling claw, especially as in the real world NASA used this method (sky crane) to deliver the Perseverance rover onto the surface of Mars. Even taking this into account, I just feel like I have built one too many drones in the last year!
A large part of the construction of the back of the base is sped up by the use of MURPs.
Bag Four
A Technic Wheel arch is used as a canopy for the entrance and the rest of the parts create the airlock connection points.
The lower level of the base is somewhere to park the buggy and do mechanical repairs, it doesn’t feel quite right to call it a garage, a hangar or an engineering deck, but that’s the ‘feel’ of it all rolled into one.
Bag Five
Is the left ‘limb’ and science lab
My son and I loved building the lab. There's a cool looking microscope and some kind of containment for the amoeba that we discovered in the geode.
Instructions show the lab attached to the left-hand side of the base, but it is modular and could equally be fitted to the right depending on your play or display needs.
Bag Six
Is the right limb and moveable “jet bridge”.
Computer control panel for the jet bridge.
Connection to the right-hand side.
The jet bridge is intended to connect with 60348 Lunar Roving Vehicle (please see Lobot’s excellent review if you haven’t already). The mechanism for this is a simple parallelogram but works really well to raise the section to the correct height.
Bag Seven
The dome is just beautiful.
It’s a separate enclosure that sits neatly on top of the ground floor structure, leading to the question - how do they get in and out? Surely this needs internal stairs! Then I ask my son (10), who had been building the set with me for the review. He’s not bothered about the asphyxiation issues or the plants dying in the void of space if the dome opens up.
He isn’t worried that it looks like the astronauts sleep here in the full glare of the dazzling lunar sun either. In short, he suggests that I just need a little imagination.
From the back it looks like it's built partially into the surface of the moon. Which is pretty cool and helps create the scene too.
Background
The instructions mention the Artemis Program and have a few pictures taken from NASA and the dedicated Artemis websites.
While it has been pretty obvious in the previous two City subthemes that LEGO has been drawing inspiration for their sets from NASA, perhaps it's not been quite so clear as it is here but I am pleased to see this continue.
Creator 3in1 Space sets 31066 Space Shuttle Explorer and 31107 Space Rover Explorer both featured habs or space bases as one of the alternate builds. As additional value for money those models were very nice to have, but obviously neither did that with such size or style as is possible here in a dedicated set.
Classic Space thoughts
I have previously mentioned my belief that LEGO is very much committed to the continuation of the “Classic Space” theme. If nothing else, I feel this year’s releases support my hypothesis.
As we all know, CMF Series 22 featured a great looking alien with a purple Classic Space torso. Check out the Monkie Kid 80032 Chang'e Moon Cake Factory for a cheeky little Easter egg too.
Here, as we have seen, is an updated Classic Space logo.
In isolation, I think you could even be forgiven for thinking this was the Classic Space logo. The new version is very, very reminiscent of the original, and it is liberally displayed throughout the set. However, there are a few small differences.
The main difference is that the new logo is better balanced by shortening the jet trail from the spaceship. The other main difference is the colour choice of a blue planet instead of the familiar yellow or gold moon.
I believe this again is in reference to the Artemis program.
Where our minifigures (and the drone) are concerned however, it’s perhaps a little closer as the circle is printed in gold… and that’s about as close as I could possibly expect from a modern LEGO theme. Perhaps those quarter domes in trans-yellow would have been asking too much, but I can still dream!
Conclusion
I’ll freely admit I love this set. Partly it’s those awesome quarter domes that create such a focal point. Mostly though, it’s just such a well-rounded set.
I was intrigued by the pre-release images and the finished set really delivers. There is a lot to play with here. Also, it’s (Classic) Space LEGO in just about all, but its own separate theme, albeit updated.
One of the things I love about LEGO Space is the idea of exploration, whether it is rocketing through the atmosphere to visit our moon or travelling to far off alien worlds. This set really is all about lunar exploration and with a little imagination there is pretty much everything you need to have a thoroughly excellent space mission.
My usual criticism of CITY sets is that the price seems relatively high. I don’t actually think this is all that bad, considering the new large pieces here. However, I think £89.99 / $119.99 / 99.99€ is probably still just a tiny bit expensive. In all good conscience I couldn’t recommend the set at this price anyway, because we know there will be a discount at an online retailer before the autumn sets release. At even 10% off RRP though, I’d be inclined to get this set because it’s really nice and supply chains being the way they are, this is one I wouldn’t want to miss out on.
170 likes
46 comments on this article
By Cooliocdawg in United States,
Wonderful review as always! I definitely agree that the new cockpit looks like it could be used in a scaled down Millennium Falcon. I’ve been wanting one of those to go with my Smaller Firespray gunship.
By Freddy_Hodson in United Kingdom,
This is a great review
By dvw2 in United States,
Fantastic review of a very interesting new set, and great supporting imagery. Well done!
By 560heliport in United States,
A great many AFOLs could stand to adopt your son's attitude. I hope he never has a Dark Age!
By TheOtherMike in United States,
So what's the purpose of the blue nanofig that's visible in the shot of the opened dome?
By bananaworld in United Kingdom,
@Mr_Cross said:
"awesome quarter domes (...) such a well-rounded set."
We see what you did there!
By WizardOfOss in Japan,
Great review! Really looks like a great set. A bit pricey indeed, but there's enough goodness to get over that.
By bamaker in United States,
"I 'love' HLC" ... is that a Friends reference?
By Lordmoral in Puerto Rico,
This set is wonderful for the fact that it has a closed back.
By iwybs in United States,
Zavvi has it for $100 right now.
By Arnoldos in Poland,
I bought 60349 and the stickers were an absolute pain to apply. Especially rounded stickers on rectangular pieces.
I've got 60348 waiting in line and 60350 will probably be next, but when I look at those sticker sheets I just lose all motivation to build, honestly.
Makes me want to go on Bricklink and buy some good old '90s sets with proper, printed pieces. But damn, are they getting expensive...
By Watsonite in Belgium,
And proof that non-IP sets can be truly enticing.
Waiting for the needed discount now.
By crazylegoman in United States,
@bamaker said:
""I 'love' HLC" ... is that a Friends reference? "
It absolutely is! That tile is foreshadowing to the new 41713 Friends space shuttle set.
By JasonBall34 in United States,
Really wonderfully written review. You've gotten me interested!
By deathmoth in United States,
That drone may be kind of dopey, but it does seem at least somewhat plausible since flying a rocket drone on the moon would not require much energy relative to Earth or Mars. Mainly though, it’s the part of the set that actually seems the most like Classic Space in terms of design and parts used. And I also just like the claw.
By Treb_Draalbucc in United States,
That third eva suit astronaut is definitely col Chris Hatfield from Canada, I wonder if the other represent actual astronauts?
By Treb_Draalbucc in United States,
Are we going to learn that the two planets are going to discover each other and we'll have minifigs and minidolls interacting?
By Lyichir in United States,
@ahughwilliams said:
"Are we going to learn that the two planets are going to discover each other and we'll have minifigs and minidolls interacting?"
They're not "two planets"... Heartlake City references in Lego City sets (and vice-versa) are not new and in the past have typically taken the form of references on the timetable of train station or airport sets. I doubt the references between these sets are anything deeper than those have been.
By blogzilly in United States,
As soon as this set goes into discount mode I’m getting it.
I certainly do wish LEGO would revive classic Space colors. I only slipped out of my third Dark Age in 2015 or so, had given away or sold all the LEGO I had by then, and never even owned a classic Space set, not even as a kid. It was all Kenner 3 3/4 figures and spaceships and Micronauts.
By guachi in United States,
The only negative I see is the US prices relative to other prices.
Disregarding price, the set is fantastic. The major problem of sets with lots of smaller builds is that some just aren't up to the level of the others. But here they all work to make the sum greater than the parts.
Just a really great City/Space set.
By elangab in Canada,
A set this size from "Classic Space" would've come with at least one, if not two, baseplates. One of them is "Moon" baseplate. The baseplates were the anchor for the whole play area and the location of the base, to which you could add more sets or enhance with your own creation/more baseplates.
These are a bunch of mini builds thrown together.
By cm5878 in Jersey,
Nice to see a sprinkling of classic space parts on the drone, and the Web style radar dish.
By Arnoldos in Poland,
@elangab said:
"A set this size from "Classic Space" would've come with at least one, if not two, baseplates. One of them is "Moon" baseplate. The baseplates were the anchor for the whole play area and the location of the base, to which you could add more sets or enhance with your own creation/more baseplates.
These are a bunch of mini builds thrown together. "
My sentiments exactly. But sadly, I don't see Lego returning to baseplates.
By krysto2002 in United States,
I disagree with the notion that this is a continuation of classic space.
To be clear, there is and has always been a firm divide between the science-fiction inspired space themes, and the more realism-rooted city/town space themes, even when the two were running concurrently.
Classic space and the themes that followed it were composed of all sorts of bright, colorful and sometimes wacky designs.
Whereas town/city space sets were typically the opposite.
That isn't to say that this is a bad set or theme, but slapping the logo on it does not make it a classic space style theme.
So no, it doesn't really scratch the itch, sadly.
By jamie75 in United States,
The set doesn't interest me. However, those dome pieces..................those dome pieces can be incorporated into a shield for a Droideka??
By mediAFOL in United Kingdom,
Major Silent Running vibe from that dome.
By Kynareth in Australia,
@elangab said:
"A set this size from "Classic Space" would've come with at least one, if not two, baseplates. One of them is "Moon" baseplate. The baseplates were the anchor for the whole play area and the location of the base, to which you could add more sets or enhance with your own creation/more baseplates.
These are a bunch of mini builds thrown together. "
Up to 1987 perhaps, but it would also have been square and open. Following that you would have had some flat baseplates and builds with a few more angles, and in the 1990s it would be bulked out with a CRAP baseplate. I’d much rather take this than a nostalgia for a mythologised era.
By LordDunsany in United States,
@elangab:
The Classic Space bases are 483, 493, 6930, 6951 (debatable), 6970, and 6971. While these are all great sets (though arguably not as good as any of the large Classic Space spaceships), I don't see how the base component of 60350 is less substantial than any of these bases. I will concede that the rocket could be better integrated with the base via a launch/landing area or an access tower.
By PDelahanty in United States,
I view the "classic space" logo variant in this set as a sort of "prequel" to the original and classic Classic Space logo. This has the spaceship staying closer to the planet...which is appropriate for moon and Mars missions. The original Classic Space logo has the ship speeding away from the alien world which implies interstellar travel.
By Hylocera in United States,
@deathmoth said:
"That drone may be kind of dopey, but it does seem at least somewhat plausible since flying a rocket drone on the moon would not require much energy relative to Earth or Mars. Mainly though, it’s the part of the set that actually seems the most like Classic Space in terms of design and parts used. And I also just like the claw."
Ooooh...the claw!
By elangab in Canada,
@Kynareth said:
" @elangab said:
"A set this size from "Classic Space" would've come with at least one, if not two, baseplates. One of them is "Moon" baseplate. The baseplates were the anchor for the whole play area and the location of the base, to which you could add more sets or enhance with your own creation/more baseplates.
These are a bunch of mini builds thrown together. "
Up to 1987 perhaps, but it would also have been square and open. Following that you would have had some flat baseplates and builds with a few more angles, and in the 1990s it would be bulked out with a CRAP baseplate. I’d much rather take this than a nostalgia for a mythologised era."
I don't look at it from a nostalgic point of view, my whole point was to explain what I find wrong with newer sets. Some of the modern sets and technics that Lego uses are amazing, but I do dislike the trend of throwing lots of mini build and call it a set (City square type sets are a good example of that). With Lego Friends it also makes sets very fragile without a baseplate, and it's easy to lose parts. There's a reason Lego have such a colourful and busy boxes now; it provides the illusion that the set is a "a whole". Anyway, for each his own. I just find modern play sets to be a step down. I do think baseplates are key component and it's showing when they're absent.
By Darth_TNT in Netherlands,
This looks really cool.
By T79 in Belgium,
That drone looks like a throwback to 6824 Space Dart I to me :-)
By Brikkyy13 in Australia,
@Cooliocdawg said:
"Wonderful review as always! I definitely agree that the new cockpit looks like it could be used in a scaled down Millennium Falcon. I’ve been wanting one of those to go with my Smaller Firespray gunship."
Boba Fett’s ship always has been and always will be the Slave I. Don’t let anybody forget that.
This set looks like a brilliant parts pack. Will get it on sale.
By Apedemak in United Kingdom,
Excellent review, thanks very much. I really appreciate that you include input and thoughts from your kids. I think we (AFOL community) often get caught up in what we would like and have a bit of a blinkered view sometimes forgetting these are designed for kids and what it is they find important/desireable.
By Mr_Cross in United Kingdom,
Thanks for all the kind comments, glad so many of you enjoyed my review.
@560heliport said:
"A great many AFOLs could stand to adopt your son's attitude. I hope he never has a Dark Age!"
Me too!
@TheOtherMike said:
"So what's the purpose of the blue nanofig that's visible in the shot of the opened dome?"
I honestly don’t know. I saw a youtube video that suggested it was an action figure owned by one of the astronauts!
@bananaworld said:
"We see what you did there!"
;-)
@bamaker said:
""I 'love' HLC" ... is that a Friends reference?"
I believe the HLC tile comes in a fair number of sets. Given the announcement of the Friends in Space set, I have to assume that it is!
@Lordmoral said:
"This set is wonderful for the fact that it has a closed back."
Being permanently closed does slightly limit accessibility in play!
@Arnoldos said:
"I bought 60349 and the stickers were an absolute pain to apply. Especially rounded stickers on rectangular pieces.
I've got 60348 waiting in line and 60350 will probably be next, but when I look at those sticker sheets I just lose all motivation to build, honestly.
Makes me want to go on Bricklink and buy some good old '90s sets with proper, printed pieces. But damn, are they getting expensive…"
Try using a separator tool or tweezers! Lift up one edge, apply the sticker to your chosen tool, it should give you greater control. Small round ones are still fiddly but I‘ve had greater success with sticker applications going this route.
There are a few youtube videos out there on this I think.
@guachi said:
"The only negative I see is the US prices relative to other prices.
Disregarding price, the set is fantastic. The major problem of sets with lots of smaller builds is that some just aren't up to the level of the others. But here they all work to make the sum greater than the parts.
Just a really great City/Space set."
Current exchange rates means that £90 is just under $120 - it feels like it’s disproportionate, but I think it’s currently equally expensive in most* regions.
*most!
@elangab said:
"A set this size from "Classic Space" would've come with at least one, if not two, baseplates. One of them is "Moon" baseplate. The baseplates were the anchor for the whole play area and the location of the base, to which you could add more sets or enhance with your own creation/more baseplates.
These are a bunch of mini builds thrown together."
Although many Classic Space sets did come with baseplates that really added to the creation of a scene, I’m not sure the play value of the sets themselves were improved by the inclusion of the baseplate. Perhaps there was greater stability in a set mounted on a baseplate, but I still found them tricky to move around.
Having crater plates available to buy separately though? Yes, yes please!
There are a few small side builds, but the base itself is huge, mostly the side builds can be contained, the set is anything but disparate.
By Mr_Cross in United Kingdom,
@krysto2002 said:
"I disagree with the notion that this is a continuation of classic space.
To be clear, there is and has always been a firm divide between the science-fiction inspired space themes, and the more realism-rooted city/town space themes, even when the two were running concurrently.
Classic space and the themes that followed it were composed of all sorts of bright, colorful and sometimes wacky designs.
Whereas town/city space sets were typically the opposite.
That isn't to say that this is a bad set or theme, but slapping the logo on it does not make it a classic space style theme.
So no, it doesn't really scratch the itch, sadly."
I think it’s as close as we will get as a theme. Outside of potential anniversary sets.
@NatureBricks said
"Buy now! Supply Chain issues!!!
The set will be around for years. I don't think it will be a problem getting it."
I didn’t say “Buy now!” I said wait for a discount. Supply might be great where you are, but I’ve had problems when I’ve waited for the best price in the last couple of years. Covid & Brexit have changed the landscape dramatically in the UK.
I was simply advising those interested in the set to buy sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
There is no way of knowing how long this set will be around for. Typically shelf life has been one to two years, the last City Space theme had about two and a half years, so you could be right, there could be no problem getting it… for full price.
By R0Sch in Germany,
I'm waiting for a heavy discount on this set as well. The overall design is great but typically for CITY way too expensive.
@Mr_Cross: Glad you mentioned the different logo's this time. It can be also noted that the minifigures show the logo with a silver moon, again referencing the Artemis program's Moon missions. Classic Space always had the golden planet and the longer jet trail may off-world missions, whereas Artemis is focused more on the Moon's orbit.
By Orange_Jooze in Serbia,
A great review and it's great to see the reviewer pool expand, but – and I mean this in the best way – a little proofreading goes a looong way. As fun and refreshing it is to see a different voice on here, a bit more punctuation and a bit less run-on sentences would make this review truly shine.
By Sethro3 in United States,
Thanks for the review. It was informative. I likely still won't pick up the set, but it looks really neat. I like the details they used and the dome piece looks really nice. New torsos is always useful.
This logo certainly has a Classic Space quality to it. But I feel the logo on the torso in 31107 is more CS. Not that more than one thing can't be it.
By lORDoFtHEbOARD in Belgium,
@TheOtherMike said:
"So what's the purpose of the blue nanofig that's visible in the shot of the opened dome?"
I honestly don’t know. I saw a youtube video that suggested it was an action figure owned by one of the astronauts!
My 7 year old son says it s Obi wan or Kylo Ren calling through hologram.
By chrisaw in United Kingdom,
What’s the function of the spear piece and rotating core of that 4 wheeled droid?
Built this yesterday and can’t work it out - is it meant to touch the ground so that the top 4x4 round piece spins?
By Cooliocdawg in United States,
@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Cooliocdawg said:
"Wonderful review as always! I definitely agree that the new cockpit looks like it could be used in a scaled down Millennium Falcon. I’ve been wanting one of those to go with my Smaller Firespray gunship."
Boba Fett’s ship always has been and always will be the Slave I. Don’t let anybody forget that.
This set looks like a brilliant parts pack. Will get it on sale."
I agree. I just didn’t want to start a debate, so I used its canonical model name. :)
By Mr_Cross in United Kingdom,
@chrisaw said:
"What’s the function of the spear piece and rotating core of that 4 wheeled droid?
Built this yesterday and can’t work it out - is it meant to touch the ground so that the top 4x4 round piece spins?"
I believe it's the Artemis program VIPER rover. Something to do with surveying ice distribution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIPER_(rover)
By archmaster in Portugal,
Those 'bricks' are HUGE, so much so they're giving Playmobil a run for its money. Remember the Mars sets? Ah, those were the days. To my mind, the mini figs are the only redeemable portion of this refresh.
By whoisbiggles in Australia,
Time to dig out the old classic space baseplates - this set is just begging for an updated version of the 6099px2 Baseplate.
