Monster Fighters microsite live at LEGO.com

 

  • Monster Fighters microsite live at LEGO.com

    Posted by Huw, 24 Apr 2012 13:57. Filed under LEGO.com.

    The web team at LEGO has been busy preparing microsites for the summer releases. The Monster Fighters site went live this week which, as is usual before the sets are actually released, is a bit light on content. I believe the sets are due out in August in the UK, so the appearance of it is either very early or an indication that they'll be available before that. (thanks Gandalf1)

    The Lord Of The Rings site has been up for a while, but is actually hard to find unless your country at LEGO.com is set to United States. It currently has bios of all the characters in the sets, but not much else.

    What do you think of the microsites? Do you take the time to explore them and play the games and watch the videos, or do you, like me, just head for the wallpaper download page and ignore the rest?

     


    50 comments, latest one posted 13 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by max villano in Greece, 24 Apr 2012 14:13

l guess the Monster Fighters will be realesed june.

Posted by rosney in United States, 24 Apr 2012 14:33

Light on content, but a really cool, long animated intro of the theme. My boy and his daddy are quite looking forward to these.

Posted by Kez in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 14:37

On the monster fighters video it shows you the new zombies set, check it out

Posted by supersympa in Sweden, 24 Apr 2012 14:38

nice, i am actually looking forward that theme!

Posted by vamproe in United States, 24 Apr 2012 14:39

Monster fighters............gotta get them, will look great with the three new sets the lego master builder academy is putting out

Posted by dragon_teenager in United States, 24 Apr 2012 14:46

I love the style!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Apr 2012 14:47

Hey! I posted the link! :( Unless Gandalf told you first, of course.

Posted by princedraven in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 14:48

"my great, great grandfig!". Haha!

Posted by pyrokld in United States, 24 Apr 2012 14:51

^ That made me chuckle as well!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Apr 2012 14:57

On-topic, I didn't know you are a wallpaper fan. :P Unless you do it just for the repository... :P

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 17:33

These could be as popular as Alien Conquest I reckon.

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 24 Apr 2012 17:42

Lego does a surprisingly good job with the microsites. The Lord of the Rings character bios, while that's all there was, were each informative and amusing. Maybe I hit my head while setting up my battle droid army the other day, but I'm strangely interested in getting the Monster Fighter characters. While I didn't set any volume, I found the MF's intro video to be Lego's typical humour. You're certainly not wasting any time spending at least a few minutes checking each one out.

Posted by UtarEmpire in United States, 24 Apr 2012 17:44

I like how the one guy is packing Mjolnir as his weapon.

Posted by Andhe in United Kingdom, 24 Apr 2012 17:49

"A map... Given to me by my great-great grand-fig". Lol. Nice touch. Judging by the video, not quite sure what the zombie set will actually contain, or be that interesting.

Posted by Nightshroud99 in Canada, 24 Apr 2012 18:42

This is the first micro site I've actually looked at. Lego has done a very nice job, I can't wait for this theme!

Posted by audiobean in Singapore, 24 Apr 2012 20:27

I went to the video page. Surprisingly the videos are now working on iPad! I guess they finally realised the need to cater for Apple devices at least for this microsite. Hopefully it can be progressively done for other pages too.

Nice theme, looking forward to see the sets.

Posted by Anonymous in Australia, 25 Apr 2012 02:10

nice video

gonna have many interesting minifigs to collect

i do wonder who names the mini figures :p

Posted by icey in Denmark, 25 Apr 2012 05:19

I don't really like a theme based on horror. It doesn't seem appropriate for kids...

Posted by CCC in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 05:45

Don't buy it for your kids then.

Posted by legomatt in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 06:25

^^ Oh come on, it's halloween stuff, ghosts and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night, it is NOT x-rated slasher movie horror. Hey, if ghost stories aren't for frightening kids, I'm not sure WHO they're for. It's Scooby Doo!

Slightly off topic, but similar: It's the same with classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes, which people these days rather stupidly claim to be too nasty and have them changed (like humpty dumpty not falling off the wall) - but the 'edge' is the whole point of them, they teach kids about the real dangers in the world but in a harmless and very subtle way, so they learn to see and avoid dangers, but conversely enough, without being scared.

A lack of scares as a child would result in a very naive person unprepared for real life, who believes everything they're told... hmm, maybe that's why X-factor is so popular. Kids DO believe everything they're told these days. lol.

Posted by voypro in United States, 25 Apr 2012 08:40

I agree these are tame, in comparison to that freddy Kruger, Friday 13th slasher garbage.

The Monster Figures are CLEARLY based on the "Universal Monsters" line of the Bela Lagosi, Boris Karloff era. Which are nostalgic and are easily G rated. There is more violence and bad behavior in Kung Fu Panda or Shrek that those Classic monster movies.

I complete few Lego themes but I will purchase all of these to build with my sons.

Posted by Gandalf1 in United States, 25 Apr 2012 08:46

@Mr. Toilet & @LEGOlas1: The link to it on the products page is gone, but it hardly matters, since you can just go straight there by typing "thelordoftherings.lego.com".

Posted by lovaquero in United States, 25 Apr 2012 10:04

After seeing the video I will have to admit that I'm probably going to have to get at least the main character minifig. I cannot pass up the opportunity to own a minifig with the same given name as mine =)

Posted by Delatron in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 11:16

Probably the first time i've checked out the microsites and well worth it - nice humour, and of course the hero is a British aristocrat. Called Rodney. With a cybernetic leg. Makes perfect sense to me!

I really liked the sneak peek at the graveyard - lady zombie? Yes please! I do want this whole theme and plenty of Swamp creatures and zombies.

Oh, and totally agree with comments above re: this being based on horror. The Universal monsters, the humour, the whole 'Scooby Doo' adventure style - I would rather my kids had this than a lot of media marketed at kids.

Agree with Legomatt as well regarding the 'softening' of fairy tales - read the originals again, they are dark and nasty!

Posted by vamproe in United States, 25 Apr 2012 11:33

I lego dog in this set would be perfect.

Posted by Andhe in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 12:15

The Jack McHammer mini-game seems to show the zombie set in the background. Basically a couple of graves and a crypt thing.

Posted by Bobby87 in Germany, 25 Apr 2012 12:25

I saw some of the sets today at the lego shop in cologne.

Posted by pstrickler27 in United States, 25 Apr 2012 13:18

I cannot wait for the Zombie Minifigs!!! Has anyone seens images of that set?? I have seen all the others..

^ @Thuriblock.. did you take pictures of the sets??

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 25 Apr 2012 13:53

I love this new theme. I love it when Lego actually makes their own themes, something that fun, simple and silly but having that slight edge of the classic monster theme. I absolutely LOVE the main character, he's got the bowler hat and robot leg :P What else do you need in a minifig :P

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 25 Apr 2012 14:14

Woah, just noticed Rodney's last name. Rathbone. Rodney Rathbone is the exact same name as a character in radio show Adventures in Odyssey. I'm kind of disappointed in Lego for completely stealing a name. It would have to be one enormous coincidence that they just happened to pick Rodney and Rathbone and put them together. If you don't believe me that the name is the same just go to Wikipedia search it and go to characters. You'll find his name right there.

Posted by Gandalf1 in United States, 25 Apr 2012 14:42

"I believe the sets are due out in August in the UK, so the appearance of it is either very early or an indication that they'll be available before that. " Wouldn't this be the same for LOTR?

Posted by Lordofarnor152 in United States, 25 Apr 2012 14:52

I don't think Rodney's name is a complete ripoff. It could have been a coincidence, considering the characters are completely different. Rathbone appears to be a fairly common English surname and Rodney has an aristocratic feel to it. Also, after doing some research, the original meaning of "Rathbone" was someone with short legs. Considering Dr. Rodney has a cybernetic prosthetic leg, it could have been selected for that reason. Even if LEGO purposely took the name, I don't think there is a case for a lawsuit considering the characters are completely different from each other. It would be one thing if they were the same character with the same name...
I'm willing to give LEGO the benefit of the doubt
Back on topic, I enjoy the microsites because they provide an introduction to a theme and generate excitement for upcoming them. And Monster Fighters looks very cool. I'm already thinking of crossovers with the Johnny Thunder Adventurers (especially with Major Quinton Steele and Dr. Rodney Rathbone)

Posted by aquafreak125 in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 14:57

This looks brilliant, kudos to Lego for an awesome microsite! Love the humour in this as well.
Funny how they do a great job for a site for a theme that comes out in a few months...yet the Marvel Superheroes site is literally empty..

Posted by NeilCrosby in United Kingdom, 25 Apr 2012 15:15

"Rodney" has an aristocratic feel to it? All I can think is "Only Fools and Horses".

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 25 Apr 2012 15:20

^^^^ Hmm, I know that Lego didn't steal off of the name but still it seems like a statistical improbability that they didn't. Though I did not realize that Rathbone was a actual name, I thought it was fictional like Skywalker or Han Solo. I guess I'll have to give Lego the benefit of the doubt too.
^^^ I think it looks similar to the Munster's car, which I am very excited for being a fan of the show. I do hope they make the monsters represented as real monsters and not just misunderstood people in costumes as they were portrayed in the CM collection.
P.S. Does any one know what the MSRP might be for these?

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Apr 2012 15:28

@NeilCrosby: I thought I heard the name "Rodney" somewhere already. :P Still, nice touch of making the name aristocratic. :P

Posted by schwarzkopf in Germany, 25 Apr 2012 15:58

9465 and 9468 are already available at Ebay-Germany, "in stock and ready to ship"...

Posted by rosney in United States, 25 Apr 2012 16:22

@aquafreak125
I'm with you, but honestly, the Marvel sets don't need any more hype from Lego to sell, whereas the Monster sets do. And it's working, look at all the people getting hyped.

That said, since showing him the site, my boy is completely obsessed with the Ghost Train (even though the whole thing doesn't run on regular tracks, or have PF - what a missed opportunity). Me, I can't wait for 10228.

Posted by Rockman Xtreme in United States, 25 Apr 2012 17:14

http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=lego+monster+fighters&_sacat=See-All-Categories LOOK AT DAT YO!

Posted by 18000pieces in United States, 25 Apr 2012 18:59

I'm really digging the steampunk elements of this theme, particularly the minifig parts. I might just have to pick up the Werewolf set, because the car and figure look absolutely excellent, and "Quinton Steele" might just be the most badass name that LEGO has ever created.

Perhaps if these sell well we could get an undiluted Steampunk theme as the next sci-fi!

Posted by brixton in Canada, 25 Apr 2012 19:50

That was a really good advertisement for a so-so theme.

Posted by Rockman Xtreme in United States, 25 Apr 2012 21:29

Dixondog: I do too! It's cool.

Posted by sonsofsceva in United States, 25 Apr 2012 21:57

@energyarrow and @itsaturkey: Though Rathbone is a known name, both LEGO and AiO are pulling the Rathbone name from Basil Rathbone, the famous actor who played Sherlock Holmes, as well as a number of other B-level horror films and was the "foil" (pardon the fencing pun) for Errol Flynn in the old swashbucklers. The Rodney, is, I think, a coincidence between the show and the LEGO line.

@18000pieces - I am also pleasantly surprised at the steampunk aspects to this line. I was on the fence, but seem to be tipping...just like Humpty Dumpty...

Posted by Zacherano in United States, 25 Apr 2012 22:06

The site's main video was actually very well-made, and much longer than most. The figures do seem kind of bourgeoisie, but in a fun way, kind of making fun of the attire and attitudes of the period. I have a feeling this theme will be very successful, and it is certainly off to an auspicious start.

Posted by Outer Rim Emperor in United States, 26 Apr 2012 09:22

Really looking forward to the new Monster Fighters theme! This is going to be quite a popular line! Never was a fan of LOTR though...

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 26 Apr 2012 12:57

Sonsofsceva - Oh Ok, that makes sense. He does hold a Sherlock Holmes aspect to him.

Posted by Sparky Ham in Hong Kong, 26 Apr 2012 22:36

One of the freshest original themes to come out in a while. The intro vid got me all excited about collecting something for the mini-figs over and above the MCS

Posted by Bobby87 in Germany, 28 Apr 2012 09:35

Pictutres of the sets at the Lego-store http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/79564427@N07/6975149296/

Posted by Rockman Xtreme in United States, 28 Apr 2012 13:56

^^ Did you buy one!?!!? I would have....

Posted by billdeen in United States, 28 Apr 2012 20:24

Looks like it is is going to be a really fun theme! Reminds me of the time travel sets from way back when.

Commenting has ended on this article.