LEGO Reviews City60226

Mars Research Shuttle

Name: LEGO Mars Research Shuttle 60226
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 60226
Rating: 4.9 (17123 reviews)

71 · RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: BBB2019273 pcsHigh agreement · 90%

Expert reviews

2analyzed

Owner ratings

17.1K+

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

BrickScore

Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

Where to Buy

No retailer offers available right now.

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LOVED (8)

01Wholesome, classic LEGO build feel reminiscent of late 80s/early 90s construction style
02Build experience was better than visual impression alone
03Sleek overall appearance of the shuttle
04Nice mix of traditional and specialized pieces
05Multiple functional vehicles (shuttle, rover, two drones) in one set
06Rover has excellent articulation with 360-degree rotating turret and mixel ball joints
07New dual-molded geode pieces with glitter and printed chemical formulas are innovative and collectible
08Transparent printed book piece on helicopter drone is novel and versatile

CRITICIZED (8)

01Canopy print color does not match the white plastic it is printed on; stands out instead of blending in
02Cargo bay space is too small relative to the overall vehicle size
03White rubber band on rover grabber arm looks cheap and yells 'rubber band'
04Landing gear wheels are comically tiny
05Laser attachment cannot reach close enough to work site for angled cuts
06Blue piece on landing gear should have been gray or black
07Blue used in engine area is not ideal (though not as bad as typical LEGO Technic blue/yellow combinations)
08Price is too high at $40 USD; should be $30-35 maximum

What reviewers are saying

"I have wanted to build and review these sets for some time. The science themed kits from the LEGO Group are always a highlight of the year from me."

True North Bricks

"the build of this space plane felt good to me it felt a little bit classic in a way like uh something from the late 80s early '90s part of the golden or one of the golden periods of Lego"

JANG's LEGO Reviews

Ecosystem

60080 — The Spaceport shuttle had many of the same play features and more. It included rocket boosters, adjustable stabilizers, a robotic arm, more rocket engines, and more substantial, realistic wheels. The Mars Research Shuttle's cockpit is sleeker and rear compartment controls are nicer, but overall the Spaceport remains the reviewer's preferred shuttle. The reviewer would ideally hybridize both designs. While the Mars Research Shuttle is still liked, it does not surpass its predecessor.

Secret space plane prototype (Air Force) — The Mars shuttle's landing gear height is similar to the real Air Force space plane prototype, which lands very close to the ground with short gear, though the LEGO wheels look comically tiny by comparison.

CityTier 2Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 2

Avg score

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

True North Bricks

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"I have wanted to build and review these sets for some time. The science themed kits from the LEGO Group are always a highlight of the year from me."

Key Pros

✓Sleek and futuristic design aesthetic
✓Good minifigure quality with detailed torso and leg printing
✓Nice rear compartment control panels

Key Cons

✕High cost-per-brick ($0.18)
✕High cost-per-minute ($1.00)

JUMP TO REVIEW

JANG's LEGO Reviews

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"the build of this space plane felt good to me it felt a little bit classic in a way like uh something from the late 80s early '90s part of the golden or one of the golden periods of Lego"

Key Pros

✓Wholesome, classic LEGO build feel reminiscent of late 80s/early 90s construction style
✓Build experience was better than visual impression alone
✓Sleek overall appearance of the shuttle

Key Cons

✕Canopy print color does not match the white plastic it is printed on; stands out instead of blending in
✕Cargo bay space is too small relative to the overall vehicle size

JUMP TO REVIEW

Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (0)Wait for sale (2)

Exclusivity

True North Bricks: Wide retail release as part of the 2019 City Mission to Mars theme

JANG's LEGO Reviews: Not LEGO exclusive; wide retail release in summer 2019.

Resale

JANG's LEGO Reviews: Likely to appreciate modestly due to new specialized parts and eventual retirement, though the high initial price may limit collector interest.

Minifigures & Standout Parts

In this set (2)

Astronaut - Female, White Spacesuit with Orange Lines, Closed Mouth Smile

Astronaut - Male, Orange Spacesuit with Dark Bluish Gray Lines, Trans-Light Blue Visor, Black Angular Beard

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Geode pieces
New geode pieces included in set; mentioned as two pieces representing rock samples
Computer panel bricks
Four computer panel bricks included; rear compartment control panels are noted as a nice touch
Geode pieces (dual molded with glitter-infused transparent material)
New color combinations with transparent glitter-infused inside and opaque outside; represents crystals with printed chemical formulas; reviewer was ordering these from BRICKS and pieces before getting the set
Printed book piece (helicopter drone)
Transparent printed piece in modern book style; can be used as a filter to view printed chemical formulas underneath
Printed slope pieces (cargo bay)
Two printed slope pieces showing control panel displays
Exclusive sticker (camera display for cargo bay)
Exclusive to the new Mars theme, shows drone camera display