Number: 75827
Theme: Ghostbusters
Release Date: January 1, 2016
Piece Count: 4,634
Minifig Count: 9 + 3 ghosts
Age Rating: 16+
Cost: $349.99 USD / $399.99 CAD / £274.99 GBP / €349,99 EUR / 2999,00 DKK
Hey! Anybody seen a ghost?!
As you may or may not know, I've gone on at great length about the fact that my first letter ever written to a corporation was to LEGO, to suggest to them that they create a series of sets based on the Ghostbusters franchise. They responded that they pride themselves on creating their own play themes, and not those based on an existing franchise. My how times have changed.
Ever since the announcement of 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1, there was abundant speculation that there would be more than one set. Not only have we seen a Level Pack and two Fun Packs surrounding Ghosbusters in the LEGO Toys-To-Life genre videogame, LEGO Dimensions, but now we have the imminent release of 75827 Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters! Thanks to the LEGO CEE team, we here at Toys N Bricks have the great privilege to bring you our preview review of this enormous, and enormously anticipated, set! While the announcement of this set has not been without its share of controversy, particularly surrounding the similarity to a handful of LEGO Ideas proposals, it is also surrounded by a lot of hype. Does it live up to the anticipation? Will it quiet the critics? Read on for more info - but in the meantime, let's hear what LEGO has to say:
PackagingGet ready to bust some ghosts at the Firehouse Headquarters!
There’s definitely something strange in this neighborhood! Slide down the fire pole into action, power up the proton packs and start zapping! The Ghostbusters™ are chasing Slimer and other mischievous ghosts. Round them up in the containment unit! Take samples of slime to the lab and analyze photos in the darkroom. Or grab a pizza and relax with a game of pool in this detailed play set packed with features true to the movie classics!
- Includes 9 minifigures: Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore, Janine Melnitz, Dana Barrett, Louis Tully, Zombie Driver and Library Ghost.
- Also comes with Slimer, Pink Ghost and Blue Ghost.
- Slide the Ghostbusters™ heroes down the fire pole into action.
- Chase the ghosts and secure them in the containment unit.
- Turn the librarian old lady into a scary ghost with the double-sided face and extra wig!
- Run tests on Louis in the lab to see if he’s possessed!
- Suspend ghosts around the building’s exterior with attachable transparent arms.
- Dodge the slime oozing up through cracks in the pavement.
- Accessory elements include an alarm bell, fire extinguisher, computer, phone, toolbox, tools, jars of slimes, magnifying glass, camera, camera rolls, arcade game, toaster with slime, fridge with frozen pizza, milk and cheese, and much more!
- Features opening walls for easy play access.
- Features over 4,600 pieces.
- Ghostbusters™ minifigures come with decorated arms.
- Measures over 14” (36cm) high, 9” (25cm) wide and 14” (38cm) deep.
- With walls opened out, measures over 14” (36cm) high, 18” (46 cm) wide and 14” (38cm) deep.
- Firehouse Headquarters doors can open to fit the 21108 LEGO® Ideas Ghostbusters Ecto-1 inside!
The box is enormous, easily the same size as the comparably-priced SHIELD Helicarrier, and is marginally the same weight, while the piece count of this set trumps the Helicarrier by more than 1,600 pieces.
By the nature of the tallness of the completed building, the design of the front of the box is vertically-aligned:
Box, front by vynsane, on Flickr
While the design on the back is horizontally-aligned. I can't recall if I've seen a mix of orientation such as this on a LEGO box before.
Box, rear by vynsane, on Flickr
Parts, Instructions, and Stickers
The 4,634 pieces are separated into an astounding 42 individual bags, as well as one 32x32 baseplate and one 16x32 baseplate, both in dark stone gray, two additional 6x16 plates in reddish-brown, and one long twisted rod in pearl gold.
A large number of the bags are contained in an additional two white cardboard boxes inside the main box.
Contents, initial by vynsane, on Flickr
Contents, extended by vynsane, on Flickr
The construction steps are included in one enormous 418 page instruction booklet, and the 29 stickers are split between two sticker sheets - one for the three reflective stickers, and one for the rest.
Instructions and stickers by vynsane, on Flickr
The instructions include a page featuring all the included minifigures as well as Slimer, the pink ghost and the blue ghost. I find it funny that all the male characters are labeled by their last names, while the female characters are labeled by the first names.
Instructions, character call-out by vynsane, on Flickr
Another page displays a break-down of all numbered segments, and what portions of the build they construct.
Instructions, bag break-down by vynsane, on Flickr
Build: First Floor
The whole first floor is constructed out of the parts contained in the bags numbered 1 - 4, as well as the 32x32 and 16x32 baseplates.
Notable pieces from #1 bags include a handful of bricks and plates in Earth Green, the four printed 2x2 round "boat shoe" pieces used in the construction of the proton packs, the three cabinet doors, Winston Zeddemore's head and torso, and the ECTO-1 license plate.
#1 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
The first set of bags lay down the sidewalk and the front half of each side wall, including the cabinets built into the left wall.
#1 bags, completed by vynsane, on Flickr
#1 bags, detail by vynsane, on Flickr
#1 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
One fun detail for the exterior is the portion of broken sidewalk featuring pink slime oozing up through the pavement in the style of Ghostbusters II. It's just one of the numerous small touches that reference both Ghostbusters movies.
#1 bags, exterior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Continuing the first floor, bags labeled #2 include another handful of Earth Green bricks, plates, and panels, Louis Tully's two heads and torso, as well as a (seemingly, to me) new 1x1 round tile with rod in pearl gold.
#2 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
By the end of this set of bags, the perimeter of the building is closed in save for the front and side doors, and the left rear corner is complete, including the containment unit and first set of stairs.
#2 bags, right side by vynsane, on Flickr
#2 bags, left side by vynsane, on Flickr
One subtle reference not from the movies, is the "R.I.P. H.R." note - a tribute to Harold Ramis, who wrote the movie along-side Dan Aykroyd, and starred as Egon Spengler.
#2 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
One of the most iconic parts of the entire building, the containment unit!
#2 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Bags numbered 3 complete the walls, as well as the large front doors. Notable pieces here include the lamp post used as an ornate support column, the 1x1 round tiles printed with a white star and the corrugated 6x6 black panel used in the construction of one of the front doors.
#3 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
At this point, the walls of the first floor are complete, including the hinged segments.
#3 bags, exterior right by vynsane, on Flickr
#3 bags, exterior front by vynsane, on Flickr
The front features four printed star 1x1 round tiles and the 1x8 tile stickered with the set number and name.
#3 bags, exterior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Finally, the bags marked with a 4 construct the interior furniture and decorations as well as the top tiling and the support beams for the second floor. Notable pieces include Janine Melnitz's head and torso, three printed 2x2 tiles, the 2x2 pearl gold round dish, and a few more of the pearl gold 1x1 tiles with rod.
#4 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
#4 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
The interior really takes shape in this portion of the build, including Janine's receptionist desk, and the "on call" desk behind it, a tool cabinet, and a filing cabinet.
#4 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Another iconic part of the building is the alarm bell, mounted to the wall, which famously rings the first time they legitimately receive a call.
#4 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
#4 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
With the hinged walls open all the way, the interior is easily accessible, even to the deepest recesses.
#4 bags, interior open by vynsane, on Flickr
As you can see, there are quite a few hinge bricks keeping this segment of the wall connected. It makes sense, since the walls are two bricks thick and thus are quite heavy. It's a bit unsightly, but understandable based on the amount of weight it will have to carry.
#4 bags, exterior left side by vynsane, on Flickr
The classic sign out front is also added at this time.
#4 bags added, detail by vynsane, on Flickr
#4 bags added, right side by vynsane, on Flickr
Build: Second Floor
Starting with bags marked with a 5, the second floor begins to take shape. Unlike the first floor walls that are comprised of Light Stone Gray standard and brick-bricks on the outside and Earth Green and white on the inside, the second floor is Dark Red outside and Tan inside. This segment includes a collection of Dark Red and Tan bricks and plates, as well as Ray Stantz's head and torso, and a 1x2 three-side panel, which I have yet to see in any sets. If it's not new, it's new to me.
#5 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
The beginnings of the second floor are constructed here, with the front wall and windows taking shape, as well as the layout for what will become the kitchen, complete with rug, in the back and the bedroom in the front.
#5 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
#6 bags continue to construct the main portion of the second floor. Again, Dark Red and Tan bricks and panels dominate, and a few printed pieces are included.
#6 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
At this point, the kitchen and bedroom are nearly fully furnished - three beds in the bedroom and the kitchen cabinets, refrigerator and an arcade game cabinet are added, as well as the inner and outer layers of the long right-side wall.
#6 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
The kitchen is a requisite mess, with pizza boxes strewn on the counter and dishes here and there.
#6 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Close-up of the arcade game cabinet - it must be pretty awesome to play a videogame based on yourself!
#6 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
With the bags marked with a 7, we complete this section of the second floor, including the kitchen table. This set of bags also includes the next minifigure, the librarian ghost featured in the first supernatural encounter that Venkmen, Stantz and Spengler have.
Notable pieces include all four parts of the librarian ghost, her book, and another portion of Tan and Dark Red bricks and plates.
#7 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
The kitchen table is moved in, and the windows and ceiling support are installed, as well as the finishing touches to all three portions of the second floor walls.
#7 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
At this point, the removable main portion of the second floor is stacked on top of the first.
#7 bags added, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
From the outside, you can see the detailing - particularly on the ornamental brick patterns surrounding the windows.
#7 bags added, right side by vynsane, on Flickr
The facade is starting to take that instantly-recognizable shape, with the wide array of windows above the tall garage doors.
#7 bags added, front by vynsane, on Flickr
We march forward, onto bags marked #8, which are used to construct the front hinged portion of the second floor. Again, Dark Red and Tan bricks, plates, and panels dominate. We also are presented with everyone's favorite ghost, Slimer! One particular piece of note is the 1x1 brick with ornate curled protrusion - something I've not seen before, but has probably appeared in other sets - I'm guessing Friends or Disney Princess.
#8 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
This segment of the second floor encompasses the bathroom, complete with a toilet that is... having some slime issues. The two ornate bricks are used to hold the toilet tank above the bowl.
#8 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
Build: Third Floor
At this point, we jump to the main portion of the third floor, which I found odd, but makes sense further down the line. Once again, Dark Red and Tan are the stand-out colors. We also get to construct Pete Venkman in this leg of the build.
#9 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
Much like the previous section below it, this portion starts out by laying down the floor, two carpets, front wall and windows, and the foundation for the rest of the walls.
#9 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
The front and side are very similar to the level below, which is one reason why the build becomes a bit repetitive at this stage of the game.
#9 bags, exterior by vynsane, on Flickr
With the bags numbered 10, the walls of the third floor are raised to almost their full height and the interior is furnished. Notable pieces in this round include the Earth Blue mechanic’s toolbox, the boombox stereo (which is upside-down in this picture, completely obscuring the actual detail of the piece - what can I say, it was very late at night by the time I was taking this picture!), the printed BRICK magazine featuring the original three ‘busters, the 2x2 printed dartboard, three translucent mini figure heads used as various glass jars (most probably containing one of either spores, molds, or fungus), and a flask of slime. Again, this round also contains a bunch of Dark Red and Tan bricks, plates, and panels.
#10 bags, notable pieces by vynsane, on Flickr
The interior takes the shape of both a science lab and recreation area complete with pool table and dart board.
#10 bags, interior by vynsane, on Flickr
Egon’s science lab area includes a work table, his computer and monitors, equipment, and tools.
#10 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
The screen has a sticker applied that displays the shape of one of the terror dogs, as in the memorable scene where Egon examines Louis Tully, a.k.a. Vinz Clortho, a.k.a. The Keymaster of Gozer. Just another day at the office.
#10 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
The construction of the pool table is very clever, it’s incredible that the six pockets actually are recesses in the table and not just black tiles on the same level as the felt.
#10 bags, interior detail by vynsane, on Flickr
Stay tuned for part 2, coming soon