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Set #: Shifty 9825
Theme: Shifty Western
Set name: Shifty Weapons Wagon
URL: NA, but here's a pic of the box:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/rdulin/PortBrique/shifty9825.jpg
Ages: None recommended.
Price: AUD 6.00, at Mr Shifty's Shop, at Southbank Markets
Either a blatent rip-off of LEGO set 6716, or a brilliant marketing ploy to
take advantage of a market deserted by LEGO.
RATINGS (Scale: Must-Have Excellent Very-Good Good Fair Poor)
Set: Good / Models: Good / Playability: Fair / Quality: Poor
DECALS? None
SPECIAL FEATURES/COMPATIBILITY
100% LEGO compatible
SET DESCRIPTION
This is a western covered wagon. It tows a cannon.
SPECIAL ELEMENTS
The covering of the covered wagon is stiffened cloth, very like LEGO's own.
As well as the crossed swords emblem (which is subtley different from
LEGO's), it has the word ENLIGHTEN printed on it (which is NOT shown on the
box).
All of Shifty's elements are in some way special, in that certain meaning of
the word special.
IMPRESSION
It's a Shifty copy of one of my LEGO favourites. The quality is not great
(but not entirely abysmal either).
It's not an exact copy, the differences that I recall off hand are:
- It doesn't have a US soldier. It's a black torso with a gold print of the
pirate soldier design. There is no neckerchief, he wears a black
construction helmet rather than a kepi.
- Shifty don't have a 2x2 turntable with hinge. They get around this by
putting the hinge under the turntable, which raises the front of the wagon.
It doesn't look too bad, however the shifty turntable seperates very easily.
- The dynamite is a white tile, not a grey one
- The rifle is moulded in light grey not dark grey.
- Chrome sword and chrome (pirate) pistol stand in for dark grey sword and
revolver.
- Shifty whips are almost straight.
- Shifty cannon doesn't fire (and is moulded in lt grey)
- The wheels fall off easily.
Set Rating
Good: For $A6 its a bit of fun (consider that the LEGO original was c$A16 at
retail).
Model Rating
Good. A bit different to the LEGO one, but except for the ENLIGHTEN, would
look good in a wagon train with the real thing.
Playability Rating
Poor: It's just not up to LEGO standard. The turntable falls apart, the
wheels wobble and fall off. The cannon doesn't shoot (but the set does
include the 1x1 rounds for ammunition), the fig's a bit wobbly. And so on.
Likes/Dislikes
Likes: The accessories are cool. The cannon is useful.
Dislikes: Shifty build quality. Poor figure choice.
Scale
Good old LEGO minifig scale.
CONCLUSION
Not to bad if you don't expect too much. Even $A6 is a bit much, when I
consider what parts I'll actually use. I will keep the wagon made up
(without the cover) as it suits my pirate era town of Port Brique, and stops
me accidentally mixing Shifty Bricks with The Real Thing.
REVIEWER INFORMATION
Review Written: 19 March 2003
By: Richie Dulin
Age: 35
Favourite Lines/Themes: Pirate.
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