Sunday, June 26th, 2016 at 12:07pm by Benjamin, BZPower Reporter
Yar, ye thought the pirate jokes were long gone after I reviewed a Pirates of the Caribbean set, didn't ya? Well avast, crew mates, and see that LEGO has repurposed the pirate theme into cute little sets, and I will have my fill in seafaring references this day forth! So gather your sea legs as I review 41566, 41567, and 41568, the treasures of the Pyrratz Mixels line! Video and pictures await yonder!
The Pyrratz Mixels have recently dropped anchor, with means to plunder out wallet in their hearty looks and gold value. Each of the three sets retail at $5 USD and average about 60 pieces each.
Presentation
From the design of the treasure and goodies to the map leading the way, these are the first things you see before building the set.
The Pyrratz can be plucked up in little baggies, found in the dregs of other Mixels adorning the shelves. They can be spotted to have a clear, silly picture on their face and notes on their back of combining into something more monstrous when putting their differences aside. Key information like set number and piece count can be found roosting with the LEGO and Mixels logos.
Building
Half the fun is had digging where X marks the spot. How fun is it to find and how easy or challenging is it?
Each Pyrratz comes in a single baggie, ideal for “build in the bag” competition between your crew mates. Each has a small assortment of new and/or interesting pieces, with several cool parts in gold or brown. Let's dive in for a closer look:
Set 41569 is Skulzy, who is, at first glance, a skull. But look! He is also a walking, swashbuckling Pyrratz member, who no doubt provides excellent swabbing of the deck and spying in the crows nest. While no one expects small sets to be the sharpest blade in the building assortment, Skulzy has some clever features when creating his head, using some SNOT design to really round things out.
Stepping up next is no landlubber, for our captain 41566 Sharx is a, well, shark! His shark shape puts the fearless in fearless leader, and his jaws do the talking. We'll give him a proper inspection in the “Set Design” portion.
41568 Lewt is my favorite, and not just because he's protecting the Pyrratz booty! This little crawly guy starts with a sturdy base, and then adds on a few more parts to look just like a treasure chest with eyes. But wait, there's more: Lewt might run off as he is also part crab. More below.
Set Design
Now that the goods are ransacked, we can judge how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here.
As I've said, There is a nice assortment of brown and gold parts in each set. Of course, we can not forget about the googly eyes the Mixels are famous for.
The strength of the Pyrratz comes from their two-in-one design. Each set looks like two stereotypically pirate things smashed into one loony Mixel character! Two of them have peg-legs, and all three are hiding and/or holding gold. It is kind of obvious in Lewt's case, but Skulzy is hiding a piece behind his eye patch, and Sharx has his in his peg leg. (See the video.) I especially like Skulzy's bandana and Sharx's captain's hat with gold adornment. The Nixel also has a unique, eyepatched face.
Playability
The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set squawk like a parrot and is it enjoyable to set sail with?
The Pyrratz mix well with any of your other LEGO pirate themes. Skulzy in particular looks like he would fit right in with the crew of the Sea Cow. I think Metalbeard would give a roudy “yar!” to that notion.
The two-in-one idea behind each character gives a range of opportunities when playing with them or making more crew members to sing sea chanties with. Savvy?
Finally, the Pyrratz can come together as a crew and form the Pyrratz Max! I have never been terribly impressed with the Max combiners before, but this one surprised me in its parts usage, design, and goofy look. It has an earring on it's brick-build sails, funky arms and legs, and to top it off a cannon-ball nose!
Final Thoughts
Once it's all said and done, how does the set hold up at sea? Should I give it a second look through my spyglass?
Pros
What's to treasure?
Clever two-in-one designs.
Nice building techniques in small sets.
Can be built in the bag.
Fun Max combo.
Cons
Should it walk the plank?
Too amazing to say anything bad.
Lewt can't be taken apart because he has to sit on my shelf next to two other favorite Mixels.
Captain Kevin duels the Nixel!
The Pyrratz are some of the most clever Mixels I have seen yet, and I have no regrets buying all three. Aside from a nice assortment of treasured parts, each has a very unique build which gives off a distinguished look. These Mixels are ready to sail the Seven Seas here and back, while causing an uproar of laughter in their tracks. Having two tropes combined into one character is a brilliant idea that I hope sticks around in future Mixels lines. Hats off to ye, Pyrratz. Avast!