Review: LEGO Star Wars 75239 Action Battle Hoth Generator Attack

Today we take a quick look at the LEGO Star Wars set 75239 Action Battle Hoth Generator Attack (235 pieces - € 29.99), a small box that takes advantage of the new playful concept launched by LEGO this year under the name Action Battle. It is designed for the youngest, it is necessary for all age groups even in the Star Wars range.

You may be wondering why I am telling you about this little box first instead of going around the reference 75241 Action Battle Echo Base Defense, whose set presented here is ultimately only a somewhat expensive extension.

It's voluntary, I want to address here the interest of the concept itself and we will talk later about its impact on the finish of these two boxes and therefore on the representation that these two sets offer of the Battle of Hoth. I see you coming, we will also have to talk about the set 75098. That's how it is, I feel obliged to do it ...

The concept Action Battle, presented by LEGO as a "new game experience" actually comes down to a simple target shooting game as has been around for many years and which results in the destruction of the element carrying the target. Two factions clash, whoever aims better wins.

Here, the rebel soldier logically faces off against a Snowtrooper, both in the shelter of their respective firing stations. Each of the two players is equipped with a spring-loaded machine launcher whose range is rather correct and must aim at the target of the other. When they are hit these targets set in motion simple little mechanisms that eject whatever is around. The arrow is ejected up to 3 meters away, but its effectiveness is greatly reduced beyond 1.50 m.

For the Snowtrooper firing post it is the minifig support which tilts backwards. For the rebel soldier, it is the generator which opens in two and which by ricochet overturns the character's firing station. Nothing to say about how the thing works, it works every time.

The question to be asked is elsewhere. In 2019 and for 30 €, is this product that much fun beyond the first few shots? I see all those coming from here who will say to me as usual "... this is just a starting point, it's up to you to invent the sequel, to you to build other things on the same principle, etc ...".

No, at 30 € the starting point, it's too expensive and LEGO even frankly overstates the promotion of its product until it claims that "... Children can enjoy endless fun ...Those who have kids probably know their ability to quickly tire of this kind of product and move on or go back to playing Super Smash Bros.

If we can not fault much for the realization of the product, we can still regret that the two guns are so basic, to remain polite. In fact, they don't look like anything consistent with the context of the Battle of Hoth and I think LEGO could at least have made the effort to fit them into constructions that respect the theme. Not to mention the fact that unlike those provided in the set 75241 Action Battle Echo Base Defense, the two guns do not even have the simple snow-covered support which also allows them to be oriented.

The idea is there, but in my opinion it is sorely lacking in ambition for a manufacturer specializing in construction toys. I would have liked a mini Snowspeeder and a mini AT-AT, even crass but recognizable, both equipped with these thing launchers to really take advantage of this concept and get me in the mood.

As it stands, any dart gun won at the local votive party would do, you'd only see fire there and that's a shame. It remains for collectors to get rid of these showy targets to obtain very interesting building elements to flesh out a diorama. Why not.

On the side of the two minifigs provided in this box, we find the rebel soldier whose pretty torso is also delivered in the sets 75259 Snowspeeder et 75241 Action Battle Echo Base Defense and a Snowtrooper with torso and legs only available in both sets Action Battle currently marketed but whose helmet dates from 2014. It's up to you to see if these minifigs deserve to pay the high price.

In summary, even if the idea is interesting and that the youngest will find their account at least for a few minutes (my 9-year-old son dropped the deal very quickly), it is far too expensive for a simple extension of the other box to buy also which is sold for the modest sum of 64.99 €. Or a little less than 100 € for the full set on the Hoth theme ...

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before May 2, 2019 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

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