According to Brickfanatics, as of the LEGO Icons Loop Coaster (10303) from June 2022, there have been 14 LEGO roller coaster sets. While all 14 sets are centered on track-based thrill rides, there are only 4 sets that we thought are actual complete roller coaster sets. But that number just went up to 5, because there is a new set, the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Roller Coaster (31142).
Before we introduced you to the 31142 set, allow me to explain why only 5 sets qualify as “real” LEGO roller coaster sets. First, the coaster ride should be a complete loop or at least allow the cars to return to the starting point. Cars that ended up down the slope are just soapbox cars on track.
Second, it has to have LEGO roller coaster elements. Third, it should have a significant level of ups and downs or at least an obvious up and down. With all these criteria in mind, only the LEGO Batman The Joker Manor (70922, 2017), the LEGO Pirate Roller Coaster (31084, 2018), the LEGO Roller Coaster (10261, 2018), the LEGO Loop Coaster (10303, 2022), and the new LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Roller Coaster (31142), qualifies as “real” LEGO roller coasters.
Anyways, back to the 31142. The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Roller Coaster (31142) is possibly any child’s imagination of what Disney Space Mountain would be with the lights on. Except for that Space Mountain with lights was less space-like but clever engineering that leverage senses to create the thrill.
The 31142 is a simplified typical coaster with an up and a down, surrounded by space theme decorations, including a space rocket, models of Saturn and Earth, a moon base, a shooting star, a meteor with light brick, and a moon rover, and a space shuttle kiddie ride.
The winding roller coaster track features 3 moving carts, and it is supplied with 5 minifigures: an astronaut, a dad and 2 children, and a scientist. Plus, there is a baby astronaut that fits in the space shuttle kiddie ride.
The star feature of this set is not just the dope thrill ride; it is the dope thrill rides. That’s a thrill ride in plural because it can be rebuilt into a drop tower with an elevator or a spinning space carousel. Each set includes a light brick feature that illuminates when activated. Unfortunately, none of the thrill rides are motorized out of the box. They are gravity and/or hand-powered.
The new LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Roller Coaster (31142) packs 874 pieces and it will be available starting on August 01, 2023, for US$109.99. Recommended for ages 9 and up.
Images: LEGO.
