Throwback Theme Review: Aquanauts
Hey there Lego fans! Today, I’m taking you back to my childhood. All the way back to 1995 when one of my favorite themes was released - Aquanauts. So, hop in to my brick built DeLorean (set 10300) and let’s go back in time.
Aquanauts was one of 5 subthemes of Aquazone, the parent theme, that was also released in 1995. The other four subthemes were Aquasharks, Aquaraiders, Hydronauts, and Stingrays. The various subthemes were teams that “fought” against each other for underwater treasures like crystals. Aquanauts was one of the original subthemes and they were the heroes against the villainous Aquasharks. Let’s take a closer look at a few of my favorite Aquanauts sets.
Crystal Explorer Sub | Set# 6175
The Crystal Explorer Sub might be the most recognizable Aquanauts set of the theme. It’s a beautiful yellow submarine.
This set includes some awesome bricks including a magnet, compass, octopus, chrome silver rock (crystals!), trans-dark blue windscreens, and trans-neon orange elements - my favorite being the container!
2 cockpits for the 2 Aquanauts minifigures that come with awesome harpoons and knives.
According to Brickset, this set was on shelves for $33 back in 1995. Today, according to Bricklink, in used condition this set is valued at $53 and in new condition it’s valued at $246.
Underwater Scooter | Set# 1806
At 16 pieces, this is a perfect little set. Minifigure and knives included!
I have to ask - were there a lot of underwater army building back in the 90’s? I can just image a huge fleet of these scooters.
A $2 polybag?!?!?!?! That’s what Brickset says! Bricklink has new value at $26, versus used at $10.
Sea Spring 9 | Set# 6125
A mini submarine with a minifigure.
Wish this set would have come with the crystals, but the grabber claw makes it fun.
I think this set is best pair with another one of the Aquanaut sets like the Sub or Scooter above.
Brickset says this was $4 RRP. Bricklink shows $12 value as used, and $52 value as new.
As you can see, Aquanauts had some awesome submarine-like vehicles. The primary colors for this subtheme were yellow, with black accents, and the awesome trans-dark and trans-orange elements.
An Aquanauts minifigure
Aquanauts had 6 sets that were released between 1995 and 1996:
Crystal Crawler
Set# 1728, 97 pieces
Underwater Scooter
Set# 1806, 16 pieces
Sea Claw 7
Set# 1822, 192 pieces
Sea Sprint 9
Set# 6125, 32 pieces
Crystal Explorer Sub
Set# 6175, 167 pieces
Neptune Discover Lab
Set# 6195 , 508 pieces
Note: This list includes the sets described above.
Looking at the list today, I’m sad that there was only 6 sets and the theme ended after 2 years. But, thinking back to when I built and played with these Aquanauts sets I had so much fun I wasn’t even thinking about how there was only 6. I don’t think I even had all 6 because looking at Sea Claw 7 I can’t remember playing with that submarine.
I know for a fact that I built the little subs and played with them in the water, acting out adventures as if they were real underwater heroes. As an adult, looking at these sets, the yellow, black and trans-dark and trans-orange colors are very nostalgic and look just as amazing and fun to play with. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to buy an extra one of each of these sets and keep them sealed until today. But, the fun I had playing with these sets back in the day holds a lot of value today.
I enjoyed the Aquanauts sets so much that I designed and built a postcard for a Lego Ideas challenge that focused on nostalgic Lego sets. I had a lot of fun building mini-subs that are similar to the Aquanauts sets from the 90s. You’ll see all of the sets I detailed above - Explorer Sub, Scooter, and Sea Spring - in the postcard, in addition to the lab.
Thanks for taking a trip back in time to take a look at the Aquanauts sets. I hope you enjoyed the ride!
I plan on continuing this series of Throwback Theme Reviews. If you have a theme you’d like me to write about let me know. If you have a collection of throwback sets, including the Aquanauts, reach out and let’s connect! Leave a comment below or find me on X.
Keep building Lego fans!