Pirates be needin’ islands! For where would they conceal their stolen booty? Or rest ashore after being turfed from every reputable port this side of Tortuga? Coz, it ain’t gonna to be a bank vault!
Typical hallmarks of pirate islands include shanties constructed from shipwreck flotsam or fortifications erected among a leafy jungle. To spice up the façades of later classic Pirate sets, designers carved skulls into cliff faces, but during the 25 years hence, this concept be well charted. Time for something a wee bit different!
Behold… “Croco Island”, Marcel V’s submission in the 2023 Brick Link Design Program: Series 1. In a refreshing twist, Marcel chiseled a gigantic crocodile head into the centerpiece of his rocky isle.
Marcel V writes:
This is an entry to the Bricklink Designer Program, so feel free to head over to Bricklink and vote for “Croco Island” to help make it an official set. Thanks a ton! 🙂
Not only do you get a island featuring a stone crocodile head, but a boat with rival pirates and a satellite island with cannon is also included
And now without an exciting play feature – the crocodile head snaps shut!
Croco Island has a modular layout if you’d like to mix things up a bit
The Story
Laying in his cosy cabin, Captain Pete just wants to spend his remaining days peacefully on Croco Island. Palm trees, a sandy beach and the gentle breeze from the ocean, everything could be fine. But arrr, those young rivaling pirates try to get hold of Captain Pete’s treasure! Good thing he’s well prepared: Not everything is as it seems…
This is Captain Pete, a simple man with a decent treasure horde who just wants to be left in peace
But Captain Pete’s peace could soon be interrupted as other parties become aware of his treasure horde
It’s a good thing Captain Pete has a mighty seagull cannon to defend his booty
But these marauders aren’t the least bit phased by Captain Pete’s boom chamber
They’ve arrived! And at point blank range of the cannon no less… but Captain Pete seems complacent
But what happens next?
Marcel V suggests:
Have fun defending Croco Island and trap the enemies inside the treasure cave. Use the cannon to disperse the pirate ship or just relax at the beach and have some tasty coconuts. Maybe Captain Pete can also become friends with the young pirates and the trio can sail away to find even more gold hidden out there?
Friends or foe? You be the judge!
About the Builder…
Marcel V is a highly talented German AFOL who be no stranger to crafting superbly detailed vignettes, such as “Captain Jack’s Cozy Corner”. You should definitely explore his Instagram profile and Flickr stream for a wide array builds.
He’s also taken a stab at bringing more LEGO Pirate sets into the world through the Bricklink Designer Program. Even though it wasn’t a finalist, you can still view his Croco Island submission webpage.
What Do Yer Think?
Would you do the crocodile rock with Captain Pete? How did this mysterious crocodile come to be? Is it the ingenuity of King Kahuka and his Indigo Islanders? Or is this the handiwork of a long forgotten tribe lost to the sands of time?
This nifty set could have been yours if you voted for it… and various other factors beyond your control
Should Croco Island have been a finalist in the Bricklink Design Program and be produced as an official set?
Or can you suggest improvements? Is the crocodile concept refreshingly different to it’s skull island counterpart? Or is it too absurd for yer personal tastes?
Let us know what ye be thinkin’ in the LEGO Pirates Forum – to croc rock or not to croc rock? That is the question!
