Lego Ben 10 ChromaStone Review

From Lego's product description, "ChromaStone is a living crystal, composed of nearly indestructible silicon compounds."

Along with Swampfire I picked up ChromaStone during a clearance sale.  Like Swampfire ChromaStone is made of 15 main pieces with the rest of his 21 parts being small soft plastic purple spikes that can be placed on his body.  Also like Swamfire his eyes and  chest design contain glow-in-the-dark paint.

As with Swamfire the ChromaStone I got had very tight shoulder and hip connectors which were difficult to move and squeaked. Repeated movement and normal play loosened them up and now they seem okay if not a bit loose.

There are so many things Swamfire and ChromaStone have in common that it is easier to list the things that are different.  I suspect all first wave of Ben 10 sets were all very similar.  The only things different between Swampfire and ChromaStone are their head and feet molds and colors.

The Lego Ben 10 sets lasted for 1 wave of 6 sets in 2010 and was targeted at younger builders who like Ben 10.  They were the Duplo version of Bionicle.  I recommend them only for those who like Ben 10 and are not expecting the building complexity of Bionicle.

Lego Ben 10 Swampfire Review

From Lego's product description, "Swampfire is an immensely strong, muck-encrusted, walking compost heap"


Lego's Ben 10 build-able figures are similar to their Bionicle line in that it uses ball joint sockets.  However, they are much more simpler and more suitable to younger fans of Ben 10.


Swampfire is composed of 15 main pieces.  The rest of the pieces are the small red and green flame decorations.


Articulation is very good with 13 points joined by ball sockets.  The elbows and knees allow for forward and backward motion along with slight side to side movement.  The rest of the joints allow for near 360 degree motion.


Swamfire's eyes and chest design glow in the dark if given enough light beforehand.


Compared to the Bionicle sets the Swampfire feels cheaper.  In the set being reviewed Swampfire's joints were tighter than usual and made squeaking noises when moved.  In the beginning his arms and legs would easily come off their ball sockets because they were too tight.  After some time the sockets became looser and easier to bend.


I would recommend Swampfire to kids who like Ben 10.  Fans of Bionicle may find the build and figure too simple.