6831 - Message Decoder

Rating:
Pros: A nice little ground vehicle with tons of firepower
Cons: The wheels are too close together and cause it to roll less smoothly than it could; the antenna assemblies are flimsy
Contents: 31 pieces including 1 mini-fig
Price: Discontinued
Reviewed: 30-Jul-1998
Reviewed by: G. M.

"The Blacktron threat may finally be over! Lingering forces at remote outposts on the planet Skornschellus Beta are all that is left. Multiple thanks for this go to the Space Police and their armies of micro-tanks. We, the Galactic Confederation, proudly announce that the Intergalactic Space Police Academy will now join us in governing the known planets of the galaxy. A multitude of gratitude also goes to the heroic chief of the force, Hairim Dolsej. Chief Dolsej, please step up."
These were the words of the Galactic Confederation leader. An extremely proud chief of police was now being presented with a Platinum Dagger, the highest award ever offered by the Confederation. It truly was a shame though, that Hairim didn't get to savor the moment more because at the exact time he stepped up to the platform, gunfire erupted from the audience.

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Message Decoder is the smallest vehicle from the original Space Police and has both good and bad qualities.

This vehicle is a surface rover for one mini-fig and could have many purposes. The two large satellite dish/antenna could either be scanning devices or lasers. If they are lasers, this little set has some heavy-duty firepower. Each assembly is half as long as the vehicle and both move up and down. Other features are the two 1x1 rounds mounted on the back. These could be either small floodlights or a weapon of some sort.
The pilot steers with two black control sticks and is enclosed in the cockpit by the two large laser assemblies. The front is very aerodynamic looking and has a 4x4 tapering plate and a 2x3x1 sloping brick with the Space Police logo printed on. The vehicle sits on four balloon tires.

Overall it is a fairly nice set with only a few bad things. For one, the wheels are too close together and it doesn't scoot very well on the floor. Also, the large satellite assemblies are kind of flimsy and there just seems to be something missing with the set, though I can't quite put my finger on it. Even with these hindrances, it is still a good little set. Pick it up in an auction if you see one for sale.