How many pieces are in the Dino Research Compound?

Dino Research Compound contains 617 pieces.

When was the Dino Research Compound released?

Dino Research Compound was released in 2000.

🏛 Dino Island

Set #5987

Dino Research Compound

The Dino Research Compound is a nostalgic trip back to LEGO's adventurous Dino Island theme.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Intermediate build Perfect for LEGO fans of all ages who enjoy adventure themes and classic LEGO sets.
Build: 617 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $79.99 list price · 13.0¢ per piece
Availability: Likely retired

★★★★☆ 4.1 community rating from 58 ratings

Fans appreciate the nostalgic charm and unique character selection, especially Johnny Thunder. However, some find the building techniques dated and the color scheme less appealing compared to modern LEGO sets.

$79.99

Best Price

$71.99

You Save

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📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

The Dino Research Compound is a nostalgic trip back to LEGO's adventurous Dino Island theme. Released in 2000, this set perfectly captures the essence of early 2000s LEGO design with its vibrant colors, detailed minifigures, and engaging play features. The base camp setting, complete with a laboratory, helicopter landing pad, and dinosaur containment area, sparks the imagination and offers plenty of opportunities for creative storytelling.

This set is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts who grew up with the Dino Island theme and those looking for a unique vintage building experience. With a moderate piece count and a well-structured build, it's a rewarding project that results in a highly displayable and playable model. The inclusion of multiple minifigures, including Johnny Thunder and Baron Von Barron, adds to the set's collectible appeal.

Skip this if you prefer ultra-realistic, modern LEGO designs or are only interested in licensed themes. While the Dino Research Compound has its charm, its blocky aesthetic and reliance on classic LEGO building techniques might not appeal to builders accustomed to the intricate details of contemporary sets. Consider the Jurassic Park or Jurassic World themes for more modern dinosaur adventures.

✨ New

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🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

617

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Building the multi-level research compound with its various sections.
Constructing the helicopter landing pad and dinosaur containment area.
Incorporating play features like the crane and breakout fence.
Assembling the diverse cast of minifigures and their accessories.

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

↑ Trending up since release

B+

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

The Dino Research Compound presents a solid investment opportunity, driven by nostalgia and the enduring popularity of the LEGO Dino theme. As a retired set from 2000, its scarcity increases over time. The inclusion of sought-after minifigures like Johnny Thunder and Baron Von Barron further boosts its collectible value. While the price has already appreciated significantly, well-maintained, complete sets should continue to see steady growth, especially as more collectors seek to complete their Dino Island collections. However, potential investors should be mindful of condition and completeness, as missing parts or damaged packaging can negatively impact resale value.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

T-Rex Tracker

Dino Attack • 361 pcs

$49.99

T. rex Breakout

Jurassic Park • 1,212 pcs

The Dino Research Compound stands out from modern dinosaur-themed sets due to its classic LEGO aesthetic and focus on exploration and adventure. While sets like the Jurassic Park T. rex Breakout (76956-1) offer more realistic dinosaur models and movie tie-ins, the Dino Research Compound provides a unique nostalgic experience. Collectors who appreciate vintage LEGO designs and the charm of early 2000s themes may prefer this set over newer, more complex alternatives.

6 Minifigures Included

Dr. Charles Lightning

Johnny Thunder (Desert)

The set includes a diverse cast of minifigures, including the iconic Johnny Thunder and the villainous Baron Von Barron. These characters add significant collectible value to the set.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 617
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 171 unique parts, 599 pieces
Minifigures: 6

LEGO counts 617 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 624, including the 25 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

String with End S...

Part #: 14226c41 1× Black

Brick 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2357 4× Tan

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 3× Blue

Wedge Plate 4 x 9...

Part #: 2413 3× Black

Plant, Leaves 6 x 5

Part #: 2417 1× Green

Wedge Plate 3 x 6...

Part #: 2419 3× Blue

Wedge Plate 3 x 6...

Part #: 2419 1× Black

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 6× Tan

Plant, Leaves 4 x 3

Part #: 2423 6× Green

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 4× Black

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2432 3× Blue

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2432 1× Black

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 2436 2× Green

Plate 2 x 12

Part #: 2445 1× Black

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454a 4× Tan

Brick 2 x 6

Part #: 2456 1× Dark Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 2458 4× Light Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 2458 2× Red

Tile Special 2 x ...

Part #: 2460 1× Green

Brick 1 x 16

Part #: 2465 2× Light Gray

Barrel 2 x 2 x 2

Part #: 2489 3× Brown

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 5× Light Gray

Equipment Oar / P...

Part #: 2542 2× Red

Boat / Rowing Boa...

Part #: 2551 1× Brown

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 2654 1× Black

Wheel 30 x 13 Mod...

Part #: 2695 2× Black

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 2817 1× Yellow

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 2921 1× Red

Lever Small Base ...

Part #: 298c02 3× Yellow

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 12× Light Gray

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 1× Black

Brick 2 x 3

Part #: 3002 4× Dark Gray

Brick 2 x 2

Part #: 3003 51× Brown

Brick 2 x 2

Part #: 3003 12× Tan

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 2× White

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 10× Light Gray

Plate Special 6 x...

Part #: 30041 1× Black

Plate Special 4 x...

Part #: 30042 1× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 30043 2× Black

Fence Spindled 1 ...

Part #: 30055 1× Brown

Brick 2 x 8

Part #: 3007 3× Tan

Brick 12 x 24

Part #: 30072 1× Green

Brick 1 x 8

Part #: 3008 3× Black

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 3× Light Gray

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 2× Light Gray

Chain 17L [21 Links]

Part #: 30104 3× Dark Gray

Animal, Snake, Small

Part #: 30115 1× Red

Weapon Gun / Pist...

Part #: 30132 3× Dark Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 30136 6× Brown

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 30137 3× Brown

Weapon Rifle/Gun

Part #: 30141 2× Dark Gray

Grille 1 x 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 30147 1× Dark Gray

Box / Crate with ...

Part #: 30150 2× Brown

Equipment Magnify...

Part #: 30152pat0001 1× Black

Rock 1 x 1 Jewel ...

Part #: 30153 1× Trans-Neon Green

Equipment Sextant

Part #: 30154 1× Black

Wheel Spoked 2 x ...

Part #: 30155 5× Dark Gray

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 30157 6× Dark Gray

Minifig Neckwear ...

Part #: 30158 1× Brown

Equipment Binoculars

Part #: 30162 1× Black

Brick Curved 2 x ...

Part #: 30165 1× Dark Gray

Animal, Scorpion

Part #: 30169 1× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 30180 3× Brown

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 2× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 7× Red

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 2× Green

Part #: 30229 2× Dark Gray

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 12× Tan

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 2× Yellow

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 2× Green

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 30236 1× Red

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 30237a 4× Dark Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 30237a 4× Blue

Insect, Spider

Part #: 30238 1× Light Gray

Insect, Spider

Part #: 30238 1× Black

Plate 4 x 12

Part #: 3029 2× Black

Plate 4 x 12

Part #: 3029 1× Brown

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 4× Brown

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 2× Blue

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 30364 1× Dark Gray

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 30365 4× Light Gray

Hinge Brick 1 x 6...

Part #: 30388 2× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3039 4× Black

Hook with Towball

Part #: 30395 1× Dark Gray

Hinge 1 x 2 Locki...

Part #: 30396 1× White

Technic Link 1 x 5

Part #: 30397 4× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 4× Green

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 8× Light Gray

Animal Body Part,...

Part #: 30456 1× Green

Animal Body Part,...

Part #: 30457 1× Green

Animal Body Part,...

Part #: 30459 1× Green

Animal / Creature...

Part #: 30462 1× Dark Orange

Animal Body Part,...

Part #: 30463 1× Brown

Animal, Dinosaur,...

Part #: 30464 1× Green

Animal, Dinosaur,...

Part #: 30478 1× Dark Orange

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 10× Black

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 11× Light Gray

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 1× Yellow

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 2× Brown

Tile 1 x 2 with W...

Part #: 3069bpr0052 1× Black

Tile 1 x 2 with M...

Part #: 3069bpr0054 1× White

Tile 1 x 2 with R...

Part #: 3069bpr0101 2× Light Gray

Tile 1 x 1 with W...

Part #: 3070bpr0007 1× Light Gray

Tyre 14 x 4 Smoot...

Part #: 3139 4× Black

Plate Special 3 x...

Part #: 3176 2× Light Gray

Brick Arch 1 x 6 ...

Part #: 3307 5× Black

Brick Arch 1 x 8 x 2

Part #: 3308 2× Light Gray

Turntable 4 x 4 S...

Part #: 3403c01 1× Black

Brick Arch 1 x 6

Part #: 3455 6× Tan

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 11× Brown

Tyre Offset Tread...

Part #: 3483 5× Black

Brick 1 x 3

Part #: 3622 2× Black

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 6× Blue

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3660 1× Light Gray

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 16× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 2× White

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 1× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 1× Yellow

Technic Pin witho...

Part #: 3673 2× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 1× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 1× Black

Brick Sloped 75° ...

Part #: 3684 1× Brown

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 2× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3701 2× White

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 2× White

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 6× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 2× Yellow

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 1× Blue

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 1× Light Gray

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 1× Black

Steering Stand 1 ...

Part #: 3829c01 1× Light Gray

Steering Stand 1 ...

Part #: 3829c01 2× Blue

Equipment Shovel ...

Part #: 3837 1× Dark Gray

Tool Pickaxe

Part #: 3841 1× Dark Gray

Weapon Lance

Part #: 3849 2× White

Part #: 3937 6× White

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3937 1× Yellow

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3938 4× Black

Plate 6 x 6

Part #: 3958 1× Light Gray

Dish 4 x 4 Invert...

Part #: 3960 1× Black

Tool Screwdriver ...

Part #: 4006 1× Black

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 4032a 1× Black

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 4032a 1× Brown

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4070 9× Light Gray

Seat / Chair 2 x 2

Part #: 4079 4× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085c 2× White

Tile Round 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 4150 1× Red

Brick 8 x 8

Part #: 4201 1× Green

Brick 8 x 16

Part #: 4204 1× Green

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4213 1× White

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4213 1× Blue

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4214 1× Black

Panel 1 x 4 x 3 [...

Part #: 4215b 1× Black

Plate 2 x 16

Part #: 4282 1× Light Gray

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 4287a 4× Brown

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4315 1× Light Gray

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4315 1× Black

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 4488 1× Black

Brick Sloped 10° ...

Part #: 4515pr0004 3× Dark Gray

Tool Hammer / Mal...

Part #: 4522 1× Black

Equipment Saucepan

Part #: 4529 1× Black

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 2× Yellow

Bracket 3 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 4598 2× Black

Tap 1 x 1 with Ho...

Part #: 4599a 5× Black

Tap 1 x 1 with Ho...

Part #: 4599a 2× White

Propeller 3 Blade...

Part #: 4617b 2× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4623 1× Red

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4623 1× White

Wheel 8 x 6

Part #: 4624 5× Light Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4733 2× Black

Part #: 4857 1× White

Wedge Plate 3 x 4...

Part #: 4859 2× Light Gray

Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...

Part #: 4865a 1× Trans-Clear

Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...

Part #: 4865a 3× Light Gray

Wheel Holder 2 x ...

Part #: 4870 2× Light Gray

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 4871 1× Blue

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 6019 2× Light Gray

Bar 7 x 3 with Do...

Part #: 6020 1× Brown

Animal Body Part,...

Part #: 6028 1× Brown

Brick Wedged, Slo...

Part #: 6069 2× Light Gray

Brick Curved 2 x ...

Part #: 6081 2× Light Gray

Rock Panel Triang...

Part #: 6083 1× Dark Gray

Brick Curved 1 x ...

Part #: 6091 4× Blue

Brick Curved 1 x ...

Part #: 6091 3× Light Gray

Brick Arch 1 x 12...

Part #: 6108 2× Black

Brick 1 x 10

Part #: 6111 2× Dark Gray

Brick 1 x 12

Part #: 6112 2× Light Gray

Wave / Flame Roun...

Part #: 6126a 1× Trans-Neon Orange

Animal / Creature...

Part #: 6127 1× Green

Animal / Creature...

Part #: 6128 1× Green

Part #: 6141 2× Trans-Clear

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Trans-Red

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 20× Light Gray

Brick Special 24 ...

Part #: 6161 1× Green

Technic Axle 3 wi...

Part #: 6587 1× Dark Gray

Tile 1 x 6 with G...

Part #: 6636 5× Light Gray

Net 10 x 10 Square

Part #: 71155 2× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 76385 4× Dark Gray

The set features a solid collection of basic bricks and plates in light gray, brown, and tan, providing a good foundation for MOC builders. The inclusion of arch bricks and plant elements adds versatility for creating natural landscapes and architectural details.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay

✓ In Stock

$71.99 →

Walmart

✓ In Stock

Compare on eBay →

$75.99

Target

✓ In Stock

Compare on eBay →

$79.99

💎 Notable Parts

Brown Brick 2 x 2 (51x) $2.55

Light Gray Brick 2 x 4 (12x) $0.60

Tan Brick Arch 1 x 6 (6x) $0.90

Green Plant, Leaves 4 x 3 (6x) $1.80

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$5.85

💡 MOC Potential

🌳 Expanded jungle environment with more foliage and hidden areas.

🚗 Custom off-road vehicle for exploring the island.

🏙 Integrate into a larger LEGO city layout as a remote research outpost.

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 6 videos

3.0 /5

Mixed

0% positive

BlockTalk AI

The LEGO Adventurers Dino Research Compound (5987) from 2000 appears to be viewed neutrally by LEGO YouTubers, with Tie The Lego Guy calling it one of the most underrated sets. Reviews generally consist of unboxings and overviews of the set's features and components.

LEGO Adventurers 5987 Dino Research Compound Dinosaur Set review!

BrickTsar • 40.3K views Review

LEGO Adventurers Dino Island Research Glider review! 2000 set 5921!

just2good • 24.5K views Review

Dino Research Compound – (Set 5987) – Review

Klokriecher • 16.9K views Review

Community Sentiment

Based on 6 YouTube reviews

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.0 /5

Mixed

0% positive

Positive

Mixed

Critical

BlockTalk AI Analysis

What the Community Says

4 YouTube reviews

BlockTalk AI Summary

BrickTsar and Klokriecher provide detailed reviews of the Dino Research Compound, highlighting the minifigures and the 612-piece construction. just2good and Brian's Bricks focus on smaller sets like the Research Glider, showcasing the Pteranodon and overall play features.