Arctic Explorer, Male, Orange Parka, Blue Legs, Fur Hood
cty0488 · City
Arctic · 2014 - First released in the high-Arctic exploration wave.
Figure ID
cty0488
Theme
City
Year Released
2014 - First released in the high-Arctic exploration wave.
Rarity
Common. This figure was mass-produced across several sets within the popular 2014 City Arctic sub-theme.
Head
Yellow skin with a focused expression. He wears green tinted goggles and has a slight grin. The head is covered by a blue fur-lined hood element.
Torso
Bright orange parka design with a silver zipper, white fur trim at the collar and hem, a compass/badge emblem on the left chest, and a walkie-talkie clip on the right. Blue arms and blue hands.
Legs
Blue legs featuring high-detail printing of climbing gear, including a carabiner, climbing harness straps, and pockets with silver accents. Solid blue hips.
Accessories
Includes a Blue Hood with white fur printing (part 15494). Depending on the set, he often came with ice picks, a snowmobile, or a camera.
Color Scheme
A striking contrast of Bright Orange and Blue, accented by white fur trim and silver metallic gear prints.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing typical of the mid-2010s. Includes double-sided torso printing (back shows parka textures/seams) and detailed leg printing restricted to the front.
Variants
Similar explorers from the 2014 wave feature different heads (some have stubble or different goggles) or female faces (cty0485), but use the same torso/leg combo.
Condition Notes
The blue hood piece can suffer from 'paint rub' on the white fur print. Check for torso cracks on the sides and arm joints from play wear.
Estimated Value
Used: $2.00 - $4.00 USD. New: $5.00 - $7.00 USD. Value is stable but low due to high production numbers.
Price (New)
Retail sets ranged from $6.99 (60032) to $89.99 (60036), making this an accessible figure at roughly $2-$3 in set-value ratio.
Compatible Sets
60032 Arctic Snowmobile, 60033 Arctic Ice Crawler, 60035 Arctic Outpost, 60036 Arctic Base Camp, 60064 Arctic Supply Plane.
Character Background
A generic member of the LEGO City Arctic Exploration team task with recovering ancient frozen crystals and fossils from the ice.
Design Notes
The 2014 Arctic line introduced the 'dual-molded look' through clever printing. The hood mold (15494) specifically defines this era's aesthetic.
Similar Minifigures
cty0485 (Female version), cty0482 (Explorer with stubble), and the later 2018/2023 Arctic explorers which moved to orange/blue/dark-blue color swaps.
Collectibility
Moderate. Necessary for a complete 2014 theme collection, but widely available and low-cost for entry-level collectors.
History
Follows the legacy of the 2000 Arctic theme and 2014 signaled the modern 'high-detail' era for City sub-themes.
Interesting Facts
The orange and blue color scheme is a direct homage to real-world Antarctic research expedition gear for high visibility against white snow.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a white/trans-light-blue baseplate to simulate snow and ice. Looks great alongside polar bear or husky animal figures.
Modification Potential
The climbing harness legs are popular for custom mountain climber or survivalist MOCs in City layouts.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential City figure of its decade; vibrant, well-detailed, and a perfect example of LEGO's functional sub-theme design.