Review: 75335 BD-1
Posted by CapnRex101,
Jedi: Fallen Order introduced some exceptional vehicles and characters, providing good source material for LEGO. However, this fantastic video game was originally overlooked, which created remarkable anticipation when 75335 BD-1 was eventually revealed!
This model appears excellent, reflecting BD-1's evident suitability for LEGO. The exploration droid's angular design and proportions certainly correspond with the video game, although bipedal models often demand limited articulation.
Summary
75335 BD-1, 1,062 pieces.
£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 8.5p/9.4c/9.4c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Despite limited articulation in some areas, 75335 BD-1 looks wonderful on display
- Appealing colours and details
- Superior accuracy
- Stable design
- Lacking head rotation
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
BD-1 was the first BD unit introduced, but not the first to appear in LEGO form, as 75325 The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter contains BD-72. Nevertheless, this droid features distinctive red markings to distinguish BD-1 from his blue counterpart, alongside metallic silver accents which match the original droid.
The intricacy of this component is impressive and I like the hollow stud on BD's back, which is bound to prove useful. Ideally, the droid would stand with its body slightly further forward, but I underneath the need to keep the figure within the LEGO system, demanding particular spacing between the two anti-studs.
The Completed Model
As expected, BD-1 looks splendid when assembled. The stance and proportions of this model are exceptionally accurate, while its mechanical details correspond with the source material as well. The colour scheme appears equally authentic, despite my early misgivings concerning the chosen shade of red. A slightly darker colour would be ideal, but dark red is not bright enough.
BD-1 measures 28cm in height and therefore approaches life-size, unlike the various droids produced previously. However, the size of these droids is relatively consistent, so I think they look fantastic when displayed together. 75308 R2-D2 and 75335 BD-1 are very similar in size, for example, as presented below.
The articulation achieves mixed success. Unfortunately, the knees and ankles are static and I was disappointed to find that the head cannot rotate, which would have been great for display. However, tilting the head is surprisingly effective, especially in combination with BD-1's turning antennas. Additionally, the hip joints are quite versatile and the rear section of each footpad is hinged, stabilising the whole droid.
BD droids are designed for exploration, so feature a sophisticated sensor suite alongside the standard photoreceptor. These sensors include a combined scanner and holoprojector, which looks excellent on this model. The distinctive shroud protecting the photoreceptor and scanner also compares favourably with the original droid.
Among numerous helpful abilities, BD-1 can dispense stim canisters to the player during Jedi: Fallen Order. They are stored in a tray on the side of BD's head, which is accurately portrayed here! Three canisters are provided and may be removed with some difficulty, although they are constructed together and therefore designed to remain inside the functional tray.
The colourful logic display on the back of BD-1's head is another recognisable feature, making appropriate use of 1x1 round tiles. The black radiator panels underneath look marvellous too, while extensive detail continues around the top and sides of the head. In addition, I think the balance between studs and tiles is absolutely perfect.
Whereas the head is completely enclosed, some mechanical detail remains visible on BD-1's body and legs. The details on the body appear comparatively basic, although match the video game character. Moreover, the neck and hip joints are beautifully integrated, avoiding awkward colours or conspicuous hinges.
Pearl gold and black whips form cables on BD's legs, again recreating smaller details from the game. Some Technic pieces are exposed around the cables, but these blend reasonably well with neighbouring parts. The simulated actuators on the outside of each leg and the footpads are certainly effective.
Information plaques accompany each large-scale droids, formed using stickers on 8x16 tiles with studs. As normal, the minifigure-scale droid is displayed beside the plaque, although the actual plaque is decidedly abnormal because much of the information has not been published before, including BD-1's manufacturer and exact size!
Overall
75335 BD-1 definitely maintains the high standard established by past large-scale characters, closely resembling the original droid. The combination of colourful panels and complex details looks tremendous and I am impressed with the proportions of this design, particularly because BD-1's head is rather large, while his legs are narrower.
The articulation limits options for display though and I think head rotation was achievable. Also, providing a Cal Kestis minifigure to accompany BD-1 would have been nice, but I hope that will be forthcoming with sets based upon Jedi: Survivor during 2023. The price of £89.99, $99.99 or €99.99 seems expensive, although not to the egregious degree of certain other summer sets.
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27 comments on this article
I know that a lot of the droid 'sidekicks' that have been showing up in modern Star Wars haven't always been that popular, but I love the versatility of the different designs that have been developed, and I REALLY love that LEGO decided to make a line of them of this scale. BD-1 looks like it's definitely going to be a great addition to the droid collection!
It looks like BD-1 is afflicted with the opposite of what felled Wall-E. :o)
While the lacking articulation is no fun and the stim canister implementation is rather poor in my books, I'm happy to overlook these since I'm not looking to display BD-1 in too outlandish a pose anyway. I'm very happy with the level of detail and just the fact that this set exists at all. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up at a decent discount. I never thought I'd own one of these buildable Star Wars characters, but they went and did it.
Great game, I was quite surprised as well to see BD-1 in Lego form. And he's actually really helpful in his source material, unlike BB-8 who's just... there.
Still getting this but no read rotation is a downer, really would have made this perfect if it did have it.
I wonder how hard rotation and articulation would be to add. Looks cute though, and very accurate
I bought this because he is cute. Kinda reminds me of wall e
Man, I want more sets based on Jedi Order/Survivor.
@Lordmoral said:
"Man, I want more sets based on Jedi Order/Survivor."
Jepp, I would totally buy the ship. The "beady one" arrived today and I am looking forward to build it.
He quickly became my favourite droid in all of Star Wars. They really nailed it with his design and personality.
As for the model, just wish there was more articulation, and they'd managed to somehow include the scomp link in the build.
Now just need to think of how to justify getting him to the Mrs....
@Phoenixio said:
"Great game, I was quite surprised as well to see BD-1 in Lego form. And he's actually really helpful in his source material, unlike BB-8 who's just... there. "
Yeah BD-1 is great overall. BB-8 is great design-wise. And I would agree that BB-8 is usually just there being useless, except when he suddenly gains god mode when the writers have written the "heroes" into a corner.
Anyway, this is a pretty nice model that I think I'll get. I only have the old R2, BB-8 and the Probe Droid, don't care about the others at this scale.
Good review of a good set! I'm not familiar with the source material, but that didn't stop me from getting BB-8 and D-O either. And even when the scale is probably off, I think this one would look nice between those two. It does feel a bit pricey, but I already see one shop offering it for €84 with free shipping, that feels a bit better.
This set is cute. Haven't played the game but have seen screenshots, and like that this set seems close to life-size (would be fun to have it sit on your shoulder at a convention or something). Parts-wise, as a mech fan it's nice to see the new for this year "shoulder joint" piece in another color.
Thanks Cap - great review. I like this droid a lot. I believe from Fandom that the designers took inspiration from Charles Schulz's characters Snoopy and Woodstock.
I can see some resemblance to Snoopy....or is it just me?
Ah yes, this is the little jerk who would never give me a stim if I was mid-roll. Cal yelling for a stim regardless tricked me into thinking I had received one, I depend on those audio cues dangit!
Gameplay aside, they did a nice job with this! The head tilt seems more important than rotation to convey personality, so I'm glad they went with that.
Would likely buy on sale
A really fantastic set, and even more of a pleasant surprise to see something from Jedi: Fallen Order. Here's hoping we see more minifig-based sets of both it and its upcoming sequel!
I love him! Only issue I have is I wish they included the chip on his head provided in the upgrade that lets him hack other droids. It’s an important feature he has for the majority of the game!
@GrizBe said:
"He quickly became my favourite droid in all of Star Wars. They really nailed it with his design and personality.
As for the model, just wish there was more articulation, and they'd managed to somehow include the scomp link in the build.
Now just need to think of how to justify getting him to the Mrs...."
Show her a picture and emphasize his cuteness!!
@StarWarzFan7777 said:
" @Phoenixio said:
"Great game, I was quite surprised as well to see BD-1 in Lego form. And he's actually really helpful in his source material, unlike BB-8 who's just... there. "
Yeah BD-1 is great overall. BB-8 is great design-wise. And I would agree that BB-8 is usually just there being useless, except when he suddenly gains god mode when the writers have written the "heroes" into a corner.
Anyway, this is a pretty nice model that I think I'll get. I only have the old R2, BB-8 and the Probe Droid, don't care about the others at this scale."
R2-D2 achieved god mode quite a few times himself.
I greatly disliked the game, but I liked BD-1 and was happy to see him show up in "Book of Boba Fett". Still undecided about this set though.
@GrizBe said:
"He quickly became my favourite droid in all of Star Wars. They really nailed it with his design and personality.
As for the model, just wish there was more articulation, and they'd managed to somehow include the scomp link in the build.
Now just need to think of how to justify getting him to the Mrs...."
Is the scomp link that bit on the side and top of his head with the black grilles and red wire? I was looking up source images to compare to the Lego model and I noticed he has that feature in some and not in others.
Really loving this, and it makes a great addition to the buildable droids line! I think the feet are a little large, but that was probably a conceit to ensure stability. I've seen smaller builds get away with more properly scaled feet, but that's the advantage of reducing the size/mass.
@Bagelwolf said:
"Is the scomp link that bit on the side and top of his head with the black grilles and red wire? I was looking up source images to compare to the Lego model and I noticed he has that feature in some and not in others."
The scomp link is the device for jacking into terminals that comes out of his foot. The black grill if I remember rightly was for the slicing upgrade that let him hack droids when they got low health.
This doesn’t look CLOSE to 1000+ pieces at all!!
@monkyby87 said:
" @StarWarzFan7777 said:
" @Phoenixio said:
"Great game, I was quite surprised as well to see BD-1 in Lego form. And he's actually really helpful in his source material, unlike BB-8 who's just... there. "
Yeah BD-1 is great overall. BB-8 is great design-wise. And I would agree that BB-8 is usually just there being useless, except when he suddenly gains god mode when the writers have written the "heroes" into a corner.
Anyway, this is a pretty nice model that I think I'll get. I only have the old R2, BB-8 and the Probe Droid, don't care about the others at this scale."
R2-D2 achieved god mode quite a few times himself. "
"Never underestimate a droid..."
This was such a fun build! It's a great display piece, too, and it has sooo much personality. No regrets in buying it for full price—yet!!