Five minifigure-scale models of the Desert Skiff have been produced, becoming more complex and detailed over time. The monstrous Sarlacc has also received multiple updates and superb renditions of both appear in 75396 Desert Skiff & Sarlacc Pit.
The Sarlacc in particular is bigger and probably better than ever, while detail on the skiff has improved. Additionally, the minifigure selection is excellent, providing the essential characters from this scene, plus the exclusive Nien Nunb. However, as is often the case, the price is a point of concern.
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I was very pleased with the three Ahsoka sets released last year, but some notable characters were excluded from the range to avoid possible spoilers, understandably. 75385 Ahsoka Tano's Duel on Peridea is therefore exciting, including five unique minifigures!
Grand Admiral Thrawn is welcome in particular, as the renowned Imperial leader has only appeared once before in minifigure form. The new versions of Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger and Morgan Elsbeth are appealing too, although these exceptional figures come with an expensive price of £49.99, $54.99 or €54.99.
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A trio of Star Wars mechs arrived last year and drew a mixed reception. 75369 Boba Fett Mech was broadly well received and includes a highly desirable minifigure, but the other mechs seem lacking in personality, borrowing only superficial features from their drivers.
75390 Luke Skywalker X-wing Mech appears far more interesting in that respect, translating the famous features of an X-wing Starfighter into mech form! The combination appears effective and the Luke Skywalker minifigure is welcome, rarely appearing in such small sets.
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Since the finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2020, there has been continuous demand for a LEGO model of the blue-accented 501st Y-wing Starfighter featured in the final episode. 75391 Captain Rex Y-wing Microfighter is probably not what people had in mind!
Nevertheless, I am pleased to see the vehicle in LEGO form and its pilot is highly desirable, as this Captain Rex minifigure has only appeared once before, in 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser. An affordable chance to acquire this popular character is appealing.
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Certain troopers are particularly suited to Battle Packs and the Imperial Commandos introduced in The Mandalorian season three are a fantastic example. These commandos feature interesting armour and they are deployed in great numbers, so they seem ideal for army building.
75373 Ambush on Mandalore Battle Pack includes two of these commandos, alongside a pair of unique Mandalorians. The minifigures are thus quite appealing, but I am less satisfied with the model included.
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The conclusion of The Mandalorian season three saw Moff Gideon's return, residing beneath the surface of Mandalore and heavily armoured to match his base of operations. 75386 Paz Vizsla and Moff Gideon Battle therefore introduces an exclusive Moff Gideon minifigure!
Paz Vizsla has also received an update since the character debuted in 75319 The Armourer's Mandalorian Forge and faces two new Imperial Praetorian Guards. On that basis, the minifigure selection seems exceptional and I think the model looks good too, reflecting the location from the television series.
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Entering its third year, the Diorama Collection already includes several classic scenes from the Original Trilogy, although there are other areas of Star Wars justifying similar treatment. 75380 Mos Espa Podrace Diorama is a perfect example, depicting the iconic podrace sequence.
This dynamic scene is superb for a diorama and provides ample opportunity for detail, particularly on the podracers themselves, which look outstanding. However, the detailing will need to be truly unparalleled to explain the price of £69.99, $79.99 or €79.99.
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May the Fourth promotional items have usually settled into patterns, beginning with minifigure polybags, before the launch of brick-built droids and microscale models. Recent promotions feel less predictable though, including 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier.
This model looks excellent and suitably marks the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace, but seems better suited to army building than limited promotional availability. Even so, I am curious about this set, which will be available with purchases of over £145, $160, €160 at the beginning of May.
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Various large-scale droids have been produced recently, including fan-favourite characters and some more unusual designs, such as the classic Imperial Probe Droid. 75381 Droideka joins the range this year and destroyer droids are surely unusual, but also extremely popular!
This rendition of the droid appears remarkably detailed and is even capable of folding into the rolling configuration shown in the films. It seems the designer has found the perfect balance between display value and function, so this should be a fitting successor to the brilliant 8002 Destroyer Droid, released in 2000.
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Of the countless vehicles featured in Star Wars, the Tantive IV definitely belongs in the growing Starship Collection. After all, the famed Rebel Blockade Runner was the first vehicle shown in the original movie and its midi-scale recreation, 75376 Tantive IV, looks excellent.
Similar to other sets from the series, I think the proportions of the model seem accurate and there is plenty of detail included, matching the brilliant 75244 Tantive IV in some areas. Unfortunately, the price of £69.99, $79.99 or €79.99 is a major concern.
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Last year saw the introduction of 75355 X-wing Starfighter, which paid deliberate tribute to one of the two original Ultimate Collector Series sets, 7191 X-wing Fighter. The old-fashioned 7181 TIE Interceptor receives similar treatment this year, updated as 75382 TIE Interceptor.
The original design is remarkably dated, but its modern equivalent looks fantastic in official images, aiming to replicate the TIE Interceptor's spherical cockpit more faithfully than any other TIE-series model. Furthermore, the designer has paid particular attention to detailing, which has definitely proven worthwhile.
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Star Wars subjects are sometimes produced at multiple scales concurrently, but one version is usually intended primarily for play and the other for display. 75379 R2-D2 therefore seems fairly unusual, given its notable similarities to 75308 R2-D2, launched in 2021.
This model is clearly smaller than its precursor and less expensive too, although it seems very functional and surprisingly detailed, comparing favourably with the larger model. Moreover, this set contains an outstanding anniversary minifigure, as Darth Malak from Knights of the Old Republic makes his LEGO debut!
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LEGO has produced numerous versions of the sinister Sith Infiltrator, despite its limited screen time in The Phantom Menace. I would presume the Scimitar's famous owner has influenced the variety of designs, although none have achieved particular accuracy.
75383 Darth Maul's Sith Infiltrator therefore has an opportunity to improve on previous models. While the standard of detail certainly seems superior, the shape of the fuselage remains problematic, based on official images. However, other angles are maybe more complementary and there are some excellent minifigures too.
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The circumstances of Grogu's rescue from the Jedi Temple were revealed in The Mandalorian season three and are portrayed in 75378 BARC Speeder Escape. Some superb minifigures are included here, notably featuring swordmaster Kelleran Beq.
However, as so often seems to be the case currently, the price is reason for concern. £24.99, $29.99 or €29.99 feels expensive for a set containing a mere BARC speeder, even one with a sidecar, but perhaps the minifigures will justify the price.
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7778 Midi-scale Millennium Falcon was released in 2009 and instituted the short-lived midi-scale series. Fifteen years later, the impressive 75375 Millennium Falcon returns to the iconic YT-1300 freighter at this scale, albeit consisting of nearly three times the pieces of its predecessor!
The designer has definitely put those additional pieces to good use, as the model appears stunningly detailed and accurate to the onscreen vehicle. The texture across the fuselage looks great and the proportions seem excellent too, which is a feature past versions of the Millennium Falcon have often struggled with.
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The newly-titled Starship Collection provides fantastic potential, as this series can seemingly be adapted for many vehicle types and subjects missing from the LEGO Star Wars range before now. 75377 Invisible Hand neatly encapsulates these qualities.
I am delighted to see General Grievous' famed flagship finally portrayed in LEGO form and this model of the Providence-class Dreadnought looks excellent, thanks in part to its varied colours, which make a nice change from previous midi-scale designs. Also, this set is more affordable than others in the series, so should have every advantage!
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The opening sequence of Star Wars is definitely among the most famous scenes from the entire saga, establishing its tone and numerous classic characters. LEGO has therefore produced many versions of the Tantive IV, always focused on its exterior.
75387 Boarding the Tantive IV transports the action inside, recreating the Tantive IV's famous interior with impressive accuracy. However, the minifigures are perhaps the highlight here, as seven are provided, including the much-anticipated anniversary ARC Trooper Fives!
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Incredibly, the standard Phase II Clone Trooper has only appeared in six sets and the latest was produced in 2014. 75372 Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack is thus an appealing prospect and features three standard Clone Troopers, as well as a red-armoured Shock Trooper.
Moreover, this Battle Pack reintroduces the Super Battle Droid, which has been missing for almost as long as the Clone Trooper! Between a fantastic minifigure selection and vehicles aligned with the Republic and Separatists, there is plenty to appreciate here.
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LEGO obviously considers the AAT an interesting subject for microscale models. After all, the tank has already appeared in three Advent Calendars and two polybags. 30680 AAT is the third.
The vehicle looks remarkably detailed for its size and its release is fitting, for the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace.
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Twenty years after the original minifigure-scale TIE Bomber was released, LEGO finally revisited the classic vessel in January. 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor revisits another celebrated TIE-series vehicle, with the famously agile TIE/in Interceptor!
6206 TIE Interceptor arrived in 2006, providing ample opportunity for major improvements this time. The designer has seemingly obliged, while the Fang Fighter also has considerable potential, recreating the memorable Mandalorian starfighter designed for Star Wars Rebels.
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