Review: 40806 Gingerbread AT-AT Walker
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Star Wars has made occasional forays into seasonal sets before, most frequently with the Advent Calendars, but also 40658 Millennium Falcon Holiday Diorama and the fun 4002019 Christmas X-wing given to LEGO employees in 2019, for the theme's 20th anniversary.
40806 Gingerbread AT-AT Walker matches the style of the X-wing and looks superb, not only as a novelty set, but also an impressive rendition of the AT-AT, considering its size. In addition, the designer has managed to include some fun details inside, plus an exclusive Gingerbread Darth Vader minifigure, all for a relatively modest price of £54.99, $59.99 or €59.99.
Summary
40806 Gingerbread AT-AT Walker, 697 pieces.
£54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 | 7.9p/8.6c/8.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
40806 Gingerbread AT-AT Walker is a complete delight and a nice size for play or display
- Fun concept
- Great shaping and leg articulation
- Ample interior detail
- Fantastic minifigure
- The head cannot move
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
75389 The Dark Falcon introduced Jedi Vader last year and the charming Gingerbread Darth Vader joins the roster this year! The minifigure definitely lives up to its name, featuring a lovely gingerbread pattern on the torso and legs, decorated with icing for the Sith Lord's chest armour, belt and computer panel. A few well-placed sprinkles add the finishing touches.
Perhaps more remarkably, the details continue on Darth Vader's cape! Printed capes are fairly uncommon, especially of this size, but Vader's attire looks superb. Even the pale inner surface works well as a contrast with the rest of the figure. Additionally, it is nice to see the helmet in an exclusive colour, showing more sculpted detail than is visible on the normal black elements.
Part of me hoped for a unique head under the helmet, maybe with Darth Vader eating, but the head is plain medium nougat, alas. The accessories are splendid though, with a red lightsaber and a printed biscuit.
The Completed Model
Whereas Darth Vader is predominantly medium nougat, the AT-AT has clearly baked for longer and reached dark orange. This shade looks excellent alongside white parts and some colourful 1x1 round tiles. Furthermore, I am impressed with the shape of the AT-AT and its proportions as a whole, although the back of the body should probably be extended a little.
Of course, this vehicle is much smaller than the typical AT-AT play sets, including 75288 AT-AT, released in 2020. I think this size works for a gingerbread creation and I would be interested to see a similar model in more conventional colours, although something in between would be the ideal balance for play and affordability.
Though small, the Imperial Walker's legs are fully articulated and easier to handle than many other designs. Ratchet joints provide ample support and you can even place the vehicle in its iconic collapsed position, which has not always been possible for larger models. However, the head is fixed in place and I do miss its sideways motion.
4x4 icing pieces are used to excellent effect on the footpads, adorned with bows for maximum appeal. The details on the legs look good as well, despite the grey elements used on the joints. This is a rare example of a Star Wars set where the light and dark bluish grey parts are actually out of place! I have noticed that the plates on the lower legs detach relatively easily when adjusting the joints, but two Technic pins on each were really the only attachment method possible.
The texture on the sides and back of the AT-AT looks superb as well, capturing the cylindrical motors slung underneath the body and the fuel tank, represented by a 3x3 round tile. Notably, this AT-AT is proportionally wider than earlier examples and should be narrower, although I am not too concerned about that kind of thing on a vehicle made of gingerbread!
Lights hang along both sides, attached to the flexible pieces commonly used as Spider-Man's webbing. These look nice, but are arguably a strange addition because everything else on the exterior is designed to look like gingerbread or other sweets.
The interior is very different though, containing a cosy lounge, which is a fun alternative to the usual seating for troops. Darth Vader can sit comfortably by the fireplace and a couple of brick-built presents are stowed near the back, while the opening side panels are both decorated with wreaths inside.
2x2 corner tiles represent stockings on the fireplace, with a floral detail in between. A couple of trans-orange flames are placed inside and a candy cane is stored on a clip behind Darth Vader, perhaps to replace his lightsaber blade. A 1x1 clip is also available to hold the lightsaber.
I assume the light bluish grey Technic ball inside the fireplace is supposed to be the Death Star. This is a welcome detail, though I wish the superlaser dish was printed on this piece, especially because it could probably be used elsewhere. Nonetheless, I am pleased the designer has filled the space.
The head shape is just as accurate as the body, including the angular viewport, represented by a row of 1x1 double slopes. Additionally, two more candy canes form laser cannons on the side of the head, while the heavier weapons fixed underneath comprise red and white candle pieces, which produce the same striped effect as the candy canes.
There is enough room to seat a minifigure inside the walker's head, but you cannot close the roof panel with the driver inside. This would be a problem on a standard AT-AT, but somehow works for the gingerbread model, only adding to its charm with an open-top cockpit! There are no controls included though, which is a bit of a shame.
Overall
40806 Gingerbread AT-AT Walker is an absolute delight, worthy of the overwhelmingly positive reaction when this set was revealed. The colour scheme and traditional festive decorations look marvellous and the vehicle's shape is surprisingly accurate, considering its size. A colour-swapped version could certainly be interesting, although a slightly larger size would be ideal, creating space for the driver.
Issues are very few. I would have liked the head to move and the plates on the lower legs are not as secure as I hoped, but these are minor flaws. Even the price of £54.99, $59.99 or €59.99 feels reasonable and the Darth Vader minifigure is brilliant, so I can definitely recommend the Gingerbread AT-AT Walker and I would have no objections to this becoming a series.
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51 comments on this article
Skeptical when I first heard the rumors, but this is clearly the superior holiday set this year!
I like this much better than 40658 (although I did build that thing using my own parts and it does look nice).
So, Darth Vader's Eta-2 isn't a set, but this is.
Okay.
So cute! Always dreamed of making gingerbread Star Wars vehicles as a kid, so this is a very welcome surprise for me.
@CapnRex101: Would it be possible to include a picture of the set alongside otherwise sized AT-ATs as well (microfighter, UCS)?
“Whereas Darth Vader is predominantly medium nougat, the AT-AT has clearly baked for longer and reached dark orange”
It’s comments like these that make @CapnRex101 reviews my “go to” for all new LEGO releases.
Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025
Such a fun set. Pretty good value, too. I wish the Vader minifig would’ve had arm printing, but he’s still really cool.
I don’t like this set quite as much as 40658, but it’s still really neat! I hope they continue these Star Wars Christmas offerings in future years!
Too bad about the non printed head and death star. But overall a really cute christmas set. Give us more of that Lego.
@shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
So soon forgotten the UCS Captain Jango Fett's Pirate Ship?
This set proves Price-Per-Piece is no longer a good means to determine a set's value. On paper, 690 pieces for $60 sounds good, but this set is ridiculously small for that price. If it goes on sale for $40-$50 then we'll talk
@StudMuffin24 said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
So soon forgotten the UCS Captain Jango Fett's Pirate Ship?"
75409 is really just a rehash/recolour of 75060 ...so yes 40806 is number 1 this year (for me) due to its fun factor, originality and price.
It’s quite lovely; I’m planning on getting it with the gingerbread house. This is also one of the rare Lego vehicles where a lack of controls can be justified.
@shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
What an utterly ridiculous sentence.
@EtudeTheBadger said
"So, Darth Vader's Eta-2 isn't a set, but this is."
Truly, the sun never shines for a LEGO Star Wars AFOL.
This is lovely. I think I actually want this, and I don't even care about SW.
I'm not the biggest SW fan (though my droid collection might suggest otherwise) and care even less about christmas stuff, but I can't help but adore this set! So many fun details without it being just a silly gmimmick. And even the price seems quite a bit more reasonable than most SW sets. Unfortunately it appears to be a Lego exclusive?
The minute this was released, I loved it. The Darth Vader figure is amazing, and something that is fun, while also having incredible detail. The AT-AT itself is also really cool. I love the Dark Orange, and I love the bits of color for a Star Wars set. When @CapnRex101 but it collapsed mode, I kinda realized the need for a movable head. But, that said, it almost adds to the fun and playfulness to the model. Definitely one of my favorite Star Wars sets for the year, and I hope we see more things like this!
@WolfpackBricks63:
Thus is the Christmas way. While this set puzzlingly retires at the end of 2026, there will be discounts even on Lego.com, for a while. Not as much as @40658, for this will be a popular set, but it will still be discounted well.
It is a little small (although that has kept the price down), but I think this is one of the best Christmas / holiday sets we've had in years. Well done LEGO for not making this an employee exclusive. The minifigure is very well done (but not well done as in baked too long) but shame about the lack of face printing. That would have elevated it even further.
I want to build two versions of this in light bluish gray. One as a basic AT-AT, the other as an Alien Moon Stalker/Thunderfoot Launcher!
@shaase said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
So soon forgotten the UCS Captain Jango Fett's Pirate Ship?"
75409 is really just a rehash/recolour of 75060 ...so yes 40806 is number 1 this year (for me) due to its fun factor, originality and price."
Uh… not really. Have you seen the reviews to that set? It blows 75060 (a fantastic set) out of the water in terms of design. The shaping on that set is insanely good. It’s polished, and really only lacks the exclusion of prints.
@MrKoshka said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
What an utterly ridiculous sentence.
@EtudeTheBadger said
"So, Darth Vader's Eta-2 isn't a set, but this is."
Truly, the sun never shines for a LEGO Star Wars AFOL."
I am waiting for the complaints that we will never get a gingerbread snowtrooper battle pack.
@WolfpackBricks63 said:
"This set proves Price-Per-Piece is no longer a good means to determine a set's value. On paper, 690 pieces for $60 sounds good, but this set is ridiculously small for that price. If it goes on sale for $40-$50 then we'll talk"
Phew, I really thought we'd found a Star Wars set where nobody was going to complain about the price.
I’ll still buy this set, but that’s really going to bug me now that the back section of the troop compartment is shorter than the front, considering it should be the exact opposite. Oh well.
This'll be heavily sought after on the aftermarket in 10 years, mark my words. Not to fuel speculators or anything, just saying that if you like this you should jump on it.
That Vader figure is maybe the cutest fig I've seen in YEARS, and I normally don't get very hype over minifigs. This is a very delightful set, and I hope we see more like it in the future.
@MrKoshka said:"Truly, the sun never shines for a LEGO Star Wars AFOL."
I'm not even that now. I just wanted it to be a set years ago.
I love that, between things like this and Rebuild the Galaxy, Lego isn’t afraid to just have fun with the Star Wars license in a way that the rest of the franchise very clearly is with how seriously it takes itself
This is quite cool, and I wouldn't be upset if 'Star Wars Christmas set' became an annual thing. Gingerbread X-Wing and/or TIE. 'Christmas Vacation'-style Lars homestead. Yoda's hut with a Christmas tree. Hoth snowball fight. There's a ton of inspiration there.
I can't wait to get this. I'll echo the calls for a series of Star Wars novelty Christmas/other event vehicles and minifigures.
Easter Bunny Troopers?
@ShinyBidoof said:
" @WolfpackBricks63 said:
"This set proves Price-Per-Piece is no longer a good means to determine a set's value. On paper, 690 pieces for $60 sounds good, but this set is ridiculously small for that price. If it goes on sale for $40-$50 then we'll talk"
Phew, I really thought we'd found a Star Wars set where nobody was going to complain about the price."
So close...
I actually think it's very reasonably priced for its size. Sure, cheaper is always better, but you can't really expect a licensed LEGO set this size with a fully exclusive minifig with printed cape to be much cheaper than this. But I'm used to Star Wars fans always finding something to complain about, so no surprises there. :-)
As a non-Star Wars fan, I actually like this quite a bit. This AT-AT can fight my Santa and his clan of elves. Now, that would be a nice battle pack!
@ohrmazd said:
" @MrKoshka said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
What an utterly ridiculous sentence.
@EtudeTheBadger said
"So, Darth Vader's Eta-2 isn't a set, but this is."
Truly, the sun never shines for a LEGO Star Wars AFOL."
I am waiting for the complaints that we will never get a gingerbread snowtrooper battle pack."
Gingerbread Snowtroopers would be quite the GWP!
Other then giving the neck mobility, think the main thing this set needed to really make it was having a second minifigure of a dedicated driver in similar 'baked good' fashion to Vader.
Can we have a comparison photo against the proper AT-AT model 75313
@MegaBlocks said:
"Can we have a comparison photo against the proper AT-AT model 75313"
Or better: MOC a huger gingerbread version based on that 75313 design!
I still refuse to believe $60 is a fair price for this model. My internal senses tell me it ought to be $15 cheaper at least. I'm not playing LEGO's shrinkflation game. I do also think the lack of a minifigure head print is extremely lazy and a waste. That would be inexcusable for a CMF, and the rest of this figure is otherwise CMF tier in terms of design work. This set's concept is very charming and silly in a way I love, but I can't accept this as worth asking price.
This will be only my fourth new Star Wars of the year! I think it is small and not cheap, but I like it. A nice change from "too small, way too expensive and I don't really like it".
Not seeing 60 bucks here at all. Hopefully it goes clearance after the holidays because that price is rough.
love this set
great little holiday offering
@MrKoshka said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
What an utterly ridiculous sentence.
@EtudeTheBadger said
"So, Darth Vader's Eta-2 isn't a set, but this is."
Truly, the sun never shines for a LEGO Star Wars AFOL."
Quiet! I can’t hear the rain over your prattling…
@shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
I dunno, the V-19 Torrent is pretty well done too. But I agree with you that this set is certainly excellent and that this year has had a number of duds.
@GrizBe said:
"Other then giving the neck mobility, think the main thing this set needed to really make it was having a second minifigure of a dedicated driver in similar 'baked good' fashion to Vader. "
I think I might have to dig up my minifig from 5005156 to drive this thing.
Love it! My Winter Village is going to look great with an AT-AT.
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @shaase said:
" @StudMuffin24 said:
" @shaase said:
"Sadly this is probably the best SW set of 2025"
So soon forgotten the UCS Captain Jango Fett's Pirate Ship?"
75409 is really just a rehash/recolour of 75060 ...so yes 40806 is number 1 this year (for me) due to its fun factor, originality and price."
Uh… not really. Have you seen the reviews to that set? It blows 75060 (a fantastic set) out of the water in terms of design. The shaping on that set is insanely good. It’s polished, and really only lacks the exclusion of prints. "
I'm displaying 75409 and 75060 one next to the other and they don't look alike. For the longest time, 75060 was ma favourite set, but now, it looks off when next to the newest one. Two great set, but 75409 ius a clear improvement that benefits from a boat load of new pieces.
If I only buy one Christmas set, it will be this one. I love it so much. The only problem is having to decide who gets to build it if it isn’t especially joint build friendly. (I might try and figure out some head movement, though. For cuteness posing reasons.)
i really like this. I would also like to see it in grey and make a small battle of hoth diorama
@WilsonPark said:
" I think I might have to dig up my minifig from 5005156 to drive this thing. "
Hmmm... wonder if theres one in the grandkids box of lego for me to... *ahem* "Borrow" for that purpose...
@Milocubed said:
"i really like this. I would also like to see it in grey and make a small battle of hoth diorama"
I agree. As someone running out of viable display areas for big sets, I'd love a regular-style AT-AT at this scale. I've always had a soft spot for these compressed, slightly chibi designs that still fit minifigures.
What an absolute abomination
If they had printed the Death Star, I'm not sure where it could be reused. A mini Alderaan? A very disappointing Advent Calendar door?
About that Death Star, Tiago Catarino had a valid point in his video that instead of that ball, they schould have went for a round tile.....
So does UCS now stand for Ultimate Cookie Series??
@WolfpackBricks63 said:
"This set proves Price-Per-Piece is no longer a good means to determine a set's value. On paper, 690 pieces for $60 sounds good, but this set is ridiculously small for that price. If it goes on sale for $40-$50 then we'll talk"
This comment proves that AFOL perceptions are no longer a good means to determine a set’s value.
As for the set itself, count me among those who are not Lego SW collectors but still are seriously tempted by this - what a great set!