Blocks Book of Retro LEGO Sets Volume III now available
Posted by Huw,
A new volume in Blocks Magazines' series of nostalgic books is now available. Here's the press release:
It’s time for some nostalgia! The latest special edition of Blocks, the magazine for LEGO fans, is the Book of Retro LEGO Sets Volume III. This bumper edition of the magazine features 132 pages of all-new content, including deep dives into classic themes, interviews with talented creatives, exclusive build instructions and spotlights on beloved models from back in the day.
Blocks has also brought back the original Book of Retro LEGO Sets in response to incredible demand! It has been out of print for more than a year and it is available to buy again now, along with Volume II and the new Volume III.
Blocks Book of Retro LEGO Sets Volume III is available to order worldwide as part of a subscription or as a single issue at blocksmag.com.
This special magazine focuses on classic LEGO sets from yesteryear in an unashamedly rose-tinted walk down memory lane. All of the content is new for this special issue, which is not part of a Blocks subscription.
Building a Galaxy looks back at where Space went after Classic, covering the period from 1987 to 2002 to see how the theme evolved – including Futuron, Blacktron, M-Tron, Space Police, Ice, Planet, Unitron, Spyrius, Mars Mission and more.
If you have ever looked at international LEGO catalogues then you will know that character names used to be a mess – is he Johnny Thunder, Sam Grant or Joe Freeman? When the LEGO Group considered putting Adventurers into a video game though, there was a big effort to codify the lore. Blocks takes a look at the definitive, official LEGO Adventurers bios.
That’s not the only intriguing tale that the team has unearthed – Rock Raiders came about because the LEGO Group decided to try something very specific in the late 1990s. Learn how and why the unique theme came about, including a look at concept models and early video game storyboards.
For fans of a certain vintage, Castle, Space and Pirates are the core themes – and LEGO Graphic Designer Nathan Davis was lucky enough to work on a set that resurrected all three in a single box, 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine. In an exclusive interview, learn how he adapted them for the modern era and see the minifigure sheets that the designers created.
He is not the only one bringing back the classics – throughout the magazine, you can see what passionate builders are doing with their childhood favourites, taking inspiration from Aquazone, Paradisa, Dragon Knights, Ninja, Pirates and more.
None of these themes and sets would be possible if not for the amazing manufacturing capacity that the LEGO Group has – and Secret Life of LEGO Bricks author Daniel Konstanski reveals how Systemvej, the original factory, was built, grew and evolved through the years, changing the entire town of Billund, Denmark around it.
All of that reading will probably inspire you to do some building. Blocks Book of Retro LEGO Sets Volume III includes 12 sets of Quick Build instructions with full parts list. Order the elements or dig them out of your parts bin, then build these modern and mini versions of beloved sets from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Blocks is giving away 10361 Holiday Express Train and 75419 Death Star! To be entered into the prize draw and to get Blocks magazine delivered every month – ahead of the shops – visit www.blocksmag.com and check out the money-saving subscription deals available.
For entry into the prize draw, you must have an active Blocks subscription at 11.59pm UK time on December 4, 2025 (existing subscribers will automatically be entered into the prize draw).
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11 comments on this article
So these 3 issues about retro sets, is it all content that has already been in previous issues or is it all new stuff?
Always stick these on my christmas list. So I hope I've been good this year.
It looks like it could be fun, but they couldn't find three spacemen with the golden chest emblems still in tact to put on the cover...? Also, the yellow flags are missing from the entry of the Falcons' fortress. Already two things that have my OCD playing up... I hope the inside photography will be more accurate.
@Brickulator93 said:
"So these 3 issues about retro sets, is it all content that has already been in previous issues or is it all new stuff?"
"All of the content is new for this special issue, which is not part of a Blocks subscription."
@Brickulator93 said:
"So these 3 issues about retro sets, is it all content that has already been in previous issues or is it all new stuff?"
The first one is reprinted material, II and III are all new material.
@toysfromtheattic
Ha, the sets inside have not been messed with, we only take creative licence for the cover.
All-new content about Adventurers and Rock Raiders? :eyes emoji: Sign me up!!! I don't suppose there's any Bionicle content in it to really round out the selection of my favourite themes, is there...?
Either way, I think I know what I might ask my dad (no, NOT the Scala one...!) to get me for Christmas now...
Intriguing! I'm currently working on a follow-up to the Sam Sinister Switcheroo video to cover anything that was missing, outdated, or incorrect with the first video. But if Blocks Magazine is going to feature "the definitive, official LEGO Adventurers bios", then this is definitely something I need to check out to make sure all my bases are covered!
@grahamh_100 said:
" @toysfromtheattic
Ha, the sets inside have not been messed with, we only take creative licence for the cover."
Good to know, but I still think the spacemen's emblems should've looked mint for a book cover. :-)
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @grahamh_100 said:
" @toysfromtheattic
Ha, the sets inside have not been messed with, we only take creative licence for the cover."
Good to know, but I still think the spacemen's emblems should've looked mint for a book cover. :-)"
Even if the space emblems weren't mint, it's too bad they couldn't find ones that were in much better condition than the ones pictured.
@grahamh_100
Does the first reprinted one come with a reinforced cover (like the II one)?