The Brickset 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, part 4
Posted by Huw,
Today we conclude our holiday gift guide with a look at sets costing over $100 (~£60). There were just 21 sets released this year that qualify, including the top-of-the-range licensed sets and most of the LEGO Exclusives. There's still plenty to choose from though, so let's see what the Brickset team have picked as their ultimate set of the year...
SprinkleOtter: 75106 Imperial Assault Carrier (£99.99 / $129.99 / 129.99€)
Star Wars had five sets over $100 this year: three re-releases and two new models. Of those two, Imperial Assault Carrier was the obvious choice for me. The Imperial Assault Carrier (or as fans of the Expanded Universe know it, the Gozanti Cruiser) is nearly as large as previous Imperial Star Destroyer models and comes with four mini TIE Fighters, something that I love about the set and wish was included in more of these Capital Ships.
The inside of the ship has a modestly large internal control room, as well as a bridge large enough for a single officer. Like previous Capital Ships, it has multiple play features, such as a dart shooter built into each wing and a turreted stud shooter.
It also has the “rare minifigures” field covered, with Sabine Wren (with helmet for the first time), Agent Kallus (who is exclusive to this set), a clear-domed Astromech droid, as well as two Imperial pilots and a low-ranking officer. At $130, Imperial Assault Carrier is one of only eleven sets over $100 to hit the ~ 10c mark.
HearItWow: 10247 Ferris Wheel (£149.99 / $199.99 / 179.99€)
This has been an outstanding year for "collector" grade LEGO models, with the UCS Tie Fighter, Slave 1 and Kwik-E-Mart all worthy of consideration, but the set that stands out the most for me is the Ferris Wheel. Standing nearly two feet high, it becomes the London Eye of a modular building layout and will add a bit of life to a LEGO town or city display for the cost of a motor. It's also nicely self-contained, unlike last year's Fairground Mixer.
What makes this set special, and worthy of consideration, is that LEGO did not need to make it. It is not part of a licensed collection and it doesn't fit with any particular theme. Rather, it is one of those Creator flights of fancy that provides a dazzling surprise among the year's themed releases.
This is a set that defines a collection yet still retains very strong play value and a good price per brick of less than 10 cents USD.
MeganL: 10246 Detective's Office (£132.99 / $159.99 / 149.99€)
My choice for the last category is 10246 Detective's Office. My short reason for this choice: it's a modular! If you must have a longer explanation - I think of modular sets as ambassadors for LEGO. If your experiences are like mine, when people find out you love LEGO the reactions range from "that's very cool" to a kind of bemused bewilderment ("you mean the kids' toy?").
I have found that showing modular sets to be a way of getting the bemused bewilderers to move the reaction away from "you mean the kids' toy?". I've had many people tell me they had no idea LEGO could be this detailed or so adult oriented. Detective's Office is a classic example - the inherent storyline around the smuggled cookies/candy, the clueless detective, the upstairs kitchen and the obligatory mysterious woman in red - so many details that we all love about modulars. Detective's Office has it all.
We were spoiled for choice in this range. This year I bought my first Ninjago set (70751 Temple of Airjitzu) purely for the architecture of the buildings and 41101 Grand Hotel came as close as a Friends set could get to a modular complete with elevator and lots of wonderful new parts. But if I could choose just one, it's Detective's Office.
DrDaveWatford: 75060 Slave 1 (£169.99 / $199.99 / 199.99€)
We have once again been spoiled with some truly excellent big sets this year, but despite all of the great sets that came after it, I've gone for one of the earliest 2015 releases as my pick of the year in the $100+ price range.
LEGO Star Wars fans had waited the best part of 16 years for the appearance of an Ultimate Collectors Series version of Boba Fett's iconic Slave I craft, and given the stratospheric levels of expectation prior to the set's release it would have been all too easy for the finished product to fall a bit flat. Thankfully the set didn't disappoint, with designer Hans Burkhard Schlömer serving up a huge and superb-looking Slave 1 design. In addition to looking great, the model also includes a number of working features such as retractable weaponry, rotating wings and an opening cargo bay door, and what's more the finished build is surprisingly robust.
Overall, it's testament to the excellent design that I really can't think of anything much about the model that could be improved at this scale, and if that's still not enough to convince you then consider this: by making Slave 1 my pick in this price range I've chosen it over the wonderful set 70751 Temple of Airjitzu...
Unreservedly recommended, and a must for fans of LEGO Star Wars.
TheBrickPal and LostInTranslation: 70751 Temple of Airjitzu (£169.99 / $199.99 / 199.99€)
TheBrickPal: Ninjago has been popular with both kids and AFOLs for a while now, and its first direct-to-consumer set was finally released this year. With the Temple of Airjitzu, you have the chance to own a wonderful, Asian architectural masterpiece.
Fan favorite characters Misako and the Postman also make their physical debuts here, after first appearing in the theme's animated TV series. You wouldn't want to miss out on them. Plus all of the ninja team, Sensei Wu, Dareth, and some civilians are included, which maximizes play potential!
With many impressive minifigures, brilliant building techniques and more, the Temple of Airjitzu is an absolute must-own.
LostInTranslation: I thought the last bracket was difficult, but this one was even harder to choose! In my pick for Bricks magazine, the ranges were based on UK RRP so I didn’t have to choose between 41101 Heartlake Grand Hotel and 71016 Temple of Airjitzu, but now they are in the same price segment, so I have to, darn it! I absolutely love the Heartlake Hotel, as it has so many great features and parts, but I have to ultimately choose the Temple. I am a sucker for Japanese architecture, and I have bought quite a few Ninjago sets (of buildings, rather than vehicles) over the years, but this one just blows everything else out of the water.
It is so beautiful as a display item, has an interesting build process and some very cool play features, like the shadow puppet theatre, and a ton of minifigures – all of the ninjas in one set, plus bonus extras! I think the fact that many AFOLs who generally have no time for Ninjago have been highly praising this set speaks volumes about its excellent quality. (And I can’t wait to see what 70590 Airjitzu Temple Grounds adds to this amazing set!)
Huw and CapnRex101: 71016 Kwik-E-Mart (£169.99 / $199.99 / 199.99€)
Huw: 2015 has been a spectacular year for exclusive sets. Without exception they have all been excellent and any of them is worthy of selection. However, on balance, the one I've chosen is the one I enjoyed building the most: the Kwik-E-Mart.
Designer Marcos Bessa has delivered a very solid building that's packed with details inside and out, which makes for a very satisfying building experience.
It will, of course, appeal mostly to Simpsons fans who will really appreciate references to specific episodes of the show. But strip them away and it's also a very passable representation of a generic supermarket that would not look out of place on any City layout which broadens its appeal considerably.
With over 2100-pieces, it's an excellent parts pack too, with masses of useful plates, bricks and slopes that will be useful for bulking out building stock of whoever you are gifting it to.
CapnRex101: My decision for this price bracket really came down to two sets: 10246 Detective's Office and 71016 Kwik-E-Mart. While the Detective's Office is an incredible model and an even better parts pack (I have acquired three), ultimately I have chosen the Kwik-E-Mart as a result of the extraordinary level of detail.
Not only is it packed with clever building techniques and a plethora of rare elements but it also includes a brilliant range of references. As a huge fan of The Simpsons these are a real treat and are like nothing that has ever appeared in an official set before! Furthermore, the set comes with Snake Jailbird, a fan favourite character and one I was not expecting to ever see in minifigure form.
If you are at all interested in The Simpsons then this is an absolute must-have set. If not, it is still an incredible model and one which I absolutely recommend.
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That concludes our holiday gift guide, just in time for the big shopping weekend in the USA. I hope you've found it useful, informative, and entertaining, even if you don't agree with our choices.
Thanks to Allan, Derek, Chris, Dylan, Lucy, Dave and Megan for their contributions.
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36 comments on this article
While the $50-$100 sets left me a bit wanting, this year really did have a lot of stunning $100+ sets. I'm jealous to whoever had the Lego funds to buy all of them, lol
Well, all of the above sets are totally awesome...
But nobody selected Crawler Crane or Mercedes Benz Arocs 3245?!
Can't go wrong that much in this price range.
I do love my Kwik-e-mart also, it's just packed and packed with details...
However, Metalbeard's Sea Cow should also not be forgotten maybe! ;D
@Jito I second that, the Sea Cow would be my pick of choice.
@Jito and Kurinoko - Metalbeard's Sea Cow was released in 2014, so was not eligible as a selection.
Nobody went with the Deep Sea Exploration Vessel? If play value is a criteria, you won't do better.
I would be hard pressed to pick just one of these. You all had a very tough task. Airjitzu temple is an absolutely gorgeous set and a thoroughly entertaining build.
According to BL, Kwik-E-Mart has the most different parts within a set so far? Do I understand it correctly?
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogStats.asp?statID=L&inItemType=&itemType=S
There is still the ICS Hoth set coming up....
@Alonzo Brickovsky: That is indeed what Bricklink says, but this is only because BrickLink does not count minifigure parts individually. If you go to the inventories for the Kwik-E-Mart and Sea Cow and click "Break Minifigures" (to list their parts individually as part of the inventory), the Sea Cow (543 parts) and City Square (539 parts) both come out ahead of the Kwik-E-Mart (529 parts).
Good to see Temple of Airjitzu on the list! It would easily be my pick for this category. Another contender from the Ninjago theme would have been 70738 Final Flight of Destiny's Bounty, but while it has great play value and an incredible build, it can't compete with the temple's incredible presence on display nor with its superb figure selection. Plus, while the Bounty itself is exceptional, the dragon it comes with is less so.
One nice bonus of the new Bounty is that it includes hair pieces for all three of the Ninja it comes with, something I wish more Ninjago sets would do! The correct hair pieces exist for all the ninja but Zane, whose hair color changed from Brick Yellow to Silver Metallic as part of his "upgrade" this year. However, LEGO normally only includes the hair pieces in sets that do not include the full hood.
The Detective's Office is another stunning set from this price bracket! I consider it one of the best modular buildings.
I would be torn between the Ferris Wheel and the Temple of Airjitzu - both are on my wish list!
Can't argue with any of those choices.
The Temple of Airjitzu is IMO the best $100+ set this year, easily. Glad to see it on the list, and picked by more than 1 reviewer! The production value of the set is fantastic, and it's an excellent investment. If anyone has any doubts about it, let them be hopefully washed away by this article and the various testimonies of owners.
All are great picks...although I wouldn't take the Imperial Assault Carrier over any of the others. It's a decent set, but the others on this list are heads and shoulders above imo.
@Lordmoral: That's next year, so even if this list had been done at the very end of 2015, it wouldn't have been eligible.
Also, what if it's name is just a code? You know, like the TFA sets. They all had codenames such as "bad guy main fighter" before they were released. This Hoth set could be a UCS AT-AT... But I would prefer it to be a proper minifig scale base :)
Got the Temple as a Christmas gift for me from me, the modular is a gift by my parents and I also bought the Heartlake hotel because my Mum loved it so much. (Nice excuse, eh?). And the Ferris Wheel is already build and decorated. So yes, I agree with all of you!
@ natro220
I didn't pick Imperial Assault Carrier to be an AFoL display piece- I chose it as a gift for a younger fan, because of its great playability (more than any other SW Capital Ship in my opinion). If you're looking for a SW set to display, I would advise the Slave I, like DrDave said.
@SprinkleOtter When framed that way, I can see that. It does have great playability. It's hard to remember that Lego is mainly intended for kids and not us AFOLs.
Damn you lego freaks. I just bought additional 3 big sets. Damn you!
^ You're welcome. :)
How you all didn't pick the Temple of Airjitzu I don't know, an easy choice this one.
I need Money?! :-(
@JarodSLFlow - I think that's one of the nicest compliments we could have received!
it's complicated when you own none of them and they all look so good, but detective office may come on top, mostly for having a lower price while still looking as good as the other sets.
My fellow paisan just hit the jackpot. I'm buying Airjitzu.
I have five of these but only built two. I have the Lego, just not the space :(
The Temple of Airjitzu is gorgeous. I'd say it's the nicest theme set since Diagon Alley. I think the Slave 1 is the best Star Wars ship LEGO have ever produced.
In choosing the Ferris Wheel, I wanted to point out something special LEGO had done mostly for the AFOLs. From what the staff at a few local LEGO stores told me, the Fairground Mixer was not a great seller, and there were some questions about whether the funfair/carnival line would even continue.
LEGO take a much greater risk on a set like that than one with a built-in audience. It's the kind of set I'd like to see more of in future years, and the way we get more sets like that is to purchase worthy sets like the Ferris Wheel.
What does it say that I have all but one of these sets? I'll be getting the final one here shortly.
Temple of Airjitzu ftw! :) Easily at top spot due to amazing architecture (although not a big fan of Asian theme), great display value AND the amount and detail of minifigs included.
The Detective Office, Temple of Airjitsu, Kwiki Mart and Slave One are some all time highs for Lego. They each bring something special and are beautifully designed, even rivaling last year's French Restaurant (which I still consider the most beautiful set of all time).
No love for 76042: SHIELD Helicarrier then? I imagine that the price would made it unsuitable as a gift. Mind you, this is Lego we're talking about here...
Hmmm....its a tough choice. I don't own the Assault carrier and I sold the Slave I after building it. For me, my favourite is the Ferris Wheel. Its so different to what I've got and holds a lot of memories for me. I've put power functions on this and its great. I play with the set with my son, who is 3, all the time and I'll always remember the fun we've had with this set. Also, he made me laugh lots when I got this as an early birthday present because my son couldn't understand why I got a present when his birthday is before mine!!!!
My second choice would be the Ewik-E-Mart which was such an incredibly enjoyable build.
Just noticed I had 17 of the 21 sets released this year that are over US$100. And the remaining 4 sets I'm going to get 3 of them next year (Millennium Falcon, Crawler Crane & Heavy-Haul Train).
Out of the six sets shown here I have three. There are two that i have on my wish list and will get over the next six months. The Ferris Wheel is awesome as is the SLAVE 1. I love the Temple too. only ninjago set i will own.
The Slave 1 looks great displayed, but I wish they had included a different minifigure than the storm trooper.
My comments sometimes do not post on this site and I have heard others say this, also. Is there something I need to fix on my end?
This ain't a kids' toy anymore! Actually, it's a highly-sophisticated inter-locking brick-system. :) Btw great picks...