I never had this one, but I wanted it. This set is, to me, proof that big baseplates can really be used to great effect. I know they’re not popular with everyone, but I love them when they’re used well. This is one of those instances!

One day...one day, beautiful.

Another set I never got as a kid and an early post dark age purchase. I agree the raised baseplate is used masterfully in this set...it just feels so imposing. And four awesome knights...dang.

WHOA.

A legend even in its own time, and the first LEGO set that I shelled out a four-figure price in order to obtain in brand-new condition two decades after it was first released. After I built it, I wasn't disappointed in the least for what I paid. Although it is one of the "raised baseplate" sets that saw some abuse in set design in the years following, the Black Knights' (or "Dungeon Master's") Castle was a substantial structure that provided everything my imagination needed to play out a classic tale of days of yore, when rival fiefdoms (some good, some bad) sprawled across LEGOLAND.

What makes this castle so great, to be specific? Well, for starters, you have the essentials: working drawbridge, an operable portilicus, three watch towers (one being the front gatehouse), a water well in the center, a tower keep that doubles as a dungeon, and a tavern/living area for the knights when they aren't away at war or on watch duty. Then there are all the unique features: that one knight that was the only one to come fully armored with white plumes in his helmet; the now-iconic red dragon iconography across flags, shields, and bardings; a ghost to haunt the tower keep and a hapless Wolfpack renegade; a nifty back exit for when Brave Sir Robin and his men must make a hasty advance in the opposite direction of battle. And I haven't even mentioned all the weaponry, the unique pieces (the white plumes, but those yellow tavern walls, too!), or all the other minifigures!

I saw this set in a catalogue back in the late 90s, already too late to find it on store shelves. But the image of it, ramparts standing high against the desert sky, knights issuing forth to go on all manner of exciting adventures...it stuck with me! I imagine it did for a lot of kids back in the 90s. Although the Royal Knights' Castle in 1995 sort of took a little of that luster away, I still could never discount nor forget its impressive predecessor. And after the turn of the century, there were no new grand castles in that early 90s' tradition to look forward to.

This was the Holy Grail. And I am proud to include it in my collection amongst the greatest of sets that came out during the Golden Age.

Gosh, that's a gorgeous castle.

One of the best castles ever.

Still my favorite. When coming out of the dark ages, this was one of the first childhood sets I rebuilt. Still sitting on my shelf since 2011.

86 to 94 were the golden years for LEGO, classic Castle bests Kingdoms any day.

I managed to pick this one up just a few weeks ago from someone selling their childhood collection. An incredible set, really. Perfect hybrid of the structural realism that earlier lego castles were afforded, and the playability of the fantasy sets that came after.

This was an unobtained holy grail as a child for me and the first big set I bought as an AFOL. It is the best Lego castle of the 20th century.

If you're used to modulars with massive, detailed interiors, it's nothing like that, but it has tons of play features and a great silhouette.

To quote Engelbrick Humperbrinck:
"Please re-release me..."

I miss the Castle theme. Lego doesn't make sets like these anymore.

Never letting this on go. Sits proudly with some of the other castle sets. I was give the choice at six. Birthday party or castle. I chose wisely