Brickset Bouts: Pirates of Barracuda Bay vs Ninjago City
Posted by Huw,
Welcome to the first of today's four bouts of our knockout competition to find the best set released since Brickset was founded 20 years ago.
In this contest, two huge and highly revered sets battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
Read what advocates tyresoflaherty has to say about 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay and Mr_Hobbles about 70620 NINJAGO City after the break, then cast your vote!
21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay
It’s hard to call yourself a true LEGO fan if you don’t have a soft spot in your heart for the original Pirates line. I never had a ship myself (my brother had the Skulls Eye Schooner...not that I was jealous or anything...) so needless to say I was excited by the announcement of this set and the opportunity to get my hands on my very own pirate ship.
The minifigs brought the originals into the more modern Lego style and look fantastic. . I loved building it and finding all the clever Easter eggs in it (I about lost my mind when I recognised the callback to the Islanders theme!)
This set is sturdy and gorgeous. I'm also blown away by how amazing both the shipwrecked versions and the "clean" version of the ship are. Most sets I've seen that have multiple builds (thinking of the 3-in-1 sets) seem to have to compromise things in one build to accommodate the other, but both in this case are stunning.
Also, it's an Ideas set, so no stickers. You hear that? NO STICKERS.
Possibly the only setback of this set is the fact that it’s hard to decide which state to keep it in! Shipwrecked? Clean? Do I need to buy another one of these to be able to display both? (the wife and wallet both say no, sadly).
70620 NINJAGO City
From everything I've heard, the Lego Ninjago Movie wasn't as well-received as the rest in the series, however personally something resonated with me. I loved Lego's alternative vision of the chaotic yet beautiful Asian-esque Ninjago City portrayed within the film. From the canals to the Neon signs, the monorails to the mountains in the background, it was a wholly stunning image.
The normal Ninjago series of sets don't interest me in the slightest, but when the Ninjago City set came out it was an immediate purchase.
I really enjoy the modular building series and so to get a modular building style set in Ninjago City was a welcome surprise. It didn't disappoint either. The building techniques were great (the 1x1 transparent round tiles _inside_ the 1x2x5 wall, the lettering of the "Comics" sign, even the sushi conveyor belt on the top floor are all excellent).
The fact they managed to cram so much into a single 32x32 baseplate also makes the whole thing a visual overload - quite appropriate and very matching of the aesthetic in the film.
I also love that it was followed up with the Ninjago City Docks which allowed us to create a larger version of Ninjago City on our shelves, and it creates a perfect blueprint to add our own additions to the city. I think it'll be a while before we a set quite like this again. It's a huge set with a lot crammed into it, and with the film out of the way, Lego has reverted to the normal Ninjago aesthetic, and so it's likely this set (and the docks) will stand uniquely in the Lego vault.
Cast your vote!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should go through to the quarter-final for a chance to be crowned "best set of the millennium" ?
Voting for this bout will remain open until 8am BST Wednesday morning and I will announce the result shortly after.
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99 comments on this article
Ninjago City for sure - possibly the best set ever.
Another tough choice, but again have to go with how I voted with my wallet. Barracuda Bay it is
Ninjago City is the greatest set of all time, so there goes my vote. But Barracuda is also awesome. Just not quite as great.
They are both fantastic sets!
This is going to be a hard one.
Great reviews, both tyresoflaherty and Mr_Hobbles. Thank you!
Both of these could be finalists, it's a shame they're meeting so early. But that's the luck of the draw. Voted for the Pirates since I own it (well, when it ships), but can easily see Ninjago City winning.
Definitely Ninjago City. Barracuda Bay isn't bad either, but it's so much less interesting than the model that was originally submitted that I don't want to give it my vote.
Can I just say how fun these Brickset Bouts are? Awesome idea and execution!
Both awesome sets, and one of the few rounds where I won’t vote for one I own. I’m looking forward to building Barracuda Bay but Ninjago City is An amazing looking set packed with details and I’m still gutted I didn’t pick one up.
Ninjago City was a very large build, but nothing about it really stuck with me. The Pirates of the Barracuda Bay set is just a great homage to the original Black Seas Barracuda and looks fantastic as Island and ship build.
@ tyresoflaherty Sorry, even though Spaced is my favourite tv show of all time, I had to vote for Ninjago City. Anyway, treat yourself to a pint of the black stuff... you can’t drink a pint of Bovril!
Arrrr, me hearties!
As a relatively young Lego fan, the Pirates stuff doesn't spark any nostalgia, so I had to go for Ninjago City which is an incredible set which I should have shelled out for. Nonetheless, Barracuda bay is still a top notch set.
Ninjago City every day. Barracuda Bay is cool, but in my eyes the Ninjago City set is the best set ever released. It has everything: great details, great minifigures, great play features, brilliant pieces, and the PPP ratio was great.
I love the lived-in fee of Ninjago City and how it radiates life. Granted, it is tough for a desolate island to radiate life so this probably isn’t a fair comparison point, but I like my LEGO sets to be more gritty (NOT dark and gritty, I am using the original “lived in” definition) to feel like there are countless stories waiting to be told in every alleyway. And Ninjago City accomplished start to an A!
Ninjago cityis the only set that has been in my office every since I built it, and will never leave it. I always get comments about how amazing it is. The details are neverending. A true labour of love from the builders. Deserving of the overall win, not just this bout.
I have to admit I don't own Pirates Bay yet, but I had so much fun building NINJAGO City a few years ago. It's so layered and nothing is repetitive. Fun fun build.
Ninjago City was the easy choice for me on this bunch. It’s easily my favorite of all time.
Did we really need the comment about "true" LEGO fans, whatever that may mean? Plenty of LEGO fans have no affinity for certain themes and that doesn't make them any less true fans of LEGO.
This is cruel, just cruel ... I own and love both sets ... but Pirates ... I mean PIRATES ... savvy?
Hardest choice yet.
This must be the biggest heavyweight duel in terms of size and number of pieces. I have them both (in their box, waiting to be assembled of course - 4 kids take up a lot of my Lego building time haha). I have a deep love for Pirates as it was a theme I grew up on so that gets my vote.
Can't vote for 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay because I haven't been able to buy a copy since the covid-19 pandemic. The website doesn't ever have it in stock, and I would dearly like to know what everyone is excited about who has built one.
I’m still annoyed that 75098 Assault on Hoth wasn’t part of this vote. I created 500 email addresses and voted for it using each and every one of them and it still didn’t make the cut. I suspect foul play on Huw’s behalf. I can understand why though. It would have wiped the floor with any of these inferior sets, so it wouldn’t have been fair to include it.
It just has to be Ninjago City. One of the greatest, most imaginative Lego sets ever. And one which brought a whole new aesthetic to Lego. The manga-inspired futuristic-but-retro Far East. A clear winner in my book.
I have both of these sets and I love both of them and Pirates is an awesome theme but my vote must be for NINJAGO City. It's truly an amazing set and the massive amount of detail is very eye catching. Lots of fun building techniques as well.
I own Ninjago City and its a great set, the Pirates set is clever (2 in 1) and its on my would like to justify list....... which means want but probably wont be able to get rather than wanted so its NC for me.
2 big knocks on Barracuda Bay as far as the competition goes:
1. It's a reimagining of a 1989 set that was already re-released once in 2002. So the part of the set that is new within the last 20 years is the island and the convertible ship/shipwreck concept.
2. Pirates fans have been desperate for something, anything. It's hard to tell how much of the excitement around this set is because the set is just that good vs happiness that we finally got another good pirates set. Feels like even a decent pirates set would've created a lot of excitement.
@Rimefang said:
"Can't vote for 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay because I haven't been able to buy a copy since the covid-19 pandemic. The website doesn't ever have it in stock, and I would dearly like to know what everyone is excited about who has built one."
It's currently available for backorder.
So difficult, had to go for the Ninjago City though, its an absolutely amazing set that I'm gutted I missed out on. I mean Pirates of Barracuda Bay is a beauty in every sense of the word but its not as unique as Ninjago City was.
I voted for the Ninjago City but the two are really good. Barracuda Bay can win due to the Nostalgia of the Pirates theme.
Easy choice here. Ninjago all the way. It’s a work of art.
Barracuda Bay is great, but probably too “new” to say it’s definitely the best set of the decade.
i have and love Barracuda Bay, but Ninjago City is "the one that got away" and just amazing. gotta go with the City, sorry pirates
A really tough choice, but in the end, Ninjago city is just too awesome in every way
Ninjago City. The set I didn’t know I wanted until I saw it.
@GeordiePaul said:
"I’m still annoyed that 75098 Assault on Hoth wasn’t part of this vote. I created 500 email addresses and voted for it using each and every one of them and it still didn’t make the cut. I suspect foul play on Huw’s behalf. I can understand why though. It would have wiped the floor with any of these inferior sets, so it wouldn’t have been fair to include it."
What, the snow trooper suicide mission? The one with only 3/4 of a shield generator? The one where the Whampa doesn't fit in its own cave?
Yep, I can't see how that didn't make the cut.
Difficult choice. Barracuda Bay is tribute to old classic Pirates sets and 6285 Black Seas Barracuda (probably one of most classic sets 928 Galaxy Explorer and 375 Castle) while Ninjago City is the essence of creativity. I think I'm gonna vote for Barracuda Bay, but I'm not sure.
Barracuda bay is such a beautiful set. Even without the nostalgia, it looks great as the ship wreck and ingenious that it can be converted to an entire ship with minimal effort! Such a novel idea. I vote this as my favourite of all time - I had to get 2 sets because I love both versions.
I agree with everyone, it's by far the toughest choice, both sets are amazing... it's like having top-seeded 1 and 2 meeting at first round in Wimbledon !
I will finally settle for Ninjago City, as it is definitely the most original "modular" I've ever seen... I love it so much that I spent countless hours - well, days actually, lighting it from top to bottom, it's even more a jewel with lights everywhere at night !
The winner of this one will win it all !
I have built both these fantastic sets. The Pirates will always have a special place in my heart from childhood memories. I also have the ship displayed in my office. The Ninjago city was the most fun I have ever had building a LEGO set. So many interesting building techniques I would have never come up with on my own. Hands down Ninjago city for the win!
Please release the figures for the original voting round!
That must be fascinating data.
I want Barracuda Bay... but don't own it... it is epic!
However, the sheer scope of Ninjago City should not be underestimated... it's a whole city in a 32x32 square!
@GeordiePaul said:
"I’m still annoyed that 75098 Assault on Hoth wasn’t part of this vote. I created 500 email addresses and voted for it using each and every one of them and it still didn’t make the cut. I suspect foul play on Huw’s behalf. I can understand why though. It would have wiped the floor with any of these inferior sets, so it wouldn’t have been fair to include it."
Hahaha hahaha love it :)
Ninjago City is a strong contender to be the best set of all time, whereas PBB is arguably not even the best Pirates D2C (that would be Imperial Flagship). You should definitely buy PBB, but Ninjago City is a different beast entirely.
I'm still disappointed that they didn't continue the theme past two sets.
I totally expect barracuda to win this one. Too many pirates around aarrghh!
I love both sets but I find that Ninjago city is just a little too busy as a set. It's perfect for a kid to play and get totally immersed but was too expensive for a kid to afford without parents with deep pockets.
Barracuda is a good size and can be a ship or shipwreck on an island. It also appeals to lots of people old and young. I think the nostalgia will tip it over the edge with the voting but you never know?
In my opinion Ninjago City might be the best Lego set you can buy.
It's so dense, so layered, so full of great building techniques and surprise details, and looks brilliant on display. As an added bonus you can couple with the docks set to create 1 seamless mega set.
Barracuda bay is nice, but the default model looks messy and it just isn't on the same level as Ninjago City.
Ninjago City - I always put it off, and thought, I'll wait. I think it was on sale once on Amazon, and I still waited... now it's gone, and costs a fortune on ebay.
Ah well.
voting on these polls Is pretty hard when everyone picked sets I don’t really don’t like since I don’t like most big sets.
Ninjago City
Another difficult one. Both amazing sets.
I voted for...........
These are probably my 1 and 2 sets of all time (with Saturn V possibly in the mix as well), so it's a pity they've met so soon. I could definitely see both of these sets reaching the semi-final or even final.
I've gone for Pirates of Barracuda Bay, as I think it's pretty close to perfect (it's just missing an original monkey!) but I feel bad for Ninjago City.
I'm fortunate enough to own both of these sets, and I legitimately love both of them. However, Ninjago City easily wins this round and the whole contest for me. There is such an extraordinary level of detail and whimsical design in it, and the very lengthy building experience never gets dull (and has some brilliant techniques throughout). I ended up buying it for a hefty price on the secondary market, and I feel like it was worth every penny.
As I was building it, I kept thinking to myself that I couldn't believe LEGO allowed this set to exist; it feels like the designers were given carte blanche to do whatever they wanted with no regard for budget. The fact that my single favorite designed element in all of my LEGO sets, the crab grill that actually "grills" the crabs, is buried two levels down from the top of Ninjago City because there's so much packed into the rest of the set (including the highly enjoyable open air rotating sushi bar at the top), emphasizes the incredibleness of the set to me.
You can't make easy. They are both such good sets and I love them both but I have to go with Ninjago City.
Ninjago City. It is a stunning, in-house IP build.
While Barracuda bay is a great set, voting for that one is voting for the original pirate ship.
Ninjago city, even though I don't want it, is an amazing, original and colorful set.
One of the hardest decisions to make - I love both of these sets! N City just edges it for me as it is so ambitious and unique
Ninjago City. Like so many above have said, I would even submit it as one of the best sets of all time, possibly the very best.
It has an incredible visual design, chaotic yet ordered, and a cyberpunk city is subject matter i never expected to get in a LEGO set. It has a ton of colors. It has some really wonderful play features in the crab grill, the ATM, the movie posters, and the sushi conveyor. I love the sense of cohesion - every area is accessible to minifigures via ladders, alleys, walkways, and the elevator. The modularity of the design makes it fun and easy to go check out all the detailed interior spaces, and it also makes the construction interesting as things are built in segments and new floors are often built from the middle out. The value is incredible and the minifig selection is generous, especially with how many basic pedestrians you get to populate the enormous city, and how unique so many of them are.
The only downside I can think of is the quantity of stickers, but when you consider how many graphics were designed for signage and advertisements in the set, the only alternative would have been a slew of printed pieces / new part IDs, which would have hugely inflated the cost.
PBB is great, too - I love pirates as much as anyone, and my original BSB sits proudly on my shelf, plus I love the set designer making the set transformable into an intact, gorgeously designed ship. It's a great set no doubt, it's simply outclassed in this matchup.
Was gutted Destiny's Bounty didn't make it through, and will be devastated if Ninjago City doesn't.
I'm a DC/Marvel freak and was only put onto the sheer brilliance of the Ninjago line by my partner who was only in the Lego store as she was intrigued as to why I was always so excited to go in.
She noticed the Temple of Airjitzu and I have not stopped being impressed with the line since. I never thought that would be topped though until I saw Ninjago City. I own it, haven't built it, and even though I have watched video reviews about it I have not once thought anything would be ruined once I get the chance to build it as the prospect of doing so is still amazing. As mentioned before, the depth and variety of the set makes it a winner (here and overall).
By far the most difficult choice of all the bouts I think. I own both sets, but have yet to actually build Barracuda. And I have always told people that Ninjago City s the favourite of all my sets. The sheer size of it, the minifigures, the colours, and the many new and wonderful building techniques it includes just make it an incredible set.
A real toughie!!
2 beautiful and original sets, but the NINJAGO City is above and beyond most (if not all) LEGO sets. It's definitely the best "building" LEGO has ever made, and exceeds the detail and quality level of all Modular buildings. In fact, as a Modular collector and fan, I felt like I was building the most amazing LEGO Modular building, twice.
My favorite set is still the NASA Apollo Saturn V, but NINJAGO City is a close second. I'd love to see them in the finals.
Maybe at least one of my favourites can make it. Vote for ninjago city. Though barracuda bay looks very good too.
@ajbrown141 I agree that PoBB is missing the monkey, so I bought one from BL and now it's complete! :-)
This one is going to be interesting. I predict another close call.
Another tough one but have to go for Pirates of Barracuda Bay. It's based on an all time classic and it's pirates. It's good for both display and as a playset and it's even better that it's a 2-in-1. Ninjago city is a good set but just doesn't have the same aura as the PBB. NC also looks kinda weird to some people.
Ninjago City all the way!
It's opposition is no slouch but I am not sure LEGO will ever create another set that I had so much fun building as Ninjago City. So many spaces, details, colours and creations. Nice set of figures to populate the city. I was never and still am not really into Ninjago as I've never watched a show or the movie. But had bought the Temple of Airjitzu and several of the dragons. When I saw this was being released I was so excited.
In the end it really is hard to choose. It's like a kid in a candy shop. But hey Huw is making us do so lol
Ninjago City is my favorite set of all time. Unlike any other set I've had the pleasure of building, each section of it was completely unique. I'd wager it's the least repetitive large-scale set LEGO has ever made, and for 4867 pieces, that's an incredible accomplishment. In addition to that, each section was a joy to build, filled with color and life and style and clever building techniques. It is, hands-down, the set I have most enjoyed building.
The Barracuda, of course, is perhaps the greatest pirates set and the greatest ship that LEGO has ever made (in one!), and it's truly gorgeous too. I sure wish these two weren't facing off so soon. That said, I feel that way about most of these match-ups, which I suppose is a sign of how great all of the contenders are!
Difficult since I don't own either set, but as a fan of the modulars, Ninjago City is such an interesting take on the standard, cramming a whole world onto one baseplate. Sorry Barracuda Bay, you're just not for me.
Reading the comments quickly revealed my piratical biases. I thought the bay would easily sail to victory given the nostalgic value and versatility of the set, but there is a treasure chest full of love for Ninjago City.
Should be interesting results, but I will force anyone who propels the city to victory to walk the studded plank.
I'm a die hard space fan and even I had Pirate envy when that set was announced. What a wonderful tribute a great theme from the golden era, I have to go with that one. Even though ironically, it's Ninjago that's been giving us some of the best "space" sets lately.
Also:
^ Arrrrrrrrr!!!
This was a tough one but I think Barracuda Bay works better as it's own thing and I do prefer it's source material (classic pirates)
This might be the toughest round yet! I've gotta say though, much as they are both outstanding sets, I think Ninjago City has more variety and interesting techniques. Can't believe we have to eliminate one of these in round 1 though.
Wow it's like picking a favorite child!
I'd love to vote for Pirates because it is an amazing 2-in-1 set, but Ninjago looks so much more detailed.
Honestly, I’m just thrilled PoBB has made it into the top 16 sets since 2000. Recency bias aside, I think it truly is one of the best sets of the last 20 years on many levels. I’m glad people showed up to nominate it for this contest. I would bet that if you run a best set of the decade in 2030, it would make that cut too.
That said Nin-City is a worthy adversary and if it wins, it’s a true gg.
Yeah, I had to go for Ninjago City here. The Pirates set is REALLY neat, don't get me wrong, but... compared to the crammed, bustling, almost lifelike chaos of Ninjago City, something about it just feels a little bit bland in comparison? I just feel like the city offers more; I know if I was given the choice of owning just one of these, without price being an object, I would chose the fascinating architecture of that set.
Against, like, all but three other sets in this contest my vote would have gone Barracuda Bay all the way; but this is one of the small number that I just find more appealing, even, than that... though only by a narrow margin, granted.
Also, seconding @Bison_Bricks up there; these are really fun, and I'd love to see more of this kind of contest run in the future :D
The struggle is real. Super difficult to vote.
In the end, I had to ask myself, "Did I fall in love with LEGO because it was really good at making homages to stuff I liked in the past, or did I fall in love with LEGO because it showed me worlds and characters I couldn't have come up with on my own, putting a unique, playful spin on what I thought was possible with LEGO bricks?" With that in mind, the answer was almost easy. NINJAGO City is a revelation and it was a joy to build over the course of 2017 and 2018, even more so than its contemporary, the remade UCS Millennium Falcon.
I love Pirates. Love that theme to death! One of the reasons I pray and work hard at getting a new job is so I can afford to get the Pirates of Barracuda Bay set, which came out a few weeks after I got unceremoniously laid off. But as much I marvel and amaze at it, it is only amazing because of how strongly tied it is to the Pirates sets of my childhood. If I am doomed to remained unemployed until the set EOLs, it will be sad, but at least I will still have the Pirate sets of my youth to fill that niche in my collection. But if I had missed out on Ninjago City...wow, not sure how I could compensate for missing out on that build and play experience.
It's also worth mentioning that, like the Barracuda, Ninjago City was packed full of references to past LEGO nostalgia as well: it has billboards with references to the LEGO Island theme/games and the LEGO Racers games, and the comic book store has the "BELIEVE" kitten poster from The LEGO Movie... references that hit home for me just as much as the remake of a classic pirate ship.
Not relevant to this contest, but Ninjago City Docks continued the the trend with references to the Junkbot flash game and https://brickset.com/sets/5935-1/Island-Hopper!
i can not say
they are the bestsellers in my mind
so i can not say
a lot of pepole are killing the ideas set
Ninjago City is the perfect set for me. Not only was it a fun build, the finished product looks awesome. It has lots of fun little details that make it a great display set or play set thanks to its huge choices of play features. It can be a standalone or added to other baseplates. It pushes you to want to expand the set through the modular system to make a whole neo-honk kong like city. I learned a ton of building techniques through the set and I'm not even a ninjago fan (I only own 2 ninjago sets: city and city docks).
Yes Pirates is a nice set, resting on fan nostalgia but I wouldn't call it the best set of all times. Once you have a pirate ship or an island you're sort of missing something else to play with (an enemy ship?) whereas Ninjago City works great on its own (even if expansion is tempting).
I honestly hate you for making me vote against Ninjago city ??
@Lego_Lord_Mayorca a dit:
«En fin de compte, je devais me demander:« Est-ce que je suis tombé amoureux de LEGO parce qu'il était vraiment doué pour rendre hommage à des choses que j'aimais dans le passé, ou est-ce que je suis tombé amoureux de LEGO parce qu'il m'a montré des mondes et des personnages Je n'aurais pas pu trouver par moi-même, donner une touche unique et ludique à ce que je pensais être possible avec les briques LEGO? "Dans cet esprit, la réponse était presque facile. NINJAGO City est une révélation et c'était une joie à construire au cours des années 2017 et 2018, plus encore que son contemporain, l'UCS Millennium Falcon refait.
J'adore les pirates. J'adore ce thème à mort! L'une des raisons pour lesquelles je prie et travaille dur pour obtenir un nouvel emploi est que je peux me permettre de me procurer le set Pirates of Barracuda Bay, qui est sorti quelques semaines après ma mise à pied sans cérémonie. Mais autant je m'émerveille et m'émerveille, ce n'est incroyable que parce qu'il est fortement lié aux ensembles Pirates de mon enfance. Si je suis condamné à rester au chômage jusqu'à la fin des séries, ce sera triste, mais au moins j'aurai toujours les ensembles Pirate de ma jeunesse pour combler ce créneau dans ma collection. Mais si j'avais raté Ninjago City ... wow, je ne sais pas comment je pourrais compenser le manque de cette expérience de construction et de jeu. "
Désolé pour vous, j'espère que ce sera mieux dans un proche avenir. Bonne chance et prenez soin de vous et de votre famille ...
And definitely Ninjago city for me, simply the best set of all time !
Another tough one.
I have got the NC - still in the box. I plan to get PoBB.
One is huge and very detailed, the other one not only a very nice tribute to Classic Pirates, but also a 2in1 set.
Pirates of Barracuda Bay finally got my vote.
Why are pirates, pirates?
Because they arrrrrrgh!
Ninjago city wins - it is a whole city on a 32 X 32.
It just keeps going up - and there is a seafood restaurant with crab and a moving sushi bar on the top!!! It doesn’t get better than that.
@bananaworld said:
"
Please release the figures for the original voting round!
That must be fascinating data."
They'll probably release that data once all of the rounds of voting are completed, as if they released that data right now, it could potentially either spoil what sets are most likely to win or result in the swaying of the vote a bit.
barracuda bay....---???
My original Black Seas Barracuda still proudly sails the seas of our family's LEGO world. We dusted her off and swabbed her decks (literally, our kids used cotton swabs) a few months ago in anticipation of the new Barracuda Bay set joining our layout. For many reasons, the original BSB is probably my favorite set of all time. I have crystal clear memories of building it before (and after!) dinner on Christmas day, three decades ago. It was the one set to survive (mostly) intact through my dark ages. Even the Castle sets were dismantled. We have PBB on backorder, and we're keenly anticipating the build (and the sailing!) once it arrives. It looks to be the perfect homage/update to - again - probably my favorite set of all time.
Ninjago City may not be everyone's cup of tea. It may be prohibitively expensive for some, or even the prospect of such a massive build might put others off. It does not have decades of nostalgia soaked into its bricks. BUT. Anyone who has had the pleasure of constructing it "knows." Ninjago City is probably the greatest set that LEGO has ever sold. It deserves to be the ultimate 2020 Brickset Bout champion.
I voted for Ninjago City but you could have chosen another adversary for this as it was close then again, I own NC and have yet to buy Pirates of Barracuda Bay so those are my priorities.
Toughest choice yet! I just can't decide. They are both great sets. I love pirate/nautical and Asian themes.
Wait...we're supposed to believe that we just randomly got presented with a bout of Pirates vs Ninja? That seems highly suspect...
DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!!!
My top 4 of the final 16 faced off against each other in the first round.
I don't even like Ninjago and I bought Ninjago City and Destiny's Bounty. That's how good they are.
But... Pirates of Barracuda Bay is fantastic, too.
Give us double elimination so we can properly rank these sets.
I am not a huge Ninjago builder, but I certainly respect it for resulting in great sets. However, Ideas has come out with some of the best sets of these last 20 years and Pirates of Barracuda Bay is one of the best of the best for me!
What would be more fun, a pirate ship, or a building? I do like Ninjago, and had it been the Destiny’s Bounty I would have chosen it, but today Barracuda Bay wins.
Ninjago City, best set of all time.
Going with Ninjago City here. I want to like Pirates of Barracuda Bay, but I just... don't, for whatever reason. I don't own either set, but I'd be more likely to purchase Ninjago City someday than the Barracuda Bay set.
Barracuda Bay definitely. Never been a fan of Ninjago (perhaps because i am one of the older generations). Gonna build the set at the end of the week and i'm looking forward to it.
So tricky...