Last Minute LEGO Gift Guide: Great Sets at Great Price

LEGO Gift Guide 2016

The weather outside has turned frightful for much of North America as another reminder that Christmas and the arrival of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas is just around the corner.

I have researched and put together a nifty last minute LEGO gift guide based strictly on licensed sets for steadfast procrastinators who haven’t done their Christmas shopping. You know who you are.


It’s a great feeling to grab a big gift on Christmas morning, give it a shake and hear hundreds of LEGO bricks rattling within. For that reason this LEGO gift guide focuses on larger sets that will take at least a couple hours to put together.

For each set I’ll list a couple pros and cons as well as note the price-per-brick ratio. Some of you frugal folks like to get the most bang for your buck so consider that little stat a personalized inclusion.

LEGO Minecraft: The Fortress

Minecraft is a huge deal and the LEGO sets based on the block-driven gaming property sell like hotcakes. The Fortress LEGO Minecraft set in particular has a lot going for it. One of these is already wrapped and under the Christmas tree for my son and there are many reasons I expect him to love it.

Pros:

  • Both wide and tall
  • Includes a rare Minecraft horse and three skeletons
  • Includes full armor for one skeleton and Steve
  • Includes FIVE different colored swords

Cons:

  • Yet another Steve
  • Not enough armor for all skeletons
  • Repetitive right and left towers

Amazon sale price: $76.99 (30 percent off, buy it here)

Price-per-brick: 7.8 cents (984 pieces total)

LEGO Marvel: Super Hero Airport Battle

It’s hard to believe that Captain America: Civil War came out this year considering all the big event films release since. It did and the marquee LEGO set from the film is the Super Hero Airport Battle.

The LEGO Group was kind enough to provide me a sample of the set for this guide so it’s fresh on my mind. It goes without saying that Giant Man, an articulated brick-built massive LEGO figure, is hands down the set’s highlight. My kids, who aren’t that interested in superheroes, immediately gravitated toward Giant Man and claimed him for their own due to his size and coolness. You could even use the building instructions for Giant Man and try to concoct other giant brick-built LEGO figures.

Pros:

  • Giant Man is simply incredible
  • Nice minifigure selection including Captain America, Iron Man, Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, War Machine and Agent 13
  • The latter four minifigures are less common and especially appreciated
  • Interactive exploding wall in tower and hidden shooting cannon in quinjet
  • Articulated quinjet wings
  • Includes TWO Ant-Man microfigures in case you lose one
  • Marvel-branded luggage and crates a great touch

Cons:

  • Team Stark is over-represented
  • No Spider-Man, a key character in this scene
  • Yet another quinjet variant build
  • Yet another Iron Man and Captain America minifigure
  • Massive sticker sheet and only one printed brick (thankfully Giant Man’s face)

Amazon sale price: $59.99 (25 percent off, buy it here)

Price-per-brick: 7.4 cents (807 pieces total)

 

LEGO A Star Wars Story: Rogue One: Director Krennic’s Shuttle

Director Krennic’s shuttle plays a prominent role in A Star Wars Story: Rogue One so it’s quickly becoming one of the most sought after sets from the new film. Amazon.com has sold out but other retailers like Target still have it in stock for online ordering.

Pros:

  • Unique design and articulated wings
  • Includes Director Krennic and two Death Troopers for bad guys
  • Good guys include sought after K-2S0, Bodhi Rook and Pao
  • Folds out into play set base

Cons:

  • A little expensive

Target sale price: $79.99 (10 percent off, buy it here)

Price-per-brick: 9.2 cents (863 pieces total)

LEGO Batman Movie: The Joker Notorious Lowrider

There are currently four LEGO sets from this February’s upcoming The LEGO Batman Movie on store shelves with another wave and 20 minifigures CMF series due on January 1st. You may find the latter early at Target or Toys “R” Us so keep your eyes peeled.

Of the four available the one I’m recommending based purely on images is The Joker Notorious Lowrider. It’s an intriguing vehicle build and the minifigures are a home run across the board.

Pros:

  • Harley Quinn, The Joker and Batgirl minifigures are incredibly detailed including arm printing
  • Lowrider car could be modified for a LEGO City modular display
  • A golden chicken!
  • No Batman!

Cons:

  • Wheels are a little odd
  • A little pricey

Amazon sale price: $44.73 (11 percent off, buy it here)

Price-per-brick: 10.3 cents (433 pieces total)

LEGO Ninjago: The Lighthouse Siege

I consider Ninjago the unsung hero of the LEGO line. There are many beautiful sets within its range and the highly entertaining accompanying television show make them all the more desirable.

The Lighthouse Siege set came out this past summer as part of a combo wave featuring sets from the most recent season of the TV show as well as a Halloween special that recently aired. It includes multiple exclusive figures and is one of the taller Ninjago sets ever released.

Pros:

  • Exclusive Echo Zane and Tai-D robot minifigures
  • Rare Nadakhan minifigure plus Nya and Jay in Sky bound outfits, Battle Clancee, Battle Flintlock and Sqiffy
  • First LEGO Ninjago light brick use
  • Multiple action features

Cons:

  • Cramped interior
  • Somewhat fragile when played with

Target sale price: $42.99 (30 percent off, buy it here)

Price-per-brick: 2.3 cents! (767 pieces total)

Honorable Mention: LEGO Ghostbusters Ecto-1 21108

This fantastic Ghostbusters set featuring the original cast retires at the end of the month. If you can find one at retail be sure to grab it!

 

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