Five of Brick Fanatics’ Top 20 LEGO sets are on the verge of retiring for good, marking the end of an era for some of the very best models currently available.
Our Top 20 tracks the best of the best available to buy at LEGO.com across a range of themes, prices and piece counts, so there’s something in there for everybody – from gigantic The Lord of the Rings sets to shelf-friendly Speed Champions race cars. And in the mix at the moment are a quintet of sets slated for retirement in 2024.
It almost goes without saying that you won’t want to miss out on these sets if you have even the slightest interest in their subject matter, and you might already be aware that one or two of them are on the way out. But just in case, here’s a reminder of the sets from our Top 20 retiring this year – some of which have already reached ‘sold out’ status in select regions…
42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter
Price: £179.99 / $209.99 / €209.99 Pieces: 2,001 Top 20 list position: 18th
Arguably the best LEGO Technic has to offer right now, 42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter boasts realistic functions, an attractive build and a decent price tag. That makes it a must-have for LEGO engineers, not least because this set will genuinely teach you a thing or two about the way real-life helicopters work.
It’s proving increasingly difficult to come by through third-party retailers – it’s sold out at both Zavvi and Amazon at the time of writing – but it’s still available with immediate delivery at LEGO.com in the UK and US.
71741 NINJAGO City Gardens
Price: £299.99 / $349.99 / €349.99 Pieces: 5,685 Top 20 list position: 11th
The set that restarted the LEGO NINJAGO City modular buildings in 2021 after a brief hiatus, 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens is not only the best NINJAGO set around right now, but also one of the most impressive and engaging building experiences you’ll ever enjoy. You can’t knock that price-per-piece ratio, either – nor the towering display piece you’re left with when all’s said and done.
If you want a complete collection of these buildings (along with 70620 NINJAGO City, 70657 NINJAGO City Docks and 71799 NINJAGO City Markets) don’t miss out on 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens: chances are it’s only going to get even more expensive when it retires. It’s still available at LEGO.com for the time being.
75313 AT-AT
Price: £734.99 / $849.99 / €849.99 Pieces: 6,785 Top 20 list position: 7th
It took more than two decades for the LEGO Star Wars team to figure out how to achieve an Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT, and while the result commands an almost-incomparable price tag, it’s hard to say it’s not worth it for the sheer feat of engineering that this walker represents. It’s now stumbling off shelves after only three years in production.
A relatively short shelf life mixed with a high price tag is a recipe for increased value post-retirement, so your best bet for adding this to your collection is really at retail. You could chance waiting for a good deal around Black Friday, but as with all sets on this list, there are no guarantees it will last that long. In the UK, 75313 AT-AT is only available at LEGO.com and Disney Store.
10320 Eldorado Fortress
Price: £189.99 / $214.99 / €214.99 Pieces: 2,509 Top 20 list position: 6th
LEGO Pirates’ recent renaissance sets 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay and 10320 Eldorado Fortress have two things in common. One: they’re both brilliant and nostalgic builds that will make you feel 10 years old again. Two: neither of them have survived longer than two years in production. Eldorado launched in July last year and is already on the way out.
You’d be remiss to let this one slip through your fingers though, especially if you owned the original Eldorado Fortress as a kid. And especially if you didn’t: here is the chance to live out those swashbuckling dreams without having to pay the piper for the 1989 model. But it’s about to disappear for good…
77015 Temple of the Golden Idol
Price: £129.99 / $149.99 / €149.99 Pieces: 1,545 Top 20 list position: 5th
The Top 20 LEGO set most in danger of being missed on this list is 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol, arguably the best LEGO Indiana Jones set of all time. It’s already sold out at LEGO.com in the UK and is currently on back order in the US, so if you see it available elsewhere, best pounce while you still can.
In the UK, you can still snap it up at Zavvi for only £119.99. That’s a £10 discount, and while it’s perhaps not the best price ever, it’s nothing to sniff at this close to retirement – especially as it’s already gone from LEGO.com, and is realistically worth the asking price even at full RRP. It’s the ultimate marriage of playset and display model, all wrapped up in an 18+ box.
Head here to check out the full Top 20 LEGO sets list, or tap through here to find the complete list of LEGO sets retiring in 2024.
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links. Thanks!
Comments
Be the first to comment!