LEGO Theme: Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, X Wing And LEGOS Toys

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Published: June 21, 2007

If fans of Star Wars and fans of LEGOS didn't have anything in common before 1999, they do now. Several years have passed since the LEGO Group acquired licensing rights to Star Wars in 1999, but the Star Wars line of LEGOS toys is still a consistent seller. The popular LEGOS theme will run through 2011, according to a press announcement in early 2006.

This will give Star Wars fans enough time to collect the numerous characters and ships in the set.

In the years since its inception, the Star Wars LEGO theme has gone on to produce toy replicas of starfighters and heroes from the three Star Wars prequel movies, but LEGOS originally took care of the essentials.

The X Wing fighter, flown by Star Wars protagonist Luke Skywalker, replicates the famous starfighter with meticulous attention to detail. The X Wing features a cargo hold and functioning fold-out landing gear to enhance the authenticity of the toy. Minifigures of famous characters like Princess Leia and Chewbacca are also included. Fans dig it: the X Wing got a four out of five rating on the official Star Wars LEGOS website. X Wings, like the TIE Advanced or Imperial AT-ST models, are listed as hard to find on the official LEGOS website.

Hardcore fanatics of the Star Wars LEGOS can shell out the extra bucks for the Ultimate Collector Series. Intended more for display than for play, LEGOS in the Ultimate Collector Series (or UCS) are more sophisticated and detailed in appearance. UCS models like Darth Vader's Advanced Tie Fighter (complete with dual cannons and cockpit compartment) come with a display stand and collector's card with specifications.

October 2007 will see the release of Han Solo's starship, the Millennium Falcon, as the latest in the Ultimate Collector Series. At 5,000 pieces and measuring 33 inches long and 22 inches wide, the $500 model will be the biggest set in the history of LEGOS. Like the X Wing, it will include minifigures of Leia and Chewbacca as well as Solo, Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Other UCS models include the Y Wing starfighter (at $119.99), the Sandcrawler ($139.99) and the iconic Death Star II ($299). Serious money for toys, but as previously mentioned these models aren't meant to be left on a kid's floor only to be stepped on later.

Jedis on a budget can get a simple TIE Interceptor or AT-ST set for $19.99. Other non-UCS models run higher: Boba Fett's Slave I starship is listed as $49.99 at the LEGOS store online, and Jabba The Hutt's Sail Barge goes for $74.99.

LEGO didn't stop at models and minifigures: key chains, t-shirts, and even video games integrating Star Wars with LEGOS have been introduced. Other Star Wars video games give players little options or creative control. Here, players can ride creatures and self-constructed vehicles as well as create their own character from parts common to the LEGO toys. What other Star Wars video game lets the player put alien bounty hunter Greedo's head on Han Solo's body?

Since the introduction of the Star Wars LEGOS theme, nearly all starships and characters with a significant role in the Star Wars movies (including the prequels) have been made available, allowing an ostensible live action re-enactment of scenes from the films. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Darth Vader are available along with secondary characters like Chewbacca, R2-D2, Jabba The Hutt and more. Coupled with the Death Star, all the starfighters and the upcoming Millennium Falcon, the Star Wars LEGOS can provide a full range of outer space entertainment for both play and museum-like presentation.

Sources:
The Force Is With The LEGO Brand Until 2011. BusinessWire. 11 Feb. 2006. FindArticles. 11 June 2007. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_200 6_Feb_11/ai_n160608726212
X Wing Fighter. LEGO. 2007. The LEGO Group. 11 June 2007. http://starwars.lego.com/en-us/Products/exclusive/ 6212.aspx
10175: Vader's TIE Advanced. LEGO. 2007. The LEGO Group. 11 June 2007.
http://starwars.lego.com/en-us/Products/exclusiv e/10175.aspx
Build And Battle Through The Original Trilogy! LEGO. 2007. The LEGO Group. 11 June 2007.
http://starwars.lego.com/en-us/VideoGame/Default .aspx

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