New York Toy Fair Coverage Part Nine: The Lord of the Rings

[Aanchir]

Shortcut to Part One: Hero Factory

Shortcut to Part Two: Ninjago

Shortcut to Part Three: City

Shortcut to Part Four: Monster Fighters and Dino

Shortcut to Part Five: Super Heroes

Shortcut to Part Six: Friends

Shortcut to Part Seven: Creator, Racers, & Games

Shortcut to Part Eight: Star Wars

This year, I was able to go to the New York International Toy Fair for the first time as a representative of the BIONICLE wiki BIONICLEsector01 and its sister site HEROsector01. Together with fellow BS01/HS01 staff member Chols, who took most of the photos, I attended the LEGO Collectors Preview where representatives of LEGO fansites can view and photograph the new sets for an extended two-hour timeframe (our invitations unfortunately did not cover admission to the full three-day Toy Fair event, so externally-produced LEGO products like clocks and watches were not among the things we saw).

Since our sites' normal coverage doesn't extend outside the constraction themes, we reached an agreement with Eurobricks to share with them our coverage of the LEGO Collectors Preview and all the sets and themes on display. Part nine of our coverage is a much-anticipated new licensed theme, The Lord of the Rings (as well as a few brief tidbits regarding the as-of-yet unrevealed sets based on The Hobbit).

All seven of these sets are due for a June release:

9469 Gandalf Arrives

83 pieces

USD $12.99

CAD $15.99

This set features a simple but stylish horse cart filled with assorted fireworks. The horse is a new design with articulated legs and slightly more detailed contours. Minifigures in this set include Frodo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey.

9470 Shelob Attacks

227 pieces

USD $19.99

CAD $24.99

This is possibly the best giant spider in any LEGO set to date, with eight articulated legs, two body segments, and an internal winch so it can hang from a string of "silk". Minifigures include Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum.

9471 Uruk-hai Army

257 pieces

USD $29.99

CAD $39.99

This set looks like it will be a great army builder. The castle wall is substantial as well, and could easily be used to expand Helm's Deep (which will be covered further down). Minifigures include Eomer, a Rohan soldier, and four Uruk-hai.

9472 Attack on Weathertop

430 pieces

USD $59.99

CAD $74.99

This is a good likeness of the location as it appears in the film (microfigures make great statues), and the flick-fire function on the hill is at least inconspicuous, if totally unnecessary. Minifigures include Aragorn, Frodo, Merry, and two Ringwraiths on their evil, red-eyed steeds.

9473 The Mines of Moria

776 pieces

USD $79.99

CAD $99.99

This set depicts the battle with the cave troll in Balin's Tomb. Figures include the Cave Troll, Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, two Moria orcs, and two skeletons. The many details include the tomb itself, the large and small doors to the chamber, the well, and the book of records the Fellowship consults.

9474 The Battle of Helm's Deep

1,368 pieces

USD $129.99

CAD $169.99

The flagship set of this theme's first wave is definitely a sight to behold, and perhaps one of the most substantial LEGO castles in decades. The outer and inner walls are two separate sections, and one of the auxiliary walls can be toppled by the berserker Uruk-hai's bomb. Minifigures include Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Théoden, and four Uruk-hai including a berserker Uruk-hai. A single horse is also included.

9476 The Orc Forge

366 pieces

USD $39.99

CAD $49.99

This set will be exclusive to Target stores in the United States, and as such it was not included in our press kit. It is perhaps the most literal example of an "army builder" to date, since this is where the orcs are outfitted with weapons and armor. Figures include an Uruk-hai, three Mordor orcs, and the Uruk-Hai commander Lurtz.

Additionally, sets based on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey are due for release sometime this fall (Spring for LEGO fans in the southern hemisphere). We have no other information on these sets, except that there will at some point be a LEGO Game based on the same property. More information on that here.

That concludes our coverage of this exciting new theme! Next up we will be covering the Minifigures, Bricks & More, and non-licensed Duplo sets that were on display at the event. Stay tuned!

Edited April 16, 2012 by Aanchir

[The Joker1]

These LOTR sets look nicer every day that Orc Forge is certanly the best in my opinion.

[JackJonespaw]

These LOTR sets look nicer every day that Orc Forge is certanly the best in my opinion.

I agree. Nice coverage of a great theme!

[prateek]

Wow, these sets are oh so awesome, yet oh so OP.

[Alex the Great]

Helm's Deep isn't 776 pieces is it? I thought it was closer to 1300.

[Daimar]

I dont care how much the Shelob set will cost, I just have to get it. Oh june, where are you?

[ghostmind]

Helm's Deep isn't 776 pieces is it? I thought it was closer to 1300.

Helm's Deep is 1,368 pieces. Aanchir put the Mines of Moria piece count for this one as well in error.

[Aanchir]

Helm's Deep is 1,368 pieces. Aanchir put the Mines of Moria piece count for this one as well in error.

My mistake. Let me correct this. Thank you guys for keeping me honest!