Is 70404 Castle worth?

[BrickSev]

Hello,

I recently noticed the 70404 King's Castle set is officially sold out on Lego Shop (at least when I select my country, Italy)

I saw it on a online store with a marginal (about 10%) discount and I was wondering if the set is worth.

I grew up with Lego castle theme (the very old one ) but sadly my old castles have been destroyed during the years. Very unfortunate, since I loved that sets and it appears most of their pieces have been lost. They only Lego sets I lost, for the records

So I'd really like to get a castle back in my collection but on many reviews of 70404 I read they mentioned a vast use of "junior" bricks that make the building to appear a little "simplistic".

What is your opinion? Do you suggest to buy it until it's still around or to wait for a new set to be released one day?

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[Dubbadgrim]

It's hardly the most elegant of castles and I'm not a fan of the prefab pieces. IMO the kingdoms joust or Lord of the rings sets look a lot nicer, but it depends on what price you can get them.

[Artanis I]

a vast use of "junior" bricks that make the building to appear a little "simplistic"

I think that is a gross exaggeration. Compared to other castles from 10-20 years ago (and even more recently), it is quite the opposite.

If you don't like the design, you can always pull it apart and change it. There are plenty of useful parts that can give you many configurations.

Some AFOLs get hung up on elegant looking castle mocs & display pieces, and dismiss playsets with less detail. I think there is too much unwarranted negativity towards this castle. But I'm not saying it's amazing or that you should get it, It is up to you to decide whether it's what you want.

[BrickSev]

It's hardly the most elegant of castles and I'm not a fan of the prefab pieces. IMO the kingdoms joust or Lord of the rings sets look a lot nicer, but it depends on what price you can get them.

I have been away from Lego world for a while and I missed a lot of great sets. I have doubts about 70404 for the same reason. I was thinking about getting 10237 ( Tower of Orthanc) from Lord of the Rings theme even though it's a "tower" and not a castle because of my doubts on 70404. Sadly they are restocking on Lego shop and it's very hard to find in other places (at least at the retail price).

I think that is a gross exaggeration. Compared to other castles from 10-20 years ago (and even more recently), it is quite the opposite.

If you don't like the design, you can always pull it apart and change it. There are plenty of useful parts that can give you many configurations.

Some AFOLs get hung up on elegant looking castle mocs & display pieces, and dismiss playsets with less detail. I think there is too much unwarranted negativity towards this castle. But I'm not saying it's amazing or that you should get it, It is up to you to decide whether it's what you want.

I only saw pics online so my knowledge on the set is not very detailed

I'd like a Castle with a good "display value" and with the capability to be used as set for diorama, comics, eventually Brickfilm etc. If possible, of course

What I find important is for the castle to at least look nice on display.

EDIT:

If it's an improvement compared to the very old castles, then there may be a reason for my to buy it. I'm being "tempted" by the LOTR tower, though Not a castle but perhaps it's not too difficult to build a castle (like adding walls etc) around it. Did anyone already try it?

Edited December 3, 2014 by BrickSev

[jFox]

I had the King's Castle on display for a while, and ultimately broke it down and sold it. Some parts of it were interesting, but overall was just a so-so design. Like Artanis said, you can ultimately change whatever you don't like about it, but I didn't find the piece selection all that great either. I did, however, like the smaller Gatehouse Raid set (#70402), either alone or with the castle. Both sets are somewhat modular and you can throw a pair of gatehouse sets on opposite walls to build up the castle nicely.

[BrickSev]

I had the King's Castle on display for a while, and ultimately broke it down and sold it. Some parts of it were interesting, but overall was just a so-so design. Like Artanis said, you can ultimately change whatever you don't like about it, but I didn't find the piece selection all that great either. I did, however, like the smaller Gatehouse Raid set (#70402), either alone or with the castle. Both sets are somewhat modular and you can throw a pair of gatehouse sets on opposite walls to build up the castle nicely.

Very interesting idea. I'm looking at photos, so I don't have a direct knowledge but they do seem clearly modular.

Well, I think I'm just getting a little ambitious. What about adding the 10237 I mentioned above to 70404 and a couple of 70402? 10237 doesn't even need to be "implemented" into the other buildings but could be put in the middle of the 70404 to represent the central tower, the core of the castle itself.

Unless it is too high compared to the scale of the other sets.

[Artanis I]

I'd like a Castle with a good "display value" and with the capability to be used as set for diorama, comics, eventually Brickfilm etc. If possible, of course

What I find important is for the castle to at least look nice on display.

Then it is possible that you would prefer to build something yourself. You can use a set like this as a starting point if you need lots of grey and castley parts. But here is mine, together with 2 gatehouse sets added as per jFox's suggestion to give you an idea:

More pics

Very interesting idea. I'm looking at photos, so I don't have a direct knowledge but they do seem clearly modular.

Well, I think I'm just getting a little ambitious. What about adding the 10237 I mentioned above to 70404 and a couple of 70402? 10237 doesn't even need to be "implemented" into the other buildings but could be put in the middle of the 70404 to represent the central tower, the core of the castle itself.

Unless it is too high compared to the scale of the other sets.

I don't think that Orthanc would fit in the middle, you would have to expand the walls a bit further the other way too. It's very tall, I haven't put it next to a castle to see how it looks though.

[BrickSev]

Then it is possible that you would prefer to build something yourself. You can use a set like this as a starting point if you need lots of grey and castley parts. But here is mine, together with 2 gatehouse sets added as per jFox's suggestion to give you an idea:

Very nice indeed. There is a great "continuity" in the walls and it looks like they come from the same set. Thank you for sharing those pics.

Regarding the tower: well it's very tall 28" ( 72/73 cm) high. An explanation of its presence could be found

They built the castle around a much older tower, a building with a high historical/mythologic value for that society.

However I think it may not "blend" well with the style and color of the other sets. Not to mention the height issue.

[Regenerate builder]

My 2 cents is to get 70404 if it is a decent price. Since your other castle have been lost and destroyed it will fill the void well. It is not a bad castle, but when compared to other castles it has nothing special to offer. Though I actually think the gatehouse/front is quite nice. An officla Lego set castle will never quite have the display value of a castle MOC. On a side note, get orthanc regardless of what you do!

Edited December 3, 2014 by Regenerate builder

[TeufelHund]

I don't have the castle but I'm not a big fan - I had the chance to buy it at almost 50% off and passed - even the parts and minifigures aren't that great and I'm not a big fan of the kiddie Lion heraldry.

If TLG are no longer producing it then chances are there will be a new Castle theme coming next year (particularly with LOTR and Hobbit also over) so it might be worth holding fire until then?

[Lord Tyrus]

I personally would go for Helm's Deep, great minifigures, looks good and easily expandable, by adding the smaller walls on to it, or even doubling the height with two sets (as someone on here did once, but I cannot find it ). The unlicenced castle looks fairly average, in my opinion, I haven't got it, I'm not really into the castle sets. I personally would buy a load of pieces on Bricklink and build my own, but thats just personal preference.

Sorry I haven't been much help...

[BrickSev]

My 2 cents is to get 70404 if it is a decent price. Since your other castle have been lost and destroyed it will fill the void well. It is not a bad castle, but when compared to other castles it has nothing special to offer. Though I actually think the gatehouse/front is quite nice. An officla Lego set castle will never quite have the display value of a castle MOC. On a side note, get orthanc regardless of what you do!

The loss of my old castles is really sad. I know in nearly 25 years sets became more detailed but they were among my first Lego sets.

I'd love to make a MOC castle. Sadly I have a great difficulty in finding bricks. Lego shop does not sell every brick and here in Italy there aren't many shops selling "loose bricks". Ordering from USA is prohibitive (due to shipping costs, taxes etc) If there is such a shop based in EU it would be great.

Orthanc is impressive! It is on my "to buy asap list"

Btw what price is to be considered decent for 70404? I found one at about 90€, thus with a 10% discount only.

I don't have the castle but I'm not a big fan - I had the chance to buy it at almost 50% off and passed - even the parts and minifigures aren't that great and I'm not a big fan of the kiddie Lion heraldry.

If TLG are no longer producing it then chances are there will be a new Castle theme coming next year (particularly with LOTR and Hobbit also over) so it might be worth holding fire until then?

I thought the same thing: if there is a new release chances are we'll get something better sooner or later. I don't have the castle too but from the pics I saw it does not have a "wow factor" like Orthanc set, for example. I know many sets look better when she have them in our hands, though.

I once read something about Lego LOTR will be discontinued in 2015. I don't know if it's accurate, if they will make new sets or if the news were about the old sets and not the theme.

I personally would go for Helm's Deep, great minifigures, looks good and easily expandable, by adding the smaller walls on to it, or even doubling the height with two sets (as someone on here did once, but I cannot find it ). The unlicenced castle looks fairly average, in my opinion, I haven't got it, I'm not really into the castle sets. I personally would buy a load of pieces on Bricklink and build my own, but thats just personal preference.

Sorry I haven't been much help...

Helm's Deep is a very interesting set. I should give a look around and see if I can find it at a decent price

The problem with building my own castle is it will take resources from my current projects. One day I'll start to build my own castle/fortress, hopefully something I can use within "historic themes" and beyond

[Artanis I]

Out of interest I did this last night:

[BrickSev]

Out of interest I did this last night:

The scale difference is indeed as great as I suspected. Perhaps it may look better in a wider scene, with the castle placed at a greater distance but the styles don't "merge" very well. Mine was just an impromptu idea Is it possible it works better with other sets like Helm's deep or multiple 79007 Black gates to functions as walls?

Just another impromptu idea I throw in

Btw the tower is really impressive. I'm thinking about getting it and forget about the castle. Most impressive set.

[Ardelon]

It is indeed a mismatch, but it think thats the charm of it - it gives of the feeling of a complex from different periods and civilizations.

[BrickSev]

It is indeed a mismatch, but it think thats the charm of it - it gives of the feeling of a complex from different periods and civilizations.

It was my first thought. However if we compare the cost of 70404 with the cost of 10237, I feel like I'm going to pay 70404 a bit too much.

Beside in order to "work" I'd need more than one Castle to create a series of walls and bastions around the tower, instead of placing the tower few centimeters from the castle's entrance. One day I'll start acquiring several castle/LOTR sets and combine them into the "ancient structure"

[colibri]

Woahhh!! This set makes me ...

I hate it, it looks like Duplo.

If you have been away for some time from Lego, I recommend you go to Bricklink and try to get this castle:

7946 (price for this one up to EUR 100,- is a good price)

and maybe you get yourself

10223 (price for this set up to EUR 120, is a good price, according to me)

Both have been discontinued recently so that the price is still ok. You will not find it in stores. Surf in Bricklink and you will see nice stuff.

Here is the link

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=9.744

These two sets are gorgeous and have interesting bricks.

Good luck

[BrickSev]

Woahhh!! This set makes me ...

I hate it, it looks like Duplo.

If you have been away for some time from Lego, I recommend you go to Bricklink and try to get this castle:

7946 (price for this one up to EUR 100,- is a good price)

and maybe you get yourself

10223 (price for this set up to EUR 120, is a good price, according to me)

Both have been discontinued recently so that the price is still ok. You will not find it in stores. Surf in Bricklink and you will see nice stuff.

Here is the link

http://www.bricklink...catString=9.744

These two sets are gorgeous and have interesting bricks.

Good luck

Thanks for the info

I actually saw 10223 at an online store, sold at 118€

However I thought it requires other sets in order to be turned into a castle but it is indeed a good start