Is the medieval theme as popular as it used to be?

[plastic-man]

Back in the 1980s when I was into Lego in a big way with my brother, there were two themes that we focused on - space and medieval. Unfortunately, I can't remember what sets we had specifically as it was so long ago. Though I had the impression that both of these themes were very popular at the time. 

Though these days when I browse the Lego sets in department stores, I see a decent variety of themes but no medieval theme. No knights, no castles. A complete absence of anything even related to the medieval time period with the Lego sets on display. 

Also, my young nephews are into Lego and it seems that the space theme is very popular with them. And other themes as well such as ocean exploration. Though they have no medieval themed Lego. And they didn't seem to be familiar with it either (when I asked them about it.) I actually wondered if medieval Lego was still being produced or if it had been phased out long ago. Perhaps it is still around but not in local stores / shops where I am anymore. Can you still buy this kind of Lego in your local stores or is it mainly available online these days?

 

 

[DonQuixote]

Classic themes are very niche now. Lego is allmost all about licensed themes.  The only castle set you will find in stores right now is the creator horse knight castle 31168. The other 2 sets are only available online at the Lego webstore and they are targeted for nostalgic adults. They also are expensive. They will retire at the end of the year so if you want them ,you need to hurry!

[plastic-man]

Don, thank you for the explanation. That's very interesting. I'm actually getting the impression that these days, medieval may be even more niche than space. I'm trying to remember if I saw any space themed Lego the last times I looked at Lego sets in stores. There could have been a possibility of that. 

And yes, I do see the licensed themes really dominating now. Lego has certainly been very successful with that (especially movie tie-ins.) Star Wars etc. 

Gosh, I remember many decades ago in primary school, a fellow student (another kid) had a home made Star Wars Tie-Fighter (which I assume he made himself.) It was not made of Lego though. It was made of common household items (two icecream container lids and some kind of tube etc.) I was quite impressed. It looked really good.