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This set looks really fun. When it's a bit cheaper, I'll definitely pick it up (and vote then:wink:)

I don't pay attention to any of the color differences. They're LEGO, not people. If they were different sizes, that'd affect me a lot more.

The only other Creator set I have 4954, and it's nice, but not as good as 4996. I think the Creator series isn't aimed at adults so much. It's not so interesting to me, but it is a smart move for TLG. But all the sets seem to be a great set builder. For me, zero regret on the Creator sets I've got.

Since I can never be first with a new set I'll continue to fill in the holes I can in the review index. Set#: 7256 Name: Jedi Starfighter and Vulture Droid Theme: Star Wars Year: 2005 Pieces: 202 Minifigs: Anakin Skywalker Price: I paid 5,500 yen, which was too much. MSP: $20, £14.99 Peeron Brickset Bricklink From Amazon Fore-warning I bought this a little after the Jedi Starfighter with Hyperdrive Booster Ring set, which has 60% the same build, and a vulture droid, which I got a far superior build of in the Naboo N-1 Starfighter and Vulture Droid set, so I think this would have gotten far higher marks if I'd gotten it in 2005. The Instructions/ The Pieces About 40 minutes, a 40 page small book, with a sheet of stickers. Not a set for sticker haters, 3 pairs on the one little ship, and 4 pairs on the second littler ship. Anakin, in that short period of flesh color, but no big eyes. Lot's of prints and stickered pieces. The variety of pieces. The Build The base without the wings or cockpit, 10 steps in. 19 steps in. Everything is finished up to the cockpit, and Anakin's inside. The rest of the steps are for the wings. The Finished Product Flaps closed. And open. Back view Side view Nice looking wing details And the cockpit opens with a pivot piece on the back The Finished Product Part 2 Vulture droid front view Back view And side and in walking mode Overall Design: 6/10 It looks decent and all, but it isn't all that special, and in a few places (the wings in particular) it's a little flimsy. Not bad, not special. The vulture droid particularly suffers in that it is far inferior to the 7660 set. I might mod this one to work as smoothly as that one does. The two pronged fighters are sort of interesting, and I'd like to get the red one from the 7283 Ultimate Space Battle, but I like the triangular ones better overall, like 7669. Build: 6/10 Nothing special, it's a set that has been repeated. Took 40 minutes. Playability: 8/10 There are no actions going on, without unlocking vulture droid bricks, but a kid would have fun with it. Minifigures: 6/10 Anakin with long hair. Probably this is an interesting figure, since it is a 'middle' figure, after flesh was being used instead of yellow, but before the cartoon eyes were brought in, so maybe there's a little collectability here. The ship has an R2 head that physically makes no sense with the build (where's his body stored?). I think the set would have been much better if it threw in a body for R2 outside the ship. That was a little lame. Price: 4/10 I bought it three years late in Japan, so I paid probably double the original price. If it was new in the States, I'd give it an 8/10, but with each year, the satisfaction goes down, since this is a set that TLC has reworked and improved. I appreciate that they did that, but it makes an older set like this seem kind of rusty. Overall: 7/10 This was my first Lego set I kind of questioned myself about. If you find it cheap, I think it's alright, or you're a rich collector, it won't phase you. But for the average Joe, it generally sells for more than it's worth, and is overshadowed but much cooler descendants. I don't regret buying this, but it was the first set where I started to think I had to think about the older sets I bought a little more. Cheers all.

I'm happy to join this forum! I love the modding being done here, I hope to inspire myself, as my collection gets bigger (about 10 Star Wars sets right now). I'm in Japan (from Canada), so the costs are outrageous and all my purchasing tends to be on Amazon or Yahoo auction (no E-Bay) cheers

Many months later, thanks for the replies! I recognize a lot more of the names here now than I did months ago. As an internet kind of guy, I'm happy to have a new home.

I got a cheapie, 7009 Castle joust set. Nice for the price

I saw that yesterday when searching for reviews for this. Your remake was pretty fantastic

You're right! Shovel added, thanks. There's one more mistake too, I put one of the dwarves beards on backwards

That's Amazon Japan. Lego doesn't do shipping to here

This is very cool. Ancient Rome would be a great place for LEGO to go. You just need to add a mosaic to the wall

That's a really cool ship. The color scheme and everything works.

I got 7036, Dwarf Mine, my first castle set in 25 years I hope to be pleased by it!

Here is a shot of me. One of the only I'll post, I think. Currently I'm living in a sub-tropical area with my family, my baby is dressed up as a rabbit, as has become the custom. I spend a lot more time at home than at the beach though. But, this LEGO stuff is all over the globe, as this thread shows.

I've been using this name online for 10 years I'm old... Anyway, I'm a simple guy, and wanted a simple name. abcdefghi. No LEGO related name

I got one last week, and I quite like it. I think I got it through reviewing....

This is a late reply, but beautiful ship Wipeout was awesome, from the music to the Designer's Republic influence. You got it. Sharp job.

That looks even better than I thought. I seriously considered buying this last year, but the price is too steep for such a small set.... But it looks great

Sharp review, have I seen it before? I like the shots here. I have one or two of these at my parents house, but I haven't seen it in years. The design is pretty good, it hasn't changed that much with the current model, though playability has improved a lot (you don't have to take off the head now). So TLG had another winner in the early sets. I remember these being so cheap, I wish they'd release them stand alone again.

I quite enjoyed this thread, good job!

Great review, great looking set. I think it'll be my first of the castle line.

Looks good! I'd love to see updates of the pod racers. Can you finish the second pod racer with the pieces in Watto Junkyard? The beige pieces look about the same as the pod racer frame.

This would be a great set new; the speeder bike and the Tusken Raiders are both lovable

The 'force push' clear stand is an interesting idea. Cool.

Near the end of my review week, I will review a favorite! Set#: 6209 Name: Slave I Theme: Star Wars Year: 2006 Pieces: 537 Minifigs: Boba Fett, Dengar, IG-88, Bespin Guard Price: I paid $90 U.S. MSP: $50 U.S. Peeron Brickset Bricklink From Amazon I had to have this ship! I debated it for a long time, I even started a thread about it. Boba Fett is one of the most popular characters in the Star Wars series, so this ship has gotten expensive, and will only get more so. I bought an unopened one with my Christmas money last year. But is it really worth it? Let's find out! The Pieces The ones that really stick out are the large brown slopes (that would be good for making a Tatooine ship someday) and the really beautiful olive green pieces. The cockpit window is nice too. There's no stickers, and only one little printed piece for a control panel. The mini-figures are fantastic. I was really happy to get a Dengar mini! He was a lame character, so who could've expected they'd make him a mini-fig. There is a familiar IG-88. Strangely, neither Dengar nor IG-88 ever had anything to do with the Slave I in the movies. The Bespin Guard is alright, and carbonite Han is, well, a black block. The IG-88 model was redone as Assassin Droids in this year's battlepack. The Slave version is just a bit shinier, and has a brighter orange (IG-88 on the left) Boba Fett is the same as Jango from 7153, but his head has no paint job. His helmet is cut open, so the black is actually the head. It looks good, and creates more depth in the model. The Instructions/ The Build The instructions are medium-difficulty. I had a little trouble telling the gray from the dark gray from the black. Occasionally, I searched for a piece before realizing I was looking for the wrong color. Also, especially in the early parts, a lot of pieces are added at a time, so it's easy to overlook a piece, but nothing too difficult. About 12 steps in, the basic sleek shape is set. Space is left on the sides for the moving parts. Another 10 steps in, and the main weapon has been put in the center. The gray part on the right (left of the gray slope) is the shelf Han will be placed on. 12 steps later, the cockpit has been placed in, and is connected to the wings. When the wings pivot, the cockpit moves too. No Boba! It's not ready yet! Get out! Around step 45, the center gun is now locked in place, hideaway missiles have been placed in. A few steps later, it's The Finished Product A thing of beauty Head on view. Back view. We can see Boba at the controls. As we tilt the wings, he swings backwards. The set has 3 places to open up, a large spring loaded gun is next to the cockpit, missiles on either side pop out, and two guns are tucked away behind the turrets. Does he have enough firepower The black switch on the side opens the compartment for Han. On the opposite side is a similar switch to release the central gun. Han is ready for Jabba now. One last part opens up to drop bombs, though I don't exactly know how you drop bombs in zero g Yes, that's a big gun! The underside has a nice design too, lot of propulsion going on here. I also like the circular designs. A father is proud. The Final Verdict Design: 10/10 This has all you might look for in a set; lots of details, nice color, and an interesting build. The switches work perfectly, and the cockpit-wing movement works great. Beautiful job. Build: 9/10 Nothing is boring here, and the only complaint is that the instruction book is sometimes difficult to follow. It took about an hour and a half to build. Playability: 10/10 It has a hideaway spring loaded gun, lots of mini hideaway guns, plus the wings right themselves through gravity, making it really flyable. Minifigures: 10/10 Four figures and Carbonite Han. Bounty Hunters are always cool, and this set gives you three of them. Very happy. Price: 10/10 $50 is a deal for this set. I'm used to Japanese prices (this was probably $80 or more new in Japan, and sells for over $160 here now). I bought it through Bricklink, and was totally fine paying $90 plus shipping for it. It was a great Christmas present for me. Overall: 10/10 This is a great set, and, unless it gets rereleased (2016?) it's only going to get more expensive. It's one of those things where the stars are in alignment... a fan-favorite character gets a set which is well-worth the hype. Cheers all.