Castle Sets 2010

[Darth Legolas]

Oh, I'm late, I get an "404 Not Found" when I try to click the pics of the new Castle sets. Will anyone please help me find them?

Here you go: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=364067

Might be taken down soon. The new Kingdoms theme seems interesting, though I'm much more excited about those Trains pictures.

[Alex the Great]

Does anybody know when these sets are coming out? I'm so excited, these are some AWESOME sets!

[Ratshot]

That castle is awesome Its waaaayyyy better than King Castle siege.

I'm going to buy the whole line for sure.

[Rick]

Higher-res pictures (re-uploaded by Gerjan Lennips): http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?...st&p=643084

[Hound Knight]

I must say I am very impressed by these new sets, they remind me very much of KK1, of which I am a great fan.

Although the goth in me thinks green and black is such a better combination than red and white! Who agrees?!

I agree! I am definitely rooting for the dragon knights.

[Nikola Bathory]

Thanks for the links!

Hm, after having a quick look - I don't know, the sets look OK, probably even a bit better than the current ones, but the Classic stuff (80's and early 90's) is still MUCH better in my opinion.

Those helmets look cool, though - you get what I mean?

[Svelte]

Looking at the larger pic, it seems pretty clear that the new Castle is positioned on the box art much like King's Castle Siege or Troll's Mountain Fortress and is more the size of the latter - you can see that the section with the red-roofed tower is folded to the right-hand side (look at the green ground plates to see what I mean) - in the actual set I bet it sits in the middle of the back wall. The side walls are only a few of the new 1x4 wall panels wide so the interior will probably be pretty cramped, too.

[Nicker]

It looks to me like set 7946 is definitely inspired by 6080 and 7094. It looks like it basically takes the good design aspects of both and blends them together for the most part. The layout of 7946 seems to be much like set 6080 from 1984 with a large gatehouse in front and a tower in each of the back corners. The booms for lowering the drawbridge are present from 7094 as well as curved battlements jutting out on each of the front corners much like set 7094 although they are not towers. The only aspect of the design that I am not sure if I like is the booms that raise and lower the drawbridge are actually located on the outside sides of the gatehouse which is very unusual and would normally be protected when raised into a recess in the front of the gatehouse.

[Mörs]

Hm, after having a quick look - I don't know, the sets look OK, probably even a bit better than the current ones, but the Classic stuff (80's and early 90's) is still MUCH better in my opinion.

I agree. I wasn't really interested in the fantasy Castle but this looks very promising... yet still clearly worse than the classic lines.

Hmm... what if what we have seen so far are prototypes? It happened with Vikings. Maybe they're still polishing the sets or designing new ones? I can't believe there could be only that few of the sets... I would like to see some kind of minifig pack (old style, in a standard box). Also, how come there aren't any archers or crossbowmen in the sets?! Very odd.

As for the baby dragon in the wizard set... if there's going to be an adult one, I hope they bring back the old dragons (from Dragon Masters/Fright Knights); though it would probably be better if there where none. It makes me think, though, there probably IS going to be some other sets, since I don't think they would give them a baby dragon and no adult ones...

I'm looking forward to the jester impulse, for certain...

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

Wow, a new Castle for 2010! And HumanVSHuman

2010 is going to be a good year!

[Sandy]

I agree. I wasn't really interested in the fantasy Castle but this looks very promising... yet still clearly worse than the classic lines.

Hmm... what if what we have seen so far are prototypes? It happened with Vikings. Maybe they're still polishing the sets or designing new ones? I can't believe there could be only that few of the sets... I would like to see some kind of minifig pack (old style, in a standard box). Also, how come there aren't any archers or crossbowmen in the sets?! Very odd.

As for the baby dragon in the wizard set... if there's going to be an adult one, I hope they bring back the old dragons (from Dragon Masters/Fright Knights); though it would probably be better if there where none.

I'm sorry, but I think you're looking at the old sets through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. The classic castles were all quite simple in their build, and having just built the King's Castle Siege today (since it was one of my Christmas presents) and owning most of the Fantasy Era sets, I can tell that they are far from being simplistic or inferior in design than the old ones. And this is coming from a 25-years old individual.

As far as the sets being prototypes, well, they are marked preliminary so they will probably change a bit, but I don't think they'll suddenly turn into the sets of your dreams, if they aren't already.

And in my opinion the old dragons are very puny and simple in comparison to the mighty new dragons (I have both the old ones and all three of the new ones (and the brown Hungarian Hunchback from HarryPotter), so I can compare). I find use for both of them, though, with the old dragons being younglings for the new ones.

I apologize if it displeases you, but there is just no turning back to the way things were in the past, so you just have to suck it up or just stick to buying used old sets.

It just annoys me when TLG gives us all of these wonderful sets, and clearly listens to AFOLs, too, but some people just whine how the sets aren't exactly like they were twenty years ago. Things change, and in my opinion they've changed for the better.

[Mörs]

It just annoys me when TLG gives us all of these wonderful sets, and clearly listens to AFOLs, too, but some people just whine how the sets aren't exactly like they were twenty years ago. Things change, and in my opinion they've changed for the better.

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how there are all these "old" folks -- some of them much older than me -- who still get hooked by the new themes that TLG produces. Not that there's anything wrong with that... but I personally stopped getting "thrilled" by new lines in 2001. The new Kingdoms line will probably revive that feeling in me... Though you're probably right about how nostalgia can distort the view of old sets.

As for the dragons -- it's hard to explain, but there's something about the new models that makes them kind of... un-LEGO? Maybe it's just me but they remind more of some cheap action figure rather than a LEGO toy... I think the white teeth play a part in that. They're also too big (and powerful, consequently) for LEGO Castle, in my opinion.

Here's hoping for a great new Castle (I still hope the sets we've seen are prototypes)...

[CDC]

There will also be Kingdoms advent calendar in 2010, cool !

[Nicker]

As for the dragons -- it's hard to explain, but there's something about the new models that makes them kind of... un-LEGO? Maybe it's just me but they remind more of some cheap action figure rather than a LEGO toy... I think the white teeth play a part in that. They're also too big (and powerful, consequently) for LEGO Castle, in my opinion.

I totally agree with you. If the newer dragons from the fantasy line were sold separately in a box without the Lego logo on it I bet no one would know that it was made by Lego. If you take one of the old dragons it is still relatively easy to see that it is a Lego toy.

Edited December 25, 2009 by Nicker

[Chewk]

Finally we get some great helms! I don't know about anyone else, but the lack of fantasy elements certainly appeals to me.

-Chewk

[The Green Brick Giant]

There will also be Kingdoms advent calendar in 2010, cool !

Not if you live in North America.

I like the newer dragons, I thought they did a great mix between keeping it feel like a LEGO with the joint parts and making it look nice.

Also way does everyone like to live in the past? It's not 1985 anymore, things change. The fantasy sets were great because they kept the old school feel but spiced it up. All it needed was another human fraction or two and it would have been great. Frankly I think the main problem with Castle is LEGO never tried anything new and all we get are the same old pile of grey bricks.

The hatred for fantasy is amazing to me, would everyone rather have Knights Kingdom 1 and 2 again? Or Castle Junior and Junior Bionicle Castle?

[Svelte]

Not if you live in North America.

That is supposed to be sorted by 2010, I'm told. The allotments are planned 2 years ahead, which is why the US didn't get anything in 08 or 09.

[Eskallon]

The hatred for fantasy is amazing to me, would everyone rather have Knights Kingdom 1 and 2 again? Or Castle Junior and Junior Bionicle Castle?

Umm yeah actually I like knight kingdom 1 and 2

[Nikola Bathory]

I'm sorry, but I think you're looking at the old sets through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. The classic castles were all quite simple in their build, and having just built the King's Castle Siege today (since it was one of my Christmas presents) and owning most of the Fantasy Era sets, I can tell that they are far from being simplistic or inferior in design than the old ones. And this is coming from a 25-years old individual.

I can't agree with you, I think that the classic castle sets have better design, they have some sort of cosy feel to them. That's the best way I can describe them - cosy and interesting. The current ones look unfinished... They are not horrible, but the older ones are better designed.

And yes, I'm 28-years old and a bit nostalgic, I admit.

[Lordofdragonss]

Umm yeah actually I like knight kingdom 1 and 2

Yay! I am not only who likes it!

Back to topic:

I hope there is a queen somewere. And I would love to see the old dragons in new colors! Dark green with trans black wings would be awesome!

[Rick]

I agree. I wasn't really interested in the fantasy Castle but this looks very promising... yet still clearly worse than the classic lines.

[...]

As for the baby dragon in the wizard set... if there's going to be an adult one, I hope they bring back the old dragons (from Dragon Masters/Fright Knights); though it would probably be better if there where none.

They just changed the mold for the 'fire piece' to not have the two small bars that would fit a dragon's mouth. So, any hopes of TLG bringing back the old dragon are really really really slim.

I'm sorry, but I think you're looking at the old sets through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. The classic castles were all quite simple in their build, and having just built the King's Castle Siege today (since it was one of my Christmas presents) and owning most of the Fantasy Era sets, I can tell that they are far from being simplistic or inferior in design than the old ones. And this is coming from a 25-years old individual.

I apologize if it displeases you, but there is just no turning back to the way things were in the past, so you just have to suck it up or just stick to buying used old sets.

It just annoys me when TLG gives us all of these wonderful sets, and clearly listens to AFOLs, too, but some people just whine how the sets aren't exactly like they were twenty years ago. Things change, and in my opinion they've changed for the better.

Well said. Nostalgia makes the classic sets look way better than they objectively are, and that's not bad at all, but just don't expect TLG to still be producing products like they did in the 80s and 90s. I remember not liking 6-wide City vehicles when TLG started to release them in the early 2000s, but that was because I was used to 4-wide trucks from my childhood. Objectively seen, it seems kind of strange to have 4-wide trucks and 4-wide cars at the same time, so now I'm happy that TLG releases pretty detailed 6-wide trucks and 4-wide (and the odd 6-wide) cars. Concerning castle: these castle sets are far from 100% realistic - the walls are too low, there's lacking interior, etc., etc. - but comparing that to the 80s is setting the wrong benchmark, because castles back then 'suffered' from the exact same 'design flaws'.

[Sandy]

As for the dragons -- it's hard to explain, but there's something about the new models that makes them kind of... un-LEGO?

But they are constructed of many more pieces than the old dragons were!

Seriously, I can accept that some people don't like the new dragons, but I just resent people saying they are somehow less of a LEGO product, because that is simply untrue. Even Bionicle, for what it's worth, is still LEGO.

You might want to say they're not fit for SYSTEM sets, though, if you must.

[Jack Bricker]

I don't see why anybody has to complain about the new sets. I don't really care about the old sets except for the Black Knights and the Dragon Knights. I also don't care for any of the knights kingdom kits or the Fantasy skeleton or troll sets. But I did like the Kings Castle Siege. Everybody's tastes are individual. I would hate it if Lego came out with Knights Kingdom again but I was willing to put up the the uninteresting (to me) troll sets for two years. I wish everybody would stop complaining about every little flaw with a kids toy. If you don't like something then change it. That is what Lego is all about. I don't like the royal knights theme for my royal knights castle so I am going to change it to a black knights theme. I also don't care for the crusader them for my kings mountain fortress so I am going to change it to a templar mountain fortress. So please stop complaining. If you don't like a particular them or modern faction from one of the newer sets than change it to be like an older faction set. If you don't like it that your castle doesn't have a gatehouse than get creative and build a gate house for it. Lego is making these sets as Toys for Children that can be customized to suit particular tastes. Why do we have to get all negative and bash Lego for every New theme they come out with.

Edited December 25, 2009 by bengun

[Albero - BEL]

I must admit that my first reaction was bad: maybe due to the very bad graphics layout. Then paying more attention to the blurry pictures I must say the new sets are not too bad. It will depend very much on the amount and quality of details and of the amount of big parts.

Minifigs don't seem too exciting because we have only soldiers and soldiers and knights and soldiers and soldiers...

I don't see why anybody has to complain about the new sets. I don't really care about the old sets except for the Black Knights and the Dragon Knights. I also don't care for any of the knights kingdom kits or the Fantasy skeleton or troll sets. But I did like the Kings Castle Siege. Everybody's tastes are individual. I would hate it if Lego came out with Knights Kingdom again but I was willing to put up the the uninteresting (to me) troll sets for two years. I wish everybody would stop complaining about every little flaw with a kids toy. If you don't like something then change it. That is what Lego is all about. I don't like the royal knights theme for my royal knights castle so I am going to change it to a black knights theme. I also don't care for the crusader them for my kings mountain fortress so I am going to change it to a templar mountain fortress. So please stop complaining. If you don't like a particular them or modern faction from one of the newer sets than change it to be like an older faction set. If you don't like it that your castle doesn't have a gatehouse than get creative and build a gate house for it. Lego is making these sets as Toys for Children that can be customized to suit particular tastes. Why do we have to get all negative and bash Lego for every New theme they come out with.

[KimT]

Minifigs don't seem too exciting because we have only soldiers and soldiers and knights and soldiers and soldiers...

And a wizard and a new joker and perhaps some more when the real-deal sets are released.

(those are still prelim pics people).