You may remember that the 2013 LEGO Castle sets have been revealed at the Toy Fairs back in January/February. At that time we were only able to look at photos that LEGO fans snapped at the events (see 2013 LEGO Sets – LEGO Castle Coming Back!), but now we have a chance to look at the official images in great detail, thanks to Brickset who just added them to their database. So let’s take a closer look to see what we are getting (you can click on images for larger view). They will be available in August! 🙂
➡ #70400 LEGO CASTLE FOREST AMBUSH– the standard setup of two lion knights carrying some treasure, and two dragon knights trying to steal it all. Comes with 90 pieces and 4 minifigures. PRICE: $11.99
➡ #70401 LEGO CASTLE GOLD GETAWAY – looks like the Dragon Knights were successful in stealing the gold, because in this set the roles are reversed; the Lion Knights are trying to steal the gold while the Dragon Knights are racing away in their carriage. Comes with 199 pieces and 3 minifigures. PRICE: $19.99
➡ #70402 LEGO CASTLE GATEHOURSE RAID – here the Dragon Knights are trying to take over a small Lion Knight gatehouse. Please note that the horse is the new design with the movable back legs, and the barding and head-armor for the horse are also new, as the old style armor pieces don’t fit the new horse. Comes with 248 pieces and 4 minifigures. PRICE: $29.99
➡ #70403 LEGO CASTLE DRAGON MOUNTAIN – one of the larger sets in the series with the Lion Knights trying to rescue their princess in distress from the Dragon Wizard’s outpost. The dragon is really sweet and I’m glad it’s back! Comes with 376 pieces and 5 minifigures. PRICE: $49.99
➡ #70404 LEGO CASTLE KING’S CASTLE – the largest in the 2013 LEGO Castle sets. Includes a massive castle for the Lion Knights and a siege-machine for the Dragon Knights. There is also another new-style horse with new barding and head-armor. Comes with 996 pieces and 7 minifigures. PRICE: $99.99
I know LEGO Castle fans have been excitedly waiting for the 2013 LEGO Castle line. Some people find these sets somewhat lackluster (especially those who are fans of the previously released LEGO Castle Fantasy Era theme), however I believe it was a good decision by LEGO to stay with the time-proven basics. After all they also have the LEGO Lord of the Rings and LEGO The Hobbit sets at the same time which are already full of fantasy elements and minifigures. The King’s Castle is a solid large set that I believe would satisfy LEGO Castle fans, with the other sets being nice add-ons. And the minifigures are a nod to LEGO Classis Castle characters that should make old-timers happy.
And how about you? What do you think of the 2013 LEGO Castle line? Are you excited or going to pass? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the LEGO Castle section for more news, reviews and discussions, or select from the following related posts:
Well, I have to admit, These sets are very nice. I am glad that they brought back the old dragon figure, but I was honestly expecting more of a mountain than a fortress and tower. Still, they are all very nicely done. 😀
I could totally use the dagon for smog the dagon from lord of the rins!
I want all of the lego friends sets even though im a boy. I just think they’re cool. I also want batle of helm deep and gobin kin battle. I also want the castle and or thank (sermons tower) I also want the deth staw I think my mama is gonna get me them for forth of july. I also want ultimut staw destroyer. I want that fer crismus.
LOL! I normally encourage our readers to check their spelling as a courtesy to others, but I never met anyone who spelled “star” as “staw”. Very cute! 🙄
uh…work on your spelling Ben 😉 these sets are amazing! I want them all!! >:)
huge fan of castle so I love these 🙂
oh yeah.. 🙂 a few days ago was my 1 year anavarsery of commenting on here! 😀
Oh, really?! Awesome! Always a pleasure to have you! 😉
wow..that dragon 😀 so cool! an awesome Smaug for the hobbit! he will go great with my hobbit sets (since I own them all) 😛 I like how the lion symbol looks like the old 1990 sets 🙂
YOU OWN ALL THE LOTR SETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!
you could build you own shire now (get it, Frodo lives there) 🙁
also, I really wan’t the lion castle so I will have a good and bad castle then! cause I own the old Vladek’s castle from knights kingdom II
Awesome dragon!
I’m one of the ones who did really prefer the fantasy era castle theme to this. Its not that this is bad, but compared with how much they could do with this theme, it feels sorta like a let down IMO. Most of these sets feel like they are the same style of sets that LEGO has already released five to six times before, with sometimes a different color scheme. One thing I like is it looks like the gatehouse might be able to be added modularly to the main castle, which was something I was hoping from the Kingdoms line. As a whole, although I might get the smallest set for the minifigs, this theme looks like a skip. Even then, I would have preferred either an entirety new faction, or (personally) a different faction to have recycled, like the black hawks or the Forest men. I know LotR would be in competition with it if they made it more fantasy, but LEGO has already made 30+ years of “normal” castle sets, with only a few of those going into deeper fantasy.
First and foremost: The return of Castle 2007’s dragons!
I had always wanted a Castle set. But for some reason, It’s absolutely unavailable here. But you know, those build-able Knights Kingdom II sets from 2005 were more or less the only non-bionicle themed set I own at that time. Ah, the memories…
Personally, I’d very much like Fantasy Era to return, but I suppose that would be too close to LOTR and The Hobbit, much in the same way Space themes steers away from, er… Whatever Star Wars is doing. But I suppose it makes sense that parents find them too frightening, but surely, If they complained about that why didn’t they complain about the LOTR sets? That’s probably “scarier” than the Castle 2007 theme… But that’s just my opinion.
I heard that too; that Fantasy Era was discontinued because parents diddn’t like it. I think parents need to lighten up! Fantasy Era was the best LEGO castle line ever! 😀
Not to be nit picky but the article says that the gold get away has $199 pieces. 🙂
Gosh, I always do that! Fixed! 😳
Don’t be embarrassed. I asked if the Toy soldier was the first minifigure to have printing on the side of it’s legs. 🙂
Yeah, it is a good thing we don’t get graded around here. 🙄
ok, I’m going to get strait to the point. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY (I could go on forever) REALLY, REALLY WANT THAT DRAGON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀
I think in this wave of the castle series, I am going to be a little selective.. Do to the repeat. I am looking at Dragon mountian, Gate house raid and maybe the two smaller sets. ( anything to expand my middle earth.)
OOOOOH YEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! I’ve been waiting for this kind of post for MONTHS now! LOL Thanks Anna!
Ok now to dissect this a bit. I love the sets, I want them all. however I did notice something. Are licensed sets giving us more bang for our buck than non-licensed sets now. Somehow the Gatehouse raid looks smaller than the council of Elrond set, but they are the same price. Hmmmm? Maybe it’s just less detailed, any thoughts? I didn’t even bother to check the piece count, I should do that first before typing LOL.
Ok the Council set has 5 less pieces, WOW, that’s actually a really good deal comparing licensed to non-licensed…. NICE!!!
Micho, I was actually thinking of you when I wrote it. I was going to write about something else, but then I thought, “Naw, Micho would be disappointed if I don’t get this out right away.” 😀
YAAAY!!! Yes, thanks you so so much, I hadn’t been excited about a post in along time. I already read it three times LOL
LOL! The Gold Knight must have been lonely without Castle news! 😀
The Golden Knight says “Thou speaketh the truth m’lady” 😀
*Sigh*… I love knights. The shinier the armor the better!
Only chrome metallic paint and printing on your knight will do 😀
Actually, I’m waiting for a knight clad in real gold. 🙄
OH my!!! I think you will be waiting quite some time LOL
Good things are worth the wait. 😉
me too!!!! thanks admin!!!!
Just saw them, and they’re spectacular! To me they really have that classic set feel, especially….ALL OF THEM:) ! I’ve really got my eye on the small castle one!
-Brick Boy
having plenty of classic castle from the late 80’s to mid 90’s I don’t see much here apart from the dragon that excites me. I will probably bricklink or ebay the dragon. obviously if there is a flash sale ill get maybe the castle for parts but thats it.
What I’d love to see is some kind of mountain forest theme – take the forestmen vs wolfpack to the highest mountain tops. now that would for some awesome sets 🙂
Tom, a mountain/forest theme would be really nice and unique. Would love to see that myself. As far as this Castle line, we always need to remember that LEGO is primarily for kids. Today’s kids weren’t around in the ’80s and ’90s, so for them this is all a brand new experience.
very true. my son is only 2 1/2 so he’s still on duplo. He would love this if he was old enough.
I guess it just seems a bit disappointing that there are so many aspects to medieval life that haven’t been covered. village life could be explored much more. also say a German medieval range, middle eastern bazaar etc would be brilliant 🙂
Tom, the Medieval Market Village set was available for quite some time. It was a beautiful set depicting medieval life. Also the Mill Village Raid was a nice set with a windmill and a barn. Also some smaller sets like the Blacksmith’s shop. A Middle Eastern Bazaar would be nice though. There is that small LEGO Game set (I forgot the name) that is pretty close. 😉
You can still buy MMV on amazon for $140.00. With one thousand, six hundred one pieces that is still a good bargain. Add in the free shipping and it is definetly worth it.
I remember seeing that vaguely but never got hold of it. shall have a look see 🙂 price is loosely irrelevant as if the parts are useful I’ll probably get it unless it’s silly money….
I’m probably alone on this issue but I would have very much wished Lego would have stayed consistent with their horses they’ve used for decades and dragon of the 90s.
A 3rd continuation of Kingdoms would have been nice as well. Even though a revival of the Black Falcons or Dark Forest would have been my top choice.
Other than that, pretty solid theme and beautiful minifigs (especially the princess)! ;3
Ah, yes, the princess! All the knights are risking their lives for her! 😀
In regards to the new horse, I was quite worried that it won’t fit in my old horses, but I’m actually very pleased with them. LEGO did an excellent job updating the horse and at the same time making it similar enough to the old one that you don’t feel like you have to replace your entire herd. 🙂
Some people were complaining towards the usage of a friends hair for the princess…But I don’t mind at all!
Oh yes, also, I think the dragon is too similar to the one in the Skeleton tower. We’ve had green dragons and red dragons. Couldn’t LEGO opted for another color like blue or orange? But then again, it is an EVIL dragon, and red and black have ALWAYS been associated with evil…
Does anybody here have a dictionary for Benjamin?He/She should go back to English class.:D
Naw, he is cool. I like his accent.
Good sets, looks like they are all good quality builds, and though a little less bright colors might help to make it more realistic I am fairly satisfied with them. Bright red and blue is a little childish. Kingdoms and older castle sets had bright, (though not necessarily so) colors but they were relevant to the period. While I do not think castles would be crowned with blue back then, not a major drawback. What is, (I have yet to see if this will keep me away from them) though is the prices. I understand the $11.99 one due to the four minifigs. (Good ones at that.) Gold getaway is definetly acceptable though another set of four knights would have been sweet. Then it starts getting a little iffy. The gatehouse raid is again, great set but the price is a little tough. $24.99 would be a lot better. But the real shame is Dragon mountain. (Or whatever it is called.) I understand the reason the price slash piece ratio is of but I don’t know if I will he able to scrape up money for it just because of the Dragon. It is neat but the parts are to big, and I never last long with large lego animals like the Dinosaurs from the recent Dino theme. The last set in the line up, and my personal favorite, is the Castle. 996 is a fair price but their are two factors keeping it off my need to buy list. 1. I could get a lot more pieces in a different set for the same price. $100.00 is a serious investment when you have a budget like mine. (Note: I am a TFOL by budget I do not mean an official job just a basic allowance for household chores.) 2. Could be less basic. Being a diehard medieval fan a castle to me is a complicated and well thought out structure with places for everything and a lot of rooms and hidden passages. A bunch of walls and doors, while still a passable stronghold, is not my dream Lego castle. It does have plenty of cool castle pieces, and it is a start that can be improved on, making it a product I could see myself purchasing in the future. In short, they are all good with a few drawbacks. I will buy some leave others, go on with my life and…break down and go broke for the rest. 🙂
Hail, my longest comment yet 😀
Wow strider, its strange how close our thoughts on the castle are! I am another TFOL, and a huge castle and LOTR fan. Hope they continue this line with more (and more complicated) sets.
Nice to meet you ike 😀 I like LOTR too, though the Hobbit sets are just as good. It is my hope that Castle will go on a long time but I just hope I have enough money to pay for the sets 🙂 I love the fact that Lego is being so generous with their knights.
I agree with both ike and Strider! Love the name Strider by the way! Good choice. Aragorn’s great isn’t he?
Yes Aragorn is my favorite character in the books and movies. Still haven’t got the Lego version yet, but I can make a good one using indiana jones head and body, anakin skywalkers hair, and jack sparrows legs. To me, he is a classic fig.
Oh, really? Mine too! I’m in love with Aragorn! 😀
Good thing Arwen isn’t around here then 😀
Yeah… 🙄
Totally!!!!!!!!!!
Ike…Is that name, by the way, based on president Eisenhower, or my favorite character from the Fire Emblem Series?
(Or is that just your real name?)
It is my nickname, I’m Isaac.
Well then interesting and stuff. Im looking forwerd to these sets now that I really think about it…. i know just like everyone else imma use the dragon as Smaug also ive been black listed on Rinny-chan havnt i XD…. Lemme guess this is black listed too….
Whenever I try to subscribe to the comments feed it takes me to a Page that says “This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.”
Is it supposed to be this way?
Ike, hm, no, that’s not what you supposed to see. I just tried it myself and it is working fine for me. It should be taking you to a page where you can subscribe to the comment feed. What browser are you using? I have tried both Internet Explorer and Firefox just now and both are working fine.
Okay, I read something that there could be some issues when you are using Chrome. Chrome wants you to use Google Reader for RSS feeds (which is how the comment subscription is set up). I have no idea what all of that means as I have never used Chrome. If you are using Chrome maybe someone here can help you out how to set up the comment subscription using Google Reader.
Yeah, I’m using chrome that must be the problem. Thanks!
Is just me, or are the bad guy swords bigger than the good guys.(so, the bad guys get a dragon and bigger swords. DO WE WANT THE GOOD GUYS TO LOSE?)
The sword IS slightly bigger. the good guys are using the S9 Knight’s sword, whereas the bad guys are using the S7 Evil Knight’s sword. Personally, I prefer the latter. It’s long, cool and Aragorn (and a lot of others from middle-earth) uses it.
I’m glad Castle is back. I’d like to get the Dragon. Plus there are more catapults.
These are pretty cool sets, though (despite the fact that I mostly MOC castle), I’ve never been that interested in LEGO’s Castle themes. Especially these ones which, while they’re nice builds, do seem to be lacking the sort of “next layer” of details. Still, I do like the Gatehouse raid especially, I can always use more “brick” bricks (and I think I spotted some dk grey ones in there!), and that black helmet (the one on the mounted knight) looks awesome!
My friend’ll be glad about this.
The minifigs are awesome and I like that they gave the princess the newer hairpiece with the crown on it. Nevertheless I am a little disappointed with how they made the sets. It’s hard to make a bunch of new Castle sets after releasing the LOTR products.