Today I would like to show you a few very unique sets from OXFORD that got released recently. We have talked about the OXFORD brand before and you can read my full review on it here: OXFORD – Overview. But as a summary, OXFORD is a LEGO compatible brand from South Korea that has the exact same quality as LEGO and also the same colors in most cases. I own several Oxford sets myself, and I can vouch for their quality from the perspective of a LEGO fan.
OXFORD makes a lot of building sets with similar themes as LEGO: City, Police, Construction, Castle and now even have girly sets comparable to LEGO Friends but with regular style minifigures. I don’t have much interest in these sets as although they are great quality and the prices are pretty much the same as LEGO, I rather stay with my favorite brand. OXFORD also carry unique themes like modern military and even licensed sets like Hello Kitty. I don’t care for these either – although the Hello Kitty sets are very cute.
What is really unique about OXFORD however is their sets based on Korean history and fantasy. These are absolutely stunning. For example take a look at this historical warship called the Geobukseon (link to Wikipedia), also known as the Turtle Ship. It was the first ironclad warship in the world with a beautiful style and unique armor resembling the back of a turtle.
Or here is a smaller Korean warship, with gorgeous dragons on the sails, canons, and some really nice roof elements. Again; OXFORD is fully compatible with LEGO, so if you want, you can freely mix and match element.
OXFORD also makes a lot of Castles. There are European style castles like what you see in LEGO Castle sets, which are nice, however what really stands out here as well is Asian fortresses and castles, like the one below.
And the following set is from the OXFORD Heritage of Korea collection. A beautiful building for sure.
There are also OXFORD battle sets featuring Asian warriors, war-machines, weapons and accessories – lots of unique elements here as well.
OXFORD minifigs are the same size as LEGO minifigures, however their torsos and legs are shaped a bit differently. They come with interesting accessories that are compatible with LEGO. The horses are somewhat larger than normal LEGO horses and can fit two minifigs!
I hope these pictures give you a good idea of some of the new sets from OXFORD. There are many-many more, I just wanted to show you some of the most unique ones. They are not for all LEGO fans, but if you want something different and unusual in your collection you might want to check them out. If you are interested in buying OXFORD sets, unfortunately they are not easy to come by outside of Asia. You can sometimes find them in specialty toy-stores, but where I have found the largest selection is on eBay. There are sellers who will ship the sets directly from South Korea, often with free shipping. You can check out the current listings for OXFORD sets on eBay here: FIND OXFORD SETS ON EBAY
So what do you think? How do you like these OXFORD sets? Would you consider getting some of them? Or do you own some already? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
First comment! Nice sets! The style is uncommon in LEGO, so it’s nice to get some other brands for different architecture. Good quality, too! 🙂
I was considering getting one of these until you said it was only available in Asia. I can’t afford shipping for anything unless it’s an Exo-suit right now. 😕
This is…odd: http://brickset.com/article/11849/sdcc-wookiee-gunship-revealed I have found two new 2015 pieces on it. 🙂
As I have mentioned the OXFORD sets are readily available on eBay with free shipping. 😉
Let see… what new parts are you talking about? I’m looking at the picture.
Well, we know that there is a new rapid-fire shooter on it, must be that holder for those studs.
OK, first, there’s the Rapid-shooter (it’s under the wings, loaded w/ trans. 1×1 round plates). It is Dark Stone Grey, and probably based on this years single blasters’ mechanism. 😐
Then, right above the rapid-shooter, on top of the wing, is a large slope piece with a sticker on it. It’s tan, and its dimensions are 4x8x2/3. Also, there are more upside-down as the loading ramp. 😉
And now: http://brickset.com/article/11866/sdcc-new-set-announced . Green Lantern and a Techno-blade! 😀
Hm… interesting! Like that rapid-shooter thingy, and the large slopes can be useful. That’s a sweet little set for Green Lantern! I know Super Heroes fans will be very excited! 😛
I know I am…
Hal’s not my favorite lantern, but I’m a big fan of the green lantern mythology as a whole, So I’m still pretty excited.
These are cool, but I prefer to stay with LEGO and KRE-O
KRE-O is made by OXFORD. Just thought to mention that. 😉
Whoops, I accidentally pushed submit. I also might write a review on KRE-O if that’s okay with you guys. Of course, I actually have to get a few sets. Right now I only have three G.I.JOE blind bags!
Yes, sure! I have reviewed the CityVille Invasion sets before (see link at the end of the article), so you are welcome to review the G.I.JOE line as I don’t have those.
Even though I’ll stick with LEGO, I like the design of these sets, especially the historical ones. I think LEGO should take a few cues from them, especially as LEGO has been used as an educational tool.
off topic but, has anyone seen this?
http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Ninjago-The-Visual-Dictionary/dp/1465422994/ref=pd_sim_b_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TW603XH3FJNSJ0FG4G3
Yeah, we talked about it some yesterday, I think. The “exclusive” minifig is Zane, and is not really exclusive at all. That’s a big disappointment to many Ninjago fans. But the books are always very nice. 🙂
its not just a big disappointment its a HUGE disappointment D: but yes the book will still be good…:/
They just made a encyclopedia though… I want the new star wars one though.
well, these are (way) better than megablocks. (megablocks are cheap! don’t buy them! don’t even consider them! 🙄 )
They do look cool. I might take a look at a few more of their sets, particularly because they are related to Kre-o. I really like the Kre-o G.I. Joe sets and have wanted to collect them.
Yes, the G.I. Joe sets are quite nice, although I don’t like the KRE-O minifigs. Even less than the OXFORD ones. Except for those cute micro figures in the CityVille Invasion sets. But yeah, their sets are nice. 🙂
On topic. 😛
I don’t really like these. I dont like stuff that looks like lego but it isn’t lego. 😐
I so wish LEGO would do stuff so historically correct! The first one would be an awesome in LEGO!!!
Maybe when LEGO opens up their Chinese factory they will make more Asian styled sets. 🙂
Hopefully…I’ll look forward to that. They haven’t done much Asian styled sets outside of Ninjago, and those aren’t very good. 😕
Off-topic, but this has been receiving lots of criticism: http://brickset.com/article/11867/the-hobbit-the-lonely-mountain-revealed 🙂 There’s definitely a piece of the set missing, and Smaug isn’t that great, but hopefully the full picture will make the set better. 😕
I agree that the price doesn’t make sense for the set seen on the picture. So either a piece is missing from the image, or the price is wrong. The sand-green pieces are sweet though. 🙂
There is a piece missing, but how large it is is not known (yet). Yeah, the sand green is awesome (I haven’t seen a set with more), and the gold. 🙂 And for clarification, the minifigs are (or should be) Thorin, Fili, Balin, and Dwalin. 😉
Did you notice that Smaug has foldable wings?! I assume they are made of the same kind of cloth as the LEGO sails. But getting foldable wings is awesome; so many more possibilities than with just the regular molded dragon wings! 😛
Hm… I did not notice that! Very nice indeed, as this means he won’t always have his wings out in Flying style. 🙂
And the Arkenstone is really Chi with a Trans. 1×1 round plate! 😛
Still seems a rather high price for the amount of pieces, although I guess some of it might be due to molds for Smaug?
Yes, it seems like all LEGO blogs and forums are talking about the really high price. So far nobody was able to come up with an explanation of why it is so high. There was some discussion that perhaps some of the set is not shown, but since that it has been confirmed that that’s it. The dragon is sertainly awesome, but I’m not sure it warrants the set being $30 more than what it should be. 😕
Do you know where I can purchase Oxford building bricks sets?
ORD65000 Red Devil Large Castle
GT45000 Defense of Goguryeo
https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/8996-review-red-devil/
https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/19675-oxford-korean-lego-cp/
I have definitely seen the second one on eBay. Just follow the link in the article above to the eBay listings and you will find it. I don’t remember seeing the first one recently, but I wasn’t looking for it. So just look through the current listings. There is a very good selection on eBay, and shipping is usually free.