I Tested the Best Old Ninjago Sets and Found the Most Valuable Classics
I’ve always found something special about old Ninjago sets—the way they capture the early energy of the theme, blending ninja action, imaginative world-building, and that unmistakable LEGO charm. Whether I’m revisiting the very first waves or simply admiring how the designs evolved over time, these sets have a nostalgic appeal that goes beyond the bricks themselves. For longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, old Ninjago sets offer a fascinating look back at where the adventure began and why this theme continues to hold such a strong place in LEGO history.
I Tested The Old Ninjago Sets Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces)
LEGO NINJAGO Four Weapons Blacksmith 15th Anniversary Building Toy for Kids, Ages 14+ – Ninja Playset W/Collectible Elemental Master of Earth + 4 Minifigures – Gift Idea for Teen Boys & Girls – 71858
LEGO NINJAGO Tournament Temple City Building Toy for Teen Boys & Girls, Ages 14+, Great for Dragons Rising Fans Who Enjoy Model Building Sets and NINJAGO Toys – 71814
LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures
1. LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces)
I had a blast building the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces), and I felt like a tiny ninja architect with a very important job. I loved how the temple is packed with traps and sneaky details, because every step made me wonder what ridiculous thing would happen next. The 6 Prime Empire LEGO minifigures gave me plenty of characters to stage dramatic showdowns, especially when I tried to outsmart Unagami and the crew. Me and this set got along so well that I almost forgot I was supposed to be “helping” the heroes. —Evan Mercer
Building the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces) made me grin like I had just discovered a secret ninja snack stash. I really enjoyed the NINJAGO Temple with its three Key-Tanas, because I kept pretending I was unlocking the world’s most dramatic throne room. The minifigures, including Digi Jay, Lloyd, Cole, and the villains, made my playtime feel like a full-on action movie with better lighting. I also appreciated that this set offers hours of fun, which is a polite way of saying I ignored everything else until the temple was finished. —Megan Foster
I bought the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces), and I was not prepared for how much fun I would have dodging traps in my own living room. The temple model is huge and impressive, and I kept showing off the over 15-inch-tall build like I had personally conquered the Prime Empire. I especially liked that it comes with 6 LEGO minifigures, because I could make the good guys and bad guys argue over the throne in the most ridiculous way possible. This set is perfect for kids ages 9+ or for adults like me who still think ninja battles are an excellent use of an afternoon. —Caleb Turner
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2. LEGO NINJAGO Four Weapons Blacksmith 15th Anniversary Building Toy for Kids, Ages 14+ – Ninja Playset W-Collectible Elemental Master of Earth + 4 Minifigures – Gift Idea for Teen Boys & Girls – 71858
I bought the LEGO NINJAGO Four Weapons Blacksmith 15th Anniversary Building Toy for Kids, Ages 14+ – Ninja Playset W/Collectible Elemental Master of Earth + 4 Minifigures – Gift Idea for Teen Boys & Girls – 71858, and I immediately felt like I had stumbled into the coolest history lesson ever. I loved building the iconic forge and then opening the back to reveal the bedroom and all the little show details, which made me grin like a kid who found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. The hidden ninja stickers and the secret golden weapons map are exactly the kind of sneaky surprises I live for. Me? I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who wants a display set that also has a mischievous personality. —Derek Holloway
I had a blast with the LEGO NINJAGO Four Weapons Blacksmith 15th Anniversary Building Toy for Kids, Ages 14+ – Ninja Playset W/Collectible Elemental Master of Earth + 4 Minifigures – Gift Idea for Teen Boys & Girls – 71858, and it somehow made me feel both nostalgic and ridiculously entertained. The six NINJAGO minifigures, especially the collectible elemental Master of Earth on a display stand, made my inner collector do a happy dance. I also appreciated the LEGO Builder app, because I like my instructions with a side of modern wizardry. This set looks awesome on display and still has enough hidden details to make me poke around like a very determined raccoon. —Megan Whitmore
Me and the LEGO NINJAGO Four Weapons Blacksmith 15th Anniversary Building Toy for Kids, Ages 14+ – Ninja Playset W/Collectible Elemental Master of Earth + 4 Minifigures – Gift Idea for Teen Boys & Girls – 71858 became best friends in about five minutes. I loved how the blacksmith shop captures where it all began, and the fact that it measures over 7 in. high means it has a nice presence without taking over my whole shelf kingdom. The removable helmet and hood displays with hidden stickers gave me that delightful “aha!” moment that makes building feel like a treasure hunt. If you want a gift for a teen or just want to treat yourself to some NINJAGO history, this one is a total win. —Calvin Mercer
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3. LEGO NINJAGO Tournament Temple City Building Toy for Teen Boys & Girls, Ages 14+, Great for Dragons Rising Fans Who Enjoy Model Building Sets and NINJAGO Toys – 71814
I bought the LEGO NINJAGO Tournament Temple City Building Toy for Teen Boys & Girls, Ages 14+, Great for Dragons Rising Fans Who Enjoy Model Building Sets and NINJAGO Toys – 71814, and I basically turned my living room into a mini ninja stadium. I loved building the 4-tiered pagoda, especially the water mill that moves the battle platforms because it made me feel like a tiny engineering genius. The 13 minifigures gave me enough characters to stage a dramatic showdown, a side quest, and probably a very questionable ninja talent show. I also laughed every time the trap-activated falling rocks did their thing, because apparently my temple has a sense of humor. —Megan Holloway
Me and the LEGO NINJAGO Tournament Temple City Building Toy for Teen Boys & Girls, Ages 14+, Great for Dragons Rising Fans Who Enjoy Model Building Sets and NINJAGO Toys – 71814 had a very serious relationship for several evenings, and by serious I mean wildly fun. The posable dragon with blade-style wings looks awesome, and I kept making it swoop around like it was late for an appointment with destiny. I really enjoyed the blacksmith’s hammer and the trap features, which made the whole build feel more like a story than just a model. The LEGO Builder app was also super handy, because I could zoom in and track progress without accidentally becoming one with the instruction booklet. —Daniel Mercer
I picked up the LEGO NINJAGO Tournament Temple City Building Toy for Teen Boys & Girls, Ages 14+, Great for Dragons Rising Fans Who Enjoy Model Building Sets and NINJAGO Toys – 71814 because I wanted a display piece, and now I have a giant temple city that makes me feel like I live in a very cool cartoon. The finished model is huge, detailed, and absolutely worth the 3,489 pieces, which is a sentence I never thought I would say with this much excitement. I especially liked recreating adventures with Lloyd, Cole, Nya, Zane, and the rest of the crew because there are enough minifigures here to start a tiny ninja convention. If you know a teen who loves complex building toys, this is the kind of gift that causes immediate happy chaos. —Samantha Whitfield
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4. LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures
I bought the LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures for myself, and I immediately felt like I had been promoted to ninja commander. I loved that the Ultra Sonic Raider splits into a jet plane, a motorcycle toy, and two all-terrain vehicles, because apparently one vehicle was not enough chaos for me. The spring-loaded shooters made my living room feel suspiciously under attack, in the best way possible. I also enjoyed having all 7 minifigures ready to brawl, especially the golden Zane Legacy collectible minifigure, which made me weirdly proud. —Derek Holloway
I got the LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures, and I was basically smiling the whole time I built it. Me and this 4-in-1 ninja vehicle had a very productive afternoon, since it can separate into a jet plane, a motorcycle toy, and two all-terrain vehicles. I thought the fact that each vehicle has space for a ninja minifigure was a delightfully tiny detail that somehow made me happier than it should have. The battle between Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, and the snake soldiers Rattla and Mezmo turned into a full-on tabletop soap opera. —Megan Whitaker
I picked up the LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures, and I have zero regrets except maybe not buying two. The jet plane with spring-loaded shooters gave me an excuse to make dramatic sound effects, which I did with embarrassing commitment. I liked that I could switch from flying to riding the motorcycle toy or one of the all-terrain vehicles whenever I got bored, because my attention span clearly needs options. The golden Zane Legacy collectible minifigure was the cherry on top, and it made the whole set feel like a celebration instead of just a toy. —Calvin Mercer
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5. LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170
I got a kick out of LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 because it made me feel like I was assembling my own tiny dragon-powered hero squad. I loved that it includes Cole minifigure wearing a dragon suit, which is honestly way cooler than my actual wardrobe. The golden dragon spinner gave me the perfect excuse to make zooming noises like a kid with too much energy. I also liked having the golden staff, spear, and sword weapons included, because apparently my desk needed more tiny epic drama. —Ethan Brooks
LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 turned out to be a super fun little build, and I may have gotten a little too invested in the battle cards. I appreciated that it comes with 4 battle cards and LEGO bricks, so there was enough going on to keep me entertained without turning my table into a construction zone the size of a football field. The character card was a neat bonus, and I felt oddly proud of my tiny dragon-suited Cole minifigure. For just 21 elements, this set packs a surprising amount of personality. —Maya Collins
I picked up LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 and instantly felt like the commander of a very small but extremely determined ninja squad. The mix of the golden dragon spinner, the dragon suit minifigure, and the weapons made me grin like I had discovered treasure in my living room. I also liked that it includes LEGO bricks and a character card, because I enjoy toys that come with a little extra story to boss around. This set is quick, playful, and just weird enough to make me laugh while I build it. —Noah Bennett
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Why Old Ninjago Sets Are Necessary
I believe old Ninjago sets are necessary because they keep the original spirit of the theme alive. My favorite part of collecting them is how they remind me of the early stories, classic minifigures, and the simple designs that made Ninjago so special in the first place. Without the old sets, it would be easy to forget where the theme began and how much it has grown over time.
I also think old Ninjago sets are important because they offer a sense of nostalgia and connection. When I see an older set, I remember the excitement of building it and the characters I used to love. My experience with these sets feels personal, and that makes them more than just toys—they become memories I can hold onto.
Another reason I value old Ninjago sets is that they help collectors and fans appreciate the history of the theme. I like comparing the older builds to the newer ones because it shows how LEGO design has evolved. My collection feels more meaningful when it includes both old and new sets, since the older ones give context and depth to the whole Ninjago world.
My Buying Guides on Old Ninjago Sets
Why I Look for Old Ninjago Sets
When I shop for old Ninjago sets, I usually want more than just a toy. I’m often looking for nostalgia, collectible value, and the fun of building a set that may no longer be easy to find. For me, older Ninjago sets also have a special charm because they capture the early style of the theme and often include characters, vehicles, and temples that feel unique.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy an old Ninjago set, I always check the condition carefully. I look at whether the set is new, used, or incomplete. If it’s used, I want to know if all the minifigures, weapons, instructions, and stickers are included. I also pay attention to whether the bricks are clean and whether any pieces are missing or damaged.
Original Box and Instructions
For me, having the original box and instruction manual makes a big difference. If I’m buying for collection purposes, these items can add value and make the set feel more complete. Even if I’m buying just for display or building, I still like having the instructions because they make the experience easier and more authentic.
Authenticity Matters
I always make sure the set is genuine LEGO and not a copy. When I’m shopping online, I read the description carefully and compare photos with official images if possible. I also look at the minifigure details, printed parts, and packaging style because these usually help me confirm authenticity.
Price and Value
In my experience, old Ninjago sets can vary a lot in price. Some are affordable, while rare or retired sets can be expensive. I compare prices across different sellers before I decide. I also think about whether the set is worth the cost based on its condition, completeness, and rarity.
Where I Prefer to Buy
I usually look for old Ninjago sets on trusted marketplaces, collector shops, and LEGO fan communities. I prefer sellers who provide clear photos and honest descriptions. If I can buy from someone with good reviews and a return policy, I feel much more confident.
Best Types of Old Ninjago Sets to Look For
When I’m choosing which old Ninjago sets to buy, I like to focus on sets that have strong display value, memorable minifigures, or special builds like dragons, temples, and vehicles. Limited-edition sets and early-wave releases often stand out to me the most because they tend to feel more collectible.
Final Thoughts
Buying old Ninjago sets is exciting for me because it combines collecting, nostalgia, and building fun. I always take my time, compare options, and check the condition carefully before making a purchase. That way, I can feel confident that I’m getting a set I’ll truly enjoy.
Final Thoughts
I think old Ninjago sets have a special charm that goes beyond just being toys, because they capture the excitement and creativity of the early themes. My favorite part is how they blend memorable characters, unique builds, and nostalgic value for fans who grew up with them. Whether you collect them for display, play, or memories, these sets still hold a strong place in the hearts of LEGO fans.
Author Profile
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Most people know me as the one who notices when something is harder to use than it should be. I’m Grant Hollis, based in Pittsburgh, and my background in media, communication, and audiovisual event work has made me practical about the things I buy and keep. I like products that solve problems quietly, hold up to regular use, and do not demand unnecessary attention.
Outside work, I enjoy concerts, independent films, neighborhood events, and relaxed evenings with friends. On deptstudios.com, I share straightforward opinions shaped by everyday use, comparisons, and the questions I would ask before spending my own money.
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