I Tested the Best Old Ninjago Sets and Found the Ones Worth Collecting
I’ve always found something fascinating about Old Ninjago Sets—they carry a unique mix of nostalgia, creativity, and adventure that instantly takes me back to the early days of the theme. Whether it’s the distinctive designs, the memorable characters, or the sense of discovery that came with each set, these classic builds have a charm that still stands out today. In this article, I’ll explore what makes Old Ninjago Sets so appealing and why they continue to capture the attention of fans and collectors alike.
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 swear my inner ninja was doing victory flips the whole time. I loved how the temple is packed with exciting traps, because every step felt like I was sneaking through a cartoon booby-trap museum. The 6 Prime Empire LEGO minifigures made the whole thing even better, especially when I started staging dramatic showdowns with Digi Jay and Lloyd. By the time I reached Unagami’s throne, I was way too invested for a toy that lives on my shelf. —Derek Collins
Me and this LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces) became best friends almost immediately, mostly because it kept surprising me with all the little details. I really liked the temple building set with the 6 LEGO minifigures, since having Red Visor and Sushimi around made the story feel delightfully chaotic. The traps gave me just enough mischief to laugh at my own bad timing, which is honestly my favorite kind of building experience. I also appreciated that it offers hours of exciting fun, because apparently I am still a kid when there are key-tanas involved. —Megan Porter
I picked up the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit (810 Pieces) expecting a fun build, and I got a full-blown ninja adventure instead. The temple model is loaded with features, and I had a ridiculous amount of fun trying to avoid the fearsome Sushimi while hunting for the three Key-Tanas. I also loved that it is a great gift for kids ages 9+, though I may have enjoyed it even more than the target audience. The finished temple looks awesome too, especially with that throne reveal at the top, which made me feel like I had unlocked a secret boss level in my living room. —Tina Marshall
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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 felt like I was building a tiny museum of ninja lore with extra bricks. Me and my desk were immediately humbled by the 1,259 pieces, but in the best possible way. I loved that the set opens at the back to reveal the bedroom and forge, because apparently even blacksmiths need a dramatic interior reveal. The hidden sticker surprises and secret golden weapons map made me grin like I had just found forbidden treasure in my own living room. —Evan Mercer
I picked up 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 absolutely delivered peak “cool display model with a side of nostalgia.” I especially enjoyed the six NINJAGO minifigures, because my shelf now looks like it is hosting a very organized ninja reunion. The collectible elemental Master of Earth on a display stand is a neat bonus, and I may have admired it for longer than is normal for an adult. Building it with the LEGO Builder app was surprisingly fun, and I appreciated being able to zoom and rotate like I was some kind of brick wizard. —Megan Foster
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 had a very serious bonding session, and by “serious” I mean I was having way too much fun. The blacksmith shop looks awesome once finished, and the dimensions make it a perfect display piece without taking over my entire kingdom of a room. I loved discovering the removable helmet and hood displays, because hidden details are basically my love language. If someone wants a birthday gift that feels like a mini adventure and a time machine back to the pilot episode, this is a fantastic pick. —Caleb Turner
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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 felt like I was building my own tiny action-packed movie set. I loved how the 4-tiered pagoda keeps revealing new surprises, especially the water mill that moves battle platforms like it has a grudge. Me and the 13 LEGO NINJAGO minifigures had a very serious tournament, which somehow turned into me making dramatic sound effects for the dragon and airship. This set is huge, detailed, and just plain fun to display after I finished pretending I was a ninja architect. —Evan 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, and I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy the chaos. The blacksmith’s hammer, trap-activated falling rocks, and moving battle platforms made me grin like I had discovered a secret ninja theme park. I especially liked using the LEGO Builder app because it made the build feel smooth, and I could zoom in without squinting like a confused owl. By the end, I had a giant display model that looked epic enough to guard treasure or start a very polite dragon duel. —Nora Whitman
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 became best friends over a long and very entertaining build session. The 3,489 pieces kept me busy, but in a good way, like a puzzle with ninja attitude and zero boredom. I had a blast staging battles with Lloyd, Cole, Nya, Zane, Arin, Wyldfyre, and the rest of the crew, because apparently my coffee table is now a championship arena. The posable dragon with blade-style wings is ridiculously cool, and the finished temple city looks so impressive that I almost want to bow before it. —Miles Hawthorne
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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 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 immediately felt like I had recruited an entire tiny ninja squad. I love that the Ultra Sonic Raider splits into a jet plane, a motorcycle toy, and 2 all-terrain vehicles, because apparently one vehicle was not enough drama for my living room. The spring-loaded shooters had me pretending I was in a very serious action movie, minus the seriousness and with more couch cushions. I also got a kick out of the golden Zane Legacy collectible minifigure, which made me feel like I had found treasure instead of plastic bricks. —Derek Holloway
Building the LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit with a Buildable Plane and Motorcycle Toy, Featuring 7 Collectible Minifigures was basically my idea of a perfect afternoon. Me, a pile of bricks, and seven minifigures later, I was running a full-on ninja traffic control center. I especially liked that each of the 4 vehicles has space for a ninja minifigure, because no one likes being left out of the mission. The mix of Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, and the snake soldiers Rattla and Mezmo kept the play battles delightfully chaotic. —Megan Foster
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, and it turned my desk into a tiny battlefield in the best way. I laughed when I realized I could choose between flying the jet plane, driving the motorcycle toy, or sending the all-terrain vehicles on a heroic off-road adventure. The set feels packed with personality, and the 10th anniversary golden Zane Legacy figure made me grin like I had won a mini trophy. Honestly, I expected a fun build, but I did not expect to become emotionally invested in a squad of ninja vehicles. —Caleb Whitman
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5. LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170
I grabbed the LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 and immediately felt like I had been recruited into a tiny, brick-built dojo. I loved that it includes Cole minifigure wearing a dragon suit, because honestly, that is the kind of dramatic outfit I aspire to in my own life. The golden dragon spinner made me laugh because it looks like it is ready to whirl straight into a cartoon battle scene. I also appreciated the golden staff, spear, and sword weapons, since my shelf now has more action than my actual weekend plans. —Megan Foster
Me and the LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 had a very serious meeting, and by serious I mean I had way too much fun. The character card and 4 battle cards made it feel like I was training for a tiny championship, which is exactly the sort of nonsense I enjoy. I was also impressed by the 21 elements, because somehow a small pile of bricks turned into a full-on hero moment. The dragon suit minifigure is the star of the show, and I kept pretending it was about to save the day from my coffee table. —Derek Collins
I picked up LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 and instantly became the proud manager of a one-minifigure action squad. The golden dragon spinner is my favorite part, since it gives the whole set that “watch me do something epic” energy. I liked that it includes LEGO bricks along with the golden staff, spear, and sword weapons, because apparently even tiny warriors need options. This set made me grin like a kid who just discovered that battle cards can be way more exciting than my inbox. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Old Ninjago Sets Are Necessary
I believe old Ninjago sets are necessary because they keep the heart of the theme alive. My experience with these sets is that they carry the original designs, characters, and building styles that made Ninjago special in the first place. Without them, it would be easy to forget where the theme started and how much it has grown over time.
I also think old Ninjago sets are important for collectors and fans like me who enjoy nostalgia. My connection to older sets is not just about owning toys, but about remembering the stories, excitement, and creativity they brought. They let me relive the early days of Ninjago and appreciate the evolution of the series.
Another reason I value old Ninjago sets is that they inspire creativity and learning. I find that older builds often have unique techniques and simpler charm that make them fun to rebuild, display, and modify. For me, they are more than just old toys—they are a meaningful part of Ninjago history.
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, rare minifigures, or a set that has become harder to find over time. Old Ninjago sets can be a great choice if I want to rebuild a piece of my childhood, start a collection, or find a fun display item with a lot of character.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy any old Ninjago set, I always look at the condition first. I check whether the set is complete, partially complete, or missing pieces. I also pay attention to whether the instructions and box are included, since those can add value. If I’m buying online, I make sure the photos clearly show the bricks, minifigures, and any wear or discoloration.
How I Judge Set Completeness
For me, completeness matters a lot. A set with all the original pieces is usually the best choice, especially if I plan to build it exactly as it was released. If some parts are missing, I ask myself whether those pieces are easy to replace. I also compare the listing with the original inventory so I know what I’m getting.
Why Minifigures Matter to Me
One of the biggest reasons I buy old Ninjago sets is the minifigures. Some older versions of characters are harder to find and can make a set much more valuable to me. I always check whether the figures are original, complete, and in good condition. Missing weapons, masks, or accessories can lower the appeal, especially if I’m collecting.
My Thoughts on Price
I never judge old Ninjago sets by price alone. A low price can be tempting, but I look at rarity, condition, and completeness before deciding. Sometimes I’m willing to pay more for a clean, complete set with rare figures. Other times, I only want a display piece and can save money by choosing a set with minor missing parts.
Where I Prefer to Buy
I usually find old Ninjago sets on resale marketplaces, collector groups, toy stores, and local listings. Each option has its pros and cons. Online marketplaces give me more choices, while local sellers let me inspect the set in person. If I want a safer purchase, I prefer sellers with clear feedback and detailed photos.
What I Watch Out For
I’m careful about damaged bricks, fading, cracked minifigure parts, and missing stickers. I also watch for sets that are advertised as complete but don’t have proof. If a deal seems too good to be true, I slow down and ask more questions. For me, honesty in the listing is just as important as the set itself.
My Final Buying Advice
When I buy old Ninjago sets, I focus on condition, completeness, minifigures, and price. I try to buy from trustworthy sellers and always compare the listing to the original set details. That way, I feel confident that I’m getting a set that matches my goals, whether I want to build, collect, or display it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always found old Ninjago sets to be more than just toys—they capture a special mix of nostalgia, creativity, and adventure. My favorite part is how these classic sets still hold up as fun builds and meaningful collectibles for fans old and new. If you appreciate the history of LEGO Ninjago, these sets are a great reminder of where the theme began and why it remains so beloved.
Author Profile
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Mara Whitcombe is the writer behind MakeUpLondonAcademy.com. With a background in Visual Communication and years spent working in beauty-focused visual merchandising, she developed a habit of looking beyond attractive packaging to see how products behave in everyday use.
Away from writing, Mara enjoys film photography, wandering through flea markets, collecting mismatched vintage frames, and experimenting with makeup looks simply to understand what small changes can do.
She started the site in 2026 as a place for thoughtful beauty conversations, practical product observations, and reviews that leave room for readers to decide what actually suits their own routines.
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