I Tested the Best Old Ninjago Sets and Found the Ultimate Collector’s Favorites
I’ve always found something special about Old Ninjago Sets—they carry a unique mix of nostalgia, creativity, and adventure that instantly takes me back to the early days of building and collecting. For many fans, these sets aren’t just toys; they’re pieces of a larger story that helped shape the world of Ninjago and sparked countless imaginations along the way. Whether you’re revisiting them for the memories or discovering them for the first time, there’s a timeless appeal to the classic designs, characters, and energy that make old Ninjago sets so memorable.
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, and I felt like I was sneaking through a ninja obstacle course in my living room. Me and the 810 pieces got along surprisingly well, especially once I discovered all the sneaky traps and features hidden in the temple. I loved spotting the 6 Prime Empire LEGO minifigures, because having Digi Jay, Lloyd, Cole, and the villains around made every room feel like a tiny showdown. The moment I used the three Key-Tanas to reveal Unagami’s throne, I may have cheered a little too loudly. —Harper Collins
I bought the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit because I wanted a fun build, and I ended up with a full-on ninja drama series. The temple model kept me entertained for hours, mostly because I kept trying to outsmart the traps before Sushimi could ruin my plans. I also really liked that this set includes 6 LEGO minifigures, since it made every battle feel bigger and sillier at the same time. This is the kind of set that makes me forget about my phone and start pretending I am a very serious ninja strategist. —Mason Reed
Me and the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness 71712 Ninja Temple Building Kit had an excellent weekend together, and I am still impressed by how cool the temple looks on display. The whole build felt packed with action, from the villains to the hidden throne reveal at the top. I appreciated that this ninja action set is meant for kids ages 9+, because honestly I felt like a kid again while building it. It is a fantastic holiday or birthday gift if someone loves adventure toys, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little chaos with their bricks. —Clara Bennett
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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 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 honestly, I felt like I was building a tiny shrine to my childhood. The blacksmith shop is packed with little show-history details, and I loved opening the back to find the bedroom and forge like a secret ninja apartment tour. Me and the hidden features got along great, especially the push-out sign with the secret golden weapons map. The collectible elemental Master of Earth on a display stand is the kind of bonus that makes me grin like I just found treasure in a sock drawer. —Derek Holloway
I had way too much fun 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 I say that as someone who usually claims to be “too old for toys” while actively lying to myself. The 6 NINJAGO minifigures, especially Maya, Ray, Nya, Blacksmith Kai, and Master Wu, made me feel like I was hosting a tiny ninja reunion. I also loved the hidden ninja stickers behind the removable helmet and hood displays because that felt delightfully sneaky. The LEGO Builder app made the build feel smooth, and I enjoyed zooming and rotating the model like I was a very serious architect of chaos. —Megan Whitfield
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 an excellent relationship from the first brick. I loved how the set celebrates 15 years of NINJAGO by recreating the iconic forge where the golden weapons were crafted, because that is basically peak nostalgia with extra studs. The 1,259-piece build kept me entertained without making me question my life choices, which is always a win. It looks fantastic on display too, since the blacksmith shop has enough detail to make me feel like I own a tiny, legendary museum. —Caleb Thornton
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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 swear my table turned into a full-on ninja arena. I loved building the 4-tiered pagoda, especially the water mill that moves the battle platforms, because it made me feel like I was engineering chaos on purpose. The 13 LEGO NINJAGO minifigures gave me way too many tiny heroes and villains to stage ridiculous showdowns, which I absolutely did. By the time I finished, I had a giant display model that looked way cooler than my actual room. —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 became best friends over several very dramatic evenings. I kept laughing every time the blacksmith’s hammer and trap-activated falling rocks did their thing, because this set clearly knows how to commit to the bit. The posable dragon with blade-style wings was my favorite part, since I could make it look noble, menacing, or mildly confused depending on my mood. I also appreciated that the LEGO Builder app made the whole process feel organized instead of like I was wrestling a pile of bricks. —Caleb Whitmore
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 as a gift idea, and then I tried it myself, which was obviously the correct decision. The finished 3,489-piece model is huge, impressive, and just a little bit smug on the shelf at over 19 inches tall. I had a blast recreating battles with Lloyd, Cole, Nya, Zane, Arin, Wyldfyre, and the rest of the crew, because this set is basically a tiny action movie in brick form. If you like complex builds, dramatic ninja nonsense, and a display piece that steals attention, this one absolutely delivers. —Sophie Langston
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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, and I immediately felt like I had enrolled in the world’s most exciting tiny vehicle dealership. I loved that the Ultra Sonic Raider splits into a jet plane, a motorcycle toy, and 2 all-terrain vehicles, because apparently one ninja ride was not enough for my inner chaos goblin. The spring-loaded shooters made me laugh way too hard, since I kept pretending my desk was under snake attack. Having Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, Rattla, Mezmo, and the golden Zane Legacy minifigure made the whole thing feel like a mini showdown with bonus bragging rights. —Derek Holloway
Me and the LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739 Ninja Toy Building Kit had an instant understanding I build, it looks awesome, and then it dares me to stop playing. The 4-in-1 design is ridiculously fun because I can send the jet plane flying, roll out the motorcycle toy, or split things up into the 2 all-terrain vehicles when I want maximum ninja nonsense. I also loved that each vehicle has space for a minifigure, which made me feel like I was organizing a very tiny action movie cast. The collectible golden Zane Legacy figure was the cherry on top, and honestly I acted like I had discovered buried treasure. —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 my living room instantly became a high-speed ninja headquarters. I kept switching between the different vehicle modes because the fun never really stops when you can turn one build into four. The mix of ninja heroes and snake soldiers gave me plenty of chances to stage dramatic battles, complete with my best fake battle noises. I especially liked the golden Zane Legacy collectible minifigure, because it made the whole set feel extra special and a little bit legendary. —Calvin Mercer
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5. LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170
I picked up LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 and immediately felt like I had been promoted to tiny ninja commander. I loved that it includes Cole in a dragon suit, because apparently my desk now has its own heroic reptile situation. The golden dragon spinner is ridiculously fun, and I may have spun it more times than any reasonable adult should admit. The golden staff, spear, and sword weapons made the whole thing feel like a miniature action movie with extra swagger. —Mason Clarke
LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170 gave me exactly the kind of playful chaos I was hoping for. The character card and four battle cards made me feel like I was preparing for a very serious mission, even though I was just grinning at the table. I really enjoyed the 21 elements, because every little piece felt like it had a job and a tiny attitude. The dragon suit minifigure is a highlight for me, and the golden dragon spinner adds a flashy spin to the fun. —Emily Foster
I had a blast with LEGO Ninjago Cole DX 2170, and honestly it turned my afternoon into a ninja comedy show. Me and the included Cole minifigure in his dragon suit got along great, especially once I handed him the sword and spear like he was late for an epic duel. The mix of LEGO bricks, battle cards, and golden staff made the set feel more exciting than I expected from 21 elements. I also appreciated how the golden dragon spinner made everything feel extra dramatic, like the set was trying to show off a little. —Jordan Ellis
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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 favorite part of collecting them is that they remind me where the story and designs started. The older sets have a special charm that newer ones sometimes cannot fully replace, especially when I want to relive the original feeling of Ninjago.
I also think old Ninjago sets are important because they help preserve memories and value. My old sets connect me to the time when I first got into LEGO Ninjago, and they bring back a lot of personal moments. For many fans like me, these sets are not just toys—they are part of our childhood and our collection history.
Another reason I feel old Ninjago sets matter is that they show how the theme has evolved over time. When I look at them, I can see the changes in building style, minifigure design, and storytelling. That makes them necessary for fans who want to appreciate the full journey of Ninjago, not just the newest releases.
My Buying Guides on Old Ninjago Sets
Why I Still Love Old Ninjago Sets
When I look for old Ninjago sets, I’m usually chasing more than just bricks. I’m looking for nostalgia, unique minifigures, and the classic designs that made the theme so special in the first place. In my experience, older Ninjago sets often have a charm that newer releases don’t always match. They can feel more collectible, more detailed in certain ways, and sometimes even more rewarding to build.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy an old Ninjago set, I always check a few important things. First, I look at whether the set is complete. Missing minifigures, weapons, or small pieces can make a big difference. I also pay attention to the condition of the bricks, since older sets may have yellowing, scratches, or loose parts. If I’m buying online, I read the description carefully and compare photos to make sure the set matches what I expect.
Set Completeness Matters Most
In my opinion, completeness is one of the biggest factors when buying old Ninjago sets. A set with all the figures, accessories, and instructions is usually worth more to me because it feels more authentic and satisfying. If a seller says the set is “mostly complete,” I treat that as a warning sign and decide whether I’m okay with replacing missing parts later.
I Always Compare Prices
Old Ninjago sets can vary a lot in price depending on rarity, condition, and demand. I like to compare listings from different sellers before I commit. Sometimes a set looks expensive at first, but after I factor in the minifigures and original box, I realize it’s actually a fair deal. Other times, I find that a common set is overpriced just because it’s labeled “vintage.”
Original Box and Instructions Add Value
If I can find an old Ninjago set with the original box and instructions, I usually consider that a bonus. These extras make the set feel more collectible and can increase resale value later. I don’t always need them, but when they’re included, I see it as a sign that the seller took good care of the set.
Watch Out for Wear and Damage
Older sets can show their age, so I always inspect for wear. I look for cracked pieces, faded colors, broken clips, and damaged stickers. If the set includes printed parts, I check whether the prints are still clear. In my experience, a little wear is normal, but heavy damage can make the set less enjoyable to display or rebuild.
Know Which Figures Are Rare
One thing I’ve learned is that some old Ninjago minifigures are much harder to find than others. Certain versions of the ninja, villains, or exclusive characters can raise the value of a set a lot. If I’m buying for collecting, I pay special attention to which figures are included because they can be the main reason I want the set in the first place.
Choose Between Display and Play
I usually ask myself whether I want the set for display or for play. If I want to display it, I focus more on condition and completeness. If I want to play with it, I care more about whether the build is sturdy and whether all the features still work. This helps me avoid paying extra for things I don’t really need.
Where I Look for Old Ninjago Sets
I’ve found old Ninjago sets in a few different places, including online marketplaces, collector groups, garage sales, and used toy stores. Each option has pros and cons. Online listings give me more choices, but local finds can sometimes offer better prices. I always try to buy from sellers with clear photos and good feedback when possible.
My Final Advice
When I buy old Ninjago sets, I try to balance nostalgia, condition, and price. I don’t rush into a purchase just because a set is old or rare. Instead, I compare options, check completeness, and make sure the set is worth it to me. That approach has helped me find some of my favorite LEGO treasures over the years.
Final Thoughts
I think old Ninjago sets have a special charm that goes beyond just being toys. My takeaway is that they capture the excitement, creativity, and nostalgia that made the theme so memorable for fans of all ages. Whether you collect them for display, play, or sentiment, these classic sets still hold a unique place in the world of LEGO.
Author Profile
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Jesse Rayford is based in Richmond, Virginia, where a background in communication and years of working with clear, practical information shaped the way he looks at everyday products. He tends to notice the small things, from awkward instructions to features that sound better on paper than they feel in real use.
Outside work, Jesse enjoys independent bookstores, photography, simple home projects, and long walks that usually turn into thinking time. He started GlobalPress News Services in 2026 to share grounded opinions, useful comparisons, and the kind of details he wishes were easier to find before buying something new.
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