In 1999, LEGO miraculously gained the rights to make the first LEGO Star Wars sets, just in time for the release  of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The very first LEGO Star Wars sets were rough by today’s standards, but still hold a nostalgic and memorable charm.

The sets were an instant hit, and LEGO kept making them. Now, 20 years later, LEGO wants to celebrate with the release of their special 20th anniversary sets.

These include the 75258 Anakin’s Podracer (MSRP $29.99), the 75243 Slave I (MSRP $119.99), the 75262 Imperial Dropship (MSRP $19.99), the 75259 Snowspeeder (MSRP $39.99), and the 75261 Clone Scout Walker (MSRP $29.99).

The official release date of all of the previously mentioned sets was April 1; however some stores, notably Target retailers, accidentally put the sets on shelves early.

All of the new sets that are being released are remasters of previous sets that were released much earlier–the most recent of which being the 7667 Imperial Dropship, which was released in 2008, and is now getting a remaster. The previously mentioned set is a highly-regarded set and has a 4-Star rating and 97 reviews on Brickset.com.

Another noteworthy set is the Slave I. The Slave I has had many iterations throughout the years, but this article will be examining the very first version, the 7144 Slave I, released in 2000. This is one of the inevitably rough models of LEGO’s early Star Wars sets. This set had 166 pieces and retailed for $20.00. It has a 4-Star rating and 22 reviews on Brickset.com.

LEGO has also recreated the iconic Snowspeeder for their new line of anniversary LEGO Star Wars sets. The very first LEGO Snowspeeder model was released in 1999 as part the first wave of LEGO Star Wars sets. It was one of the better models from the LEGO Star Wars olden days.  It contained 215 pieces and cost $20.00 dollars at the time of release. It has an astounding 5-Star rating and 27 reviews on Brickset.com–certainly a classic set worthy of a remake.

Another set LEGO decided to remake is Anakin’s Podracer, another set that was released in 1999 with the very first LEGO Star Wars sets. The set is based of the iconic podracing scene from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This set originally contained 136 pieces and cost $15.00 at retail at the time of release. It has a 4-Star rating on Brickset.com and is truly a great little set that a re-do could improve upon.

Lastly, the original Clone Scout Walker, which was released in 2005 alongside with the release of Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith. It was designed to resemble the vehicle, the AT-RT (All-Terrain Recon-Transport), which appeared in that episode. It included 108 pieces and retailed for $10.00. This set is quite memorable and loved by many, thanks to the popularity of LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, The Complete Saga. This set is a classic and can only benefit from the update through this re-release.

In conclusion many fans of both LEGO and Star Wars are eager to pick up these excellent sets, myself included!