Klinger Builds Legos

First Impressions: LEGO UCS Death Star

LEGO has just officially revealed its newest Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) set—the Death Star. And while this will no doubt be one of the biggest LEGO releases of the year, I have to admit… I’m disappointed.

I’ve been following the leaks for weeks, and even in the official images, something seemed off. The product photos don’t show the back of the model, but in LEGO’s own video you get a peek—and it’s essentially flat. Sure, they added the superlaser reactor vent (a nice detail), but overall what you’re really getting for $1,000 is a massive cross-section of the Death Star.

At over 9,000 pieces, the build is undeniably huge. Designing it as a half-sphere would have pushed the part count and price even higher, but I can’t help wishing LEGO had gone that route. The last major Death Star release, set #75159, had the same issue: incredible interior scenes, but no real “shell.” Don’t get me wrong—the rooms and vignettes are beautifully done and bring the story to life. It just feels incomplete for something meant to be the ultimate display piece.

This version is 28 inches (70 cm) tall but only 11 inches (27 cm) deep, making it much easier to fit on a shelf. I’m sure that was intentional, but many collectors I know wouldn’t mind finding space for a full half-sphere, even if it meant a larger footprint.

That said, there’s plenty to get excited about. The set includes 38 minifigures (many of them exclusive), a mini Emperor’s Shuttle, the Emperor’s throne room, the trash compactor, a detention block, interrogation chamber, conference room, and more. Plus, if you buy directly from LEGO, you’ll score a mini TIE Fighter as a gift with purchase. Packed with iconic scenes from A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, it’s an instant Star Wars showcase.

In the end, while I wish LEGO had taken the plunge and given us a true half-sphere Death Star, there’s no denying this is still an impressive set with incredible detail, a massive minifig lineup, and serious collector appeal. From an investment standpoint, it also looks strong. Like most UCS sets, this one will almost certainly appreciate in value once it retires—so five or six years from now, it could be worth double the original price.