The LEGO® NINJAGO Crystalized set reviews continue with a look at one of the larger sets to be featured in the new wave, Kai’s Golden Dragon Rider. This is another of the new sets to be tied to the Golden Dragon and features a ninja kitted out in their Golden Dragon Suit. NINJAGO is known for their weird and wonderful vehicles, this set certainly continues that trend with Kai’s Raider car. Which features the ability to configure it in different ways. It also includes an impressive gang of 7 Minifigures. But does that result in a fun set? Here’s my early review of Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider set.
Product Details
Ninja fans aged 8+ can recreate thrilling action from the NINJAGO®: Crystalized TV series with this supercool Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider (71773) playset. It features a multi-terrain vehicle with a cockpit, 2 cannons with 4 shooters, and golden dragon blades. By folding the Raider’s back wheels, it can change from road mode into walker mode to move like a creature.
A building set to capture the imagination of ninja fans
This building set is crammed with 7 minifigures: Golden Kai, Golden Dragon Zane with golden dragon wings, their ally Skylor, and a set of villains for kids to play out battles against: General Mister F, Vengestone Brute and 2 Vengestone Warriors.
Cool toys to transport kids to a fantasy world!
NINJAGO toys encourage kids to put down their screens and dive into an all-consuming world of fantasy action. Here they can join forces with their brave ninja heroes to battle the forces of evil with a fantastic collection of playsets including mechs, cars, jets, dragons and temples.
- Set Name: Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider
- Set Number: 71773
- Pieces: 624
- RRP: £74.99/$79.99/79.99€
- Number of Bags: Bags x 6 + loose elements
- Stickers: sheet x 1
- Minifigures: Golden Kai, Golden Dragon Zane, Skylor, General Mister F, Vengestone Brute & 2 Vengestone Warriors
- Instructions: Booklet x 1 + LEGO Building Instructions App
- Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Release from June 1st
The set comprises of a minimal looking instructions booklet, along with a sheet of stickers. Stickers often annoy me, especially in the high-end sets and even more so when the elements are easy enough to be printed on. But the ones in the NINJAGO sets are mostly used on odd elements so I didn’t mind them in this set. The fact they are on a clear sticker sheet also helped as they seem to be easier to apply. There are 5 numbered bags in the set along with a pack of golden weapons, many of which will be leftover, so don’t panic if you only use one element from the bag. Plus there is a bag of wheels and tyres.
The Golden Dragon Raider is an unusual looking vehicle but as is often the case with NINJAGO vehicles, that’s what makes them so interesting. Its odd-looking set-up is indicative of the play functions built into the set. Namely, the ability to position both the rear and front wheels in different ways. The back set of wheels are mounted on a frame, which allows them to be angled at different heights. Thus changing the slope of the vehicle. Whilst the front wheels are each mounted on a separate arm, which can be swung to the side. Both moveable sections completely change the feels and footprint of the set. In its normal configuration, it has the feel of a futuristic hovercar from a Japanese manga. But switching up the wheels gives it an almost insect-like quality.
Another really cool play feature is found on the side of the vehicle. You’ll notice two large bladed discs mounted either side of the middle section of the vehicle. These can be rotated to face towards the back or front of the vehicle, via a handy dial at the rear of the cab. Both the disc sections feature a pair of bolt-firing bricks, which thankfully don’t eject merely by brushing up against them.
The cockpit has enough room to seat two minifigures, you’ll need to remove their weapons but both Kai and Skylor can slot in there. Just behind the section they are seated is a lift-up panel, within it is a removable drone. At least I think it’s a drone, it could be a jetpack or hoverboard.
The set features an impressive 7 minifigures including three hero characters, three members of the Vengestone army and a crystalized version of a resurrected past villain known now as Mister F. The set is also one of four the new releases to feature a Golden Dragon suited ninja. For this set, it’s Zane who is kitted out in the Golden Dragon Suit. As with the other Golden Dragon suited ninja, Zane is sporting a unique dragon helmet and wings. Although the base elements are the same, they are each tinged with a colour relevant to the character. So Zane’s helmet is a mix of gold and transparent blue. The wings are a mix of those colours as well. However, I have a small gripe with the wings, they are completely different to what’s shown on the packaging. Despite that, the transparent parts used on this minifigure result in an impressive-looking character.
Zane is joined by Kai, who is wearing a fairly traditional outfit, especially compared to the Golden Dragon Suits. Of course, it wouldn’t be a new wave of NINJAGO sets without a slight change to the standard ninja outfits. So Kai’s robes are largely red but feature plenty more gold trim, this includes a mostly gold-coloured hood. Skylor is one of few female characters in the world of NINJAGO. She’s also an elemental master but has only appeared in a couple of sets. She last featured in a set back in 2018 and her appearance in this set is similar to that but with different coloured trim and golden shoulder armour.
Facing off against the good guys are four bad ones. They include three members of the Vengestone army. These are basically all the same, with all three using the same odd dragon-like head. There is a slight difference in the print detail on the characters. The two Warriors have the same design with the Brute having a little extra detail, it’s very minor, they also have different weapons. Despite the lack of variety with the Vengestone Boys, they are joined by a resurrected villain from the past, now infused with the power of crystals. Although the character has a not too subtle different name, Mister F is a version of the previously dispatched Sons of Garmadon general Mister E. His design is similar, with a similar face print and visor but the rest of his look is more aligned to the Vengestone uniform.
Review Round-up
This is certainly one of those sets with great appeal to kids in general as well as being an interesting set for NINJAGO fans. I love that the theme has become a little more inventive in recent years, as the result are sets like these. Having Skylor in the set gives the theme a much-needed boost of female characters. The Golden Dragon Suits are some of the best minifigures in the theme, it’s just a shame the wings don’t match the renders as they looked way better than what’s actually featured in the box.
For
+ Great selection of minifigures
+ Disc rotating function is fun
+ Ability to reconfigure the wheels completely changes the set
Against
– Dragon Suit wings are not as pictured on the box
– Missing the dragon-like canopy other Golden Dragon sets have
Coming June 1st: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
