Key details
Price: $79.99/£69.99
Model number: 75429
Number of pieces: 730
Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 5 inches / 20 x 13 x 13cm
Recommended age: 18+
Since 2020, we’ve been loving Lego’s Star Wars helmet range. But with no new set released since 2023, we were beginning to think that Lego had quietly discontinued the sub-theme. It seems not, as a brand new set was released in March: the Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet. The series is back with a bang, too, because this is undoubtedly one of the best Lego Star Wars helmets to release so far.
AT-AT drivers (or pilots) first appeared in “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”, and since then, they’ve appeared in various Star Wars spin-offs — including, most recently, the “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” video game. There’s a good chance you’ll recognize this particular piece of armor then, but even if you don’t, it’s unmistakably Star Wars. This helmet is a little more detailed than that of your standard Stormtrooper, but if you have any other sets from the helmet range, it’s going to look fabulous alongside them.
That’s perhaps our biggest gripe with this set — and the Lego Star Wars helmet range in general. These sets look okay by themselves, but to get the most out of them, you want to display multiple sets together. That’s when they really shine. But with this set costing $80 alone — and most of the range now discontinued and removed from store shelves — it’s no easy feat.
Read on to find out our full thoughts on the Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver set. Is this one of the best Lego Star Wars sets ever released, or does it deserve to be forgotten?
Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet review: The build
- Building process doesn’t feel repetitive
- Enjoyable build with multiple techniques and curved tiles
- Detail on the back of the helmet but stickers are included
If you’ve built one of the more recent Lego Star Wars helmets, you’ll feel right at home when putting together the AT-AT Driver Helmet. The base is identical to the rest of the range, and the rest of the helmet is built by layering pieces onto a central column.
There are some very interesting building techniques employed here, and despite this helmet being essentially a mass of gray bricks, the building process never manages to feel repetitive.
Pieces are used to interesting effect, and we particularly love how curved tiles are used to create the shape of the helmet’s eyes. The sides of the helmet are pleasantly curved too, with some nice details around what would be the ears. Surprisingly, the back of the AT-AT Driver Helmet even has some detail, which makes a nice change. It’s a shame that some of that detail comes from stickers; however, we’d much rather Lego had used printed bricks, especially at this price point.
Image 1 of 3
The 730 pieces of the Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet are spread over six bags, and the set will take you roughly two and a half hours to complete, thanks to some fiddly sections. There’s thankfully nothing too frustrating here, though, and for the most part, putting together this helmet has been a joy.
Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet review: Design
- Instantly recognizable
- Displayed on a display stand
- Looks better as part of a collection
We can hardly call the design of the Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet ‘original’, because it’s based on an existing costume — that, and its structure is very similar to the dozen other Star Wars helmets that came before it. But in terms of achieving a realistic look as close to the source material as possible, Lego has nailed it.
Obviously, creating something rounded and realistically head-shaped out of Lego blocks is no easy feat, but the designers have pulled it off with gusto. As we’ve mentioned, there are some very creative building techniques used here to great effect; the shape and structure that has been achieved is nothing less than perfect.
There is one part of the model that we’re not quite sure about, however. Two black pieces flank either side of the helmet’s face, and while it does resemble the real helmet, we can’t help but think that it would have looked better if the studs were covered over by a smooth tile. But that’s about the only real complaint we can levy at the design here.
Should you buy Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet?
If you already own any of the other Lego Star Wars helmets, then yes: The Lego Star Wars AT-AT Driver Helmet will make a fantastic addition to your collection, and we think it’s possibly the best Star Wars helmet Lego has released so far. If you don’t? Well, it depends. Only a handful of the sets are still available, so unless you’re willing to stump up way over MSRP on the second-hand market, you’ll be left with a small collection that’s unlikely to grow.
You can display the AT-AT Driver Helmet by itself, but it certainly works best as an ensemble piece, so bear that in mind before you purchase.
Other Lego sets to consider
If you’re in the market for more Lego helmets, only three others remain on store shelves: Captain Rex, Darth Vader and The Mandalorian. We highly recommend picking up any of these — they all look fantastic, and if you were to display them all together, well, they would look stunning.
If you want something that works best as a standalone Lego Star Wars set, how about the Mos Espa Podrace Diorama or the Executor Super Star Destroyer? Or, if money’s no object, go ahead and treat yourself to the incredible and impressive UCS Millennium Falcon — you won’t be disappointed.
Source link
