LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter review

LEGO Star Wars fans are standing by for 75355 X-wing Starfighter, which is about to drop out of hyperspace for May the 4th – but will the Force be strong with this one?

X-wings are fairly common within the wider LEGO Star Wars portfolio, to the point that it feels like there’s at least one iteration released every one or two years. It makes sense, as the X-wing is by far one of the most iconic spaceships from the popular franchise, but it may come as a surprise to learn that there have only ever been two UCS models of the legendary starfighter – until now. 

75355 X-wing Starfighter is the largest and most detailed X-wing to date, coming in at an impressive 1,949 pieces, but it hasn’t arrived without criticism. Fans have been quick to point out the proportions look wrong, the exposed studs on the front fuselage make it look a little basic, and the overall shaping isn’t quite right. Judging from official pictures alone it’s hard to argue with those points, but once built will these evaluations be fair, or will we find out – as Obi-Wan once warned Luke – that our eyes can deceive us?

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter set details —

Theme: Star Wars Set name: 75355 X-wing Starfighter Release: May 1, 2023

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Price: £209.99 / $239.99 / €239.99 Pieces: 1,949 Minifigures: 2

LEGO: Available now

— Where to buy LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter —

LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter is available now from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores worldwide. It’s likely to be exclusive to official channels for a few months, before eventually turning up at other third-party retailers.

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— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter build —

The first thing of note is that while this X-wing has been very clearly modelled on Luke Skywalker’s Red Five, the official title simply refers to it as an ‘X-wing Starfighter’. However the set does come with the most detailed version of Luke Skywalker in his rebel pilot fatigues yet, so it does feel a little confusing. Is this Luke’s X-wing, or has he just borrowed one from the rebellion for the weekend? It has no bearing on the actual build or the model itself, but it’s worth mentioning if you’re as pedantic as us.

That pedantry aside, it’s been 10 years since the last UCS X-wing – 10240 Red Five X-wing Starfighter – and this model is officially the largest X-wing that the LEGO Group has ever produced. It contains 1,949 pieces spread across 18 bags numbered two through 10, a printed display plaque (a first for the LEGO UCS subtheme), a printed cockpit piece and a very small sticker sheet. Only four stickers are required, and while some might argue that’s still four too many for a UCS set, it’s at least a step in the right direction for what should be viewed as a premium, high-end product.

Inside the manual is an extensive introduction from creative director of LEGO Star Wars Jens Kronvold Frederiksen and model designer Henrik Andersen, as well as some brilliant archive photos from the Lucasfilm vault. These introductions are always a great way to set the mood and tone for the build to come, and help enhance the anticipation and excitement of getting cracking on a large-scale model – especially one that is such an icon of Star Wars.

Several new elements and features have gone into the design of this particular X-wing, including a decorated cockpit, a retractable targeting sight (now you really can stay on target), folding s-foils, brand new elements (found in the large engines and wing sections) and an updated design for Luke in his rebel pilot outfit. 

The build begins with the construction of the framework for the front fuselage and cockpit area, which is straightforward but incredibly enjoyable. The cockpit seat in particular is a wonderful little design, with the plushest arm rests this side of the galaxy. (If you’re going to take on the Empire, you might as well do it in comfort.) So far so good, but what about all those criticisms levelled at the set when it was first revealed? Do they actually stand up? 

While some have argued the exposed studs give the model a blocky and basic appearance, in reality it’s actually a brilliant design choice. The use of exposed studs placed next to smooth tiles helps give the model texture and adds richness to the overall aesthetic.

A lot has been made of the fact that this is the first time a UCS X-wing model has a detailed and decorated cockpit, but it feels like the LEGO Group has chosen its words carefully. Decorated conjured up the image of printed parts, but here the interior decoration comes purely from stickers. It still looks very effective but it’s somewhat disappointing if you were expecting printed parts for the cockpit’s internals – instead, it’s only(!) the outer windshield that’s printed.

However, if that aspect of the model was slightly oversold, then the mechanism for the folding s-foils has been very much underplayed. It’s designed without using any Technic mechanisms and is so simple in its design that it is actually quite genius. Technic bars pivot around curved tiles, allowing for each wing to fold in and out. These are then connected to the fuselage with elastic bands, making sure there is tension so they stay open and closed as needed.

A Hero Factory weapon barrel element sits on top of the central hull, and a simple turn will lock the s-foils in attack position and close them again. It’s delightful, ingenious and a wonderful thing to construct, making for a brilliantly-executed function with innovative design – exactly what fans expect from a UCS set. The more the build goes on, the more these little pockets of understated brilliance expose themselves.

The greebling on the back engine and rear fuselage is exquisite, making great use of minifigure skate blades and a dark grey game controller element (a first in this colour). 

Darth Vader famously said ‘the Force is strong with this one’ while chasing down Luke’s X-wing during the iconic Death Star trench run, and the same can be said for the build experience of this set. The first three bags contain an abundance of brilliant techniques, clever and imaginative connections and excellent parts usage. The way the sub-assemblies are attached all around the rear of the fuselage to create the famous hexagonal shaping is simplistic yet inspired, culminating in an aesthetically-sublime section of the model.

For a UCS set, the build does start to take shape in an incredibly short space of time. Less than halfway through the build you’ll already have assembled the whole of the front fuselage, the cockpit area and the back engines, while the remainder focuses on the four wings and the four large engines.

As is perhaps to be expected, this is the most repetitive stage of the build, with four almost identical wings required. However, in keeping with the rest of the set these are a joy to put together. The same simple yet brilliant design that has gone into the rest of the model is also present during the construction of the wings. The parts usage is similarly inspired, particularly in the use of white flippers at the end of the laser cannons.

There are a few areas that look a little messy, especially where the wings connect to the main fuselage, and the exposed studs and inner mechanism doesn’t look as sleek as it could be – but once attached they look very impressive and give the X-wing its famous silhouette.

Once completed, the model looks very impressive and the brick-built display stand angles the model in a striking pose that looks great on display. The build is over surprisingly quickly, and this may disappoint some fans who were hoping for a deeper, more involved experience, but what there is to construct is enjoyable from start to finish. 

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter characters —

Two minifigures are included in LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter, Luke Skywalker in his X-wing pilot uniform and R2-D2. It’s hard to imagine a LEGO Star Wars fan who doesn’t already own an R2 minifigure, as he’s very much a ubiquitous character in the theme, but it would be very strange if this set came with Luke Skywalker and did not include his trusty astromech sidekick.

What is odd though is that the set is designed so that Artoo can sit behind the cockpit in the X-wing. The scaling is just way off and he looks very misplaced and gets slightly lost. Perhaps a larger printed dome would have been better for the model and R2-D2 could have just been an included minifigure. 

Luke, meanwhile, is exceptionally-designed, offering up the ultimate X-wing pilot minifigure. His torso has been updated with more detailed printing, his legs are dual-moulded with even further printed details, and both arms feature prints as well. The only thing that could have made this even better is an exclusive face print – perhaps eyes shut, using the Force to guide home his proton torpedos.

Given their price tag and exclusivity, UCS sets should always feature an exclusive and brilliantly-designed minifigure, and 75355 X-wing Starfighter is no exception. 

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter price —

For all the praise that we’ve so far heaped on LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter, the price is perhaps one negative to take into account. Yes, it is in-keeping with other similarly-sized UCS sets like 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder – the price of which rose in 2022 – but it still seems just slightly expensive for what the build offers. 

It’s a very enjoyable experience, and there are pockets of absolute brilliance, but it’s probably one of the swiftest UCS builds you’ll likely put together. That’s no slight – it’s just the way the model has been designed. Skilled builders will take no time at all putting this together and with a price tag over £200 / $200 you might be left feeling ever so short-changed. 

That said, the final model does look very impressive and even though it’s short, the experience constructing it is still brilliant. Plus, at least 75355 X-Wing Starfighter isn’t overpriced when compared to other models of this size and style…

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter pictures —

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter pros and cons —

75355 X-Wing Starfighter is a model that really does prove you shouldn’t judge a LEGO set based on the box art alone. It received a very mixed reception when it was officially revealed, but having now put it together it has to be said the set is a thing of pure joy from start to finish. 

The build is wonderfully entertaining, the part usage is inspired, the techniques are simplistic genius and the overall look is actually very impressive, and far better scaled than it first appeared. If there are any negatives then perhaps the exposed studs give the final aesthetic a more dated feel, even if they do add texture, and the front is still a little blocky. The build process is also over a touch too quickly – for a UCS set to be finished in around four hours is quite extraordinary – but it’s definitely a model that leaves you wanting more. 

This is by no means the definitive LEGO X-wing as there are still things that could be improved, but put those small niggles aside and this is a fantastically-designed set – and one that Star Wars fans both old and new will absolutely love.

LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter pros LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter cons
A short but sweet build experience The exposed studs look a little messy in places
The biggest and most accurate LEGO X-wing to dateThe build is maybe a little too short
The best pilot Luke minifigure to dateJust that little bit expensive for what you get

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

Please support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO through one of our affiliate links.

— Alternatives to LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter —

The X-wing starfighter is a stalwart of the original trilogy and fans of that era have an abundance of fantastic UCS sets to choose from. If money is no object then 75313 AT-AT is a simply amazing set, giving OT fans a real dose of nostalgia. Or if you were after a set with a little more of an involved build for the same price, you could try 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder.  

But if you’ve really got your heart set on an X-wing and 75355’s price tag is a little out of your budget, then 75301 Luke Skywalker’s X-wing Fighter is the perfect option, offering a fun build and a decent-looking model (not to mention great minifigures) for a very reasonable price.

— LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter FAQs —

How long does it take to build LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter?

There aren’t that many negatives to dish out to LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter, but the build time is one of them. It’s an extremely entertaining experience, but one that could be completed by a skilled builder in around four to five hours. For a UCS set, that’s pretty short.

How many pieces are in LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter?

LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter is the largest ever X-wing in terms of both its size and piece count, coming in at 1,949 pieces.

How big is LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter?

Sorry Yoda, but sometimes size really does matter. This LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter is the biggest currently in the LEGO portfolio, measuring 55cm long, 44cm wide and 27cm tall. 

How much does LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter cost?

LEGO Star Wars 75355 X-wing Starfighter will set you back £209.99 in the UK, $239.99 in North America and €239.99 across Europe. It’s available now in LEGO Stores and at LEGO.com.

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