LEGO Ideas Pirates of Barracuda Bay 21322 Building Kit, Cool Pirate Shipwreck Model with Pirate Action Figures for Play and Display, Makes A Great

As a younger LEGO fan, I don't have quite the same nostalgia for the classic Pirates line as many older builders, but the throwback design of the packaging is still just right. I don't think I've ever seen another LEGO box quite like it - and the box is the least exciting part of the set! Throughout the entire process of building the set, I was constantly impressed by the little details incorporated throughout the build. It doesn't ever feel repetitive, and it was fun to see the clever techniques the designers used to achieve some of the set's charming angles. The set comes with an impressive amount of pirate weapons, and 8 excellent minifigures to wield them. All of the minifigures are visually distinct and very fun. Tatooga is my favorite, other than the Captain ... MoreAs a younger LEGO fan, I don't have quite the same nostalgia for the classic Pirates line as many older builders, but the throwback design of the packaging is still just right. I don't think I've ever seen another LEGO box quite like it - and the box is the least exciting part of the set! Throughout the entire process of building the set, I was constantly impressed by the little details incorporated throughout the build. It doesn't ever feel repetitive, and it was fun to see the clever techniques the designers used to achieve some of the set's charming angles. The set comes with an impressive amount of pirate weapons, and 8 excellent minifigures to wield them. All of the minifigures are visually distinct and very fun. Tatooga is my favorite, other than the Captain himself - Redbeard, in all of his classic pirate glory, but with a modern redesign! Of course, what really matters in the end is whether the final product delivers, and boy does it deliver. The finished model is absolutely gorgeous. Pictures really cannot do it justice. The colors are striking, the height is imposing, and the details are just way too much fun. I'm especially pleased with the wooden platforms around the ship, they really sell the pirate town feel. Personally, I can't bring myself to construct the ship, as the island configuration is so compelling - there's so many nooks and crannies, and it just really feels like a pirate base. This set is easily my favorite among all the sets I own, and I anticipate that it will hold that title for the foreseeable future. I hope that LEGO lets the aesthetic of this set inform the design of future Pirate sets; I would love to see the color palette, palm tree design, and wooden docks return in the future.

Christmas 1989 (or perhaps 1990) at my grandparents house, and my poor parents must have had to cram the original Black Seas Barracuda and its massive box into the car on the long journey. I remember waking at 6am, and ripping it out of the box (no awareness of prospective 2020s resale value back then!).I resisted this tribute set for so long, and even avoided looking at the pictures too closely, or watching reviews on the internet, lest I be tempted. But slowly and surely this set was burning a place in my heart regardless, and I caved in on my 38th Birthday.I'm glad I avoided looking at the publicity, as building the set and learning the history behind it was a real delight of surprises and discovery, with lots of hidden easter eggs and references back to the ... MoreChristmas 1989 (or perhaps 1990) at my grandparents house, and my poor parents must have had to cram the original Black Seas Barracuda and its massive box into the car on the long journey. I remember waking at 6am, and ripping it out of the box (no awareness of prospective 2020s resale value back then!).I resisted this tribute set for so long, and even avoided looking at the pictures too closely, or watching reviews on the internet, lest I be tempted. But slowly and surely this set was burning a place in my heart regardless, and I caved in on my 38th Birthday.I'm glad I avoided looking at the publicity, as building the set and learning the history behind it was a real delight of surprises and discovery, with lots of hidden easter eggs and references back to the old pirate theme (and Islanders!) sets.The build is a big one, but only occasionally challenging. More a cathartic trip down memory lane, one brick at a time. There are lots of lovely and clever techniques, particularly the anchor system and shaping of the stern section. Like so many on here, I expected to jump straight to the finished ship as soon as possible, but I was so impressed with the island that I quickly returned to that form, and even bought a 3rd party lighting kit to make the most of it on display!The only negatives are that the ship is difficult to play with and requires some determined modification to get the cannons into the lower deck. It would also be good to have easier access to the captains cabin like the original Barracuda - removing the rear panel usually ends up with pieces falling off. But overall the brilliant elements of this set make up for these minor shortcomings, and I cannot recommend it enough for fans of the original lego pirates.

So, after recently kinda getting back into lego after 20+ years, I started off small and worked my way up to the bigger sets. Unfortunately, when I got to this, it had already retired. Ended up getting the treehouse, which I thought would quench my desire for this set, but it wasn't enough. Thought about getting the 3 in 1 pirate ship, but it wasn't good enough. (Got both eventually) Ended up getting it in the aftermarket for a very reasonable price. When I was growing up, I would always see pirate lego advertisements on TV, however, I was never able to get any.Started building early in the morning and took my sweet time building and really enjoyed it. Nostalgia overload! 12 year me would be proud! I opted to leave it in island form as I think it tells more of a ... MoreSo, after recently kinda getting back into lego after 20+ years, I started off small and worked my way up to the bigger sets. Unfortunately, when I got to this, it had already retired. Ended up getting the treehouse, which I thought would quench my desire for this set, but it wasn't enough. Thought about getting the 3 in 1 pirate ship, but it wasn't good enough. (Got both eventually) Ended up getting it in the aftermarket for a very reasonable price. When I was growing up, I would always see pirate lego advertisements on TV, however, I was never able to get any.Started building early in the morning and took my sweet time building and really enjoyed it. Nostalgia overload! 12 year me would be proud! I opted to leave it in island form as I think it tells more of a story than just a ship.After sliding the 2 halves together, I must have stared at the build for about 25 minutes, lol. Then about an hour later, I removed the rolled up sails and opted to get a custom aftermarket tattered set off eBay, stenciled from the Silent Mary sails. Didn't think the rolled up sails suited a ship wreck. The tattered sails however, look so amazing! I even ordered more skeletons, branches, leaves and what not off bricklink to customize the build a bit more.I was sad to see that it retired so quickly. I don't think I ever wanted a toy this badly, even as young boy, lol. I couldn't stop thinking about it and I had to get it... It's an amazing set.Really wish there'd be more pirate sets. Can't wait for the 90th anniversary castle set and hoping the Viking set wins the target collaboration.