Strolling through Toys "R" Us this past weekend, I found myself drawn, as usual, to the blazing yellow "LIMITED EDITION" tag on the box for this LEGO Star Wars Count Dooku's Solar Sailer. (It didn't hurt that both the kids were arguing over who'd get the set for his birthday. Answer: Dad!)
Of primary importance to LEGO collectors is the fact that the set includes its namesake Sith lord -- although you could argue that $55 is a lot to spend for a minifigure. At 385 pieces and a few reasonably tricky building features involved with the missile-firing system, the Solar Sailer is aimed at builders age 8 and up, and it's got a few features besides the minifigs (two MagnaGuard droids and an FA-4 pilot droid also ship alongside the Count) to help justify its price tag.
Obviously, the four flick-fire missiles are a fun feature for staging battles, but particularly cool is the buildable speeder bike, on which Dooku can flee his sailer when Anakin and Obi-Wan come calling. The four collapsible wings also add a nice design touch to the set, but even if that's not enough to compel you, this review from LEGO Authority the Brothers Brick estimates that the Solar Sailer's resale value (thanks largely to the rare and exclusive minifigures) is expected to grow quite a bit. Maybe it's worth picking up more than one set for the kids after all...
$54.99 at LEGO Shop, or swing by your local Toys "R" Us while the getting is good. [Image: The Brothers Brick]
