Summary

I think many people will have been overjoyed with the announcement that one of the sets to be re-imagined for the Ninjago Legacy series was set 70503 The Golden Dragon. The original 2013 set cost 30 euros, and was 252 pieces. It has proven popular, and the cheapest new sets are now listed on Brick Link for 110 euros. Second hand sets start at 40 euros, and go up from there.

This set, the re-imagined Golden Dragon, is 171 pieces, and sells for 20 euros. In many ways it seems a near perfect scale down of the original: 2/3 of the price, 2/3rd of the pieces, and roughly 2/3 of the size. Where this set definitely beats its illustrious predecessor, is in the minifigures. The Golden Ninja (Lloyd) and the Stone Army Scout are nice, but the third one - Overlord/Garmadon - IMHO is a serious candidate for minifigure of the year!

The build of the dragon is nice. Due to all the mixel-style ball joints, the dragon has great posability. Getting it to stand solidly on the ground is a bit tricky as a result. There is a new two-piece dragon head, which now shoots studs rather than balls. It is a new element, and IMHO the head is now far more in proportion to the rest of the dragon.

Overall, I think this set is a great gift, has great value for money, and is a fun little dragon to be proud off. I would highly recommend it.

Build experience

This build is a very simple build. There are a few stickers that are easy to apply; these stickers do enhance the looks of the dragon though. The two truly special pieces are the two parts for the dragon's head. Some elements might be a re-colour, but I saw no special pieces. Overall, it should take no more than 20 minutes or so to build the set.

Smartly - for such a small dragon - the designer has been able to restrain himself, and has not included some truly off-colour bricks. As a result, there are no ugly bright colours peeking through at any angles. The one decision I am not too sure what to think of, is the decision to build the feet with bricks rather than claw-pieces. On the other hand, the use of claw piece would have resulted in some visible technic elements.

The minifigures

There are three minifigures included in this set, and all of them are unique (so far) to this set.

The Stone Army Scout's uniqueness is in his weapon. The print and mini-legs. The torso print seems to shared with other Stone Army minifigures. It is nicely detailed and well executed.

The Golden Ninja (Lloyd) has a very nice, highly detailed print on the front and back of the torso, with many gold-on-pearl-gold print, combined with dark forest-green. The front torso print is nicely continued on the legs. I like his two facial expressions (determined and angry), and think the green eyes add a lot.

The star minifigure of this set - beyond any doubt - is Overlord (who has taken over Lord Garmadon's body). The choice to use the trans-purple and black footing first introduced in the Ghost Army minifigures (where it was blue and trans-yellow) the design of the two torso pieces as well as the trans-purple head with awesome evil face print... the set is almost worth buying for this minifigure alone; the minifig is listed on BrickLink for 4.62 euros already (while the set has just been launched)! The purple lower torso print provides a nice sublte detail, and the gold-armour with bright pink/purple 'evil energy' running down the centre... gorgeous. The face print is very detailed, and the colour of the eyes, facial expression and metallic teeth make for a truly evil character.

The build

This Golden Dragon seems to be the second smallest of all the dragon-based boxed Ninjago sets. Only Cole's Dragon (set 70599) is smaller (about 2/3 of the size) than this one. Despite its small size, it looks finished, and like a complete dragon. There is nothing awkward about it, as long as you accept the skeletal nature of the wings (just as with the original).

As mentioned previously, this set is very much a downsizing of the original to 2/3's the original size. There are only two claws at the end of the wings, for instance. But merely considering this a mere downsizing does not do credit to the designer. I think he has made the right choices in the design of the legs (slightly different from the original), and I like the new design for the head. In general it looks better, but it is also much more in proportion to the body. A very good use is made of pieces that have been created since, like the modified 1x1 plate with the 'tooth' pointing down, in gold.

This Golden Dragon is definitely a worthy member of the Ninjago dragon line-up, which stands at 31 (with 28 of them 'living' dragons, two mech dragons, and one dragon-head as part of a Spinjitzu game.

Play or display

I would rate this set as much a play as a display set. The stud-shooter in the head is definitely a play feature. There are two bad guys to go after. the wings can move, so can the tail. It is very swooshable, and quite easy to hold.

It is also striking enough to be a viable (small) display model. Not only the colours, but the overall looks, it is simply a well designed, well engineered and finished product. The one tricky thing might be to find a stable pose, but there some slight modification and a nice base might do the job.

The verdict

This is a top set that definitely surpassed my expectations. It already looks nice, but when put next to its 2013 predecessor it becomes evident what a tremendous job the designer has done, and how good this little set actually is. The mini-figures are excellent, the build is fun, it offers a lot of elements to play with, and all that for a reasonable 20 euros. If you collect Lego dragons, IMHO this is a must have. Similarly, I think it makes for a great gift, with many play possibilities. Its RRP is good, so if you like it, there is no reason not to get this dragon.