Let’s face it, if there’s one thing the Star Wars universe can do well, it’s make memorable and often lovable droid characters. Everyone knows and/or remembers R2-D2. Some modern audiences might connect more with BB-8 than with human characters in the sequel trilogy. All that’s to say that robot characters are usually pretty cool. And they have great designs! BD-1 is no exception. He’s the companion droid to the hero of the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order video game. If you’ve played the game, you loved BD-1. If you didn’t, well, then you’re dead inside. Today’s review will take a look at this adorable character in brick built form. Please click the link below for a video of my speed build and review. Enjoy!
NOTE: This set was provided by The LEGO® Group to True North Bricks for review. This does not guarantee a favourable review and all opinions are my own. For a breakdown of the rating system, please click here.
SET SUMMARY
- NAME: BD-1
- SET #: 75335
- THEME: Star Wars
- COST: $129.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 1062
- COST-PER-BRICK: $0.12
- BUILD TIME: 163 mins
- COST-PER-MIN: $0.80
- RELEASE DATE: August 1st, 2022
QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 91% (great scores for cost-per-brick and minute, especially for the Star Wars theme)
- BUILD: 95% (amazing build with lots of nice, accurate details that come together easily)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (fantastic display piece for AFOLs and collectors)
- OVERALL SCORE: 95% (one of the better valued and realized SW sets available now)
VALUE: 91%
Right off the bat, BD-1 (75335) presents itself as a pretty great value. Especially for a set in the Star Wars theme. Our robot buddy currently retails for $129.99 CAD in-store and online. With 1,062 pieces we get a cost-per-brick of $0.12 for an awesome score of 90%. This is particularly great since the average for current Star Wars sets falls into the $0.14-$0.16 per piece range. That’s also what our reviewed SW sets to date are averaging. So great start for our little droid friend.
I built BD-1 in just under 3 hours (163 minutes). It’s a straightforward build, but I took the time to really enjoy the details. With that time, I get a cost-per-minute of $0.80 for another awesome score of 92%. Once again, much better than the average of $1.08 per minute for an average score (80%) in the reviewed SW sets. So we’re already starting strong with a final combined value score of 91%.
BUILD: 96%
Our buddy droid here comes packaged in a standard box with a rather lovely hero image on the front. The background is neutral which lets BD really stand out. And his pose is really cute, displaying lots of personality in such a simple static image. Inside the box are 8 numbered bags, 1 single sticker and a 138 page instruction book. The build comes together very simply and cleanly. The legs and support go up first and the head is built last.
From a technique perspective, there’s nothing overly innovative or new here. The legs are technic frames with system pieces put on top. The angles though are spot on and crate a very stable set of legs. Said legs are on ratchet joints that allow them to stay totally put. The attached coverings go on fairly easily and securely. I did forget a piece on his ‘thighs’ that I had to correct but it’s otherwise very simple stuff. Greebling details are present in a few spots and really sell the industrial look. I especially like the hydraulic/piston that goes on the back ‘toe’ and the whips used as cables – great NPU (nice parts usage).
Look at that face
The best part of this build is easily the head. Like the game, BD-1’s just …. I dunno, adorable? It’s that perfect blend of the size, the eyes and that head tilt that really sells it. BD’s articulation is limited in the legs, and just slightly more present in the head. You can tilt the head up on a strong ratchet joint and also tilt it side-to-side. It’s that side-to-side that really gives him personality – like when a dog gives you that same look and tilt. Instant ‘awwww’ effect. Let’s just all agree that BD-1 is essentially a cute puppy droid.
The angles and shapes to BD’s head are spot on to the game design. The use of colour is also well done. It’s nice to see that the set doesn’t rely on stickers to get those details right. The eyes have a visor over them and the connection between the plates and builds under the eyes fit really seamlessly. Each eye is a different shape and it gives him a distinctive ‘face’ which is undeniably cute and unique. Another great bit of design is the light panel at the back with a mix of light and medium trans blue 1×1 round tiles. It’s a nice pop of colour amongst all the white (and game accurate too).
In case of emergency…
A nice bit of interactive design is the hidden compartment on the underside of the head. Inside you will find some nicely built ‘stim cannisters’, essentially health restoring medicine. That stuff comes in handy when you’re fighting Storm Troopers, evil robots and Sith Inquisitors. It’s a simple slide out drawer and the stims look great through the use of trans green cylinders. They are tricky to get out however once you place them. Not a negative mind you, but something to be aware of.
I can’t find much flaw or area that needs improvement to be honest. The size is right, the shapes are perfect and the overall build is sturdy. I’m only going to dock a few points for slight lack of leg mobility which would otherwise make it that much more fun. If he could fold down flat like he does in the game, that would be an easy perfect score. But overall this is a fantastic build and I’m giving it a super deserved final score of 96%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
BD-1 (75335) follows in the footst—-er, treads (??) of the UCS R2-D2 (75308), Imperial Probe Droid (75305), D-O (75278) and BB-8 (75187) buildable characters. Droids just translate really well into brick form. You can play with scale quite a bit, and the details are usually simple to replicate. I also love that this is a new character from a new IP. So if you have the other droids in your collection, then this will make an excellent addition. He’s not much for playability however. There’s limited movement and he’s definitely not strong enough to handle any rough play. So younger builders won’t get much out of this set aside from a fun build. MOC makers will also love the parts selection, both system and technic.
BD-1 is a first-and-foremost a display set. And I’m totally great with that. The UCS display plaque is a nice addition that makes for a collectible quality. And like the other droid sets, the plaque includes a small character mold. The smaller BD-1 is adorable and is the second use of this new mold. It first appeared in the Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter (75325) set as a generic BD droid. It’s pretty frickin’ adorable and adds some fun play to other Star Wars sets. My only issue with the plaque is that the type seems extra small and is harder to read. That minor quibble aside, the final result is fantastic and I’m giving this droid a perfect 100% score.
OVERALL: 95%
BD-1 (75335) is an easy recommendation from me. The cost and value are big selling points and easily put this up there among the better Star Wars sets – especially the recent ones. It’s a fun build, one you should find accessible but not overly complicated. Sticker haters will be thrilled to find just the one in this set. It’s all brick-built details and colouring. That tiny BD-1 mold is adorable and it compliments the full build and the display plaque wonderfully. On that note, this will make an awesome display piece for your collection. My final score for BD-1 is a well-earned 95%.
Another droid, another great bit of shelf candy. I hope you enjoyed the review and check this one out for yourselves. What are you thoughts on this latest, cutest of droids? Do you own the other buildable characters? Have you played the Fallen Order game? What other droids do you think would make great sets? Comment below and let me know. Thanks for reading and until next time, keep on brickin’. 🧱
-Frank
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