Following my review of LEGO 6081 King’s Mountain Fortress yesterday, here’s a review of a LEGO Emperor’s Stronghold 3053 set and it’s also for sale.

This pre-owned set from the 1999 LEGO Ninja series was bought as part of a bulk purchase from another collector who gave up his collection.  When I acquired it, many rare and vital parts were missing from the set.  I have since replaced those missing pieces and the set is now complete!

Take a look at the photos!  Condition is excellent for its age with no discolorations.  It’s quite clean too.  I have dismantled the set and packed it back into zipper bags after taking these photos.  Price is at SGD 180.00 or USD 125.00.

Front view - This has got to be one of the most awesome LEGO sets from the 90’s.  Despite its simple front wall facade, it packs in plenty of potential play areas that gives lots of fun to its owner!

White Ninja - Standing at the highest point of the stronghold, the exclusive white female ninja prepares to lift off in her flaming dragon wings glider!  There are 2 play possibilities to using this character - she’s either part of the stronghold’s forces, or from an opposition clan.

Red Ninja 1 - The main ‘troops’ of the stronghold are the red ninjas.  Here is 1 of them demonstrating how to slide down from the roof top to the ground using a grappling hook and line.  Easy as pie for a professionally trained ninja, no problem at all!

Red Ninja 2 - This other red ninja has sentry duty in front of the main gates.  Notice the neat looking oriental dragon banners draped on the solid looking gates?  Very cool, aren’t they?

Samurai Lord - Here is the lord of the stronghold himself.  He appears to be a young aristocrat who is building his power base to challenge the Mighty Shogun from the 1998 LEGO ninja series.

Back view - The back view of the set shows the 4 distinct levels of the stronghold where you can position your minifigs for some ninja actions.  Each level has a specific function, which we shall look at in detail.  The roof top where the white ninja is serves as a great lookout point.

Cannon Room - If hostile enemies are spotted too near the stronghold, the cannon room on the 3rd level is stocked up with ample ammunition (black color 1 x 1 round bricks) for the cannon to fire at the invaders.  This scenario must be set in quite a late period in feudal Japan where cannons are already in use!  And yes, that cannon can really shoot out those ammunition.  You just load in an ammo, then pull back the grey rear lever and release!

Trapdoor Ambush - The 2nd level is rather spacious, ideal for the Samurai Lord to rest and relax.  But wait, what are those 2 suspicious looking chopped up pieces of logs doing here?

Trapdoor opened - Oh my, pulling that grey lever with tan tip will open up a trapdoor, that drops the log pieces onto unsuspecting intruders, who dare to enter through the stronghold gates without permission!  Ouch, getting hit by this booby trap can really hurt!

Stable - There is a space on either interior side of the set which can fit a horse very nicely.  Hence this area can be used as a stable for the spendid steed of the Samurai Lord.  The barrel is perfect to contain clean drinking water or food for the thirsty and hungry horse. 

Treasure count - Hmmm, lets assume that the white ninja works for the Samurai Lord.  Both of them are checking the treasure chest one more time before they set off with it.

Treasure Escort - Then they transport the treasure chest off to pay tribute to the Mighty Shogun.  One day when the young Samurai Lord is powerful enough, he shall overthrow the Shogun, take over the latter’s lands and have the last laugh!  But for now, he must be patient and bide his time.

Treasure Sedan -  The strong and fit red ninjas transport the tribute for the Shogun on foot.  Poor chaps, it must be very far to walk with that load!

Balcony - There is a small balcony on either side at the 3rd level that can fit 1 minifig each.

Behind the wall - There is a ledge behind the front and side walls for minifigs to stand and look outside.  They can also shoot arrows and launch spears from there if they choose to.

Treasure Theft - Here’s another play scenario for this set where the white ninja is actually a thief or spy who’s after the luminous jewel belonging to the Samurai Lord!  That special jewel may be the key to helping the Samurai Lord defeat the Mighty Shogun one day.  So the latter sent the mercenary white ninja to steal it!  The skillful white ninja slides swiftly down the line and towards a waiting horse to escape!

Instructions manual - very worn condition and secured with tape, but it’s complete!

Minifigs - 1 Samurai Lord, 1 white ninja, 2 red ninjas 1 horse with exclusvie barding or horse armor, weapons & accessories, including the seldom seen grappling hook and line set! 

Overall this is a great 90’s LEGO ninja set to own.  It has lots of play areas and it comes with many rare and hard to find minifigs, bricks and pieces. 

As a bonus and at no extra cost, the buyer will also receive a near complete set of LEGO Shanghai Surprise 3050 treasure boat set with 2 more red ninjas!  This boat set is only missing the same Samurai Lord minifig, an oriental dragon flag and its own instructions manual.  nevertheless, it makes a great compliment to the Emperor’s Stronghold 3053 set reviewed above.

As part of the unique and popular LEGO ninja sets of the 90’s,  the above 2 sets are in fantastic conditions for their age, and they make great additions to any collector who loves such vintage LEGO ninja sets.  As I have to make some room for my other LEGO sets in my collection, this set will have to go. 

Ideally I’d like to sell to a local collector, so as to give locals a chance to own this set.  I will however also ship overseas.  Just email me through my blog.  For locals, payment is COD and delivery via local pick up.  For overseas buyers, payment will be through paypal and air shipping will be via registered mail. 

Thanks for viewing!

After reviewing 3 sets of 90’s LEGO castles I had for sale earlier this month, 2 of them have since been sold.  Hence I shall continue to post some more reviews of the other remaining sets that I’m selling.

Like the first 3 LEGO castle sets I reviewed so far, I bought this pre-owned LEGO 1990 King’s Mountain Fortress 6081 some time ago.  Then I upgraded to another complete set that comes with its original box.  Hence I’ve decided to sell off my first complete castle and minifigs set with instructions, but with no original box.

Take a look at the photos!  Condition is excellent for its age with no discolorations.  It’s quite clean too.  I have dismantled the set and packed it back into zipper bags after taking these photos.  Price is at SGD 250.00 or USD 180.00.

Front view - This is easily one of the most popular and unique LEGO castle sets ever made!

This castle set is also known as “Haunted Castle” in the LEGO catalogs and you can see why!

The front tower wall can be opened to reveal a ghost to scare off intruders and burglars!  If the ghost is not at ‘home’, then this secret entrance or exit can be used for opposing factions to sneak in or escape from the castle.  Just pretend that they actually meant to do it through the window, but you open the entire wall panel for your own convenience!

Drawbridge mechanism - The 90’s LEGO castles use sturdy black string that loop under the drawbridge, which is then manually wound up.

Right side view - Upon entering through the main castle gates, a slope on the raised baseplate leads to under the rear tower and into the courtyard seen on the right side of the castle (see later photos).

Back view - The rear tower is tall, spacious and is great for having a 360 degrees view around the castle.

Back tower view - The window grills wall for the upper floor of the rear tower reveals a spacious room (or prison).  You can choose to customise this wall with bricks to make it look more like a room.

But wait that’s not all to this ‘room’.  Lookout, there’s a trapdoor!  Upon pulling out that black lever with the grey tip, the trapdoor will ‘give way’ and send whoever standing there all the way down to the ground floor!

Left side view - There’s a prison at the spacious ground floor, where escaping prisoners and their rescuers can have a fight with the castle guards.

Courtyard view - This is the only castle that has its courtyard at the edge, instead of enclosed in the middle.

Secret basement - Oh look, a there’s a hidden chamber to store treasures, weapons and other accessories!  Minifigs can hide inside there as well until the coast is clear!

A nice big tree at the rear corner of the castle has a black parrot perched on top of it.  This appears to be the only LEGO set that contains this rare bird!  I’m not sure if there were parrots in medieval Europe back then, hence I’ll prefer to view this bird as a raven instead.

The front corner of the castle has a small fir tree, that the minifigs can chop down and bring inside, or decorate as a Christmas tree during winter!

Instructions manual - complete & in fantastic condition!

Minifigs - 1 lady, 2 soldiers, 2 archers, 2 knights, 2 horses, 1 ghost, weapons & accessories, including the extra knight’s plume which is often left out in pre-owned vintage LEGO castle sets!

Overall this is a great 90’s LEGO castle set to own.  It has lots of play area and it comes with a rare medieval lady minifig.  There are also 2 knights, 2 horses (1 with beautiful barding or horse armor) and 4 soldiers to guard this haunted castle.  The popular ghost of the 90’s castle is present, and this is also the only castle to feature a landscape with trees as part of the architecture!

As a nostalgic and one of more popular LEGO castle sets of the 90’s, it’s in fantastic condition for its age, and it makes a great addition to any collector who loves such vintage LEGO castles.  As I have to make some room for my other LEGO castle sets, this set will have to go. 

Ideally I’d like to sell to a local collector, so as to give locals a chance to own this set.  I will however also ship overseas.  Just email me through my blog.  For locals, payment is COD and delivery via local pick up.  For overseas buyers, payment will be through paypal and air shipping will be via registered mail. 

Thanks for viewing!

Following yesterday’s posting of the same topic, here’s my Masters of the Universe Classics (MOTUC) She-Ra action figure out of package:

“For the honor of Grayskull!”

“I am She-Raaaa!!”

The Princess of Power……

……and the leader of the Great Rebellion!

The above photos show She-Ra wearing her Filmation style crown, that is molded to her face.  This is what many She-Ra fans will remember her as, from watching the 80’s She-Ra cartoon series produced by Filmation for Mattel.

Here are some more shots of her in my toy photo studio:

The same action figure comes with another head.  This is She-Ra wearing her classic shimmering mask, as depicted in the 80’s comics and story books.

The mask can be worn the other way around her face as well.  The gold battle axe design is a special homage to the classic comb that came with the 80’s She-Ra dolls.  The same for the gold shield with the jewel design.

One final look at the Princess of Power herself.  She’s so gorgeous, both in her classic and Filmation style heads!  No regrets from me in getting her!  She will be strongly contending for my annual ““My Most Favourite Toy of the Year” award for 2010.  The results will be known at the end of December 2010.  Till then, happy toys collecting!

Yay, the 2010 Masters of the Universe Classics (MOTUC) toyline She-Ra action figure has joined my collection at last!  I picked her up from one of the many MOTUC toy sellers in China Square Central (CSC) today and here she is, the Princess of Power herself!

MOTUC She-Ra Princess of Power action figure box

MOTUC She-Ra Princess of Power action figure MOC - front view

MOTUC She-Ra Princess of Power action figure MOC - backcard view

She-Ra’s currently still in package and I plan to keep her that way for a while before deciding to have her break out of it some day.  Meanwhile if you are keen to see the detailed sculpting, articulation, features and accessories of this figure, her toy review is available online now:

“For the honor of Grayskull! …….I am She-Raaaa!!”

Despite the functional and sculpting flaws of this figure, I can live with them, after all She-Ra fans like me have waited for more than 20 years for a Filmation style She-Ra action figure!  When I do pop in the Filmation style head (the second one seen at the bottom of the package), I’ll probably just leave that head on her permanantly.  I’m so happy today, hurray!

Here is my latest $$ damage to the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) this weekend.  Even though all the Transformers Hunt for the Decepticons HFTD toys are nett priced items, I got a 10% member’s discount, plus a couple more dollars off due to store rebates from an earlier purchase at the same departmental store.  So in the end, the overall discount works out to be around 20%!

HFTD Deluxe Battle Blade Bumblebee action figure MOC - front view

HFTD Deluxe Battle Blade Bumblebee action figure MOC - back view

I haven’t removed Bumblebee from his packaging yet, and I hope that his new transformation process is not too complex for me to learn.

Here’s an online video review of this toy.  Happy HFTD toys shopping during the GSS!

Update: HFTD Deluxe Battle Blade Bumblebee is out of his package and here he is:

Bumblebee shows off his new weapons - the foldable cannon on his right hand, and the blue battle blade (also foldable) on his left hand!

And at the end of the day, Bumblebee still has got 2 hands plus a flip on battle mask!  So this should please the fans who have been wanting a movie Bumblebee Deluxe figure with 2 hands again.  You’re happy now?  LOL!

I haven’t transformed him into car mode completely yet.  So far I only managed to fold his upper body to form the front half of the Camaro, but I couldn’t figure out how his legs, knees and hips fold into the back half of the car.  I’ll need to view some online videos for reference as I don’t wish to break my new toy by forcing the parts in. 

For now, HFTD Bumblebee stands proudly on my study desk at home, at the place of honour that is reserved for my current favourite toys!  Will he win my annual “My Most Favourite Toy of the Year” award for 2010?  Well, he’s got another serious contender this year, unlike the previous years winners who won hands down.  One thing’s for sure, it will be an interesting toy awards trend for this year!

While many collectors first pick up toy collecting hobby based on their inborn love for toys and what they represent for them, a lot of other collectors end up collecting toys because they were influenced by friends who happen to be serious toy collectors.  After admiring the sizeable toy collections of others, some collectors start this hobby and have been “stuck” and “deeply poisoned” ever since.

From the number of years I’ve devoted to toy collecting, I can safely conclude that it’s going to be my life long hobby.  I started and am still in it because I love toys for they are and what they represent to me.  I used to be an “underground” collector before the days of the internet.  Then after learning from the world wide web that toy collecting is a popular and serious hobby all over the world, I became more opened about it.  

What about you?  Is toy collecting your life long hobby, or just a passing phase in your life?  Feel free to share your thoughts and comments here!

For me, I haven’t been fully taking advantage of the Great Singapore Sale in terms of non-toy purchases like clothes, shoes, bags, books, food etc.  I bought some toys, but the ones I’m really targeting will only be available from next month.  I hope that by the then, the Great Singapore Sale discounts also apply to them!

Meanwhile, happy shopping eveyone, while the storewide discounts last!

Yup, the post title says it all! 

For toy collectors who build armies of the repeated or similar (usually) soldier toys, do you have a target on how big your toy soldier armies are going to be?  If not, you will just keep pumping in more money to buy the same soldier character toys over and over again. 

In a way, won’t it become like a sort of extreme obsession?  Some collectors have army toys that are more than enough to cover the entire floor of their bedrooms! 

What about you?  Are you an army builder toy collector too?  How do you manage your rapidly expanding army toys, in terms of storage or display space, money and your emotions etc.?  Do feel free to share your thoughts, comments and suggestions here!

Transformers Power Core Combiners Scout action figures - wave 1 - SGD 19.90 each

Top: Huffer w/Caliburst
Middle: Searchlight w/Backwind
Bottom: Smolder w/Chopster

Though I’m not familiar with non-movie Transformers toyline, I keep seeing this wave of Transformers Scout figures in many departmental stores lately. 

Each Scout figure comes with a little translucent drone figure, hence it explains why this series of Transformers Scout toys cost SGD 1.00 more than the ones from 2009 Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Scout toyline.  

If you are interested in getting these Power Core Combiner Scout figures, it’s a great time to get them during the current Great Singapore Sale!  Happy toys shopping!

My patience in waiting for a storewide 20% discount at OG has finally paid off, and I acquired this white color Maisto Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 in 1:24 scale from there last week!  It also represents another of my $$ damage to the current Great Singapore Sale.

The wonderful part about this latest model car that I have in hand, is that both my Sam and Mikaela action figures from the 2009 Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Human Alliance (HA) toyline, can actually fit into the seats!  They can’t do so for the other 1:24 scale Lamborghini model cars with roofs in my collection.

Although it’s still a little difficult to put them in and take them out of the car seats, Sam and Mikaela have taken my new supercar for many rides already…

Front left view

Front view

Front right view

Right view

Rear right view

Rear view

Rear left view

Top view

And for the grand finale, Sam and Mikaela smooching on its hood, like their screen characters did on Bumblebee’s hood, in the ending scene of the 2007 Transformers The Movie (TFTM), LOL!

What an amorous couple!  I hope they don’t accidentlally scratch my precious car!