LEGO 1999 Emperor’s Stronghold 3053 review and for sale

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!