Trouble on Tatooine LEGO Review and Guide

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Thea has loved LEGO ever since she was a child, and even though the years have rolled by since, she still feels like a kid at heart, and therefore, LEGO still plays a huge role in her life. So naturally, she fits perfectly into the Brick Set Go team. Outside of LEGO, Thea is a TikTok Queen, a Whiskey Connsenieur, and also dabbles in the spiritual world of Tarot.

Bottom Line Up Front

For the age range and price, this is a really great set to invest in. It is fun for display but also really meant for a great play for Star Wars fans of all ages. The best reason to buy this set is the Minifigures included, however, which we will discuss later on.

Why is Tatooine so Important?

Let’s start with the setting that LEGO chose to recreate: the planet of Tatooine. Why is Tatooine iconic and important in the Star Wars universe? And why did LEGO see fit to make a set for young Star Wars fans in 2021?

Tatooine’s place in Star Wars history begins at the beginning with Luke Skywalker. This is where Luke worked on the farm and lived with his aunt and uncle, it’s the planet he left behind to fight The Empire. This is also where Obi-Wan Kenobi was hiding out away from Darth Vadar.

After the original three movies, Tatoine makes appearances in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It even makes an appearance at the end of the most recent Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Tatooine also comes back in the outrageously successful new(ish) Star Wars show, The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian goes to Tatooine for ship repairs from Peli Motto, who uses her droids to help The Mandalorian stay mobile not once but twice in The Mandalorian. And The Mandalorian returns to Tatooine and Peli Motto to help Boba Fett later on in Boba Fett’s own show, The Book of Boba Fett.

And that show is the most recent addition to the Star Wars franchise. Tatooine is where Boba Fett resides as Daimyo, taking over the crime syndicate after Fortuna and residing in the former palace of Jabba the Hutt. That palace is also where Princess/General Leia was once held captive, where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker went to rescue her, and where Boba Fett was swallowed by the sarlacc (which we know he escaped from eventually) in the same mission.

So not that you have a little window into why Tatooine is iconic, let’s talk about this LEGO set!

The Trouble on Tatooine LEGO Set

With all of the appearances of Tatooine in the Star Wars sagas, LEGO really had their work cut out for them as to what scene to recreate. They could’ve chosen from several movies and two different shows! They chose The Mandalorian, which I believe was a great choice. It’s hard to escape the cuteness of The Child aka Grogu or ‘Baby Yoda’ as the internet began calling him (incorrectly, he is not Yoda as a baby, he’s just a child of the same species as Yoda). And don’t worry, Grogu is included. But I’m getting ahead of myself!

Trouble on Tatooine is a 276 piece set from 2021 for ages seven and up. It depicts a scene from The Mandalorian season two and features a buildable speeder, a buildable ballista, a buildable Tusken tent, and three Minifigs. The Minifigs are a Tusken Raider, The Mandalorian himself, and of course Grogu aka The Child aka Baby Yoda. We will discuss the Minifigs more specifically later though!

This set is only $29.99 due to its smaller size. The build is really three separate builds: The Mandalorian speeder, Tusken Raider’s tent, and ballista.

The Mandalorian’s speeder is really cool. It has a pouch for The Child on the back side of it, true to the show, and studs for The Mandalorian to sit on the speeder and drive. The front of the speeder even moves up and down a little and both of The Mandalorian’s weapons can click onto the side. The Mandalorian’s hands click onto the steering too. Opposite The Child’s sack is another backpack that doesn’t open which feels like a lost opportunity. Overall though, this is a great-looking and functional build.

Tusken Raider’s tent is half the tent to allow for playing within the ten. It has a really cool firepit that extends out in the middle with studs for Minifigs to click in for playtime. It comes complete with a clip for the gaffi stick to rest while the Tusken Raider warms himself by the fire. One thing I don’t like about this tent is that the walls don’t connect, so there are spaces between the panels of the tent. I think LEGO could’ve done better with creating the look of the Tusken tent, I really don’t see why the pieces don’t connect.

Finally, the Ballista is a really cool build. It has two moveable propeller-looking pieces at the back to mimic the action of loading up to fire the harpoon out the front. There is no string to actually wind up thought, but the harpoon does fire with a spring you can activate with a click. This is a super cool fun addition that I love.

Overall this set doesn’t include a ton of accessories. There are the Minifig’s weapons (which I’ll get to next) and then aside from that, just a black pot with a bone in it for the Tusken Raider’s tent. I feel like they could’ve done with a few other accessories, but I understand that since this set is three separate builds, the room for accessories is also limited.

The Minifigures of Trouble on Tatooine

It’s important to note that The Mandalorian and The Child Minifigs are both very coveted so this purchasing this set to get these two could be the reason enough to spend the $30 alone.

Let’s talk first about The Mandalorian himself. He is featured for the first time in his beskar’gam armor, so this is a new to 2021 Minifig. The armor includes really cool details up the arms (rare for Minifigs) and shiny portions of the armor. He has a gray cape despite having a cape, LEGO also has the printed armor on his back. He wears a gray, removable helmet but unfortunately, his headpiece is entirely black. There is no face for The Mandalorian. While I understand why LEGO made this choice, we do know what The Mandalorian looks like now, portraying him would be truer to the television than this black headpiece. His accessories include a rifle and pistol, but strangely not his jet pack.

The Child is in fact a smaller figure than The Mandalorian and the Tusken Raider. Not to be confused with a Microfig, he is more just shrunken in proportion to the other Minifigs included. His legs do not move because he’s so small and his clothes are the shape of that sort of baggy, brown paper bag look he has going on in the show. He has an adorable, giant, rubber head with huge ears. He is really too cute for his own good, whether he’s in LEGO or CGI form, I can’t get enough of this guy!

The Tusken Raider has a gaffi stick and while he and the stick are not new, they are both really cool. I’m super into the head mold of the Tusken Raider. It has the detailed wrap around the head and a very accurate portrayal of a Tusken Raider’s mouth and eyes. The spikes coming out of the head are on point too. While I love The Child and The Mandalorian, the Tusken Raider doesn’t disappoint at all.

I’ll have to say that the Minifigs rule this set and if you’re any kind of Star Wars Minifig collector, you should spend the $30 to have these three Minigis.

Check out our guide on the best LEGO sets of all time here!

Pros and Cons of Trouble on Tatooine LEGO Set

Pros:

You really can’t beat the price of being $30 for this great set.
The Minifigs included in this set are all great, but The Mandalorian and The Child are new to this set and the Tusken Raider is just plain awesome.
Aside from the Minifigs, the three builds are really cool especially for being simple to construct.
This is a great gift for a huge fan of The Mandalorian, and it’s great for play.
As far as the targeted age range, LEGO nailed it.

Cons:

I really don’t like that they have kept The Mandalorian’s head black. We know what he looks like by now!
I feel like they could have added a couple more accessories to spice up the play of this set. The Mandalorian should have his jetpack for example.
I really wish the backpack on the side of the speeder across from Baby Yoda opened.
The Tusken Raider tent could be redone. I don’t like the spaces between the panels and how they don’t connect. This isn’t a great representation of the show, where the tents are completely encased.

Comparable LEGO Sets to Trouble on Tatooine

Tatooine Battle Pack

LEGO doesn’t have a lot of sets that are comparable in price and age range to the Trouble in Tatooine set. Unfortunately, the most comparable sets are now retired. But if you can get your hands on either the Tatooine Battle Pack or the Mos Eisley Cantina, I would highly recommend making that purchase.

The Tatooine Battle Pack is for ages six through twelve, so it hits the same age range that the Trouble in Tatooine set does. It’s also a small build, with only ninety-seven bricks but it has some great Minifigs, including that same Tusken Raider that I’m such a fan of in the Trouble on Tatooine set, two Jawas, and an astromech droid.

This is taken from a scene of A New Hope so it is a part of the Tatooine history, not The Mandalorian specifically. The only buildable portion of this set is the service vehicle, but it’s really cool. It has a moveable crane that can lock into studs, including the stud at the top of the astromech droid.

Pros:

A really cool collection of Minifigs are included in this one (two Jawas, a Tusken Raider, and an astromech droid).
Great for the age range of six to twelve.
An excellent set in comparison to the Trouble on Tatooine set.
The crane is movable and can lock into studs to hold Minifigs and accessories in the air.

Cons:

This set is retired so if you do find it on a second-hand or auction-based site, it will probably be more expensive than it once was when LEGO was selling it.
Fewer pieces than the Trouble on Tatooine set so a less challenging build.
Fewer buildable items than the Trouble on Tatooine set.

Related: 20 Creative LEGO Ideas Guide

Mos Eisley Cantina Set

For ages eight to fourteen, the Mos Eisley Cantina is another really great set from LEGO, which has since been retired. Still, it’s worth discussing in comparison to the Trouble on Tatooine set. It is about a hundred more pieces than the Trouble on Tatooine (376 total to be exact) so it will definitely be a more challenging build. Unlike the Trouble on Tatooine set and the Tatooine Battle Pack, the Mos Eisley Cantina also has a building (the cantina itself) to construct along with a buildable Ubrikkian 9000 pod. The pod even opens for a Minifig to fit in the cockpit.

And speaking of Minifigs, this set includes fan-favorite Han Solo, a Sandtrooper, Greedo the bounty hunter, and Wuher. The Mos Eisley Cantina has cute mugs for beverages, a booth, a bar, and even a sliding door.

Pros:

The build for the cantina itself is really cool with a sliding door, a bar with room for a Minifig behind it, and a booth for Han and Greedo to reenact their famous scene in.
The Minifigs included are awesome (Han Solo, Greedo, a Sandtrooper, and Wuher).
New to 2018 buildable Ubrikkian 9000 pod is included in this set, with a cockpit to boot.

Cons:

This is a retired product.

Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder

Moving away from retired products, let’s talk about Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder. This is a great option for Star Wars fans looking to beef up their Tatooine collection and unlike the two sets above, it isn’t retired.

luke

Like the Trouble on Tatooine set, this is aimed at ages seven and up. It’s roughly the same amount of bricks (236 total) so it’s going to be about the same degree of challenge for the builder. Like Trouble on Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder is more about play than the build. it comes with a buildable landspeeder and Jawa cave. And what would a Jawa cave be without a Jawa? This set includes a Jawa, C-3PO, and Luke Skywalker himself with a new to 2020 fabric poncho.

Accessories include macro-binoculars and blasters. The blasters can be clipped into the side of the landspeeder. And the landspeeder itself even has a usable trunk for the binoculars to fit inside. And even with all this, this set is only $29.99. I’d qualify it as definitely worth the price.

Pros:

Very comparable to the Trouble on Tatooine set.
Includes C390, a new to 2020 Luke Skywalker, and a Jawa.
Has a buildable landspeeder and Jawa cave.
Great price at only $29.99!

Cons:

Currently sold out.
I feel like they could have included one or two more accessories for this action-packed set.

The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter

Finally, we have the upcoming new set The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter. This set won’t be released until June 1, 2022, but it’s worth putting on your radar now. Even though this is The Mandalorian’s ship, it is from the new show The Book of Boba Fett. It is aimed at ages nine and up and is 412 bricks, so it’s a little more difficult than the Trouble on Tatooine set.

There are only two Minifigs but they are great. We have The Mandalorian and Peli Motto. The Mandalorian is wearing the same beskar’gam armor as he is in the Trouble on Tatooine set but this time he has his iconic jetpack. Yay! Peli Motto has gorgeous, wavy, and wild hair and carries with her a wrench. And what is The Mandalorian without Grogu? Grogu and a BD Droid for Peli Motto are also both included.

The ship itself has a cockpit with a storage compartment and of course, extra room for Grogu. It even has a spring-loaded shooter. That’s right, the ship shoots!

Pros:

This is a great addition to The Mandalorian LEGO sets and anyone looking to expand their LEGO Tatooine collection at home.
The Mandalorian has his new beskar’gam armor, cape, and jetpack!
Includes Grogu (aka Baby Yoda aka The Child).
Includes Peli Motto and her BD Droid.

Cons:

Price jump, this is going to run you $59.99, twice as much as Trouble on Tatooine.
Not yet for sale! This set isn’t going to be released until June 1, 2022.

FAQs About Trouble on Tatooine LEGO Set

Question: Is $30 a good price for the Trouble on Tatooine set?

Answer: Absolutely. In fact, the rare and coveted Minifigs in this set are worth the price tag alone.

**Question: Should I get this for my friend, who is an adult but a huge fan of LEGO and The Mandalorian?**

Answer: Yes, this is a great set for any fan of the Star Wars franchise. As I said before, the builds are fun and interesting and those Minifigs are really cool, new, and rare.

Question: What’s your favorite part of this set?

Answer: The Minifigs. I really love the shiny armor of The Mandalorian and I’m a huge fan of the details on the Tusken Raider. I know the Tusken Raider isn’t new like The Mandalorian and The Child, but he really is so cool and so detailed, they didn’t need to update him in my opinion.

Question: What’s your least favorite part of this set?

Answer: I have two big complaints about this set. The Mandalorian’s headpiece is black and Tusken Raider’s tent panels don’t connect. I do understand though that perhaps LEGO as making a nod to The Mandalorian’s sacred religious practices and chose to therefore protect his virtue by keeping the headpiece black, so I’d say the tent is actually going to be my least favorite part of the set.

**Question: Why did LEGO choose The Mandalorian, of all of the Star Wars storylines, to recreate Tatooine?**

Answer: There could be a number of reasons for this decision and no matter what, I don’t think this will be the last we see of Tatooine in the LEGO universe. My best guess however is the massive success of The Mandalorian and the unstoppable cuteness of The Child and his attachment to The Mandalorian. LEGO would be silly to not cash in on this adorable duo.

Final Thoughts on Trouble on Tatooine LEGO Set

I hope that you can see very clearly what a fan I am of this set. While there are a few areas where LEGO could’ve done this set better, overall this is a great set for the price. The Minifigs are amazingly detailed and two of the three included are new to 2021. The three separate builds not only make for great playtime, but they’re also interesting and fun to put together as well.

In the end, I’d recommend this set to a young LEGO or Star Wars fan, and definitely an older fan of either LEGO or Star Wars as well. This is because the set is fun, interactive, and really amazingly detailed. LEGO hit a lot of storytelling and recreation of iconic characters and scenes successfully when creating this set, and it pays off.

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