I've been reviewing Lego Star Wars for years, and I think these sets should be in every collection

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It's no secret that many of the best Lego sets hail from a galaxy far, far away, and Lego Star Wars is one of the most popular ranges the company makes. That means there are a lot of kits to choose from. Some are stronger in the Force than others, though, so which ones are worthy of your hard-earned credits?

The GamesRadar+ team and I have been reviewing Lego Star Wars sets for years now, and making them in our spare time for far longer than that (I suppose you could say we started a "long time ago"). That means we have plenty of recommendations when it comes to the franchise. If you wanted to add the very best of the best to your collection this Star Wars Day (AKA May 4), these are the models I'd prioritize.

Lego UCS Millennium Falcon

This set's top billing won't come as a surprise to fans of Lego, and there's a good reason for that; the Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon is arguably the best Lego Star Wars set of all time. There are countless great kits out there, but none can compete with this one. Thanks to an exquisite level of detail to go with plenty of intricate interior rooms (not to mention a crew of minifigures from across the saga), this is a work of art. It got a full five stars in our review, and has yet to be beaten.

Lego Millennium Falcon

Wait, another Millennium Falcon? Isn't that cheating? Yes, but bear with me. While the UCS version is undoubtedly the most impressive Lego Star Wars set ever made, it's priced out of most fans' budgets. This smaller figure, on the other hand? It's much more affordable and takes far less time to build yet still crams in all the fan-pleasing detail you'd hope for. Actually, I'd say it's the best option for the majority of people - something I maintain years after my original review.

Lego R2-D2

There have been many Lego versions of the trusty astromech droid since Lego Star Wars kicked off in 1999, but few have struck as good a balance between cost, fidelity, and playability as this one. As noted by GamesRadar+'s very own Joel Franey in his review, it "finds a healthy middle ground between toy and display piece." I think the best Lego sets manage this fine balancing act, so R2 is in fine company.

Lego Boarding the Tantive IV

This is a simple set, but that's part of the charm. If you'd like a straightforward diorama for your desk celebrating the original trilogy or a toy you can give to younger builders, Boarding the Tantive IV ticks all the boxes. For grown-up fans, it's an evocative scene recreating one of the most memorable moments in the saga... complete with cool effects like a blasted door or levitating Captain Antilles. For kids, it's a built-in battle scene for them to play out firefights between a host of characters (or any they bring themselves) with the addition of a fun trapdoor that makes the minifigs fall over when 'hit.'

Lego AT-AT Walker

While I've singled out the recent AT-AT as my favorite, the entire 'midi' range has been a real strong point for Lego Star Wars recently. These get you beloved ships and vehicles for display at a surprisingly reasonable price, with ample detail but a more modest footprint that isn't going to take a week to build or take up an entire shelf. Besides really capturing the essence of this plodding walker, it adds a spot of dynamism via the Snowspeeder tying up its legs. Bravo, Lego designers.

Lego Ghost and Phantom II

My colleague, friend, and fellow Star Wars nerd Mike Harris swears blind that this is the best Lego Star Wars playset, so who am I to question it? He gave it a full five stars in his review a while back, praising everything from its detailed interior to the build experience. That makes it a very easy recommendation for Star Wars Day.

Lego Imperial Star Destroyer

Much like the Ghost and Phantom II kit, this new Imperial Star Destroyer strikes a chef's kiss of a balance between playset and display piece. If you want to keep it on display in pride of place, it'll look phenomenal on the shelf; it's not too big but still manages to capture the essence of what makes the ship so iconic. If the padawans in your life wanted a new addition to the toybox, though, it has an interior that folds out alongside a host of cool minifigures - including the must-have Darth Vader.

Lego UCS X-Wing

Although it's not perfect by any means (the wings tend to sag a little under their own weight), this is still the best X-Wing model Lego has ever produced. In fact, Mike called it "the best-looking X-Wing Lego has ever made" in his review, and I think he's got a point. It absolutely nails that iconic silhouette and brings on waves of nostalgia, and frankly, it blows anything that's come before out of the water.

Lego UCS TIE Interceptor

Much like the UCS X-Wing, this, Ultimate Collector Series version of the TIE Interceptor is so phenomenally well-made it deserves a place on the list. Like Mike pointed out in his full review, "it boasts arguably the finest mid-size ship interior Lego has ever created and the greebling is simply exquisite." 'Nuff said.

Honestly, this list could have been dozens and dozens of entries long - and cropping it at the nine listed here was a real struggle. I'd say that these are the best of the best in my eyes, though, and the ones I'd prioritize before the others if you're hoping to add to or kickstart a Lego Star Wars collection.

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What would you include in your own lineup? Shout it out in the comments below.

For more goodies from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss the best Star Wars toys.

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Benjamin AbbottTabletop & Merch Editor

I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, but these days you'll find me managing GamesRadar+'s tabletop gaming and toy coverage (I spend my time here handling everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news). I've also been obsessed with Warhammer since the 1990s, and love nothing more than running tabletop RPGs like D&D as a Dungeon Master.

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