LEGO Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D™ Set Review – A Bold New Frontier!
Holy warp core breach, it's actually happening! After nearly 60 years of Star Trek voyages and countless fan petitions, LEGO Star Trek has officially become a reality. The starship that lived in our imaginations—the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D from The Next Generation—is now sitting on shelves as a buildable set.
This is huge. The LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D represents LEGO's most ambitious sci-fi collaboration outside the Star Wars universe. For Trekkies and brick enthusiasts alike, this Star Trek Next Generation building set is the crossover event we never thought we'd see.
Why the Enterprise-D? A Historic Choice
LEGO and Paramount could have played it safe with the original 1960s Enterprise. They could have gone with Voyager, or even a Borg Cube. But no—they picked the Enterprise-D, and that choice shows they understand Trek fans.
The Next Generation Enterprise represents peak Star Trek for multiple generations. It's the ship that brought Trek roaring back to television dominance in the late '80s and '90s. For millions of us who grew up post-original-series, this is our Enterprise.
This collaboration signals something bigger, too. Just as LEGO's Dungeons & Dragons set tested the waters for fantasy IPs, the reception of this Enterprise-D construction set review will determine if we get Deep Space Nine, Voyager, or classic series sets down the line. No pressure, but the stakes are higher than a Kobayashi Maru scenario!
Why These Specs Have Trek Fans Both Excited and Worried?
The LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D clocks in at 3,600 pieces. That's not just substantial—that's a weekend project you'll actually enjoy. When fully assembled on its display stand, this beast measures 10.5 inches high, 23.5 inches long, and 18.5 inches wide. Genuine shelf presence doesn't begin to cover it.
The price point sits at $399.99 USD (£349.99 UK, €379.99 EU). Yeah, that stings a bit. But break it down: you're paying roughly 11.1 cents per piece, which actually aligns with other LEGO Icons releases. The licensing fee for Trek IP doesn't come cheap, and neither does the engineering wizardry that went into making those curves work.
Don't Miss the Gift with Purchase
Buy between November 28 and December 1, 2025, and you'll snag the Type-15 Shuttlepod Gift with Purchase. This 261-piece bonus includes an Ensign Ro Laren minifigure—a deep-cut character choice that shows real respect for serious TNG fans. Don't sleep on this window!
The box includes a hefty instruction booklet with ship specs and mission highlights. You'll also find a sticker sheet (yes, stickers at $400—more on that frustration later). The parts come organized across multiple bags, making the build totally manageable over several sessions.
Can Rectangular Bricks Really Capture the Enterprise's Curves?
Designer Hans Burkhard Schlömer faced what seemed impossible: to recreate a ship defined by smooth, flowing curves using rectangular LEGO bricks. Schlömer (who cut his teeth on LEGO Star Wars) brought serious engineering magic to this Star Trek Next Generation building set.
The build starts with the secondary hull and warp nacelles. You'll immediately appreciate the genius at work here. Technic elements form an internal skeleton that supports the massive overhanging saucer section. No additional support pillars needed—just brilliant engineering.
Those warp nacelles deserve special mention! They feature glow-in-the-dark elements with red and blue detailing that capture the Enterprise-D's distinctive look perfectly. The pylons connecting them use bracket techniques that create proper angles while maintaining rigidity. Even if you accidentally bump the model, those nacelles stay locked in place.
The saucer section is where things get seriously interesting. Schlömer employed SNOT (Studs Not On Top) building throughout, layering plates and curved slopes to approximate the Enterprise-D's elliptical profile. Some critics claim it looks octagonal rather than truly round. Sure, they're not entirely wrong—but given LEGO's limitations, this represents the absolute best possible solution.
The detachable saucer section actually works! It locks firmly for display but separates cleanly when you want to recreate that iconic TNG maneuver. The shuttlebay opens on the saucer's rear, revealing two tiny shuttlepods. These mini-builds pack ridiculous detail despite their microscopic scale.
Expect 8-12 hours of build time, depending on your experience level. The Technic-based display stand assembles last. It's sturdy but purely functional—engineering over aesthetics. The angled presentation mimics that classic Enterprise flyby shot from the show's opening, which is a nice touch.
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Riker's Trombone and Data's Cat: The Minifigure Details That'll Make You Smile
Nine exclusive minifigures. Read that again. Nine! For a display-focused LEGO Icons set, this generosity borders on shocking. LEGO could have given us three, and we'd have been grateful. Instead, we get the entire bridge crew.
You get everyone: Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, Lieutenant Commander Data, Lieutenant Worf, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Counselor Deanna Troi, Bartender Guinan, and Wesley Crusher. Each wears the standard TNG uniform with accurate rank pips and combadges. The attention to detail is a chef's kiss.
The accessories show genuine Trek knowledge. Picard holds his Earl Grey tea (hot, presumably). Riker comes with his trombone and stand—I mean, come on! Data has Spot the cat, which might be the best accessory in any LEGO set this year. Guinan gets a bottle from Ten Forward, Worf carries a phaser, and other crew members have tricorders, PADDs, and engineering tools.
LEGO created new molds specifically for this set: Worf's ridged Klingon head and Guinan's distinctive hat. These aren't generic pieces repurposed—they're Trek-specific elements that show real investment in getting this right.
The set includes a separate display stand for the minifigures, complete with a Star Trek: The Next Generation branded tile (stickered, unfortunately). This solves a problem many large LEGO sets ignore: what do you do with the figures when they're not "on board"?
Does LEGO's Enterprise-D Look Too "Octagonal"?
The LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D doesn't perfectly capture every curve of the original vessel. It can't. LEGO bricks are fundamentally geometric, and the Enterprise-D is fundamentally organic. Physics exists, unfortunately.
What Schlömer achieved represents the absolute ceiling of what's possible without creating dozens of specialized parts. The color matching in light bluish gray nails the Federation ship aesthetic. The proportions between saucer, secondary hull, and nacelles match the source material remarkably well.
Those controversial dark tan accent pieces scattered throughout? They simulate the Enterprise's weathering and panel variations. In person, they add depth rather than distraction. Photos tend to emphasize them more than the naked eye does—trust me on this.
Critics wanted printed elements instead of stickers for exterior details. Fair complaint! LEGO's been moving toward more printed pieces, and a $400 set absolutely deserves better. The aztec paneling on the saucer, registry numbers, and shuttle markings all require careful sticker application. It's tedious and frustrating.
What's genuinely missing is any bridge interior. The saucer section is hollow for weight management and structural integrity. A microscale bridge would have been incredible, but it would have also made the saucer prohibitively heavy and fragile. Trade-offs exist in every design, but this one hurts a bit.
Compare this official set to fan-made MOCs (My Own Creations), and LEGO's version holds up remarkably well. Some custom designs achieve better curves but sacrifice structural stability or scale consistency. You win some, you lose some.
Why Trekkies Will Pay $400 While LEGO Collectors Should Wait?
At $399.99, the LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D requires serious consideration before purchase. Breaking down the actual value helps justify the investment (and maybe helps you convince your partner, too).
The piece count and complexity justify the base cost. At 11.1 cents per piece, you're within the typical Icons range. Compare that to the UCS Millennium Falcon at roughly the same per-piece price, and the Enterprise actually looks reasonable. Still expensive, but not unreasonable.
Those nine minifigures add real value. If LEGO sold these individually, you'd pay $5-7 each minimum. That's $45-63 worth of figures right there! The exclusive molds for Worf and Guinan typically command premium prices on secondary markets, too.
The licensing factor can't be ignored either. This is the first official LEGO Star Trek set ever. First editions in new themes tend to hold value better than subsequent releases. Look at what happened with early LEGO Ideas sets or initial Lord of the Rings releases. This could be appreciated.
Different buyer types will evaluate this set differently:
➤ Die-hard Trekkies: Absolutely worth it. You've waited decades for this moment. The design honors the source material, the crew is complete, and the display presence matches your passion for Trek. Buy it.
➤ LEGO collectors: Strong maybe. If you collect Icons or sci-fi themes specifically, this fills a unique niche you don't have yet. If you're more focused on playsets or other genres, wait for a sale or skip it.
➤ Casual fans: Hold off unless you find a discount. At full retail, this set rewards deep Trek appreciation more than casual interest. It's a lot of money for "yeah, I liked that show."
➤ Display enthusiasts (especially Game of Bricks customers): High value here. The lighting enhancement possibilities alone justify the investment for serious displayers. This build was made for what you do.
Does LEGO's Star Trek Debut Stick the Landing?
The LEGO Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D succeeds where it matters most: honoring the source material while delivering a genuinely satisfying LEGO building experience. This is the set Trek fans deserved, and LEGO delivered.
The strengths are undeniable. The design achieves remarkable accuracy given the medium's inherent limitations. The nine-minifigure crew represents unprecedented generosity—seriously, who does that? The build experience offers genuine engineering challenges without becoming frustrating. And the display presence—especially with proper lighting—creates a showpiece that commands attention.
The weaknesses exist, but don't cripple the set. Heavy sticker usage at $400 disappoints. The lack of interior features limits playability (though this was always meant for display). And yeah, that price tag will give some people sticker shock (pun intended).
Who should buy this set? Anyone who grew up with TNG. Anyone building a sci-fi display collection. Anyone who appreciates exceptional LEGO engineering. The Star Trek Next Generation building set serves multiple audiences without compromising for any of them—that's rare.
Final Rating: 4.5/5 Warp Cores
The LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D boldly goes where no LEGO set has gone before—and absolutely sticks the landing. After decades of waiting, Trek fans finally have their flagship. Make it so.
Ready to enhance your Enterprise with professional LEGO lights? Visit Game of Bricks for lighting solutions that elevate displays from impressive to unforgettable. Your Enterprise-D deserves to shine like it just came out of drydock at Utopia Planitia. Make it happen!
FAQ
When is the LEGO Star Trek Enterprise-D released?
Black Friday, November 28, 2025! The set launches exclusively through LEGO.com and official LEGO Stores. Mark your calendar and set an alarm—this will sell fast given the pent-up demand from Trek fans worldwide.
How many pieces are in the LEGO Enterprise NCC-1701-D?
The set contains 3,600 pieces, making it one of the largest LEGO Icons releases this year. Build time typically ranges from 8-12 hours, depending on your experience level and whether you build in sessions or marathon it over a weekend.
What minifigures come with the Galaxy-class starship set?
You get all nine main TNG crew members: Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, Lieutenant Commander Data, Lieutenant Worf, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Counselor Deanna Troi, Bartender Guinan, and Wesley Crusher. Each includes character-specific accessories like Picard's teacup and Data's cat!
Can I add lights to my LEGO Star Trek Enterprise?
Absolutely—and you should! The hollow interior design makes lighting installation straightforward. Game of Bricks specializes in LEGO lighting kits perfect for illuminating the nacelles, shuttlebay, and creating ambient effects. Strategic lighting elevates the display from impressive to museum-quality. It's game-changing.
Is the saucer section really detachable?
Yes! The Enterprise-D construction set features authentic saucer separation capability. It locks securely for display but detaches cleanly when you want to recreate that iconic TNG emergency maneuver. Both sections remain structurally sound when separated—no flimsy connections here.
What's the Gift with Purchase deal?
Purchase the set between November 28 and December 1, 2025, and receive the Type-15 Shuttlepod (set 40768) free! This 261-piece bonus includes an Ensign Ro Laren minifigure—a deep-cut character choice that serious TNG fans will absolutely appreciate. While supplies last, so don't wait!
Does this set require any special building techniques?
The build uses advanced techniques, including SNOT (Studs Not On Top) construction and Technic framework elements, but the instructions guide you clearly through each step. If you've built other LEGO Icons sets, you'll handle this fine. First-time Icons builders might find certain sections challenging but totally manageable.
Will there be more LEGO Star Trek sets?
LEGO hasn't officially confirmed future releases yet, but the success of this Enterprise-D will heavily influence that decision. Strong sales could lead to classic series ships, play-scale bridge sets, or other Trek vessels. Consider this your vote for expanding the theme—buy it if you want more!
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