Reconsidering the Price: LEGO’s Star Wars ARC-170 Starfighter Is Worth the Investment

My perception of LEGO’s upcoming ARC-170 Starfighter from the Star Wars franchise has notably shifted. Initially, I was concerned about its size in relation to its price. However, after some research, I uncovered some enlightening details about the new model—and LEGO pricing trends in general.

First appearing in the 2005 film Revenge of the Sith, the ARC-170 starfighter played a pivotal role in the Clone Wars, serving as a key Republic starfighter and acting as a forerunner to the iconic X-Wing fighters of the original trilogy. LEGO first released a minifigure-sized version of the ARC-170 to match the film’s release in 2005, followed by an updated iteration in 2010. Now, we are on the verge of the third version of this starfighter, which is set to launch on January 1st, rekindling my excitement for the set.

Ongoing Concerns About LEGO Pricing

The ARC-170 and Broader Pricing Trends

Name	Piece Count	Price	Minifigures	Ages
ARC-170 Starfighter (75402)	497	$69.99	4	9+

LEGO’s recent trend of elevating prices, especially for licensed products tied to Disney franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, has been widely noted. For example, the upcoming Ahsoka’s Jedi Interceptor—featuring 290 pieces—has stirred discussions, with some suggesting it should be priced lower. My initial impression was that the new ARC-170 (75402) followed this pattern, appearing too small for a $70 price tag.

This sentiment is echoed across various online forums, where LEGO enthusiasts are voicing their concerns about perceived value. Nevertheless, during my exploration of earlier ARC-170 models, I stumbled upon some surprising insights.

A Deeper Look into Previous ARC-170 Models

Understanding Inflation and Value

In examining the 2010 version of the ARC-170, I noted that while it is larger than the upcoming model, its original retail price was set at $59.99—appearing to be a better deal at first glance. However, after adjusting for inflation, the effective cost of the 2010 ARC-170 today equates to approximately $86.80—significantly surpassing the new model’s price.

Moreover, despite its larger size, the 2010 iteration contains around 100 pieces fewer than the new version. This analysis positions the 2025 ARC-170 as a more advantageous purchase, suggesting that its $70 price point may be more reasonable than initially assumed.

Assessing the New ARC-170 Versus Older Versions

Value Analysis: New vs. Old

Ultimately, whether to prefer the recent ARC-170 model over its predecessors is a matter of personal taste. Yet, it is clear that, based on my findings, the latest version offers a superior value proposition compared to the 2010 model. This deep dive into the pricing narrative suggests a disconnect between community perception and the realities of LEGO’s pricing strategy.

In terms of design, the new ARC-170 appears more intricate and detailed compared to its older counterparts. This trend was also observed with LEGO’s 2024 Star Destroyer, which, though smaller than its predecessor, boasted more pieces and richer detail. Personally, I find the dimensions of the new ARC-170 more visually appealing, as they reflect the actual scale of the starfighter relative to the pilots in the films.

Consequently, I am eagerly anticipating the release of LEGO’s new ARC-170 Starfighter and plan to make a purchase upon its debut on January 1st.

To pre-order the ARC-170 Starfighter (75402), click here.