Six years is a long time in LEGO design, so 75288 AT-AT has the potential to offer something worthy of fans’ attention. — Set details — Despite their appearance, the two exterior hatches cannot actually open. Instead, the central armour panels are connected to Technic beams inside, allowing them to move upwards and reveal the interior. This vehicle is exceedingly spacious, containing sand blue seats for five Snowtroopers. Their unusual colour matches both 4483 AT-AT and the Star Wars: Complete Vehicles reference book which is delightful. Furthermore, this rendition of the AT-AT is larger than its predecessors, measuring 38cm in length and 35cm in height. 75054 AT-AT, by comparison, measures 34cm in length while its height is similar, reaching 34cm. These differences seem relatively minor but the new model also maintains a more consistent width throughout the length of the troop compartment. This whole vehicle therefore seems more substantial than past examples. With a model like this, which has four skinny legs, you always worry about stability. While the Lego AT-AT is actually pretty stable, you do need to make sure you don’t adjust the legs too far, or you may find your model toppling sideways. We tested this one, on a hard floor, and actually didn’t break the AT-AT too much – a few pieces of armor, foot, and leg came away, but it was easily fixed. Should you buy the Lego Star Wars AT-AT?

The final product will not come apart unless you are really careless but the designers could have done a better job nevertheless.

50 comments on this article

This particular LEGO version of the AT-AT walker came out in 2014 and has a couple of distinctive characteristics that separate it from the previous models. First of all, this version is smaller than the previous ones although it has a much higher piece count than the 2010 version, for example. Honestly, it could have been made bigger and that would have made fans more satisfied. LEGO has produced five large-scale AT-AT models since 2003, varying quite significantly in appearance and construction. 75288 AT-AT looks particularly distinctive and features unique proportions, with an enlarged head and fewer dramatic angles across the troop compartment. The resultant vehicle appears authentic when compared with the movie and looks absolutely spectacular on display. AT-ATs can deploy speeder bikes for reconnaissance missions and this model accordingly includes one speeder bike. The same feature appeared in 4483 AT-AT and the location of the speeder garage has remained consistent, inside the rearmost section of the body. Opening the surrounding panels reveals several unsightly Technic elements but permits easy removal of the speeder bike which is perfect for play. Another opening hatch is situated towards the front and houses a Technic gear. Turning this gear deploys a string from underneath the AT-AT, forming Luke Skywalker's ascension cable. The cable has appeared with every previous model, although it has never been able to move. Once again, the designer has found use for almost every available space! Without a doubt, this combat walker remains a fan-favorite to many who cherish the Original Trilogy to this day. This is what also made it so popular in the LEGO Community. Our task today is to compare all the LEGO AT-AT versions we received throughout the years and see which one is the Best LEGO AT-AT Walker. 4483 AT-AT

Building this Star Wars icon is thoroughly enjoyable – thanks to the variety offered by the different sections, it never gets dull. While the legs are repetitive, they don’t take long to build so don’t end up feeling like a chore. For this particular reason, I would not recommend this set to collectors who look for a display piece. I would rather suggest getting the older version or one of the next ones.A clear example of how the main body has been improved is in the additional sloped panels on this version – rather than just feeling like a box, subtle shifts in the shaping accurately reflect the way the movie prop looks on-screen. There’s also a little more texturing than we’ve seen before thanks to grille tiles and recessed sections, which really gives the model the mechanical feel it demands. Unfortunately, part of Luke's double-sided head remains visible underneath the helmet. His alternative expressions look superb though, displaying different smiles and featuring an open visor on one side. This minifigure includes a blue lightsaber, a printed thermal detonator and a grapnel launcher, although the latter accessory is cleverly integrated with the AT-AT. Posing the AT-AT requires some patience – if you position one of those legs wrong, it will start sliding and end up floored. Nice positioning is definitely possible thanks to multiple joints in each leg, as long as you take your time. Getting subtle leg shifts in place is incredibly satisfying as it does leave the machine looking as if it is about to take a step, especially when the head position is also taken into account. — Characters —

Overall, the build itself is impressively diverse for a set with identical sections. It also has a great design despite not being really accurate. Honestly, when you take out the smaller size and the less diverse minifigure selection, I would definitely recommend this set more than the previous version. Luke Skywalker has accompanied three previous AT-AT models, taking inspiration from his memorable destruction of one such vehicle using a thermal detonator during the Battle of Hoth. This minifigure was introduced with 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run so wears X-wing pilot fatigues instead of an accurate Snowspeeder pilot uniform, that should include white gloves and simpler belt decoration. The model looks absolutely outstanding based upon official images and its announcement provoked considerable excitement, particularly since this rendition of the AT-AT is larger than previous versions. Additionally, I think the new model appears exceptionally accurate and the interior detail has been significantly improved. MinifiguresWith a higher piece count and the additional inflation of prices we see nowadays, this set came at a significantly higher price point than that of the 2014 AT-AT Walker although the sizes are pretty much the same. In terms of minifigures, I would say the selection is great but not large enough. Expensive sets of this magnitude should include more characters. A winch is included towards the front of the body, which allows Luke Skywalker to be raised beneath the AT-AT, as if he is grappling up to hurl in a thermal detonator. It’s much better than the way this was portrayed in 8129 AT-AT Walker and makes for a well-executed, relevant play feature. There’s even a gap to represent where he slashed with his lightsaber to make a hole for the bomb. Fortunately, the Technic elements which necessarily support the legs have been integrated extremely well. No colourful pins are visible and the Technic beams are fixed inside each leg, limiting their exposure. The distribution of plates and tiles across each leg looks fantastic and 4x4 dishes cover the joints. Ideally, they would have been decorated to reflect the movie but I can excuse that omission.