Comparing 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle to other historic LEGO Castles

August 6, 2022 | 15

Following the launch of 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle, many excited fans are now either putting the epic 4,514-piece LEGO Castle together that I called a “genre-defining LEGO Castle” in my review.

With LEGO’s 90th Anniversary coming up soon, and Lion Knights’ Castle being a celebration of all things LEGO Castle, I thought it’d be a good idea to compare it against with some other Classic LEGO castles, to demonstrate just how far LEGO has come, as well as how this highly detailed modern set pays tribute to Castles of old.

10305 Lion Knights’ Castle is available now from LEGO.com

• 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle [US] – US$399.99
• 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle [AUS]  – AU$599.99
• 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle [UK] – £349.99
• 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle [EU] – €399.99
• 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle [CA] – CAD$499.99

10305 Lion Knights’ Castle vs 375 Castle

To know your future you must know your past, and we have to go all the way back to 1978 with 375 Castle, also fondly known as the “Yellow Castle”.

At the time, grey were quite rare (check out the sets released in 1978), and I believe the only grey elements at the time were mostly plates, and they would only become more abundant in 1979, when Classic Space landed on the scene.

So LEGO designer Daniel August Krentz went with yellow instead, for a bright, cheery aesthetic that has now become one of LEGO Castle’s most iconic models, thanks to its bright yellow walls and towers.

Placing both sets side by side, you can appreciate just how ground-breaking 375 was at the time, with many playable features such as the drawbridge, arched entrance, and battlements across the towers and walls, which carry over to 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle, and many other LEGO Castles after 375.

Another standard was established with 375, plenty of Knight minifigures, whether they be mounted on brick-built horses, or if they’re serving as squires, or Castle guards.

And let’s not forget the ability for the walls to extend outwards, to create a larger wall, and alter the shape of the Castle, a key LEGO Castle feature that 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle also adapts.

One thing that 10305 does brilliantly, that sets it apart from all these Classic LEGO Castles is just how detailed the interiors are. Older LEGO Castles are mostly just walls, towers and minifigures, and very bare bones on the inside.

The Lion Knights’ Castle features a fully-decked out castle, with plenty of rooms that really make the Castle alive.

10305 Lion Knights’ Castle vs 6080 King’s Castle

The closest historical analogue to 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle would be 6080 King’s Castle, the flagship castle and home base

Designed by Niels Milan Pedersen, and released in 1984, half a decade after 375 Castle, it demonstrated (at the time) a huge leap forward, with flags, grey bricks, printed wall segments, a portcullis and some cavalry which is now made possible by moulded LEGO horses!

For many LEGO fans that grew up in the 80s, 6080 was THE Castle to own, and at the time was unrivalled as a LEGO Castle.

10305 Lion Knights’ Castle is notable because it marks the return of the Lion Knights’ faction, and instead of a king (who was absent from his own castle!), we get brave Queen Lionne who leads the Lion Knights in 2022.

You’ll notice many elements that have been carefully adapted into the 2022 version – the drawbridge and portcullis are obvious ones, as is the arched entrance, flags and also the position of the 2 shields above the entrance bearing the Lion Knights coat of arms.

Like 375, the interiors are bare, but we have staircases, as well as clips to hang swords, and even small chambers on the inside, which is a tiny step forward!

And yes, 6080 King’s Castle can also fold its way outwards, to create a massive walled section, something that 10305 emulates well.

Placing them side by side, it’s staggering just how far LEGO has come in almost 4 decades, but if there’s one thing that 6080 King’s Castle does slightly better, it’s that it has a more impressive Cavalry, with four horses to 10305′ two.

10305 Lion Knights’ Castle vs 31120 Medieval Castle

And now, for something a little more… present day. Unfortunately, my other older LEGO Castles are in storage, so these were all I had on display!

Here’s a side by side look with 31120 Medieval Castle from 2021, which at the time got a lot of Castle fans excited because it was a PROPER Castle despite being nestled within the Creator 3-in-1 theme.

Medieval Castle is a fantastic set (and still available to buy!) and functions as a modern keep for the Black Falcons, which are included in the build.

As you can see, it retains many classic LEGO Castle architectural features, such as the square-ish footprint, towers, entrance, and drawbridge, but with more refined and advanced building techniques that you’d expect from a 2021 LEGO set.

And yes, of course 31120’s walls can be folded outwards as well. Size-wise, it’s incomparable to the behemoth that is 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle, but a quarter of the price… still makes for a bloody good Castle.

Oh, and 31120 also has a slight edge because it comes with a brick-built dragon!

Here are all 4 Castles lined up together. As you can see, each Castle has its own distinct and unique flavour, yet retains so much of the LEGO Castle DNA first established in 1978’s Yellow Castle. DNA that is still front and centre of Lion Knights’ Castle.

The size, complexity and ambition dwarfs any LEGO Castle, which is why I think that 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle is the definitive LEGO Castle, and a glorious celebration of the rich Castle heritage that built the LEGO brand into what it is today.

I hope you enjoyed this look into the past, and how 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle pays homage to the Castles of old, and for a brief trip down memory lane if you grew up with 375 Castle or 6080 King’s Castle!

If you missed it, be sure to also read my review of 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle where you can uncover all the secrets, and brilliance of what is my favourite set so far of 2022.

Were you lucky to have LEGO Castles growing up? Tell me your favourite LEGO Castle memory in the comments!

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