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    LEGO 10320 Eldorado Fortress sees an iconic Pirates set get remade for 2023

    June 15, 2023 | 23

    LEGO have once again mined their vault and archive for inspiration and LEGO Pirates fans are in for a treat with the official reveal of 10320 Eldorado Fortress, a 2023 remake of the iconic Imperial sea fortress!

    The 2,509-piece 10320 Eldorado Fortress gets the LEGO Icons treatment and follows in the footsteps of 2022’s amazing 10305 Lion Knight’s Castle and 10497 Galaxy Explorer, which revived two legendary Castle and Classic Space sets to critical acclaim.

    10320 Eldorado Fortress has a release date of 4 July 2023 for LEGO VIPs ahead of a 7 July general release, and will be available exclusively from LEGO.com or your local LEGO store.

    Update: Check out my review of 10320 Eldorado Fortress for an in-depth look at the set!

    See below for regional pricing and product pages:

    If you plan on purchasing 10320 Eldorado Fortress, please consider using the affiliate links in this post as I may receive a small commission with each purchase that goes a long way in supporting the work I do on the blog!

    I cannot tell you how happy I am that LEGO chose 6276 Eldorado Fortress to get a modern LEGO for adults-style remake as it’s hands down one of my favourite LEGO Pirates sets of all time, and I have a really strong affinity for Eldorado Fortress, having shared a birth year with it.

    While I didn’t own it as a kid, I have always marvelled and wanted one, and I believe many adults who are currently in their 30s and 40s will feel a nostalgic pull towards it.

    The set features the triumphant return of LEGO Imperial bluecoats as part of its 9 minifigure lineup, and also includes Classic Pirate staples such as a monkey and parrot, although admittedly, it’s the new-style monkey and not the beloved original version. Maybe next time!

    There are 6 Imperial soldiers and 2 Pirates, and LEGO Pirates fans are undoubtedly frothing at the mouth for the ability to amass modern LEGO Imperial Soldier minifigures, which feature updated torsos, and hats!

    While there is no raised baseplate, LEGO have infused the 2023 Eldorado Fortress with modern innovations, with the Pirate Fortress now boasting an array of detailed rooms and the modular sections can be combined to form different fortress configurations.

    Fans of the Imperials faction will also be delighted with the inclusion of a larger Imperial ship, complete with printed fabric sails!

    It goes without saying that 10320 Eldorado Fortress is LEGO nostalgia done right! LEGO Pirates fans are in for a treat with this set, and I can see this set to be incredibly popular with fans of Classic Pirates and fans wanting to relive their childhood/youth, as well as introduce LEGO Pirates to a whole new generation.

    I cannot wait to share my review of 10320 Eldorado Fortress, as well as see how it stacks up against the original!

    10320 Eldorado Fortress will be released on LEGO.com or your local LEGO Store on 4 July for LEGO VIPs.

    What do you think of the 2023 version of Eldorado Fortress? Have LEGO knocked it out of the park again?

    To get the latest LEGO news and LEGO Reviews straight in your inbox, subscribe via email, or you can also follow on Google News, or socials on Facebook, Instagram (@jayong28), Twitter or subscribe to the Jay’s Brick Blog Youtube channel.

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    News
    10320 Eldorado Fortress
    6276 eldorado fortress
    july 2023
    lego icons
    lego pirates
    lego vault
    pirates
    remake
    vintage lego

    23 responses to “LEGO 10320 Eldorado Fortress sees an iconic Pirates set get remade for 2023”

    1. alexoggy3 says:
      June 22, 2023 at 4:39 AM

      Hey Jay, this is cool! Wish there were more minifigs, though. Cool boats, however, no issue with those at all! Like the sea-port theme on the fort, real historic effort there!

      Reply
    2. Miro says:
      June 19, 2023 at 4:17 PM

      Ladders! Minifigs can finally access the upper floors 😁.

      Reply
    3. Per says:
      June 19, 2023 at 9:24 AM

      Definitely looking forward to building this set. I prefer this brick built base as it allows to add more details to the interior than just adding height as the old ramp and pit mold did. Obviously some compromises have been made but these can be fixed easily using bricks from my own collection. Brownie points for adding the ship from the Imperial Trading Post.

      Reply
    4. Scully says:
      June 17, 2023 at 3:23 AM

      When’s the review?

      Reply
    5. Clarence Doright says:
      June 16, 2023 at 12:37 PM

      Eldorado Fortress! Eldorado Forress!! EPIC!!!

      Reply
    6. Matt says:
      June 16, 2023 at 7:09 AM

      I definitely love the brick built base and the modular setup. It’s a brilliant idea and an excellent way to modernize this set.

      That said, I still kind of miss the old molded baseplates and would love to see them also bring those back at some point.

      Reply
    7. Hunter says:
      June 16, 2023 at 5:14 AM

      This is exciting! I love Barracuda Bay and I also have the GWP Ray the Castaway. This would look amazing alongside those sets. I see a lot of comments concerning price. I would say when considering the piece count at 2,509 (which I know isn’t everything) and the cost of some of the IP themes I really don’t think the prizing is bad. I’m sure it will be on sale through various venders anyways in the future. Keep the classics coming!

      Reply
    8. John Cooper says:
      June 15, 2023 at 4:29 PM

      This is overpriced and not worth it!

      Reply
    9. Samuel Bachman says:
      June 15, 2023 at 12:34 PM

      Lego 10320 MSRP is 214 bucks & 99 cents in North America? YIKES!

      Reply
    10. Matt m says:
      June 15, 2023 at 10:39 AM

      When I heard the leaks of this set I was excited, but not impressed or excited after seeing it. Too close to the original without improving on it… they did such an incredible job on the castle (besides the period-inaccurate lack of king)… this is just sad. Lacks something to my eye… I wish it didn’t! I don’t think I can justify this taking up valuable (limited!) real estate in the LEGO room.

      Reply
      • Bert says:
        June 15, 2023 at 8:00 PM

        I had somehow missed the leaks about this set and was super excited when I saw the announcement. But I have to say that I’ve seen a lot of negative reactions like this and at first I thought they were ridiculous, but now they’re starting to color my review. I’ll cautiously reserve final judgment until I see some reviews and have a look at the display model in Lego stores–it could surprise us.

        As for the castle, what do you mean by period-inaccurate lack of a king? I don’t recall Lego specifying which time period the castle was meant to be based, but England had a reigning queen in the 1500s (Mary I) so unless you think the castle was meant to be earlier than that it hardly seems inaccurate.

        Reply
    11. Justo says:
      June 15, 2023 at 9:53 AM

      I wanted to like this remake. The original was my favourite set as a kid – I was lucky enough to score it for Christmas 1990. The incredible raised baseplate, dungeon grate, jail, unique printed wall parts. Epic by all accounts.
      Unfortunately, this remake falls short of its predecessor.
      Some things are done well – modular components expand playability, and it seems the below ground areas received greater treatment with a nice waterfall and beach feature. The enhanced crane looks ok, but the turning wheel could’ve received better treatment.
      Aesthetically, this set pales in comparison to the original. The lack of judicious use of any wall plates – particularly at corners (crane tower) the walls a broken/messy look – not the weathered look of the underlying red brick in the original.
      The “door” in the top balcony – who lost that bet? While it’s not a 4×6 plate – it’s horribly close and the same aesthetically.
      The narrow 2x wide dock at the front, while the same as the original, feels like an oversight given the higher piece count and the ability of designers to expand and improve in the context of a larger set.
      The addition of a loading ship is welcome in principle – but a closer look reveals a tokenistic addition that leaves one thinking, “perhaps lego could’ve applied the ship’s piece count towards the fort instead…”
      Lastly, the unique v-shap topped with arch patters adorning the original’s walls have been traded in for over-engineered rectangles and basic arches. I guess some things can’t be improved upon, but why did the team settle for such a stilted and angular look.
      Where Lego succeeded spectacularly in 10305 (Lion Kinght’s castle) and 10497 (Galaxy Explorer), it gives me zero pleasure to say they fell somewhat short for this remake.

      Reply
      • AT says:
        June 15, 2023 at 4:58 PM

        Agree with this unfortunately.

        I think part of the problem is that it appears to be designed to be displayed in open configuration rather than the classic configuration, which seems like it’s driven some compromises (e.g. the strange cantilevered bit on the left side of the model in classic config).

        Kind of just makes me want to buy the original on eBay.

        That all said, it’s a nice model, and very glad that Pirates is getting some love!

        Reply
        • Justo says:
          June 15, 2023 at 8:19 PM

          I agree w you too. Unsure as of yet whether it merits a purchase.
          It’s an odd miss – for something that stayed so close to the look of the original, it seems to have failed to recapture its feel and atmosphere.
          LEGO absolutely nailed it with Pirates of Barracuda Bay – and for a similar piece count. It makes this fort really disappointing.

          Reply
    12. Jason S says:
      June 15, 2023 at 9:20 AM

      Ooooh man. I’m glad I didn’t Spring for some half hearted desires yet for x2 VIP pt time, because this is a delightful surprise than I couldn’t pass up if I tried. Can’t wait. Looks like they are using all Bricks to replicate the old raised baseplate. A+++++

      Reply
    13. Arcturus7 says:
      June 15, 2023 at 8:36 AM

      Just a shameless plug here, but I have an entry in the Bricklink Designer Program Series 2 which I created specifically after hearing the early rumors of this set release and with the intent of pairing the two together.
      It’s the Imperial Sloop Neptune, larger than the version included here but still a bit downscaled from the prior recent pirate ships.
      I’m personally excited for more Imperials/Pirates sets and would greatly appreciate any support in BDP voting. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Leo Eriksen says:
        August 10, 2023 at 6:59 AM

        Hi. I was wondering if you had a 3d model or parts list for this MOC? It’s such a cool creation, and i realy want to build it for myself. In my opinion the soldiers never got enough ships, especially compared to the Pirates.

        Reply
        • Arcturus7 says:
          August 21, 2023 at 3:21 PM

          Thanks for the feedback Leo. Short answer is yes, I have both. The results of the BDP Series 2 selections will be announced soon. If it’s lucky enough to be picked, then it’ll become a set for purchase. Otherwise I’ll be thinking about next steps, either resubmission in a future BDP series or perhaps making instructions available online, but can’t say at the moment. Glad to hear there’s interest in any case. Thanks!

          Reply
    14. James says:
      June 15, 2023 at 7:19 AM

      I was excited for this set…but this 3rd rate effort is a punch in the face 🙁

      There is no care or love. Nothing special or exciting. It’s full of poor techniques, lacks detail and the scale is wrong in places. This set was clearly an after thought. I know not every set can have the care and love that Rivendell and Lion Knights received but this is closer to a creator 3 in 1 than an 18+. It’s easer to understand why marketing dumped this with no fan fair.

      P.S. Before I get yelled at I understand this is just nostalgia cash grab but that doesn’t mean it’s okay.

      Reply
      • Oliver says:
        June 15, 2023 at 8:38 AM

        Really? I thought it was a really detailed model with lots of great throwbacks! Goes rly well with barricuda bay imo.

        Reply
        • Salty Miro says:
          June 15, 2023 at 5:52 PM

          I think some alt builds on Rebrickable like MOC-69306 or MOC-77372 are better fit than the official one.

          Reply
        • Bert says:
          June 15, 2023 at 9:44 PM

          Agree Oliver, I think this looks amazing. I had the original and think it’s cool to get a modern replica with a brick-built baseplate and full interior. I’m honestly pretty surprised with all of the negative feedback, usually I understand backlash even if I don’t agree with it but in this case I’m not so sure.

          Reply
    15. Alex B says:
      June 15, 2023 at 6:27 AM

      I like this more the more I see it. While it doesn’t seem to have the same presence or wow factor as Barracuda Bay – despite the same piece count – there’s still something wonderful about the design. Maybe it’s just nostalgia for a coveted set from my childhood but I’m definitely looking forward to getting this one.

      Reply

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