Ninjago

NINJAGO City Markets

The biggest Ninjago set ever, packed with 21 minifigs and a working toilet.

4.3/5

Set 71799 · 2023

Pieces6,163

Minifigs21

Year2023

Set number71799

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The verdict

If you've been eyeing the Ninjago City modulars, this is the one to grab, and honestly it might be the best of the bunch on sheer fun and function.

At 6,163 pieces with 21 minifigs and a genuine hand-cranked cable car, you get a proper display centerpiece that also invites play. It's a big ask on price and shelf space though, and it's retired now, so it's really for the fan who's committed to the hobby rather than a casual first buy.

Best for: Ninjago fans and modular-building collectors who want a showpiece

The full review

What it is

So your mate wants to know about NINJAGO City Markets, and the short answer is that this LEGO® set is a bit of a monster in the best way. It's the fourth entry in the Ninjago City modular line, following the original City, the Docks and City Gardens, and at 6,163 pieces it's the biggest Ninjago set ever made and one of the ten largest LEGO sets of all time. You get four floors of shops, restaurants, offices and apartments stacked into a dense little slice of the city, and unlike a lot of big display sets, this one is absolutely made to be poked and played with. There's a cable car that actually runs on a line, an elevator, a boat, a bridge, and yes, a toilet that flushes. It's the kind of set where you keep finding one more tiny scene tucked into a corner.

The catch

Now the honest bits, because that's what mates are for. First, the stickers. There are 72 of them spread over three sheets, and while a lot of them are lovely little references and shop signs, applying that many is a job in itself, so set aside an evening and take your time. Second, the footprint. Where City Gardens went tall, Markets went wide, measuring about 51cm across, so it needs a proper stretch of shelf rather than a tidy corner. And third, the money. At $369.99 RRP it was already a big outlay, and now that it's retired, sealed copies trade north of $400 on the secondary market, so this isn't a spur-of-the-moment buy.

Who it's for

So who should grab it? If your friend loves Ninjago, or already owns one of the other City modulars and wants to keep the skyline growing, this is close to a no-brainer and arguably the most fun of the lot thanks to those working functions. Collectors chasing minifigs get a genuinely great haul here too, since the 21 figures carry a combined aftermarket value well over $150. Who should skip it? Anyone after a quick, cheap build, or someone tight on display space, because this thing demands room and commitment. It's also a slow, detail-heavy architecture build rather than a ninja battle playset, so it's not the pick for a kid who just wants action. If they've got the budget and the shelf though, tell them to go for it, they won't regret it.

The parts story

What the build is actually like, and the pieces worth knowing about.

Building this is less one long slog and more a series of satisfying mini-projects. You work up through the floors and separate structures, and because it's a modular the sections come together in chunks, each with its own character. One bag you're detailing a sushi counter or a bakery, the next you're rigging the cable car mechanism or the elevator, so the pacing stays fresh across all 51 numbered bags. There's a lovely mix of techniques too, plenty of sideways building (SNOT) for the shopfronts and signage, and clever little functions layered in so the play features feel built-in rather than bolted on. It's a build that rewards patience and keeps surprising you.

For the parts nerds, there's real substance. New Elementary counted five brand new moulds and 41 elements appearing in a new colour for the first time, so this isn't just a rehash of familiar bricks. The dense architectural style means loads of useful small detail parts, tiles, brackets and plants, which makes it a fantastic donor set for MOC builders too. On value, the raw maths is friendly at roughly six cents a piece at RRP, and the 21 minifigs alone carry a combined aftermarket value north of $150, with 19 of them exclusive here. Add the collectible references baked into the print and stickers, and the parts story holds up as well as the display does.

Fun facts

01At 6,163 pieces it's the biggest Ninjago set ever released and ranks among the ten largest LEGO sets of all time.
02The tree on top of the cable car station is a nod to the pink cherry blossom version of the LEGO Bonsai Tree (set 10281).
03Eagle-eyed builders can spot a poster for the retired Mindstorms RCX 2.0 controller, plus Racer Seven wearing a BIONICLE shirt with a flaming Kanohi Hau.
04It's the fourth modular in the connectable Ninjago City line, and where City Gardens went tall, Markets went wide, stretching about 51cm across.