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GamesRadar+ Verdict
I'm not sure there's a better gaming-themed Lego set than this; it does the source material justice whilst also providing a visual feast that anyone will be impressed by, Legend of Zelda fan or not. While one of the variant builds is arguably better than the other, both are still crammed with enough references and Easter eggs to satisfy longtime players.
Pros
- +
Includes two versions of the Deku Tree to choose from
- +
Smaller builds are included for both games, no matter what you choose
- +
So many references and hidden details
- +
Instructions contain fun asides
Cons
- -
Ocarina version feels less detailed
- -
Displaying it requires a deep shelf or table
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A Lego Great Deku Tree is the kind of project I'm still pinching myself over. Getting a Legend of Zelda kit felt impossible a few years ago; Nintendo is famously protective of its franchises, and any fan-made designs submitted to the Lego Ideas initiative were shut down with the speed of a kicked cucco. Then Super Mario sets began to appear, followed by an Animal Crossing range. Something had changed – a dam broke. This caused rumors to swirl, and now here we are. Link is finally a minifigure.
It's been worth the wait. The Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 model is, in a word, magnificent. If you're a fan of the more recent Switch games or the Nintendo 64's Ocarina of Time, you'll find plenty to delight you. I can't deny that it's a lot of rupees, but building the model demonstrates where all that money has gone. This is one of the best Lego sets around and shows off everything a premium kit should be, no questions asked.
The downside? It's being retired soon. If you're new to the process, Lego does this on the regular; it sends older kits (or young ones, in this case) off into the sunset to make room for new models, and that means they stop being made. In other words, you're gonna have to grab the Great Deku Tree sooner than later if you want to avoid missing out on some of the best Legend of Zelda merch – before long, it'll become unavailable to buy. And man oh man, but that's a crying shame. This is something of a masterpiece.
Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 features
- A 2-in-1 design (Breath of the Wild/Ocarina of Time)
- Includes mini-builds that can be displayed separately
- Features three different Link minifigures & one Zelda design
As a "2-in-1" build, the Lego Great Deku Tree allows you to make either the Breath of the Wild version or the one seen in Ocarina of Time. Unfortunately, you can't have both; because the two designs use the same skeleton, you'll need to choose between them. They're very different to look at as well, so it's not like you can swap bits in and out depending on your mood.
Price: $299.99/£259.99
Ages: 18+
Pieces: 2,500
Minifigures: 4
Item number: 77092
Still, Lego seems to have thought of this. You get a couple of separate mini-builds within the box that can be displayed regardless of what tree you choose. That includes Link's treehouse from Ocarina of Time (complete with a box of items from the game, such as the iconic Hylian shield) and the Master Sword plinth from Breath of the Wild.
In addition, Lego has included multiple minifigure versions of Link rather than forcing you to mix and match. There's Child Link and Adult Link from Ocarina to go with Breath of the Wild's Link and Princess Zelda.
Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 build
- Takes between 4 - 10 hours
- Not overly complex, despite size
- Some fun asides in the instructions
Although mileage obviously varies from person to person, I suspect this project will take most people anywhere between four and 10 hours to complete. I was somewhere in the middle; I tackled the build in chunks, and it ended up taking me around six hours spread across multiple days.
This was a very pleasant experience, on the whole. There weren't any fiddly bits to speak of, and you'll spend a lot of time filling in the scene with flora and fauna. It's all rather zen.
The thing I appreciated most was the many asides in the instruction booklet. Just like in Lego Rivendell, you'll get titbits about the build as you go. These range from info about fairies to the many mushrooms you can cook up for stat bonuses in Breath of the Wild (many of which are scattered across the kit's base). This gives more of a premium feel, and it's less rote.
Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 design
- BotW version has more going on
- The mini-builds are an excellent touch
- BotW version is very deep, so is harder to display
Once they're made, both of these Deku Trees are handsome display pieces – but for my money, the Breath of the Wild version is downright stunning. The mix of vivid greens with pink and peach makes it truly pop on a shelf, and there's an impressive level of intricacy to the base. Ferns, flowers, mushrooms, and more festoon the area surrounding the tree's roots, so it feels very 'alive' in a way other sets don't. Throw in scattered koroks (including Hestu and his maracas, of course) for a very lively scene.
Honestly, it's more vibrant than the Ocarina equivalent… to the point that I wonder whether it was the 'original' design, with the Ocarina of Time variant being something of a bonus. I could be off-base here, and I'm not saying the Ocarina version is bad by any means; it's excellently done. It's just that the Breath of the Wild model seems more detailed. More extravagant.
Either way, the mini-builds included alongside the tree are an excellent touch. Because they're built and can be displayed separately from the main model, you still get to enjoy nods to both games no matter what tree you choose to make. Young Link's treehouse sits on my desk even though I made the Breath of the Wild Deku Tree, for example, and it's cool enough that I probably would have bought it separately.
It's a similar story for the minifigs. Lego could have used the same head and swapped out bodies, but instead it provides three versions of Link with accessories to match. Considering how much the Lego Great Deku Tree costs, that's a welcome concession.
The one criticism I have for the Breath of the Wild model is that it's very deep once you add the Master Sword shrine to the front. It'll stick out a bit unless you have a deep shelf or table to display it on, so bear that in mind when deciding where your version will go.
Should you buy the Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1?
If you're a fan of the Zelda series, this kit should definitely be on your radar. It's the ultimate piece of fan-service to gamers that have grown up with the franchise. Even though folks who adore Breath of the Wild and/or Ocarina of Time will be best served here, all Zelda aficionados are likely to find something to love in this mystical forest set.
Want something more contained and easier to display? Keep on steppin', because this is quite a large model that isn't the easiest to display (it's quite deep as well as tall). There's no denying the price either, but in my eyes, it's a treasure worth the price of admission.
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How we tested the Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1
This review was conducted using a sample provided by the manufacturer.
I put together this model over the course of a week or two, with multiple short stints building it a bag at a time. This allowed me to carefully analyze the instructions, build experience, and overall design as I went. I made sure to compare it with Lego sets of a similar size (like Rivendell), too.
