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Head-to-head

LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System vs LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell

Both built. Both reviewed. Here's how they actually compare on the things that matter.

By the numbers

The spec sheet.

Metric LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Rating 5/5 5/5
Pieces 3,601 6,167WINS
MSRP $259.99WINS $499.99
Price per piece $0.07WINS $0.08
Verdict Must buy Must buy
Best for Space enthusiasts, NASA fans, and Icons collectors who want a vertical display centerpiece without the architectural bulk. Lord of the Rings fans, fantasy builders, and serious LEGO Icons collectors with substantial display space.

Pros & cons

What I actually noticed.

LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System

Pros

  • 1m of vertical display height — the tallest LEGO space set ever made
  • Iconic orange-and-white SLS livery in actual brick colour, not stickers
  • Removable Orion spacecraft sub-build at the top
  • Mobile launcher tower with detailed servicing arms
  • Booster separation stages display modes

Cons

  • Vertical footprint demands 1m+ of ceiling clearance
  • Mobile launcher tower is tall and tip-prone — anchor it
  • Some sticker work on the SLS livery panels

LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell

Pros

  • 6,167 pieces — one of the largest single LEGO Icons sets ever made
  • Five sub-buildings, plus the Council of Elrond gazebo
  • 15 minifigures including all 9 members of the Fellowship
  • Waterfall, river, and full elven-valley landscape detail
  • The Shards of Narsil display alone is worth the build effort

Cons

  • Footprint is enormous — 72cm × 39cm — measure before ordering
  • $500 commitment matches a UCS Star Wars flagship
  • Build is 26+ hours — serious time investment

Made up your mind?

Pick a retailer.

LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System

$259.99

Full review →

LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell

$499.99

Full review →

Comparison generated from our individual reviews. Pros, cons, and ratings come from full hands-on builds — see each review for the complete take.