Lego's line of Star Wars toys appeals to younger, newer fans of the series, but its biggest fans are without a doubt the older folks who grew up watching the trilogy of films as children. The line of Star Wars Lego products has become so popular that a video game was created featuring the Star Wars universe in Lego form. In addition, websites have been created to discuss, trade, and customize Star Wars Lego products.

1999 marked the first year Star Wars Lego sets hit store shelves, released in conjunction with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Sets in this first series include recreations of key scenes (Qui-Gon and Maul's lightsaber duel, Mos Espa Podrace) and vehicles (Landspeeder, Speeder Bikes, Snowspeeder.) Some feel that the Mos Espa Podrace is one of the finest Lego products ever created--Star Wars or otherwise.

Part of the appeal of these sets is that they combine the toys and movies we hold close to our hearts. However, Star Wars Lego products shouldn't be dismissed as being nothing more than playthings or movie tie-ins. One look at the Death Star II (nearly 3,500 pieces; released in 2005) will show you that some of these items are more like complex works of art than toys. The Death Star II, for example, features an incredible amount of detail and takes roughly 10 to 20 hours to complete.

Although the last film of the series was released in 2005, the Star Wars Lego line continues on. In 2006, Lego released a handful of new and updated kits. These include Slave I, A-Wing, B-Wing, V-Wing, and a TIE Interceptor. Although it's uncertain whether the release of these kits marked the end of the Star Wars Lego line, the toys will certainly live on with collectors for many years to come.