LEGO Pirates Eldorado Fortress comparison of the ages! 10320 vs 6276

A look at the latest 2023 Eldorado Fortress (fully reviewed at • LEGO Icons Eldorado Fo... ) and the 1989 version (review: • LEGO Pirates Eldorado ... ) side by side. Both have 8 minifigs, but the newer version has 2000+ more pieces at a similar value, adjusted for inflation. If you were planning to buy the new one, please consider using my affiliate link tinyurl.com/56cv69p2 to help support the channel!
⭐ My new #LEGO reviews: / jangslegoreviews
📺 Twitch live streams: / thejang
🏙 My LEGO city: / jangcity
▶️ Chill real-time builds: / purebuilds
🟠 Support my work via Patreon! / jangbricks
📷 Instagram: jangbricks4real
🐤 Twitter: JangBricks
My preferred online shop is Amazon: amzn.to/2qllzg5
If you use my affiliate links I may get a tiny commission to help keep the channels going!
All comments are moderated to maintain a safe, positive environment. Bad behavior is rejected, abusers are reported & blocked. jangbricks.com/commentpolicy
The opinions I express are mine and mine alone and not for sale for any price. Ads, when shown, are selected & placed by KZbin itself.

[@darklordinateur]

This comparison makes me realize yet again how good those old sets were, especially for their time

[@Zenlore6499]

It’s always so cool seeing how a modern remake compares to older sets!

[@DerDudelino]

Man, I really love your videos and how much joy you bring to your audience Jangbricks. Not gonna lie - I miss being a kid sometimes. I still love LEGO, but as a kid you could give me such a set and I would play with it for months. I didn't even needed a lot of background stuff, the world would build in my mind and I would be in an ocean far, far away before mummy called for dinner. Good old times :O)

[@veekleek7535]

I'm more excited that there is an official brick built raised bade plate with ramp. This could pave the way for so many castles and space station build remasters.

[@alphaomegazulu8451]

When I was a kid all I ever wanted is for Lego to make additions for El Dorado Castle since on the back of the box it showed many ways to display it like a 3-in-1. The new El Dorado finally allows us to add the Docking area and wrap it around the corner. In my eyes this set was a pinnacle since it told a story with Caribbean Clipper and Captain Redbeards ship along with Barracuda Bay and Islanders from 93 and even the Pirate Hideout. I would love Lego to continue this story, and Trains; we need trains! The new boat in the new el dorado is pretty cool, I’m glad it has exclusive sails. Boats take up space so the size is fine with me. Thanks Jangs, much love brother.

[@DavidConant]

I grew up with build plates and as amazing as they were back in the day, the new method is a beautiful solution to not only show you can make big structures but you can rebuild so much more with all those pieces; Love it!

[@ThePeacemaker848]

4:35 when I was a kid I hated the no-stud slope. I couldn't' do anything with it. My 2 main complains about the baseplates as a kid were not enough studs to place things onto the plate. And it meant less bricks so when I wanted to build something else I was always forced into the baseplate mold - this was especially annoying because back then this was the only base plate for years. It was still fun to play with of course, ....but my inner child never forgot my gripes with baseplates. 7:52 Captain Redbeard was in SOOOOO many sets back in the day I honestly can't believe this guy isn't $3 on the open market. I've got like 7 of them. I don't need another one! 8:55 ya, I took at a look at my new ones and I'm very disappointed in that white printing. Pretty sure the box art has better white printing. Super sad that 3rd party knock offs print better than official lego.

[@jawjuk]

Dangit, Jang, you always have the freshest, most honest takes! Opened my eyes.

[@free_spirit1]

The dirty little secret of Lego is: less is more. As a child I ALWAYS wanted more lego and constantly begged my parents to buy more. As an adult I am so glad my collection was so limited, as it made me infinitely more creative. And in retrospect I can see my parents' wisdom. It's not an easy problem to solve for Lego, as they make more per volume. I guess that's why you see so many adult oriented sets in recent years. But I don't think it's sustainable.

[@RMJ1984]

Man, i am getting all emotional here. I had that old set when i was a kid. So many memories of playing with it and that crane.

[@koncorde]

I actually like the new kit a lot, but I have to admit the fan shaped gun ports are so distinctive on the original I'm surprised they didn't carry those over. Also would have been nice to see the terrain be a little more invasive into the structure to make it feel more like it was built into the rock - rather than built on top of a flat platform.

[@BenChurchill76]

Thank you for this more in-depth comparison! I had the original set as a kid and loved it. I had forgotten though that the door to to office on the top floor was just a half-door, which annoyed me even as a kid. I didn't like that solution, and wondered why they couldn't have used a different door at the time. The new set's door is much better, in my opinion.

[@nemfogadelsemmit]

Based on my experience, 10320 soldiesrs will break apart within' a few years, while 6276 imperials will remain still intact...

[@mmo5366]

Love the new Eldorado. Was about to buy it last week but got distracted by Pirates of Barracida Bay as a perfect companion set to this one, and found one NBIB for a great, so grabbed it and I’ll pick this one up in a month or two and have them on different shelves close by

[@oli1682]

I prefer the original. It still retains that charm and while the new version is substantially more detailed, and I love the sand portions along with taking it apart and forming other variations, when comparing the two main models, I find it too busy. Looking at the original, I can take it in and enjoy the overall look. With the new one, my eyes can’t settle on anything. Its like a static tv screen. Either way, I feel like less is more in this sense. A very enjoyable video and thank you for all the great content! Build on brother!

[@briandyck22]

Very nice comparison. I've got the newer version ordered, and am waiting to build it myself before watching your full review. Don't want to spoil all the suprises it holds just yet!

[@spudhillfarm5076]

This set hits the perfect sweet spot for my family - nostalgia + complexity for me, play value for my kids.

[@o.s8573]

I honestly would've much preferred a modern pirates set like lion knights castle. It would have been so much better

[@guleri]

I like these comparison videos, very cool to see the old set and how they have modernized it with the new.

[@thelazygamer78]

As always, great video. Building the 2023 version sparked a lot of joy for me as I had the 1989 version as a kid. I think Lego did an amazing job re-creating the old set and adding a modern twist. Now I'm sad I no longer have the original set though lol. 😢 Thank you for another brilliant video Jang.

[@AbsolutelyJason]

Great comparison and really good points! 😃

[@carljohnson6322]

Excellent comparison Jang! You really highlighted some things I had never thought about with these two sets.

[@logroll2353]

I love the new ones homage to the 1992 imperial trading post. I owned the trading post but not the fortress so I have a lot of nostalgia bias for it, but I think it was the perfect play set. Would love to see a good reviewer like you touch the set but I know it’s not cheap these days

[@stuchly1]

Thank you so much for taking the time to produce this comparison video. I loved pirates as a kid but never gotten this one unfortunately.

[@dangrimes970]

Thanks for the video! As a kid, I loved the base for this set. It was one of my favorite pieces in my Lego bucket. But the new set’s modularity is really cool too.

[@LouisBarnes-mg9xx]

Love your videos Jang. Thoroughly enjoyable as well as very useful.

[@Ernasto]

It's crazy how the new version is made out of more LEGO bricks than the original one, which has bigger setpieces/items. The best part of the new version is the way it is build, it is easier to expand with newer LEGO bricks than the original set. Those old pieces can be pretty expensive if you want good quality versions. Really happy with this 2.0 version

[@tankerblue1626]

I really like the last point you made, and I felt the exact same about Barracuda Bay. I voted for the original design on Lego Ideas, because that was what I want. I know many fans like me, who are now old enough to be AFOL, did not grow up playing with the old sets, so the redesign had no nostalgic value to me. I was so pumped when it got approved but the disappointed when they announced the final product.

[@TonySalazar933]

I played with a lot of Lego when I was growing up and Pirates was by far my favorite line. This set is pure nostalgia and I love it!

[@patrickwolf9809]

My favorite Christmas ever was when I got the Caribbean Clipper and my brother got the Fortress. Thanks for touching on the fact that sets back then made better kids toys. I wasn't afraid to blow up the walls with a cannon because it was so trivial to reassemble. I am excited to assemble the new one, but I know it won't 100% capture the magic of the original.

[@pballfin]

I have the original one from my youth in my display room and I love it! I had heard of this coming and just didn't see pics until now. The new one is so cool! It's different, but in a good way. If it were the exact same as the old set I wouldn't buy thr new one, but with it bring very different I'm very interested! Thank you for the great vid!

[@greenhill004]

My only negative about the new one is I wish it was more yellow. The canon area next to the ramp should have been yellow and not white. Plus the terrible printing of the minfigures.

[@secicu]

Unbelievably cool, the captured and improved additions to the old set in a way that detracts nothing but only increases playability for both sets The new one does serve all the same as a marvelous homage to the awesome old set! Think they add much to eachother and could easily be made into a larger fortress

[@morc-at-arms8903]

Thanks for the video, great points! I prefer the clean lines and printed bricks of the old set. The new one feels visually cluttered, overdetailed to me, unfortunately. That also complicates the dusting. And rebuilding once kids put the build through cannonade! The new modularity is incredible though!

[@DZstudios.]

This looks like an awesome set! It is impressive considering that it has a lot of modifications and a nice ship😊

[@johnsenlow2070]

11:30 Jang hitting right in the feels 🥲 "...you feel the joy of youth itself, much of which is gone now as you have gotten older and life has become more complex. A new set can never touch that... Nothing is going to bring back childhood..."

[@twobrosincorporated]

I hope they continue making new versions of old sets. I can’t find some of these anywhere!

[@joshinaround2897]

I prefer the look of the original set, especially the printed wall pieces. The addition of the ship from the Trading Post set is a nice nod. I agree on your critique of the minifigures.

[@waltherltd]

Great comparison! As a kid this fort was one I always wished to have, but never got. I am super excited to get the new one at some point soon.

[@janari64]

When I was a child in 1990, my mom took me to the mall because she wanted to buy me this fortress. I was delighted, but at that moment I saw a ship - a barracuda. And that was it, the barracuda was bought 🙃. A few months later, dad, of course, also bought me an Eldorado 😊. The winds and waves of the future sank the old fortress, but the ship survived. The time has come for them to meet in a new clash 😮. p.s. I'm going to buy tomorrow!!! 🙂

[@bluelemming5296]

I never had any of these sets - but I was certainly inspired by seeing them. We had the more generic Lego sets, and built our own castle and ship designs - which were far superior for role-playing as it turned out. Lego has never really gotten the whole 'role playing' concept, as least as it was done by older, well read, highly intelligent kids back then - kids without much TV allowed and no computer games, but who took tabletop RPG concepts into their Lego play. The new model looks fantastic. The cellars seem a bit cramped. I have to admit I love the old printed 'brick+window' pieces - they look so elegant. It's a shame they couldn't have found a way to put one or two in somewhere - maybe in the basement - to keep those in production. Maybe someday we'll get lucky and they'll put them in a polybag.

[@worldsheaviestjamband93]

Great review Jang. Does anyone know how many different system products Lego had in 1989? I’m impressed from the quality of the prints from 1989 and I’m wondering how much of a factor that could be.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

I love when you do these old vs new comparisons

[@AshitakaYakul]

Thanks for the video!

On nostalgia side: when I was a kid, we were never be able to afford a large lego set. I just dreamed about having a Barracuda or a fortress like this. My largest "ship" was the Raft Raiders and largest "fortress" is the Cannon Cove. I have my nostalgic feelings for those sets and I felt a kid again for a second rebuilding them not so long ago. But I don't feel nostalgic to the original Barracuda and the fortress as I just saw them on pictures in the catalogue. The new sets however perfectly recreate the style that I was so fond of and now I can make the itch of never having those finally go away, while they are more visually pleasing to my grown up eye. Unfortunately the feeling of carelessly playing with lego will never come back, so I don't mind these are not the original sets. But building and looking at them helps me remember. These might be "play" sets, but I believe they are designed by millenials for millenials, so they can buy them for themselves and using their children as alibi. And for this, they are perfect.

[@GabrielLeite123456789]

The new set is amazing, but it definitely could have used a little bit more yellow, especially in crane tower and in the front turret.

[@Owenb243]

I loved the review!

[@VestedUTuber]

The original feels like a playset that a kid could open and enjoy out of the box. The new one feels like something an adult could nostalgically enjoy the build of, but then be able to share with their kids with supervision and enjoy together, while also simultaneously being an incredible display piece when not being played with.

[@DJ.KyloRen]

The new one is excellent and huge improvement in terms of building techniques (obviously), especially for the terrain, interior detail, and the added play value. That said a MAJOR drawback is how jumbled the fortress looks overall on the exterior. Ironically despite being way more detailed, it lacks the more refined aesthetic gestures and charm in its design. For instance it's missing the more organically spread yellow color, as well the simple but ornamentally shaped gaps in the parapets, the proportions perhaps as well, it just doesn't capture the eye pleasantly. I really wanted to love this set, and there's so many good things about it, it's an incredibly fun, the modular system is greatly executed, but you also want it to look good on display and it just doesn't look that great

[@kuchenwesen8138]

The new one is a collectorsitem/display set for adults, the old one was intented as a playset for kids. I didn't have that one, but several sets from that era when i was a kid. It was really easy for me at like 5,6 years old to grasp building techniques and make my own stuff based on that and combine things... That, for me, is the strength of late 80ies/early 90ies Lego. But yeah, my nostalgia is very strong.

[@RichiPuppi]

Very good review. I like the new set, but there was something magical about building LEGO sets with the big base plates and even today rebuilding them I still feel it.

[@ajanderson1299]

Nailed it Jang! The new set is gorgeous and fun, even with the semi-repetitive base building. It made the build more stable for an epic display set.

[@jacobe1942]

I would like them to make a little set for red beard, I envision it as him marooned on a simple L shaped island, that is raised up enough to have a place for a buried chest. And another with a buried egg, with the new sea turtle, make it a story about how he lost his hand to the sea turtle while diggin up a spot for his treasure. add in a small skiff and a couple extra minis for fun.

[@Aeronwor]

This set was the bees knees, for me the main way I played with lego was build and rebuild, reconfigure. Playing with my children absolutely brings back childhood.

[@matthew_thefallen]

This is probably the best set they made in a while! Too bad it's a bit expensive for me but one day maybe I'll get it 😅

[@betulaobscura]

Very good review and comparison! I agree with your opinions. In many terms original set is still unmatched due its perfect balance between form, function and idea/purpose. Also original was easier for kids to reconstruct, redesign, rebuilt, recreate...

[@antraxxslingshots]

I can totally see the benefits of the new set. What i don´t get: If i concider getting the Set out of pure nostalgia because i once owned it, i´d rather spend 300 on a mint original Set, then less on a reimagination. Great Video, very good comparison!

[@Blake_Stone]

As someone who loved Pirate LEGO back in the day, I consider Captain Redbeard being in so many old Pirates sets a drawback. If you collected a bunch of them you'd wind up with piles of Redbeards, and you only need one of him. There was no reason for him to be in the Imperial Fortress set. Makes way more sense to focus on the Imperials here, with a few regular Pirates that you can never have too many of. Now if you have say, the Pirates of Barracuda Bay set, you only have one Redbeard, thus no "wasted" figures.

[@drummers2945]

I had the rock island refuge one with the base had trees and a walkway in the trees plus a storage / jail in the actual base in the floor. Was pretty cool, still have most pieces and all the figs which is cool.

[@Finnatese]

You do make a really good point with a lot of these complicated modern sets. The older sets I have hung on to really make great toys, and are what I would pass to my kids. Some of the newer sets I have bought lately for fun, make terrible sets for kids to play with. They can't break it down and mix it up. Albeit they are aimed at adults but ultimately it is a kids toy

[@warfighter4129]

I think that the new features and overhaul of the original set are pretty cool. But the price of the set is just way too High to be a playset for most kids. Unfortunately it's going to be an adults collector set that will Never be played with, and probably will just stay on display.

[@energysun3487]

2000 more pieces to build one base plate, for people who like build rocks; no remakes, they should release the same sets as in 80 & 90s, make some retro lines with rereleases for old fans until they are alive

[@RogdushTheMystic]

I wish I had this set as a child (old one i mean). I was just looking on those superb awesome catalogue sceneries back then. I bought this set with classic eldorado fortress not long time ago and still love all classic pirate and castle sets. You can see there is a 18+ mark on the box, so I think LEGO designers targeted us directly with people who got nostalgia and older guys who love pirates. Its not strictly for kids altho more ambitious kids will love this set as well and this is what LEGO should try to put more on market. Raise the bar, dont go down, dont do junorised easy stuff. LEGO need to stand strong for creativity and building, not just easy play. Either way, love this set ! It got nice touches and some hidden things as well

[@migatron1]

Interesting side by side comparison. The new one is what I imagine people dreamed the original should have been. I don't think there's any comparison, in terms of build, play value, or overall value. The new set wins hands down, but that's just my opinion.

[@Laylatheweeb]

I think I just found my new favourite set of 2023

[@AmauryJacquot]

considering how often I hear the white print ain't white, I wonder if it's a process, or ink type issue

[@zarock63]

Thanks for the review! I agree with your opinion. Great job was done, but nothing can beat nostalgia. I wonder if Lego will ever make a remake of Islanders Enchanted Island.

[@asgads]

absolutely beautiful

[@henribg1]

I so much prefer the trunk of the palm tree on the old version. Also, in my opinion, the raised base plates was the best thing LEGO did for the Space and Pirates themes, Ever. One can always make studs on the slope if one wants, just using some of the many joints there are. The moon raised base plate is still the best in color and durability for play and display :)

[@fabpicture_com]

I had this fantastic set ... and play a long time with it and my sister and our pirate ships ! But ... I Sold it long time ago before being again a Lego fan :p

[@Angry_Squirrel555]

This is one of those sets I buy and keep boxed up until I find room to display it.

[@Zvlhairie]

This is a must have classic set!

[@Mcslap13]

Hey man! Not sure if youll see this. Hope you are doing well and its grewt to see your still posting and enjoying the hobby! I watched your videos all the time back in the day!

[@Brick-Life]

A very fun looking set

[@nachomarimba]

Hello there! It’s kinda funny to see so many lego review videos complaining about “having to build” something or “taking to much time to build” a structure and I can’t stop asking myself: isn’t it the purpose of legos? My 5y/o loved building the ramp

[@Benjamin0119]

Thanks for this GREAT comparison, JANG. I was surprised since I thought the new Eldorado Fortress had more size on the old one, but it's not THAT much larger. Still, you can do more with the brick built island base, there's definitely more than meets the eye to it, and it's modular. It is very cool the remake of the merchant ship from the Imperial Trading Post is included. One of the best ships LEGO ever designed with one of the best bases LEGO ever designed. Yeah one minifigure definitely doesn't make or break a set. Although in place of Redbeard, I wish the figure included was unique and didn't recycle minifigure parts from the Creator Pirate Ship.

[@danielversion1.035]

I wanted to disagree with your take on the inability to bring back the buzz of childhood... because i was over the moon when i got the Lion Knight's Castle... *BUT* you're right, as a kid you're able to let that prized possession become your entire being, whereas in adulthood, no matter how cool it is, there's still the maturity of life and responsibility that takes away from the experience. It was still very *VERY* cool to get these retro sets from my childhood... but the experience was nothing on what it wouldv'e been had i gotten them as a kid. That being said, I'm still getting the new Eldorado Fortress 🤣👌

[@ayuru_xs]

I think the set would be better if it was designed with option to open (like new castle), not modular. With current approach there are things that look better in redesingned wide form than classic one (admiral room cannon, path to nowhere).

[@drucejnr]

We really need a new wave of Pirates sets. All us kids that grew up with them are now adults earning money - your market is right here Lego!

[@UpTheAnte1987]

I really wish they'd given the governor's office 4 walls and not bothered with that 3rd canon. Apart from that I love this set and will be getting it.

[@abnunga]

The new water colour is wild!

[@bardobardo3479]

Love the old monkey, the old bricks appearing, they both great sets but for adults i'd like the old one most not just for the nostalgia but bcz i won't play that much with it

[@luisemoralesfalcon4716]

Hmm, while I am in the baseplate camp, the new version blows the old one away.

[@paschalisantoniou974]

Thnx for the review! Does the ship features any canons?

[@audiotron1003]

I'm more a classic space fan so when they brought out the last space ship it ignited my old dormant memories and the set became a welcome remix. This set Will be a similar thing to the fans of this theme. You cannot bring back golden childhoods but you can spark the child you you.

[@Garinovitch]

My only complaint about this set is that it feels so criminal not have a proper imperial ship to be docked at this fort. Like actual ship ship, not that merchant ship lol Like, I would be more than happy to shill out more money if Lego released this set with another set that compliments it, Like, I'm sure you can recreate the Caribbean Clipper at a 60-70 price range! And I know, I know, the set that's meant to compliment this one is the Barracuda from 3 years ago. But I want an imperial ship at those docks, why would a pirate ship be chilling at the docks of an imperial fort? And it costs like almost a 1000usd to get the Imperial Flagship. But that aside.... You know when lego released the Lion Knight's Castle and as a GWP you got the Forestmen Hideout? Then with the Galaxy Explorer, later on as a GWP we got the Blacktron Cruiser? I hope later on we get a similar treatment here, as a GWP we get a remake of Sabre Island or something, that feels like something you can remake really nicely in 300 pieces.

[@nicklockk]

I don't understand why the palm trees don't match the palm trees in Barracuda Bay. Obviously these two sets will be displayed together. Why the inconsistency?

[@marcuschristensen1883]

I try not to gripe about minfigiures, but the new torsos are so bad. If they were nicely printed and the white was white, I'd honestly get this set, but they've pushed the set into the "NOPE bin."

[@sergeipohkerova7211]

I'd like a remake of the old Imperial Flagship (the first year they changed the imperial navy to red from blue), where there were two cannon but it wasn't wide enough to have the cannon facing both broadsides. Maybe make it wide enough to do that, and lengthen it to have four cannon per side. Even better, make a great playset by making it a double gun deck with six cannon per row, for 24 cannon total. Would be amazing! I'd bet it would be like US 500$ or maybe 450€ so ouch haha

[@gregleuze6657]

Love the channel and I am subscribed. I think both of these sets are winners as there are strengths for each build. I didn’t grow up with this set but I am going to purchase at some point. I am going to enjoy building it with her so the more complex building is a plus. The negative is that when a part breaks off it will take some time to put it back together where the old one wouldn’t. My daughter never hands me just one piece but many when she comes to me😐. I hope that is a firing cannon as that is the first thing she noticed. Not sure if I am missing them but not sure why there are not accessory/battle packs for sets like this and castle. I am building my army from pick a brick and it gets expensive and takes time to get the pieces from Europe. These sets need troops for both sides and it would be nice to go to the store and pick them up. I would be very interested in a video on describing the different ways to display figs, pros/cons, where to get the items needed for display, and price points. I saw a brown piece used to hold the figure in place without studs going into the figures feet but I can’t find the piece or that video.

[@electromistress]

This is cool, but at this point I'm really itching for the new City submarine set review.

[@LegoGrandPrix13]

@8:10 Sigh. People always find something to complain about. Here we call them vinegar pissers (literal translation).

[@guillaumepreudhomme4800]

I hope lego does a remake of fort legoredo next!

[@portell0]

going off the "less is more" comments and what was said about the "impatient baseplate (re)build" problem mentioned in the video including several shades of the old rock panels (6082, 6083) would of done the trick instead of the hundreds of bricks needed to make the "new baseplate". Also rebuilding the castle itself will take time. with all the "red" bricks included to mimic the print. Why not spare a few bricks and throw in the old castle plates (4444)? Fewer pieces, but faster rebuilds. Sure they will skip the printing, but once anyone puts this set together taking it apart will be tons of work

[@Achjakommaherkommadu]

Both!...both are good!

[@tanyateeboon2296]

Just feels like you need a couple imperial troops to finish of the garrison. But doubt will get that chance to buy separately.

[@andrewtimothy1937]

looking at the side by side, the old one feels like it was built purely with play in mind, with imagined ships and scenerios going on. The new one feels like a love letter to those kids that grew up with the old set. yes the new one couldve used printed parts for detail, but thats not as rewarding for veteran AFOLs. Despite the price this thing is awesome

[@cryoblade9713]

I think jang is like the bob ross of Lego.

[@JackindaSack]

I am not even nostalgic for this era of lego, but I do wish there was more yellow on the new one. The yellow makes the build seem happier

[@StudSnob]

You hit the nail with the conclusion. The new one is objectively superior, but the old one has its simplicity, charm and history. I think a good number of people who buy the new one for nostalgia will be left with an empty feeling, not knowing whats wrong. Well, its because the new one is bigger, better, more beautiful, but its not "your" set from childhood.