LEGO Reviews Star Wars75438

Yoda Bust

Name: LEGO Yoda Bust 75438
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 75438
Rating: 4.43 (32 reviews)

56 · SKIP ITINVESTMENT GRADE: B2026399 pcsHigh agreement · 82%

Expert reviews

5analyzed

Owner ratings

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

BrickScore

Skip It

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A set that charms casual buyers but frustrates focused critics: with a BrickScore of 55.6 (Skip It), the Yoda Bust's color flatness, angular facial geometry, and premium price-per-piece hold it back from a clear recommendation, even as owner ratings of 4.43 out of 5 show real affection for the finished character on the shelf."

Reviewers are divided on the Yoda Bust (75438): expert critics land it a BrickScore of 55.6 (Skip It), citing a color palette that reads as visually flat, facial proportions that don't quite work at this scale, and a stylistic mismatch with the companion Darth Vader Bust. Owner sentiment tells a different story, with 4.43 out of 5 across 32 ratings and enthusiastic remarks about character and display appeal, suggesting casual buyers enjoy what focused critics scrutinize.

Where they split: The gap between the 55.6 BrickScore (Skip It) and the 4.43 owner average is the central tension here. Critics focus on geometric facial limitations, flat color work, and the Vader stylistic mismatch. Owners, particularly those buying as a gift or for a first display build, are consistently enthusiastic. The Brothers Brick flagged value concerns while also noting genuine charm; Brick Fanatics gave a fuller mixed verdict calling out specific construction flaws while acknowledging the build is enjoyable.

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LOVED (5)

01Satisfying arm-attachment technique noted as a build highlight
02Adjustable ears, eyebrows, and head positioning add genuine expressiveness to the finished display piece
03Clever robe construction using reverse studs, hinges, ball joints, and layered tiles to suggest fabric movement
04Inclusion of a Yoda minifigure as a bonus
05Described as looking better in person than the box art suggests

CRITICIZED (7)

01Facial design and eyes feel too angular and blocky, exposing LEGO geometry at this scale
02Color palette is too heavily reliant on light tan, appearing visually flat
03Exposed anti-stud connections on the ears undercut the polished look
04Proportions suffer: body feels too thin relative to robe bulk
05Stylistic mismatch with the Darth Vader Bust when displayed as a pair
06Price-per-piece is above average for what the set delivers
07Helmet Collection predecessors felt more cohesive as a format

What reviewers are saying

"the technique for attaching Yoda's arms to be especially satisfying"

The Brothers Brick

"He's set number 75438 with 399 pieces and a surprisingly seemingly fair retail price of $40. The Darth Vader bust released alongside this one cost $10 more despite having 50 pieces less. So, seriously, that $40 price act…"

MandRproductions

"Yoda's facial design doesn't quite work at this scale"

Brick Fanatics

"75438 Yoda Bust therefore managed something fairly unusual, due mainly to the weird rectangular sockets around Yoda's eyes. This is particularly disappointing because other areas of the model look pretty impressive"

Brickset Reviews

"that face. Who thought that that was okay? I mean, it looks like a meme. It looks like a joke. It looks like it's from Mystery Science Theater 3000. Like, that is not Yoda. It's not even a little bit."

JANGBRiCKS

Ecosystem

UCS Darth Maul bust (2001) — Sculptural models have been a part of LEGO's Star Wars line going back to the UCS Darth Maul bust in 2001. In the years since, we've seen many a buildable character or helmet, and this month, the return/revenge of the bust format.

Darth Vader Bust (75437) — Yoda is a better value at $40 versus Vader's $50, though Vader has broader shoulders justifying some price premium. Reviewer feels Yoda should be $35 and Vader $40.

Older LEGO Yoda minifigures — The bust is not a terrible option to add to a display alongside older Yodas, size-wise fits better on shelves, and face design at this scale is acceptable though not superior.

75255 Yoda — The color scheme worked on the much larger 75255 Yoda set as this was offset by the brown of Yoda's inner robe, but at this smaller scale some of the detailing becomes visually flat. Introducing dark tan accents would have added needed depth.

Star WarsTier 2Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 5

Avg score

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

The Brothers Brick

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"the technique for attaching Yoda's arms to be especially satisfying"

Key Pros

✓Satisfying arm-attachment technique
✓Accessible display format requiring minimal space
✓Allows two different base-building methods

Key Cons

✕Uneven amount of left and right wedge pieces
✕Price-per-piece is higher than average

JUMP TO REVIEW

MandRproductions

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

Key Pros

✓Fair price at $40 compared to Darth Vader ($50)
✓Stylish display plaque matching Starship Collection
✓Posable head on ball joint for lifelike display angles

Key Cons

✕Creepy/uncanny eye design with shadow gaps that most viewers find off-putting
✕Face issues at small scale that may persist with future busts if not resolved

JUMP TO REVIEW

Brick Fanatics

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"Yoda's facial design doesn't quite work at this scale"

Key Pros

✓Surprisingly interesting construction approach
✓Clever robe construction with fabric-like movement impression
✓Excellent head articulation with adjustable ears, eyebrows and positioning

Key Cons

✕Facial design doesn't quite work at this scale
✕Color palette relies too heavily on light tan, appearing visually flat

JUMP TO REVIEW

Brickset Reviews

Editorial Source

SKIP

Key Pros

✓Robes are nicely sculpted
✓Sleeves with draping effect attached via hinges and ball joints
✓Hair on the back of the head is excellent

Key Cons

✕Yoda's angular eye sockets severely detract from otherwise good model
✕Rectangular sockets around Yoda's eyes look completely unnatural

READ FULL REVIEW

JANGBRiCKS

Expert Video Source

SKIP

Key Pros

✓Cheaper than Vader at $40
✓Includes minifigure with printed details
✓Includes lightsaber accessory

Key Cons

✕Poor facial design that does not resemble Yoda
✕Excessive shadow and depth in eye sockets

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Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (0)Wait for sale (1)

Exclusivity

The Brothers Brick: Star Wars theme exclusive

MandRproductions: Part of the new 2026 LEGO Star Wars bust collection; standard retail release with no stated exclusivity.

Resale

MandRproductions: Uncertain, though as an early bust release in a potentially growing subline, it could see some aftermarket appreciation if the bust line becomes successful. However, the controversial eye design may limit demand.

Brick Fanatics: Uncertain; depends on whether the Bust Collection becomes a fully-fledged sub-theme.

Minifigures & Standout Parts

In this set (1)

Yoda - Olive Green, Open Robe with Small Creases

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Mushroom bar
An entirely new element introduced in this set. Used for Yoda's eyes; the set includes 3 of them. About ⅔ the length of the 2L bar with usable bar length of approximately 1L. Has a small pin hole on the end and sits flush to the stud when fitted into a snot brick.
Tan smooth slopes
Wide assortment of smooth slopes in tan described as most useful for creating organic shapes like faces in MOC builds.
printed display plaque
Nicely printed display plaque styled uniquely to match the Starship Collection rather than existing bust or helmet collection styles.
translucent green lightsaber blade with white running through middle
Accurately represents Yoda's lightsaber with proper glow effect and improved structural integrity compared to a plain blade.
Yoda lightsaber hilt
Fairly accurate to Yoda's actual lightsaber hilt even at tiny scale.
round cap piece for lightsaber blade
Better represents the shape of a lightsaber blade.

What Owners Say

The Yoda Bust is a fun, quick build that most owners enjoy and display happily, but a consistent camp of reviewers finds the facial likeness, especially the eyes and mouth, noticeably off, leaving it a solid but polarizing Star Wars collectible.

COMMON PRAISE

+Fun, approachable build with interesting construction techniques that works well for Star Wars fans of all ages
+Finished bust looks better in person than in product photos, according to multiple owners
+Movable ears and lightsaber add a small interactive element, and the included mini Yoda figure is a welcome bonus
+Compact and easy to display; not too heavy and well-proportioned on a shelf

COMMON COMPLAINTS

−Yoda's eyes are widely criticized as inaccurate (wrong color, poorly placed) and detract from the likeness for many buyers
−The overall facial construction including the mouth is seen by several owners as a poor representation of the character
−Build is not very sturdy; sub-sections feel loose when assembled and the bust does not handle much handling well

Star Wars display bustface likeness debatequick accessible buildbetter in personeye accuracy complaints

Buyer Ratings

LEGO.com4.6

20 reviews

71%

14%