ARC-170 Starfighter

Name: LEGO ARC-170 Starfighter 8088
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 8088
Rating: 4.58 (298 reviews)

81 · HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: A2009396 pcsHigh agreement · 99%

Expert reviews

2analyzed

Owner ratings

298

BrickScore

Highly Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A well-executed remake that corrects the structural weaknesses of the 2005 original and delivers exclusive, sought-after minifigures; its BrickScore of 81.1 reflects strong reviewer consensus, and 94% of 298 owners recommend it despite the premium price per piece."

The 2009 ARC-170 Starfighter (8088) earned a strong BrickScore of 81.1 and a Highly Recommended tier, recognized by reviewers as a meaningful upgrade over its 2005 predecessor. Builders praised the minifigure roster, improved structural stability, and impressive wingspan, while some noted the relatively steep price per piece for a 396-part set. Owner sentiment backs the critics: 298 LEGO.com ratings average 4.58 out of 5, with 94% saying they would recommend it.

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LOVED (8)

01Kit Fisto minifigure, exclusive to this set at the time (only second appearance in LEGO form)
02New detailed clone pilots with orange visors, considered a significant upgrade over the 2005 versions
03R4-P44 green astromech droid, unique to this set
04Large, impressive wingspan and ship scale relative to minifigures
05Three opening cockpits (improved from the 2005 model's two)
06Clever dual-function S-foil/flick-fire missile mechanism operated by the rear knob
07Improved nose design and smoother, more movie-accurate appearance
08More stable wing assembly compared to the first version

CRITICIZED (7)

01Price considered high for 396 pieces (approximately $0.15 per piece at original MSRP)
02Wing articulation mechanism is unintuitive and confuses many builders at first
03Wings and cockpit canopies can detach during play
04Back cannon is loose and prone to spinning
05No storage or holster for Kit Fisto's lightsaber or clone weapons
06Stickers required (though noted as less objectionable than some sets)
07Orange visor printed on clone pilot faces remains visible when helmet is removed

What reviewers are saying

"Only the second of two minifig scale versions of this New Republic and Clone Wars era icon that LEGO ever made."

JANG's LEGO Reviews

"I think it's just so clean looking overall but they just made most things better for 2010"

MandRproductions

Ecosystem

ARC-170 Starfighter 2005 version — This 2010 version appears to be a good improvement over the previous version, though he reserves full judgment pending a side-by-side comparison video.

7259 (2005 ARC-170) — 2010 improves on nearly everything. 'They took everything that the iPhone 5 did poorly and they made it better like just consistent Improvement across the board.' Only weakness is the lack of printed parts.

75402 (2025 ARC-170) — 2010 remains superior in design and accuracy. Comparable value to 2025 but offers larger size and better proportions. 2010 is 'the iPhone 5s' that did things right.

Star WarsTier 3Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 2

Avg score

JANG's LEGO Reviews

Expert Video Source

"Only the second of two minifig scale versions of this New Republic and Clone Wars era icon that LEGO ever made."

Key Pros

✓Smooth, modern appearance
✓Went together well
✓Durable construction despite thin wings

Key Cons

✕Once S-foils are in attack position, doesn't pose well on ground (requires stand)
✕Flick-fire missiles cannot travel far due to nose obstruction, limiting straight flight

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MandRproductions

Expert Video Source

"I think it's just so clean looking overall but they just made most things better for 2010"

Key Pros

✓Cleanest design overall; most visually cohesive
✓Beautifully accurate cannons that are large and proportional
✓Stronger construction than 2005

Key Cons

✕S-foils opening via gears is slow (takes several seconds)
✕Rubber bands holding panels can wear over time and need replacement

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Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

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Value drivers

JANG's LEGO Reviews: Ki-Adi-Mundi (limited appearances in sets; only in three regular sets total, and only two with this specific configuration without cloak)

MandRproductions: Kit Fisto

Minifigures & Standout Parts

In this set (4)

Kit Fisto

$37

Clone Trooper Pilot (Phase 2) - Sand Blue Arms and Legs, Frown

$12

Clone Trooper Pilot Captain Jag (Phase 2) - Sand Blue Arms and Legs

$11

Astromech Droid, R4-P44 - 2 Black Rectangles on Front

$11

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Worm gear system
Central mechanism for S-foil action that is heavily geared down, requiring multiple turns for full extension/retraction
Cam system
Used in conjunction with worm gear for S-foil mechanism; can continue rotating without a stopper
Engine stickers
Applied directly to engine area pieces; enhance detail despite having to leave center open for mechanism
Minifigure ice skating piece used for engine rod detail
Accurate representation of the small rod in engines; more accurate than 2005.
Sticker detail on windshield
Introduced stickers for cockpit accuracy starting in 2010.
Sticker on side panel showing interior detail
Workaround for the translucent panel from 2005; shows minifigure hand inside.

What Owners Say · summarized from 295 written reviews (LEGO, Amazon, Walmart)

Owners love the minifigures (especially Kit Fisto), impressive size, and exclusive figures, but struggle with structural problems like weak wings, wing alignment issues, and high cost relative to piece count.

COMMON PRAISE

+Rare and exclusive minifigures (Kit Fisto, clone pilots, astromech droid)
+Impressive size and wingspan
+Playable features (opening cockpits, flick-fire missiles, transforming S-foil wings)
+Strong building experience and fun assembly

COMMON COMPLAINTS