Review: LEGO Star Wars Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure

LEGO Star Wars Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure 75461 New Release Review Brick Banter - 2026 June

No! I am your Up-Scaled Minifigure Father!

Over the last couple of years, LEGO has given us a variety of Up-Scaled Minifigures – Spaceman, Race car driver, Generic Man. But it was an inevitability of time that this would begin to branch. This is none more true than the set of today – the upscaled LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader. I have one of these older models, so how does the new licenced model hold up? Read on!

Darth Vader Head

Holy complexities Batman! Straight away, one of the biggest differences with this model compared to previous ones is the head. Vader’s face no longer comprises of a simple SNOT core like the other models – there are parts going in various directions here. Not only is the slope works with his face complex comparatively, but the designers underwent a lot of work attempting to make the dome shape ‘shell’ around the back of his head.

Vader also sports a new element/sticker combo for his eyes, which initial looks didn’t see too favourably. I attempted to build Vader without the prints initially, and added them later. The reality is that without the stickered elements, you can barely discern where his eyes should be. The flat matte colour blends in too much at a distance and the shaping isn’t super clear. I think the stickered option is better, but I still think it looks slightly cartoony.

Torso/Legs

What I was surprised to find with this model is there are slight design changes to previous models. The older models don’t have the same stickered panels and added depth that this model has, but there’s a little more to it. The legs have been designed slightly to use a different joint connection – one that can hold up a bit more weight. Following this, the older models have the torso and legs easily detach from each other, but here they don’t. Or at least, they are incredibly hard to do so without risking breaking the model.

From a visual standpoint, these are similar to models of old – same proportions, just redesigned for the character.

He also has a large fabric cloth in this set too, which the design allows for a slight gap around the neck to accommodate. This is surely a factor in its pricing.

Lightsaber

The Lightsaber was a part of this model that I was really curious about. There is a large technic beam that runs throughout the beam of the weapon, but I was also curious about how the Lightsaber would detach. I knew there was a technic beam running through the middle from initial pictures – but I couldn’t discern how it could be taken off. The older models had a simple 2-stud connection point, and surely this weighed a lot more. Furthermore, it needs technic to run through the hilt – so how would it hold on?

Well, I got my answer as to how it was removed – It doesn’t. The Lightsaber is a permanent attachment to the model. He can’t put it down.

I was surprised by this, but hey, it is what it is.

Verdict

The overall experience of building Vader, in my opinion, was a good one. I have built previous versions of these sets and was quite surprised to see it developed in a new way. I have also found myself making custom ones of various people, so there is a lot design compromises I can understand here.

The head of Vader is both the most complex and the weaker part of this set. I can applaud the designers for making the model recognisable as Vader, but looking at a LEGO Vader, it doesn’t quite match. Is it an ‘Up-scaled Minifigure’ version of Vader? Or is it ‘Up-Scale Minifigure Vader’?

There is a lot of new things here, plus licencing, that make the price, to me, make sense. Big Fabric cape, more accessories and detail. Though I do wish the stickers were prints for that price. Not the end of the world there.

The least LEGO could have done here is add the Vader minifigure as bonus. But then again, you’d see some inconsistency.