You know what? We have been waiting for this for a very long time. It feels like fans have been begging for a proper Zelda LEGO set for decades. We watched Star Wars get all the love. We watched Harry Potter get massive castles. We even watched Mario get his own interactive sets.

But Zelda fans were left waiting in the dark. We just wanted something cool to put on the shelf. Something that captured the magic of wandering around Hyrule as a kid. And finally, the wait is over.

LEGO and Nintendo have teamed up to release The Great Deku Tree. It is a massive, premium set aimed right at adult fans. It is not a cheap little toy for the kids to smash together. This is a serious display piece for your home office or the pool room.

I recently got my hands on it. I spent a whole weekend building it. And honestly, it is a brilliant experience. But it also comes with a pretty heavy price tag here in Australia. So, you probably want to know if it is actually worth your hard-earned cash.

Here is exactly how the build works, what you get in the massive box, and what you need to know before you hand over your credit card.

The Two In One Choice

This is the most interesting part of the whole set. It is a 2-in-1 build. You do not just build one tree and call it a day. You actually have a massive choice to make before you even open the first bag of bricks.

You can build the Great Deku Tree from Ocarina of Time. Or, you can build the Great Deku Tree from Breath of the Wild. You cannot build both at the same time. You have to pick one.

This is a clever move from LEGO. It hits two different generations of gamers. You have the older crowd who grew up with the Nintendo 64. Then you have the newer fans who spent hundreds of hours exploring the Switch game.

But it also means you will have a pile of leftover pieces sitting in the box. If you build the classic tree, you will not use the bright pink cherry blossom leaves. If you build the modern tree, you miss out on the classic green foliage.

What Is In The Box

When you buy a premium set like this, the unboxing is half the fun. The box itself is huge and heavy. It feels like you are getting something substantial.

Here is a quick look at what you will find when you cut the tape and open it up.

• Over 2500 individual pieces sorted into numbered paper bags.
• Two massive, thick instruction manuals with beautiful artwork.
• Four exclusive minifigures including different versions of Link and Zelda.
• Several unique molded pieces for the weapons and shields.
• A brick separator tool to save your fingernails from breaking.

It is nice to see LEGO moving to paper bags instead of plastic. It is much better for the environment. And tearing open a paper bag just feels a bit more satisfying.

Building The Ocarina Of Time Tree

Let us look at the classic option first. For many Aussies, Ocarina of Time was the first proper 3D game they ever played. I remember sitting on the floor after school, trying to figure out the water temple.

This build captures that nostalgia perfectly. The face of the Deku Tree is exactly how you remember it. It looks old, wise, and slightly grumpy. The green leaves feel traditional and grounded.

The details here are fantastic. You build a little version of Link’s house. You put together a small Skulltula enemy. You even get the Kokiri Emerald. It is full of memories.

The facial features on the tree are movable too. You can pose the eyebrows and the mouth. It gives the whole thing a bit of character on the shelf.

Building The Breath Of The Wild Tree

If you choose the modern route, the build completely changes. The Breath of the Wild tree is bright, colourful, and packed with pink cherry blossoms. It instantly catches the eye.

This version focuses on different details. You get the Master Sword resting in its stone pedestal. You get Hestu the giant Korok with his maracas. You even build a few small Koroks to hide around the branches.

The pink and white leaves make this version pop. If you want a display piece that brightens up a room, this is the one to pick. It feels alive and vibrant.

It is amazing how the same base trunk can look so different just by changing the face and the leaves. The designers did a brilliant job making both options feel complete.

Comparing The Two Options

It can be tough to decide which one to build first. Most people will build one, leave it for a few months, and then swap it over.

Here is a quick breakdown of the differences to help you decide.

Feature	Ocarina Of Time Build	Breath Of The Wild Build
Main Colours	Earthy browns and classic dark greens.	Bright pinks, whites, and light greens.
Key Location Included	Link’s small treehouse.	The Master Sword pedestal.
Face Details	Moveable eyebrows and opening mouth.	Static face covered in green moss.
Vibe	Nostalgic, classic, and slightly moody.	Vibrant, modern, and very colourful.

There is no wrong choice here. Both options look great. It just comes down to which game you spent more time playing.

The Minifigures Are Brilliant

For a lot of collectors, the minifigures are the main reason to buy a set. And LEGO did not hold back here. You get four figures, and they are completely exclusive to this box.

You get young Link from Ocarina of Time. He has his green tunic and a little fairy piece representing Navi. You also get adult Link from the same game, complete with the Hylian Shield.

Then you get the modern characters. Breath of the Wild Link is wearing his blue Champion’s Tunic. Princess Zelda is here too, wearing her practical exploring outfit.

The printing on these figures is top quality. The details on Link’s legs and arms are sharp. But the best part is the accessories. The Master Sword and the shields are brand new plastic molds. They look perfect.

The Cost Down Under

Now we have to talk about the price. Buying LEGO in Australia is never cheap. We always seem to pay a premium. And this set is no exception.

The Zelda LEGO set retails for around $450 AUD. That is a massive chunk of money. It is the cost of a car service or a week of groceries for a family. It is definitely an investment.

You have to ask yourself if it is worth it. It usually comes down to the piece count and the licensing. Nintendo licenses are expensive. And with over 2500 pieces, it is a very big set.

Here is how the value roughly breaks down for an Aussie buyer.

Aspect	Value Assessment
Price per piece	Decent. It works out to roughly 18 cents per brick.
Build time	High. It will easily take 8 to 10 hours to complete.
Display value	Excellent. It looks like a premium art piece on a shelf.
Replay value	Good. The 2-in-1 feature means you can rebuild it later.

If you are a massive fan of the games, you will probably justify the cost. But if you are just a casual fan, it might be a bit too steep. It is definitely something to save up for.

The Lack Of Stickers

Here is a small detail that adult builders will absolutely love. There are almost no stickers in this set.

Nothing ruins a relaxing building session quite like trying to perfectly align a tiny sticker on a tiny plastic brick. It is stressful. Your hands shake. It goes on crooked, and it annoys you forever.

Thankfully, almost all the detailed pieces in this set are printed directly onto the plastic. The Sheikah Slate, the wooden signs, the shields. They are all printed pieces. This is exactly what you expect when you pay premium prices.

Where Do You Put It?

Before you buy this set, you need a plan. It is tall. It is wide. It takes up a lot of real estate. You cannot just shove it on a crowded bookshelf.

You need a dedicated space. It deserves to be seen. It is a conversation starter when mates come over for a beer.

Here are a few good spots to display a set like this.

• On a dedicated floating shelf in your home office or study.
• Right next to your television or gaming console setup.
• In a glass display cabinet to keep the dust off the leaves.

Just make sure you keep it out of direct sunlight. The Aussie sun is brutal. If it sits in a sunny window, the plastic will start to yellow and fade over time. Keep it somewhere shaded.

The Building Experience

Building a set this big is a marathon, not a sprint. You do not want to rush it. The whole point is to relax and enjoy the process.

It is the perfect weekend project. Wait for a rainy Saturday. Make a hot coffee. Put the original game soundtrack on the speakers. And just zone out for a few hours.

The instructions are very clear. The manual actually gives you little bits of trivia about the games as you build. It explains what certain Easter eggs mean. It shows that the designers were actual fans of the series.

The base of the tree is quite repetitive. You are just stacking brown and black bricks to make a sturdy trunk. But once you start adding the details and the branches, it gets really fun.

The Problem With Two In One Sets

I have to mention the one annoying part of this set. The 2-in-1 concept sounds great on paper. But in reality, tearing down a LEGO set is tedious.

Let us say you build the Ocarina of Time version. It sits on your shelf for a year. Then you decide you want to swap to the pink cherry blossoms. You cannot just swap the leaves.

You have to pull the entire face and top half of the tree apart. You have to sort all the loose pieces. Your thumbs will hurt. It is hard yakka. A lot of people will build one version and simply never bother changing it.

It is a nice option to have, but it requires a lot of effort to switch between them.

Hidden Secrets And Easter Eggs

The best LEGO sets reward you for paying attention. The designers love hiding things inside the build that you can only see while you are putting it together.

This set is full of them. There are little Gossip Stones hidden near the roots. There is a fairy bottle tucked away. There are secret compartments that hold classic weapons.

Even the way the internal structure is built uses colours from the game. You might use a purple and gold brick inside the trunk where no one will ever see it. It is just a little nod to the fans from the designers.

Why Did Nintendo Wait This Long?

It is strange that it took this long to get a Zelda set. Nintendo is famously protective of their properties. They do not just hand their characters out to anyone.

They tested the waters with the Mario sets first. Those were aimed mainly at kids. Then they did the big NES console build for adults. That was a massive success.

It seems like they wanted to make sure they got the adult market right before touching Zelda. Zelda fans are passionate. If they released a bad set, the backlash would be huge. They took their time, and it paid off.

What Other Sets Do We Want?

Now that the door is open, the possibilities are endless. If this set sells well, we will definitely see more Zelda LEGO in the future. The fan base is just too big to ignore.

There are so many iconic locations in Hyrule. The designers have a massive catalog to choose from.

Here are a few dream sets that fans are already asking for.

• A massive, detailed Hyrule Castle with a working drawbridge.
• The Temple of Time with the three spiritual stones.
• A buildable King of Red Lions boat from The Wind Waker.

If they release a giant Hyrule Castle, my wallet is going to be in serious trouble.

A Great Gift For Gamers

If you have a partner or a mate who loves video games, buying gifts for them is hard. They usually just buy the games they want on release day.

This set is the ultimate gift. It is unexpected. It is not a digital download. It is a physical, tactile thing they can build with their hands. It gets them away from the screen for a few days.

It is definitely a premium gift for a big milestone. A 30th birthday, or a major anniversary. If someone hands you a box this big wrapped in paper, you know it is going to be a good day.

Dealing With The Dust

Let us talk about the reality of displaying LEGO. It collects dust. Fast. And a tree made of hundreds of tiny plastic leaves is a dust magnet.

You cannot just wipe it with a cloth. The pieces will snap off and get lost in the carpet. You need a strategy to keep it clean.

The best tool is a clean, soft makeup brush. You just lightly dust the leaves every few weeks. You can also use a can of compressed air, but be careful not to blast the little Koroks off the branches. Maintenance is part of the hobby.

Building With A Partner

Even though it is an adult set, you do not have to build it alone. In fact, building a big set with a partner is a great way to spend an evening.

Because there are two distinct parts to the build, the trunk and the accessories, you can easily share the work. One person builds the main structure, while the other builds Link’s house and sorts the leaves.

It is a nice, quiet activity. You can chat, listen to a podcast, and just work together. It beats watching mindless television on a Friday night.

Final Thoughts On The Build

When you place that final leaf on the branch and step back, the feeling is incredibly satisfying. It is a beautiful object. The colours are rich, the details are sharp, and it feels sturdy.

Yes, the price is high. Yes, finding room for it is annoying. But the final result is undeniable. It is a love letter to one of the greatest video game franchises of all time.

If you have the budget for it, and you have fond memories of exploring Hyrule, this is a purchase you will not regret. It looks brilliant sitting on the desk.

FAQ

How many pieces are in the set?

The set contains exactly 2,500 pieces. This includes all the bricks needed for both the Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild versions.

Can you build both trees at the same time?

No, you cannot. They share the same core trunk pieces. You have to choose one design to build, and you will have leftover pieces in the box.

How long does it take to build?

For an average adult builder, it will take roughly 8 to 10 hours from start to finish. It is a solid weekend project.

Do you get physical instructions in the box?

Yes, it comes with two large, thick paper instruction manuals. You can also use the digital LEGO Builder app if you prefer using a tablet.

Does it come with the Master Sword?

Yes, it includes a brand new molded Master Sword piece. It has its own stone pedestal in the Breath of the Wild build.

Are there any stickers in the set?

There are very few stickers. Almost all of the detailed designs, like the Sheikah Slate and the shields, are printed directly onto the plastic bricks.

Is it suitable for young kids?

It is rated 18+ by LEGO. It is a complex build with many tiny pieces. While kids can help, it is designed primarily for adult collectors.

Wrapping It Up

The Zelda LEGO set is a triumph. It takes everything we love about the games and translates it perfectly into physical bricks. The 2-in-1 feature is a great way to honor the history of the series, even if taking it apart is a bit of a chore. The minifigures are flawless, and the lack of stickers is a massive win.

The price tag is certainly a hurdle for Aussie buyers. It is a luxury item. But if you are a dedicated fan looking for the ultimate piece of gaming memorabilia to put in your home, this is it. It is a fantastic build, a stunning display piece, and a perfect trip down memory lane. Grab a coffee, clear the dining table, and get ready to build your own little piece of Hyrule.