Coming in at the last minute but here's my Lego top ten of the year list
Classic Batman TV Series Batcave
I will defend this set to the death. Yes it has faults but its pros outweigh the cons. Despite the price point it really is a great value with a great assortment of unique and exclusive figs and alot of useful parts including unique beams and many large plates. To appreciate this set you probably have to be a Batman fan so with a couple caveats its not higher on my list but it is on my top ten list.
Creator Fun in the Park
From a build standpoint there is nothing unique in this set but whats unique is this being a true figure pack and something Lego needs to do more of in the future. It should be supported by all to send them a clear message.
Creator Park Animals
This is an old set that many have probably already forgotten but damn was this a fun build and just adorable for display. I wanted to cheat and put the new Dinosaur set here but Park Animals needs the love and a reminder to get it before its gone.
Star Wars AT-ST
Great Star Wars sets that even though its under Rogue One theme this is for the OT fans as well. Nice assortment of figs and just one of those classic Star Wars vehicles you need on a shelf.
Lego Dimensions Sonic Level pack
Okay, so here is where we start to go off the rails a bit. I think this is fair game for a Lego list. The msrp price makes it initial value not including the game portion way off sure but with the amount of sales on these things its no problem getting this for under $20 at some point. I have gushed over the game portion of this set earlier last month but the fig and the mini builds in this set are just outstanding. Even if you aren't a Sonic fan the fig is just a classic character to have and is adorable. The builds, especially the bi-plane is just awesome in this set given the constraints they have to work with. They aren't just game pieces but actualy cool builds that are totally swooshable. Just for the record I was torn between putting this and the Adventure Time level pack here which is also a great set for slightly different reasons so pick your poison.
Batman Gotham Cycle Chase
This was one of those great super hero $20 sets. You can rarely go wrong with Lego's $20 super hero sets and this is a prime example. Both bike builds in this set are slick as hell and look good on display. They are sturdy enough for kids to play with and yet are slick enough to fit into any super hero display or even your modular or City streets. The figs are top notch with Batman being the only ho-hum get. Harley is available in other sets BUT all of them are pricier or OOP sets and the great thing about these Harley figs they are all unique variants. You also get a slick as hell Deadshot fig so this is the hinted at but not official Suicide Squad set.
Star Wars Darth Vader Tie Advanced vs. A-Wing
Ok so I know this set wasn't very popular and there was grumblings about the price but hear me out on this one. If you don't have the Death Star or plan on getting it you get a couple great figs in the newly designed Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin. You also get Sabine which if you are a fan of Rebels (and why aren't you?) she is always nice to get. What made this set really nice to me though was the thought and polish put into both of these builds. I have had complaints about vehicle builds in the past and have put together some really sloppy rush jobs (hello Batwing from Joker Steamroller) but these two builds got extra love and addressed many of my complaints. They are slick looking and feel complete from top to bottom. They hide their play features in some excellent and unique ways that make you go "YES, why haven't you been doing this from the start?" The only con I can even come up with this set is that after these builds i'm afraid i'm going to disappointed in many future builds.
Spider-Man Bridge Battle
This is the Super Hero set I keep asking for but we get more garishly colored Hulk vehicles instead. This was my YESSS!! moment from NY Toyfair reveal. Every damn thing I want from a Spider-Man set barring a true big Daily Bugle set. Just unbelievable selection of figs, good guys and bad. A playset that is fun for kids yet looks really awesome on display and makes adults what to play with it even. Great price point and an easy option to buy two and make it even grander in scale. i have nothing bad at all to say about this set, except for maybe where is my Spider Gwen Lego?
Ninjago Jay's Elemental Dragon
This is another slot I went back and forth between two sets to slide in here. I make no attempts to hide my love for the Ninjago dragon sets and we had two this year with Jay's Elemental Dragon and Lloyd's Green NRG Dragon. I decided to focus on Jay's Dragon because it is at a very nice price point of $30, its a traditional Lego buld from top to bottom to wing tip and the secondary villain build is small enough to steal pieces from the main build yet kind of neat and worthwhile to have for fun. Oh yea, it also comes with a monkey fig.
The finished Dragon build is enormous very articulate and just great to display. The figs are a great selection and the paint job on the Jay fig is really sharp and eyecatching. You absolutely cannot go wrong with these Ninjago Dragon sets.
Geoffrey's Creepy Day at the Playground
Ha, just kidding. Though this set will live on in all our minds...forever!
Disney Castle
I literally do not have to say anything about this set. You know damn well this is the number one set this year.