All LEGO Mindstorms sets
Subthemes
RCX 11NXT 3Star Wars 2EV3 1
The LEGO Mindstorms theme brings together 19 sets released between 1998 and 2020, all devoted to programmable robotics. It runs from the RCX kits to 51515 Robot Inventor, with 459 pieces per set on average, the RCX, NXT, Star Wars and EV3 subthemes, and 1999 as the busiest year with 5 sets.
Programmable robotics kits between 1998 and 2020
The LEGO Mindstorms theme includes 19 sets released between 1998 and 2020. It combines robot building with programming, using bricks, motors and sensors controlled by a programmable brick.
Releases are heavily concentrated at the start: 3 sets in 1998, 5 in 1999 and 3 in 2000, which makes 1999 the busiest year. Then come 2 sets in 2001, followed by 1 set in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013, before a return of 2 sets in 2020.
RCX, NXT, EV3 and Star Wars: the subthemes
RCX is the largest subtheme with 11 sets. It contains the first kits of the theme, such as 9719 Robotics Invention System, Version 1.0 (737 pieces) in 1998, followed by 9747 Robotics Invention System, Version 1.5 (731 pieces) in 1999. NXT has 3 sets, including 8527 Mindstorms NXT in 2006 and 8547 Mindstorms NXT 2.0 in 2009.
Star Wars brings together 2 sets and places robotics in the universe of the saga. EV3 is represented by only 1 set, 31313 Mindstorms EV3, released in 2013 with 601 pieces.
An average size of 459 pieces and a palette dominated by black
A set in the theme has 459 pieces on average, compared with 389 for the whole catalogue. The largest is 51515 Robot Inventor (2020, 949 pieces), ahead of 9695 Mindstorms Education Resource Set (2010, 819 pieces). At the other end, 3801 Ultimate Accessories (2000) has only 45, and 3803 Robotics Invention System Upgrade Kit (1.5) (1999) just 70.
As for colours, Black makes up 35% of the pieces, followed by Light Gray with 20%, Light Bluish Gray with 9%, Blue with 8% and White with 7%. This dominance of Black and gray gives the robots a technical look.
Mindstorms in figures
| Number of sets | 19 |
|---|---|
| Release years | 1998-2020 |
| Peak year | 1999 (5 sets) |
| Total pieces | 8,724 |
| Average pieces per set | 459 |
| Catalog-wide average | 389 |
| Largest set | 51515 Robot Inventor (949 pieces) |
| Smallest set | 3801 Ultimate Accessories (45 pieces) |
| Newest set | 40413 Mini Robots (2020) |
| Subthemes | 4 |
Mindstorms sets year by year
Dominant colors
Color breakdown of the pieces across all Mindstorms sets, minifigures included.
| Color | Pieces | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 3,062 | 35% | |
| Light Gray | 1,735 | 20% | |
| Light Bluish Gray | 816 | 9.4% | |
| Blue | 733 | 8.4% | |
| White | 576 | 6.6% | |
| Dark Bluish Gray | 382 | 4.4% | |
| Red | 245 | 2.8% | |
| Yellow | 243 | 2.8% |
202020132010200920062001200019991998
2020 2 sets
2013 1 set
2010 1 set
2009 1 set
2006 1 set
2001 2 sets
3800 Ultimate Builders Set2001 · 322 pieces
3804 Robotics Invention System, Version 2.02001 · 720 pieces
2000 3 sets
3801 Ultimate Accessories2000 · 45 pieces![LEGO set 9731 Vision Command [RCX Digital Colour Camera]](https://setobrick.com/files/set-9731.jpg)
9731 Vision Command [RCX Digital Colour Camera]2000 · 140 pieces
9754 Dark Side Developer Kit2000 · 578 pieces
1999 5 sets
- 3803 Robotics Invention System Upgrade Kit (1.5)1999 · 70 pieces
9735 Robotics Discovery Set1999 · 390 pieces
9736 Exploration Mars1999 · 158 pieces
9747 Robotics Invention System, Version 1.51999 · 731 pieces
9748 Droid Developer Kit1999 · 658 pieces
1998 3 sets
Frequently asked questions
How has the Mindstorms theme evolved over the years?
It starts in 1998 with the RCX kits, including 9719 Robotics Invention System, Version 1.0. The NXT generation arrives in 2006 and 2009, then EV3 in 2013, and the theme continues in 2020 with 51515 Robot Inventor and 40413 Mini Robots.
What are the Mindstorms subthemes?
There is RCX with 11 sets, NXT with 3 sets, Star Wars with 2 sets and EV3 with 1 set. RCX is therefore the subtheme with the most sets.
Which colours dominate in Mindstorms sets?
Black dominates with 35% of the pieces, ahead of Light Gray (20%), Light Bluish Gray (9%), Blue (8%), White (7%) and Dark Bluish Gray (4%).
What sets Mindstorms apart from other LEGO themes?
The sets are used to build robots that you then program, with a programmable brick, motors and sensors. They also contain more pieces: 459 on average, compared with 389 for the whole catalogue.
What is the largest LEGO Mindstorms set?
It is 51515 Robot Inventor (2020): 949 pieces.
Which year has the most Mindstorms sets?
In 1999: 5 sets, more than any other year.