The world has been consumed with the Lego Minifigure since 1978, and there is no denying that the popularity of these Minifigures continues to soar to new heights. Instead of looking at all the newer Minifigures that have been on our wish lists for the last few years, I wanted to take the time to share with you all my top 10 Lego Minifigures from yesteryear! It was difficult to come up with 10 Minifigures, as I have had a long love affair with these cute little brick-heads, but there’s always a top 20 for next time, right?

10. Black Falcon Minifigure 1987

I grew up in a special time when fantasy and castle elements were quite common in the toy aisle. Being a girl was slightly difficult though because there wasn’t that much fantasy/castle type toys available in the pink aisle. However, thanks to the joys of Lego I was able to have my own castle to build in any way I saw fit. I was obsessed with castles, and this Black Falcon Minifigure forever reminds me of my first castle. I was enthralled by all the possibilities for my imagination. The helmet was cool looking and though I was slightly put off that there wasn’t a princess or female warrior minifigure at the time, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the excitement of these minifigures interacting in their own special setting. (Besides, with a quick wig change, the castle minifigures could easily become warrior women in a heartbeat.)

9. Forestman Minifigure 1990

I wasn’t what you would call a hardcore Lego collector, but there was something magical about building your own world to play in. Every time there was a new set or new minifigure, I instantly felt transported to a new place that I just had to visit. The Forestman series was like a Robin Hood-like sub theme of the Lego Castle series. I thought they were so cute. All that green! Also, the v-neck on this particular Forestman is enough to make this minifigure more gender neutral. (It wasn’t always some sausage block fest in my world of make believe.)

8. Shell Gas Attendant Townsperson Minifigure 1986

One of the first larger sets I ever got was the Legoland Service Station 6378 and it was awesome for two reasons. One, it came with a female minifigure which I feel like were more rare back then. The second cool thing about this item was that she had some product placement going on, and it is this product placement that has made Lego such a unique toy brand. I recall thinking it was so cool to own a service station that had a logo that I was able to see in real life. As awesome as it is to play in a fantasy world, sometimes it is also fun to play make believe in a world that is all too familiar.

7. Spaceman Minifigure 1979

Ok, so here’s the thing. I loved castle/fantasy themes and I also loved the town themes from Lego because I loved building wonderful large mansions and other things. The Lego space themes were always a bit different though. I was unsure what to think about the space sets. They just seemed like they were for cooler more edgy kids. Could I be an edgy Lego space themed kid? Apparently I could, because I found myself addicted to the different types of pieces used in the space set. The original space themed sets had some cool spacemen or spacewomen. The primary colors and the space symbol on the chest piece have just always been so iconic.

I also liked the little packs on the back. I’ve never been to space, so I don’t really know what it is like, but with Lego, I sure felt like I was able to visit all kinds of faraway worlds and galaxies.

6. Blacktron Future Generation Minifigure 1991

The space odyssey changed in the 90’s for Lego as the space theme got down with the makeover! Blacktron Future Generation was actually a sequel from the Lego Blacktron characters of the 80’s. Blacktron minifigures were thieves trying to rip off the other space faction M:Tron. I loved Blacktron for the cool symbol on the chest and the neon green visors over the helmets! Neon colored plastic is amazing.

The visors flipped up to reveal that simple Lego face. This minifigure really shows off just how inventive the Lego space system sets would end up becoming.

5. Townsperson Minifigure 198?

This was one of my favorite minifigures as a kid. She actually came with a brunette wig, but I ended up placing a red hair piece on her instead, and it has always been one of my favorites. I have always loved this red wig. It is just so red! The necklaces were also a nice touch, as if to say that this was a classy minifigure. Even though there are various minifigures that could be either gender, it was nice to have a minifigure that was specifically meant to be one of the girls.

4. Captain Redbeard 1989

Part of my Lego obsession was fueled by my cousin Joe. He was a few years older than me and was a Lego Maniac. As a result I ended up finding Lego cool well past the time I should have gotten over them. In the beginning of my Lego collecting there were the big three: Legoland Town, Space, and Castle systems. Then something happened in 1989. The Pirate themed systems were released. And though I had no real desire to own pirate toys, even I knew that this new theme was the bee’s knees.

Captain Redbeard was simply everything. From the peg leg to the hook hand, all the way to the beard, this minifigure broke all the rules and showed me that there were all kinds of ways to look at Lego.

3. Maiden Minifigure 1990

Released in a castle set, this Maiden minifigure was actually the reason I wanted the set for Christmas. This was an essential minifigure for me, because it marked yet another change in how the Lego minifigures were going to look. She had a defined body and lips! Not to mention a princess hat! She also had a brick piece for a dress. It all felt so new and cool.

She was actually an upgrade from an earlier version of the Maiden minifigure from a castle set from 1989. I love the subtle upgrades to the face. I know that bigger lips were not necessarily warranted on a minifigure, but I thought it was very cool.

2. Ghost Minifigure 1990?

I’m not sure if the ghost minifigure came out before 1990 or not, but I know life has never been the same since. I can remember that exact feeling I had when I first saw the ghost minifigure. The world was never going to be the same! The ghost glowed in the dark! That should be all there is, but there’s more. The design of this minifigure is pure perfection and added such a thrill to collecting Lego. Like with most minifigures, I couldn’t help but wonder what Lego would come up with next.

1. Paradisa 1992

Now here’s the thing, I realize this list is totally subjective, but for me my favorite minifigure is from the Paradisa system, a sub theme from the Town sets. I realize that Lego sets in general can be for boys and girls, and I was always fine with the adventurous aspects of the regular sets. However, there was something really nice about a set of Lego systems that had a girly touch to it. Look, I can totally get down with castles and space, but I am also a girly girl so pink bricks and minifigures with eye lashes were certainly something I wanted to quickly collect.

A fun bathing suit is always needed for the town sets and the accessories with this Lego series was just fun.

Of course, to add to all this was the male minifigure to the series. He has a Speedo on! (I am assuming the little strip of his bathing suit is meant to be a Speedo.) I just loved everything about the Paradisa line, and I still do. It reminds me of going on vacation, both in the real sense and in the sense that I was certainly taking a break from the more traditional looking Lego sets.

That’s about it for this look at some Lego Minifigure goodness! I hope this list brought back some cool memories. What were some of your favorite Lego Minifigures from yesteryear? I certainly have more, and maybe one day I will add them to another list. Until then, take care everyone and keep building!