The LEGO Western theme, also known as Wild West, ran from 1996 to 1997 with additional sets released in 2002. The theme included two subthemes, Cowboy and Indians, and was set in the Old West in the second half of the 19th century. Sets featured cowboys, outlaws, cavalry soldiers and native Americans/Indians.
1997 LEGO Sets
1997 saw LEGO’s first major sales decline, prompting experimentation and digital expansion. LEGO Island introduced the brand’s first open-world video game, setting the stage for future digital storytelling. New subthemes included Divers for underwater exploration, Fright Knights for gothic medieval fantasy, and Time Twisters as a sequel to Time Cruisers. LEGO Space added Roboforce and UFO, shifting toward alien-focused designs, while Aquazone expanded with Aquaraiders. Despite challenges, LEGO’s creativity remained strong across both physical and emerging digital platforms.