LEGO Cowboys was the first Western sets released in the theme and focused on sheriffs fighting against outlaws as well as a military presence in the old west while the few sets that featured civilians simply served as a back drop for bandits robbing carriages or banks. The Cowboys' subtheme was the first LEGO sets that introduced realistic fire arms such as revolvers and rifles.
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.