LEGO Mindstorms Star Wars, specifically known as the "Droid Developer Kit," was released in 1999 and combined the programmable robotics of LEGO Mindstorms with the beloved Star Wars universe. Set number 9748, the Droid Developer Kit, allowed users to build and program Star Wars droids. One of the most iconic builds from this set was a version of R2-D2. The kit used the RCX programmable brick (similar to other early Mindstorms sets) as the "brain" to control the droids and came with specific building instructions and programming tasks tailored to the Star Wars theme. It provided fans a unique blend of LEGO robotics and Star Wars creativity.
1999 LEGO Sets
1999 was a landmark year with the launch of LEGO Star Wars, the company’s first licensed theme, debuting alongside The Phantom Menace. This partnership with Lucasfilm transformed LEGO’s strategy and ushered in the era of licensed themes. New original lines included Rock Raiders, Slizers (Throwbots), and Adventurers: Jungle, while LEGO Education was formally established from LEGO Dacta. Several older themes—Cyberslam, TechPlay, UFO, Insectoids, Znap, and Model Team—were retired, marking a clear generational shift toward modern play concepts and digital engagement.