How many pieces are in the Sphinx Secret Surprise?

Sphinx Secret Surprise contains 352 pieces.

When was the Sphinx Secret Surprise released?

Sphinx Secret Surprise was released in 1998.

🏛 Desert

Set #5978

Sphinx Secret Surprise

Sphinx Secret Surprise is a nostalgic gem from the classic LEGO Adventurers line.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Intermediate build Great for LEGO fans of all ages who enjoy a bit of adventure and nostalgia
Build: 352 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $49.99 list price · 14.2¢ per piece
Availability: Likely retired

★★★★☆ 4.2 AI-generated review score, not a customer rating

Fans appreciate the nostalgic charm and extensive minifigure selection, but some find the building techniques outdated compared to modern sets. The set's high price on the secondary market is a common point of discussion.

$49.99

Best Price

$44.99

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📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

Sphinx Secret Surprise is a nostalgic gem from the classic LEGO Adventurers line. Released in 1998, this set perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of Johnny Thunder and his quest for hidden treasures in the Egyptian desert.

This set is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts who appreciate vintage sets and the Adventurers theme. The build is relatively straightforward, making it suitable for younger builders while still offering enough detail to satisfy adult collectors. The inclusion of numerous minifigures enhances the play and display value.

Skip this if you're solely focused on complex builds or modern LEGO sets. While charming, its building techniques and design aesthetics are dated. Consider the newer LEGO Ideas Egyptian-themed sets for a more contemporary building experience.

✨ New

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How does this set compare to other LEGO Adventurers sets in terms of rarity and value? What are some creative ways to display the Sphinx Secret Surprise with other Egyptian-themed LEGO sets? What are the key features and play functions of the Sphinx in this set? Is this set a good starting point for collecting vintage LEGO Adventurers sets?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

352

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Discovering hidden mechanisms and secret compartments within the Sphinx
Building the rugged desert vehicle for Johnny Thunder's expeditions
Assembling the iconic Sphinx structure with its detailed facade
Arranging the minifigures to create dynamic scenes of exploration and conflict

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

↑ Trending up since release

A-

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

The Sphinx Secret Surprise set presents a solid investment opportunity due to its age, rarity, and the enduring popularity of the LEGO Adventurers theme. As a retired set from 1998, its availability is limited, driving up its value on the secondary market. The set's complete minifigure collection, including Johnny Thunder and other key characters, further enhances its desirability among collectors. While the current price is relatively high, its value is expected to continue to rise, particularly for sets in excellent condition with original packaging. However, potential buyers should be aware of the risks associated with purchasing vintage LEGO sets, such as fading, yellowing, and missing parts.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

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The Sphinx Secret Surprise stands out from other LEGO sets due to its unique theme and vintage appeal. Compared to newer Egyptian-themed sets, such as those from the LEGO Ideas line, it offers a more classic LEGO building experience. While it may not have the advanced building techniques of modern sets, its nostalgic charm and exclusive minifigures make it a desirable addition to any LEGO collection. Collectors who appreciate the Adventurers theme and seek a valuable investment piece may prefer this set over contemporary alternatives.

7 Minifigures Included

Skeleton, Standard Face, Mummy Headdress, White

7 parts

B+

Miss Gail Storm with Red Legs

4 parts

B+

Johnny Thunder (Desert)

Dr. Charles Lightning

4 parts

B+

This set boasts an impressive lineup of seven minifigures, including the iconic Johnny Thunder, the villainous Lord Sam Sinister, and the mysterious Pharaoh Hotep. The inclusion of Baron Von Barron, Dr. Charles Lightning, Miss Gail Storm, and a Skeleton Mummy adds further depth to the set's playability and collectibility.

📦 Parts Inventory

Piece count: 352
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 124 unique parts, 320 pieces
Minifigures: 7

The piece count includes the 32 parts inside the set's minifigures, which this inventory lists separately. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 2341 1× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 2341 1× Light Gray

Equipment Goblet ...

Part #: 2343 1× Yellow

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 1× Light Gray

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× Light Gray

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× Red

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× Yellow

Tile 1 x 4 with H...

Part #: 2431pr0021 1× Tan

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 2436 1× Light Gray

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 2436 1× Black

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454a 3× Tan

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454apr0001 1× Tan

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454apr0005 1× Tan

Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...

Part #: 2454apr0006 1× Tan

Brick 2 x 6

Part #: 2456 2× Dark Gray

Plant, Palm Tree ...

Part #: 2536a 7× Brown

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 2× Black

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2555 4× Black

Plant, Palm Tree ...

Part #: 2563 1× Brown

Bar, 4 Top Bars, ...

Part #: 2566 1× Green

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 1× Dark Gray

Brick 2 x 4

Part #: 3001 3× Blue

Brick 2 x 3

Part #: 3002 4× Light Gray

Brick 2 x 3

Part #: 3002 1× Dark Gray

Part #: 3003 9× Light Gray

Brick 2 x 2

Part #: 3003 1× Black

Part #: 3004 2× Light Gray

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 1× Yellow

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 4× Light Gray

Brick 2 x 10

Part #: 3006 2× Dark Gray

Brick 1 x 8

Part #: 3008 1× Red

Brick 1 x 8

Part #: 3008 2× Black

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 4× Dark Gray

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 2× Tan

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 1× Yellow

Part #: 3010 9× Dark Gray

Animal, Snake, Small

Part #: 30115 1× Red

Weapon Gun / Pist...

Part #: 30132 3× Dark Gray

Weapon Rifle/Gun

Part #: 30141 1× Dark Gray

Grille 1 x 2 x 2 ...

Part #: 30147 1× Dark Gray

Equipment Camera ...

Part #: 30148 1× Black

Vehicle Base 6 x ...

Part #: 30149 1× Tan

Box / Crate with ...

Part #: 30150 2× Brown

Brick Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 30151a 1× Trans-Clear

Equipment Magnify...

Part #: 30152pat0001 2× Black

Rock 1 x 1 Jewel ...

Part #: 30153 1× Trans-Red

Equipment Sextant

Part #: 30154 1× Black

Wheel Spoked 2 x ...

Part #: 30155 4× Tan

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 30157 2× Dark Gray

Minifig Neckwear ...

Part #: 30158 1× Brown

Windscreen 1 x 4 ...

Part #: 30161pr0001 1× Trans-Clear

Equipment Binoculars

Part #: 30162 1× Black

Sarcophagus / Cof...

Part #: 30163 1× Black

Sarcophagus Lid 2...

Part #: 30164 1× Black

Animal, Scorpion

Part #: 30169 1× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Tan

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Black

Part #: 3021 1× Black

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 2× Brown

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 1× Blue

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 7× Dark Gray

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 1× Yellow

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 1× Black

Part #: 3023 5× Black

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 1× Red

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 1× Light Gray

Plate 4 x 12

Part #: 3029 1× Light Gray

Plate 4 x 4

Part #: 3031 1× Red

Plate 4 x 6

Part #: 3032 1× Black

Part #: 3038 2× Light Gray

Part #: 3039 8× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 2× Blue

Part #: 3040b 1× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3045 2× Red

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 4× Black

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 1× Red

Tile 2 x 2 with O...

Part #: 3068bpr0378 1× Tan

Tile 2 x 2 with O...

Part #: 3068bpr0406 1× Tan

Tile 2 x 2 with O...

Part #: 3068bpr0421 1× Tan

Tile 2 x 2 with O...

Part #: 3068bpr9957 1× Tan

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 3× Light Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 1× Yellow

Tile 1 x 2 with D...

Part #: 3069bpr0021 1× Light Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with V...

Part #: 3069bpr0051 1× Tan

Tile 1 x 2 with W...

Part #: 3069bpr0052 1× Black

Tile 1 x 2 with M...

Part #: 3069bpr0056 1× White

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 1× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3184 4× Brown

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 3298 1× Red

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 3298 6× Light Gray

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 3× Light Gray

Tyre Offset Tread...

Part #: 3483 4× Black

Brick 1 x 3

Part #: 3622 1× Dark Gray

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 2× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 2× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 1× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 1× Black

Brick Sloped 75° ...

Part #: 3688 2× Tan

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 3× Black

Brick 1 x 6 x 5

Part #: 3754 2× Dark Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 4× Yellow

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 1× Light Gray

Part #: 3829c01 1× Red

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 1× Tan

Weapon Axe

Part #: 3835 1× Light Gray

Equipment Shovel ...

Part #: 3837 1× Dark Gray

Tool Pickaxe

Part #: 3841 1× Dark Gray

Weapon Lance

Part #: 3849 1× Black

Equipment Cup / M...

Part #: 3899 1× Yellow

Part #: 3938 1× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3938 2× Light Gray

Plate Round 2 x 2...

Part #: 4032a 5× Green

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4070 2× Yellow

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4081b 4× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085c 1× Blue

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 2× Red

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4213 1× Dark Gray

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 4286 2× Yellow

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 4286 1× Black

Plate 1 x 10

Part #: 4477 2× Black

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 4509 1× Light Gray

Equipment Frying Pan

Part #: 4528 1× Black

Equipment Saucepan

Part #: 4529 1× Black

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 2× Yellow

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 3× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4590 1× Yellow

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4623 1× Yellow

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4623 2× Light Gray

Hinge Tile 1 x 4

Part #: 4625 2× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 4861 1× Tan

Money / Coin with...

Part #: 57503 1× Chrome Gold

Money / Coin with...

Part #: 57504 1× Chrome Gold

Money / Coin with...

Part #: 57505 1× Chrome Gold

Money / Coin with...

Part #: 57506 1× Chrome Gold

Plate Round Corne...

Part #: 6003 3× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 6019 2× Black

Brick Curved 1 x ...

Part #: 6091 5× Black

Baseplate Raised ...

Part #: 6092pr0002 1× Tan

Wave / Flame Roun...

Part #: 6126a 2× Trans-Neon Orange

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Light Gray

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 4× Black

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Red

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 3× Trans-Clear

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Yellow

Plant, Palm Leaf ...

Part #: 6148 4× Green

Tent with Adventu...

Part #: 61880pr0002 1× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 6541 2× Light Gray

The Sphinx Secret Surprise set includes a variety of useful parts in classic LEGO colors, such as light gray, dark gray, and tan. The presence of palm tree trunk pieces and curved black bricks adds unique elements for MOC builders.