Ginger Rough

The Republic | azcentral.com

The sets feature scenes from Episode IV: A New Hope, and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The sets first became available in the United Kingdom in December

The U.S. retail price is not yet available, but you can find them on Amazon.com at higher prices

New Star Wars LEGO sets, including those that re-create famous scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy, hit stores today. But not surprisingly, you'll need to go on a bit of a hunt to find one, as they are already listed as "Out of Stock" at many in-store locations.

The sets are selling for $24.99at retailers including LEGO.com, Toys R Us and Walmart.

Toys R Us lists Hoth Attack and Carbon Freezing Chamber as sold out at many Phoenix-area locations. Quick searches show limited availability for some of the sets at Walmart, albeit for a higher price.

If you want one right away, your best bet may be shopping online. Both ToysRUs.com and LEGO.com have some in stock for web purchases. Amazon appears to only be carrying the sets through third-party sellers.

The highly anticipated sets were released in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, in December.

The high demand doesn't come as a surprise - LEGO profits skyrocketed in 2015, in part due to the sales of its Star Wars-themed sets. According to CNNmoney.com, the company sold more than 72 million LEGO bricks in 2015. Revenues increased 25 percent and net profits were up 31 percent.

Here are the sets that became available today (if you can find them):

75136 Droid Escape Pod

This 197-piece set allows collectors and LEGO enthusiasts to recreate early scenes from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," when C-3P0 and R2-D2 land on the desert planet of Tatooine with the secret Death Star plans. The set features two Jawas, C-3PO and R2-D2.

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75137 Carbon-Freezing Chamber

I think this is probably my favorite of the four. It just looks cool. This set captures that memorable moment from "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back," when Han Solo, betrayed by his friend Lando Calrissian, is dropped into the Carbon Freezing Chamber by Darth Vader, who wants to test it out in anticipation of Luke Skywalker's arrival on the Cloud City of Bespin. The 231-piece set features Han Solo, Boba Fett and Ugnaught minifigures, as well as the carbon-frozen Han, who was later given to Boba Fett.

75138 Hoth Attack

This is another set from the original trilogy. It's 233 pieces and allows users to re-create early scenes from "The Empire Strikes Back," when Imperial forces discover the secret location of the Rebel base and launch an attack. According to the UK version of LEGO's website, the set features a "foldout Echo Base with a rotating tower." The tower has an "opening hatch and flick missile, Imperial probe droid and Imperial stud shooter." It includes three minifigures - a Rebel Trooper, Han Solo and an Imperial Trooper.

75135 Obi-Wan Jedi Interceptor

This 215-piece set comes with an Obi-Wan minifigure and an astromech droid, R4-P17, and is inspired by the opening scenes from "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith." The interceptor has a cockpit that opens and closes, dual spring-loaded shooters and extending wings, according to the UK version of LEGO's website.

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Why was there a U.S. delay?

A representative from the LEGO company was a little vague.

"The...items are available in other markets at this time," Casey Blossom, associate public relations manager for brand marketing said in an e-mail. "It is standard for different countries to have varying launch dates."

The sets are also available, again at a mark-up on ebay and Amazon.com via third party sellers.

Can't get enough LEGO? A new video game, called LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens is slated for a June release. The game developed by Traveller's Tales studio, will be playable on all major gaming systems, according to LEGO's website.

You can watch the teaser trailer for the game on YouTube.

Reach the reporter at ginger.rough@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her at twitter.com/gingerdawnrough.

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