Ritchie
njo579 · Ninjago
Prime Empire · 2020 (Released as part of the Prime Empire wave)
Figure ID
njo579
Theme
Ninjago
Year Released
2020 (Released as part of the Prime Empire wave)
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While he appeared in three sets, he is a generic henchman character and widely available on the secondhand market.
Head
Double-molded Sand Green Rat Head with molded ears and snout. It features a black visor print with a teal blue digital interface and orange eyes visible through the 'glass'.
Torso
Sand Green torso with intricate cybernetic and junk-armor printing. Includes a yellow circuit board pattern, red and blue wires, and a 'cheese' piece graphic. Arms are grey with purple hands.
Legs
Bright Light Orange/Yellow legs with Sand Green hip piece. Printing includes black knee pads, silver mechanical details, and red 'Health' bar icons on the right leg.
Accessories
Trans-Neon Yellow health board (sign) attached via a 1x1 round plate and a short bar to the back armor. He typically comes with a black shoulder armor piece (Pauldrons) and a scimitar-style blade (not pictured).
Color Scheme
A vibrant mix of Sand Green, Bright Light Orange, Purple, and Trans-Neon Yellow, reflecting the 80s arcade/cyberpunk aesthetic of the Prime Empire series.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso (front and back) and the front of the legs. The health bar graphic on the Trans-Neon piece is a crisp blue/teal print.
Variants
There are no significant production variants, though he is very similar to other Rat Pack members like Hausner (njo573).
Condition Notes
The Trans-Neon bar piece is prone to snapping if handled roughly. The purple hands can sometimes show stress marks. Check for scratches on the visor printing of the head.
Estimated Value
Used: $2.50 - $4.00 USD; New: $5.00 - $7.00 USD.
Price (New)
N/A (Included in sets ranging from $9.99 to $79.99 retail).
Compatible Sets
71707 Kai's Mech Jet, 71708 Gamer's Market, 71711 Jay's Cyber Dragon.
Character Background
Ritchie is a member of the Rat Pack, a gang of computer-program villains serving Unagami within the high-stakes video game world of Prime Empire.
Design Notes
The molded rat head is a unique sculpt for this wave. The design successfully blends 'garbage' aesthetics with futuristic neon 'cyber' elements.
Similar Minifigures
Hausner (njo573), Rat Pack Leader, and Unagami (njo575).
Collectibility
Moderate. Essential for fans completing the Ninjago Prime Empire collection, but not a high-value investment piece.
History
Marked a shift in Ninjago toward a digital/gaming aesthetic which allowed for more experimental colors like Trans-Neon Yellow and Purple.
Interesting Facts
The 'Health Bar' accessory represents the character's lives within the Prime Empire game; once the bars run out, the character is 'digitized' out of existence.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a dark baseplate with other Prime Empire villains or inside the 71708 Gamer's Market set.
Modification Potential
The head piece is popular for MOC (My Own Creations) makers building humanoid rat-folk or 'Skaven' style fantasy characters.
Overall Assessment
A charming and visually distinct henchman. The characterful sand green rat mold and vibrant leg printing make it a standout budget-friendly minifigure.