LEGO's Nintendo Collaboration: A Winning Formula
LEGO's partnership with Nintendo has yielded some of their most creative and popular sets. Initially, a clear distinction existed between children's (Super Mario playsets) and adult (iconic replicas) offerings. However, LEGO has cleverly blurred this line, creating more complex sets for children and more whimsical sets for adults, perfectly reflecting Nintendo's family-friendly brand. Below are some of the best LEGO Nintendo sets available in 2025, showcasing this evolving approach.
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario (#71439): This starter set, featuring an LED Mario figure, includes a starting pipe, Yoshi, a flagpole, and Bowser Jr. in a Clown Car. The interactive elements, using barcode scanning for audio feedback and coin collection via an app, enhance the building experience. (Age: 6+, Pieces: 218, Price: $49.99)
Mario Kart – Standard Kart (#72032): Compatible with the interactive Mario figure, this classic kart includes a glider, Toad, and shell-launching mechanisms. A budget-friendly option for building race courses. (Age: 7+, Pieces: 174, Price: $19.99)
The Bowser Express Train (#71437): A whimsical build featuring a large Bowser head and six villain minifigures. (Age: 9+, Pieces: 1392, Price: $119.99)
LEGO Piranha Plant (#71426): A charming and surprisingly affordable build with great character. (Age: 18+, Pieces: 540, Price: $47.95)
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (#21331): A delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, perfect for adult beginner builders. (Age: 18+, Pieces: 1125, Price: $79.99)
Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House (#77050): One of the larger Animal Crossing sets, featuring Tom Nook's shop and Rosie's cottage. (Age: 7+, Pieces: 535, Price: $59.95)
Fly With Dodo Airlines (#77051): Features a seaplane, dock, and Wilbur and Tangy minifigures. (Age: 7+, Pieces: 292, Price: $37.99)
Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (#71438): A nostalgic build with moving elements. (Age: 18+, Pieces: 1215, Price: $129.99)
Great Deku Tree (#77092): A 2-in-1 set allowing builders to choose between Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild styles. (Age: 18+, Pieces: 2500, Price: $299.99)
The Mighty Bowser (#71411): A standout set, massive and highly detailed. (Age: 18+, Pieces: 2807, Price: $269.99)
LEGO Nintendo's Future:
The success of sets like The Mighty Bowser indicates a shift towards designs that appeal to both children and adults, emphasizing the building process and the final display piece. This focus on the core LEGO experience—the joy of building—is key to their continued success. The future of LEGO Nintendo collaborations looks bright, with potential for sets based on many other beloved Nintendo franchises.
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