LEGO's Nintendo Collaboration: A Retrospective and Look Ahead
LEGO's partnership with Nintendo has yielded some of their most creative and accessible sets. Initially, a clear distinction existed between children's (Super Mario playsets) and adult (iconic replica) sets. However, LEGO has since blurred this line, creating more complex kids' sets and whimsical adult sets, reflecting Nintendo's family-friendly brand.
The LEGO Nintendo line has expanded beyond Super Mario to include Sonic the Hedgehog, Animal Crossing, and now, Zelda. Here's a highlight of some top 2025 sets:
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario (#71439): This starter set includes an LED Mario figure, essential elements, and figures like Yoshi and Bowser Jr. (218 pieces, $49.99)
Mario Kart – Standard Kart (#72032): Compatible with the interactive Mario figure, this set features a classic kart, Toad, and shell launchers. (174 pieces, $19.99)
The Bowser Express Train (#71437): A large, whimsical train featuring Bowser and various enemies. (1392 pieces, $119.99)
LEGO Piranha Plant (#71426): A charming and well-priced Piranha Plant build. (540 pieces, $47.95)
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (#21331): A delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1. (1125 pieces, $79.99)
Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House (#77050): Features Tom Nook's shop and Rosie's cottage. (535 pieces, $59.95)
Fly With Dodo Airlines (#77051): Includes a seaplane, dock, and Wilbur and Tangy minifigures. (292 pieces, $37.99)
Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (#71438): A nostalgic, moving depiction of Mario and Yoshi. (1215 pieces, $129.99)
Great Deku Tree (#77092): A 2-in-1 build allowing for either Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild styles. (2500 pieces, $299.99)
The Mighty Bowser (#71411): A massive, impressive Bowser build. (2807 pieces, $269.99)
Set Count (as of January 2025): 34 Super Mario, 18 Sonic, 10 Animal Crossing, 1 Zelda.
The Future of LEGO Nintendo: The Mighty Bowser signifies a shift towards sets prioritizing build quality and display value over solely interactive gameplay. This focus on the core LEGO experience – the building process itself – is a positive direction.
The improved design philosophy, focusing on build quality and aesthetic appeal, suggests a promising future for LEGO Nintendo sets.
