LEGO's Nintendo Collaboration: A Retrospective and Look Ahead
For several years, LEGO and Nintendo have enjoyed a fruitful partnership, yielding some of LEGO's most creative and accessible sets. Initially, a clear distinction existed between offerings for children (interactive Super Mario playsets) and adults (nostalgic replica sets). However, LEGO has since intentionally blurred this line, creating more complex sets for children and whimsical designs for adults – a strategy perfectly aligned with Nintendo's family-friendly brand.
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario
6See it at Target
Mario Kart – Standard Kart
2See it at Amazon
The Bowser Express Train
1See it at Amazon
LEGO Piranha Plant
2See it at Amazon
Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO Set
1See it at Amazon
LEGO Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie's House
1See it at Amazon
Fly With Dodo Airlines
0See it at Amazon
LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
0See it at Amazon
LEGO Great Deku Tree Set
0See it at LEGO Store
Mighty Bowser
0See it at Amazon
The LEGO Nintendo lineup has expanded beyond Super Mario to include Sonic the Hedgehog, Animal Crossing, and now, Zelda. Below is a highlight of some top sets available in 2025:
Featured LEGO Nintendo Sets (2025):
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Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario (#71439): This starter set includes the essential LED Mario figure, Yoshi, a flagpole, and Bowser Jr. It's the foundation for other expansion sets. ($49.99, 218 pieces, 6+)
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Mario Kart – Standard Kart (#72032): Compatible with the interactive Mario figure, this set features a classic kart, Toad, and shell-launching mechanisms. ($19.99, 174 pieces, 7+)
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The Bowser Express Train (#71437): A large, whimsical set featuring Bowser's train and several villain minifigures. ($119.99, 1392 pieces, 9+)
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LEGO Piranha Plant (#71426): A charming and surprisingly affordable build of a Piranha Plant in a pipe. ($59.99, 540 pieces, 18+)
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Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (#21331): A delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, perfect for adult beginners. ($79.99, 1125 pieces, 18+)
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Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House (#77050): A large Animal Crossing set featuring Tom Nook's shop and Rosie's cottage. ($74.99, 535 pieces, 7+)
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Fly With Dodo Airlines (#77051): An Animal Crossing set featuring Dodo Airlines seaplane, dock, and minifigures. ($37.99, 292 pieces, 7+)
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Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (#71438): A nostalgic, highly detailed set with moving elements. ($129.99, 1215 pieces, 18+)
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Great Deku Tree (#77092): A 2-in-1 set allowing builders to create either the Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild version of the Great Deku Tree. ($299.99, 2500 pieces, 18+)
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The Mighty Bowser (#71411): A massive, impressive Bowser figure with a fire-breathing mechanism. ($269.99, 2807 pieces, 18+)
LEGO Nintendo's Future:
The Mighty Bowser, while an expansion set, is marketed as a standalone piece, signifying a shift towards designs that appeal to both children and adults. The initial Super Mario sets prioritized play over build, but the current trend emphasizes the construction experience and the final display model. This focus on the core LEGO building experience is key to the brand's continued success.
Which Nintendo Franchise Deserves a LEGO Set Next?
[Image of poll options: Metroid, Kirby, Pokémon, Luigi's Mansion, Splatoon, Super Smash Bros., Pikmin, Other]
The future of LEGO Nintendo collaborations appears bright, focusing on high-quality builds that transcend age demographics and celebrate the joy of construction.
