LEGO Nintendo Sets: Fun for All Ages

LEGO's creative collaboration with Nintendo has been a resounding success since its formalization several years ago, resulting in some of the most imaginative and accessible LEGO sets available. Initially, in 2020, LEGO clearly distinguished between its child and adult audiences. Children were introduced to the Super Mario playsets, which combined digital and physical elements to let kids construct their own Super Mario courses. Meanwhile, adults were treated to iconic replicas that tapped into waves of Gen-X nostalgia with their detailed and massive designs.

In recent years, LEGO has strategically blurred the lines between its child and adult offerings. The newer sets for children have become more complex and engaging, while the adult sets have taken on a more whimsical and cartoonish flair. This approach aligns perfectly with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, creating LEGO sets that appeal to a broad, cross-generational audience.

Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario

6$49.99 at Target Set: #71439 Age Range: 6+ Piece Count: 218 Dimensions: 1.5 inches high, 4 inches wide, 3 inches deep Price: $49.99 The LEGO Super Mario playsets enable you to create your own Mario courses. With an LED Mario figurine, you can scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles, triggering audio feedback such as music and classic Mario sounds. The coins you collect are tracked through an app that syncs with Mario and records your progress.

This latest starter set includes the essential Mario LED figure, which is required for all other expansion sets. It also comes with a starting pipe, Yoshi figure, flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure inside a Junior Clown Car.

Mario Kart – Standard Kart

3$19.99 at Amazon Set: #72032 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 174 Dimensions: 1.5 inches high, 5.5 inches long, 3 inches wide Price: $19.99 The Mario Kart sets are designed to work seamlessly with the Interactive Mario LED figure from the Adventures starter set. This classic Kart build comes complete with a Glider, Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells. It's an excellent starting point for designing race courses, and at just $19.99, it's a fantastic budget-friendly LEGO set for Mario Kart enthusiasts.

The Bowser Express Train

1See it at Amazon Set: #71437 Age Range: 9+ Piece Count: 1392 Dimensions: 8.5 inches high, 26.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide Price: $119.99 The Bowser Express Train is a quirky, colorful, and delightfully narcissistic set, featuring a large Bowser head on the front of its engine. It includes six villains: a Hammer Bro, a Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. All aboard for a fun-filled adventure!

LEGO Piranha Plant

10$59.99 save 20%$47.95 at Amazon Set: #71426 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 540 Dimensions: 9 inches high, 4.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches deep Price: $59.99 We had the pleasure of building this set for its launch, and it exceeded expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is both adorable and full of personality, offering great value at a reasonable price. It's a must-have for any LEGO enthusiast.

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO Set

3$69.99 at Amazon Set: #21331 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 1125 Dimensions: 7 inches high, 14 inches wide, 2.5 inches deep Price: $79.99 While not strictly a Nintendo franchise, Sonic's inclusion is justified by his close ties with Nintendo through Sega's presence on Nintendo's online service. This set recreates the iconic Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's an ideal starter set for adult beginners exploring the world of LEGO.

LEGO Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie's House

3$74.99 save 20%$59.95 at Amazon Set: #77050 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 535 Dimensions: 6 inches high, 15 inches wide, 5.5 inches deep Price: $74.99 Nintendo expands its LEGO offerings with the introduction of Animal Crossing sets. Launched in March 2024, this set features Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage, offering fans the opportunity to customize their own LEGO village.

Fly With Dodo Airlines

1$37.99 See it at Amazon Set: #77051 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 292 Dimensions: 5 inches high, 10.5 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep Price: $37.99 Another beloved location from Animal Crossing, Dodo Airlines allows you to travel and visit other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures of Wilbur and Tangy for engaging roleplay scenarios.

LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi

55Set #71438, includes 1,215 pieces.$129.99 at Amazon Set: #71438 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 1215 Dimensions: 15.5 inches high, 10 inches wide, 4 inches deep Price: $129.99 This nostalgic LEGO set brings Mario and Yoshi to life with a crank mechanism that moves Yoshi's feet, head, and arm, as well as Mario's cape. Another feature allows Yoshi to open his mouth and stick out his tongue. Its vibrant 16-bit colors make it a standout display piece.

LEGO Great Deku Tree Set

94Set #77092, includes 2,500 pieces. This 2-in-1 set lets you build the Great Deku Tree in the style of Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild with the same pieces.$299.99 at LEGO Store Set: #77092 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 2500 Dimensions: 13 inches tall Price: $299.99 This 2-in-1 set offers the flexibility to build the Great Deku Tree as seen in either Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. It includes three versions of Link, Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. While a high-end investment, it's a rewarding build.

LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser

51See it at Amazon Set: #71411 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 2807 Dimensions: 12.5 inches high, 16 inches wide, 11 inches deep Price: $269.99 The Mighty Bowser stands out as one of the finest LEGO Nintendo sets designed to date. It's a large, cartoonish, and surprisingly adorable depiction of Mario's arch-nemesis, complete with a spring-loaded mechanism to simulate fire-breathing.

How Many LEGO Nintendo Sets Are There?

As of January 2025, LEGO offers 34 Super Mario sets, 18 Sonic the Hedgehog sets, 10 Animal Crossing sets, and 1 Legend of Zelda set for purchase on the official LEGO store.

What's Does the Future of LEGO Nintendo Look Like?

The Mighty Bowser, although an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set, signaling LEGO's new approach to Nintendo-themed sets. This approach aims to merge the appeal of both children's and adult sets without strict delineation. The initial Super Mario playsets for children were somewhat basic, emphasizing play over the build experience. Today, LEGO has shifted focus to create more substantial and detailed sets that prioritize the joy of building, appealing to a wider audience.

For a deeper dive into the world of LEGO, consider watching the LEGO documentary on Netflix as part of "The Toys That Made Us" series. It offers insights into LEGO's history and evolution, emphasizing the importance of returning to the core appeal of building.

To explore more themed LEGO sets, don't miss our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets.