The LEGO and Nintendo partnership, which began several years ago, has produced some of the most innovative and engaging LEGO sets to date. Initially, in 2020, LEGO clearly distinguished between sets aimed at children and those for adults. Children were introduced to Super Mario playsets, which combined digital and physical elements to create interactive Mario courses. Meanwhile, adults were treated to detailed, nostalgia-inducing replicas of iconic Nintendo elements.
Over time, LEGO has intentionally blurred the lines between these two demographics. The newer sets for children are more complex and engaging, while the adult sets have become more whimsical and playful. This shift aligns perfectly with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, making their LEGO sets appealing across generations.
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 allow you to build your own Mario courses. Using an LED Mario figurine, you can scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles, triggering audio feedback like music and classic Mario sounds. The coins you collect are tracked in an app, which syncs with Mario and records your progress.
This is the latest starter set that includes the Mario LED figure; other expansion sets require it to function. It also comes with essentials like a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser, Jr. figure in 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 with the Interactive Mario LED figure from the Adventures starter set. This classic Kart build includes a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, making it an ideal starting point for designing race courses. At just $19.99, it's a budget-friendly option for LEGO enthusiasts and Mario Kart fans alike.
The Bowser Express Train
1 See 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 colorful and quirky set featuring a massive Bowser head on the front of its engine. It includes six baddies: a Hammer Bro, a Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. All aboard for a fun-filled journey!
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 built this set for its launch, and it exceeded expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is both charming and adorable, offering great value for its price. It's a rare find in the LEGO world where you feel you're getting a deal, making it highly recommended.
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 Nintendo, Sonic's inclusion is justified by the close collaboration between Sega and Nintendo. This set recreates the iconic Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's perfect for adult beginners looking to explore LEGO building without a significant investment. More Sonic LEGO sets are available for those interested in expanding their collection in 2025.
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's expansion into Animal Crossing LEGO sets began in March 2024. This set, the largest at launch, includes Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage. With more sets like these, Animal Crossing fans can recreate their own villages, mirroring the game's customization.
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 lets you travel to other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures of Wilbur and Tangy, perfect for roleplay scenarios.
LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
5 Set #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 set features Mario and Yoshi in a dynamic build that moves with a crank. Yoshi's feet, head, and arm, along with Mario's cape, animate, and a separate mechanism makes Yoshi open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, the vibrant 16-bit colors make it a standout display piece.
LEGO Great Deku Tree Set
9 Set #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 set offers a 2-in-1 build, allowing you to choose between the Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild versions of the Great Deku Tree. It includes three versions of Link, one Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. While fun to assemble, it's on the pricier side.
LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser
5 See 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 is considered one of the finest LEGO Nintendo sets, showcasing a large, cartoonish, yet adorable build of Mario's arch-nemesis. Its imposing size and spring-loaded fire-breathing mechanism make it a standout piece.
How Many LEGO Nintendo Sets Are There?
As of January 2025, there are 34 LEGO Super Mario sets, 18 LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog sets, ten LEGO Animal Crossing sets, and 1 LEGO The Legend of Zelda set available for purchase on the official LEGO store.
What's Does the Future of LEGO Nintendo Look Like?
The Mighty Bowser, though technically an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set, reflecting LEGO's evolving approach to Nintendo-themed sets. This new design ethos blurs the lines between children's and adult sets, focusing more on the joy of building and the aesthetic appeal of the final product.
The initial Super Mario playsets were overly simplistic, prioritizing play over the building experience. However, LEGO's recent sets align better with their core strengths, emphasizing detailed and engaging builds. This shift bodes well for the future of LEGO Nintendo collaborations.
For those interested in other LEGO themes, be sure to explore our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets.
