It's been several years since LEGO formalized its creative partnership with Nintendo, resulting in some of LEGO's most inspired and accessible sets. Initially, in 2020, LEGO clearly distinguished between sets aimed at children and those for adults. Children were introduced to Super Mario playsets, innovative digital/physical hybrids that let them build and play with their own Super Mario courses. Adults, on the other hand, were treated to iconic replicas designed to evoke waves of nostalgia among Gen-X fans.
However, in recent years, LEGO has intentionally blurred the lines between its child and adult audiences. The newer sets for kids have become more intricate and engaging, while the adult-oriented sets have taken on a more whimsical and cartoonish flair. This shift aligns perfectly with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, creating LEGO sets that appeal 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 enable you to construct your own Mario courses. Using an LED Mario figurine, you can scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles, triggering audio feedback like classic Mario sounds and music. The coins you collect are tracked in an app that syncs with Mario, documenting your progress.
This starter set includes the essential Mario LED figure, necessary for all other expansion sets. It also comes with a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser, Jr. figure riding 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 compatible with the Interactive Mario LED figure from the Adventures starter set. This classic kart build comes with a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, making it a perfect starting point for designing race courses. Priced at just $19.99, it's an excellent budget-friendly LEGO set for Mario Kart enthusiasts.
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 quirky and colorful 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. This set is perfect for fans looking for a fun and engaging build.
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 at launch and were impressed by its charm and quality. The LEGO Piranha Plant is both adorable and well-crafted, offering great value at its price point. It's a highly recommended set for any LEGO enthusiast.
LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone 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, this Sonic the Hedgehog set is included due to the collaboration between Sega and Nintendo. It's a delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. Ideal for adult beginners, it's a great introduction to LEGO building with additional Sonic sets available for further exploration.
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 Animal Crossing sets, launched in March 2024. This set includes Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage, allowing fans to customize their own village, similar to the game.
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 This set features the iconic Dodo Airlines from Animal Crossing, complete with a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures for Wilbur and Tangy, perfect for creating 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 motion with a crank mechanism, moving Yoshi's feet, head, and arm, and Mario's cape. A separate mechanism allows Yoshi to open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, its vibrant 16-bit colors make it a standout 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 2-in-1 set allows you to choose between the Great Deku Tree from Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. It includes three versions of Link, one Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. While it's a fun build, it's one of the more expensive LEGO sets on the market.
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 best LEGO sets, period. This large, cartoonish build of Mario's ultimate antagonist is both imposing and adorable. A spring-loaded mechanism allows Bowser to "breathe fire," making 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 Does the Future of LEGO Nintendo Look Like?
The Mighty Bowser, though technically an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set, indicating LEGO's new approach for 2024 and beyond. This approach blurs the lines between children's and adults' sets, focusing more on the joy of building and the display quality of the final product.
The early Super Mario playsets were too simple, even for children, prioritizing play over building. However, LEGO's recent sets align better with their core strengths, emphasizing the build itself. This shift bodes well for the future of LEGO Nintendo collaborations.
For a deeper insight into LEGO's history and philosophy, consider watching the LEGO documentary on Netflix, part of the "The Toys That Made Us" series. It highlights LEGO's repeated attempts to innovate beyond their core product and their inevitable return to what fans love most: the bricks themselves.
Be sure to explore our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets for more LEGO fun.
