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, back in 2020, LEGO clearly distinguished between sets for children and adults. Children were introduced to Super Mario playsets—digital/physical hybrids that enabled them to construct their own Super Mario courses. Meanwhile, adults were treated to iconic replicas—large sets that evoked waves of nostalgia among Gen-X enthusiasts.
However, in the years that followed, LEGO has intentionally blurred the lines between these two audiences. The newer LEGO sets for kids are more complex and engaging, while the adult sets have become more cartoonish and whimsical. This shift aligns perfectly with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, making the 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 such as music and classic Mario sounds. The coins collected are tracked in an app that syncs with Mario and records your progress.
This is the latest starter set, which includes the Mario LED figure; all other expansion sets require it to function. It also comes with essential pieces: a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure that rides 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 comes with 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 an affordable and fun option 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, colorful set featuring a massive Bowser head on the engine's front. It includes six baddies: 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 built this set for its launch, and it exceeded expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is both adorable and full of personality, offering great value for its price. It's a steal and highly recommended 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 Nintendo, we include this set due to our love for Sonic games. Once rivals, Sonic and Mario are now collaborators, with Sega featured prominently on Nintendo's online service. This set is a charming diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's perfect for adult beginners looking to explore a new hobby.
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 largest set includes both Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage. With a few more sets, Animal Crossing fans can customize their own village, just like in 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
Another iconic location from Animal Crossing, Dodo Airlines lets you travel and visit other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures for 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 LEGO set features Mario & Yoshi in action, moving with the turn of a crank. Not only do Yoshi's feet move, but his head and arm, as well as Mario's cape, also animate. A separate mechanism makes Yoshi open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, the vibrant 16-bit colors really stand out.
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
We covered this set at launch. A versatile 2-in-1 build, it allows you to choose between the Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild versions. It includes three versions of Link, one Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. While fun to assemble, it's one of the pricier LEGO sets available.
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 the finest Nintendo set LEGO has designed so far, and one of the best LEGO sets overall. It's a massive, cartoonish, yet adorably built representation of Mario's ultimate adversary. It's larger than you might expect, with a spring-loaded mechanism allowing Bowser to "breathe fire."
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. It reflects a new approach for LEGO Nintendo starting in 2024 and beyond, where the distinction between children's and adults' sets is less pronounced.
The initial Super Mario playsets for children were quite basic and focused heavily on play rather than the joy of building. Today's LEGO Super Mario sets are more substantial and detailed, even with their barcode features. Sets like The Mighty Bowser prioritize the visual appeal and the fun of building over mobile gameplay. This shift emphasizes what LEGO does best: the joy of the build itself, which is key for both children and adults.
There's an insightful LEGO documentary on Netflix, part of "The Toys That Made Us" series, which I recommend. It highlights how LEGO has tried to expand its appeal through various means, but always returns to what people love most—the classic bricks.
The early Mario playsets may have over-emphasized play at the expense of building, but now, with sets more aligned with LEGO's strengths, the future looks promising.
Also, be sure to check out our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and if you're into superheroes, the best Marvel LEGO sets.
