For years, LEGO and Nintendo's creative partnership has yielded some of LEGO's most imaginative and accessible sets. Back in 2020, LEGO cleverly separated its offerings: Super Mario playsets—digital/physical hybrids—for kids, and iconic, nostalgia-inducing replicas for adults. However, in recent years, this line has blurred. Kids' sets are more complex, while adult sets embrace a playful, whimsical style. This cross-generational appeal perfectly reflects Nintendo's family-friendly image.
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario
Mario Kart – Standard Kart
The Bowser Express Train
LEGO Piranha Plant
Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO Set
LEGO Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie's House
Fly With Dodo Airlines
LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
LEGO Great Deku Tree Set
Mighty Bowser
LEGO/Nintendo's collaboration expands beyond Super Mario, now encompassing Sonic the Hedgehog, Animal Crossing, and even LEGO Zelda. Here are some of the best LEGO Nintendo sets available in 2025:
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario
Set: #71439 Age Range: 6+ Piece Count: 218 Dimensions: 1.5 inches high, 4 inches wide, 3 inches deep Price: $49.99 at Target. This starter set includes the essential LED Mario figure, a starting pipe, Yoshi, a flagpole, and Bowser Jr. in a Clown Car. It's the foundation for all other expansion sets.
Mario Kart – Standard Kart
Set: #72032 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 174 Dimensions: 1.5 inches high, 5.5 inches long, 3 inches wide Price: $19.99 at Amazon. Compatible with the interactive Mario figure, this set features a classic kart, glider, Toad, and shell launchers. A great budget-friendly option.
The Bowser Express Train
Set: #71437 Age Range: 9+ Piece Count: 1392 Dimensions: 8.5 inches high, 26.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide Price: $119.99 at Amazon. A whimsical train featuring Bowser's massive head and several Koopa Troop members.
LEGO Piranha Plant
Set: #71426 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 540 Dimensions: 9 inches high, 4.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches deep Price: $47.95 at Amazon (20% off $59.99). A charming and surprisingly affordable Piranha Plant in a pipe.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Set: #21331 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 1125 Dimensions: 7 inches high, 14 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep Price: $79.99 at Amazon. A delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, perfect for beginner adult builders.
Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House
Set: #77050 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 535 Dimensions: 6 inches high, 15 inches wide, 5.5 inches deep Price: $59.95 at Amazon (20% off $74.99). Features Tom Nook's shop and Rosie's cottage.
Fly With Dodo Airlines
Set: #77051 Age Range: 7+ Piece Count: 292 Dimensions: 5 inches high, 10.5 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep Price: $37.99 at Amazon. Includes a seaplane, dock, and Wilbur and Tangy minifigures.
Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
Set: #71438 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 1215 Dimensions: 15.5 inches high, 10 inches wide, 4 inches deep Price: $129.99 at Amazon. A nostalgic build with moving parts.
Great Deku Tree
Set: #77092 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 2500 Dimensions: 13 inches tall Price: $299.99 at LEGO Store. A 2-in-1 build offering both *Ocarina of Time* and *Breath of the Wild* versions.
The Mighty Bowser
Set: #71411 Age Range: 18+ Piece Count: 2807 Dimensions: 12.5 inches high, 16 inches wide, 11 inches deep Price: $269.99 at Amazon. A massive, impressive Bowser build with a fire-breathing mechanism.
LEGO Nintendo Set Count (as of January 2025): 34 LEGO Super Mario, 18 LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog, 10 LEGO Animal Crossing, and 1 LEGO The Legend of Zelda.
The Future of LEGO Nintendo: The Mighty Bowser, marketed as a standalone set, hints at a new direction—sets that transcend the child/adult divide. Early Super Mario sets prioritized play over build quality. Now, LEGO focuses on the build experience itself, resulting in more substantial and visually appealing sets for all ages.
The current LEGO Super Mario sets are more substantial and detailed, even with the barcode integration. Sets like The Mighty Bowser prioritize display and building enjoyment. This focus on the core LEGO experience—the build itself—is key to their success, appealing to both children and adults.
A Netflix documentary ("The Toys That Made Us") highlights LEGO's past attempts to diversify beyond its core strength. These ventures ultimately failed, proving that the magic lies in the classic LEGO brick and the joy of building.
Also, check out our lists of the best Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel LEGO sets.
