Since LEGO formalized its creative partnership with Nintendo several years ago, the collaboration has produced some of LEGO's most inspired and accessible sets. Initially, back in 2020, LEGO distinguished between sets aimed at children and those for adults. The younger audience was introduced to Super Mario playsets—innovative digital/physical hybrids that let kids construct their own Super Mario courses. Meanwhile, adults were treated to iconic replicas, large-scale sets that evoked waves of nostalgia among Gen-X fans.
Over the years, LEGO has intentionally blurred these lines, making sets for kids more complex and engaging, while adult sets have become more whimsical and cartoonish. This shift aligns well with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, resulting in LEGO sets that appeal across generations.
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 build your own Mario courses. With an LED Mario figurine, you scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles to trigger audio feedback, including classic Mario sounds and music. Your collected coins are tracked in an app, syncing with Mario to record your progress.
This is the latest starter set that includes the essential Mario LED figure; other expansion sets require it to function. It also comes with a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure in a Junior Clown Car.
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 model, complete with a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, is perfect for crafting race courses. If you're a Mario Kart enthusiast, this set is a must-have, and at just $19.99, it's a budget-friendly LEGO option.
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 quirky, colorful, and endearingly narcissistic, featuring a large 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 adventure!
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 its launch, and it exceeded expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is both charming and adorable, offering excellent value for its price. It's rare to feel like you're getting a deal with LEGO sets, but this one is well-priced and worth every penny. Highly recommended.
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 Though not strictly Nintendo, we've included this set due to our fondness for Sonic games. Once rivals, Sonic and Mario now collaborate closely, with Sega being a staple on Nintendo's online service. This set features a detailed diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's ideal for adult beginners looking to explore LEGO building as a new hobby. There are more Sonic LEGO sets available for those interested in building a fun Sonic toy in 2025.
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 In 2025, Nintendo expands its LEGO offerings with Animal Crossing sets. Launched in March 2024, this set—the largest at launch—includes Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage. More sets like these will allow Animal Crossing fans to customize their own village, mirroring the game's experience.
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 Animal Crossing location, Dodo Airlines enables travel to other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures for Wilbur and Tangy, perfect for creating engaging roleplay scenarios.
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 set is one of the most nostalgic LEGO sets, featuring Mario and Yoshi in a dynamic build. With the turn of a crank, Yoshi's feet, head, and arm move, as well as Mario's cape. A separate mechanism allows Yoshi to open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, the vibrant 16-bit colors truly stand out.
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 We covered this set at its launch. This 2-in-1 build lets you choose between the Ocarina of Time or 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.
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 is the finest LEGO Nintendo set to date and one of the best LEGO sets overall. This large, cartoonish, yet charming build of Mario's arch-nemesis is more imposing in person than you might expect. A spring-loaded mechanism allows Bowser to "breathe fire," adding an interactive element.
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.
The Mighty Bowser, marketed as a standalone set despite being an expansion playset, reflects LEGO Nintendo'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.
Initially, the child-oriented LEGO Super Mario playsets were simplistic and lacked depth, feeling more like sets for children uninterested in LEGO. However, today's sets are more substantial and detailed, even while retaining their interactive elements. The best of these sets, like The Mighty Bowser, prioritize the building experience and display aesthetics over the mobile gameplay aspect.
For those interested in LEGO's history and evolution, the Netflix documentary "The Toys That Made Us" offers valuable insights. It highlights how LEGO has tried various innovations but always returns to what people love most about the brand—the joy of building.
As LEGO continues to create sets that align with its core strengths, the future looks promising. 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 inspiration.
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