For years, LEGO and Nintendo’s creative partnership has yielded some of LEGO’s most imaginative and accessible sets. Initially, in 2020, LEGO cleverly segmented its market: Super Mario playsets, digital/physical hybrids, captivated younger audiences, while iconic, nostalgic replicas delighted adults. However, LEGO has since masterfully blurred these lines. Today’s children’s sets offer greater complexity, while adult sets embrace a more playful, whimsical aesthetic. This cross-generational appeal perfectly complements Nintendo’s family-friendly brand.
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 continues to expand beyond Super Mario, encompassing Sonic the Hedgehog, Animal Crossing, and now, Zelda. Below 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
LEGO Super Mario playsets let you build custom courses. An LED Mario figure scans barcodes on enemies and obstacles, triggering sound effects and music. Collected coins are tallied via a synced app, tracking your progress. This starter set includes the essential LED Mario figure (required for expansion sets), a starting pipe, Yoshi, a flagpole, and Bowser Jr. in his Clown Car.
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 classic kart includes a glider, Toad, and a launching mechanism for shells. A great budget-friendly option for Mario Kart fans.
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
This whimsical train features a large Bowser head and includes six villain minifigures.
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 ($59.99 - 20% off)
A charming and surprisingly affordable build, this Piranha Plant offers great value and personality.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Set: #21331
Age Range: 18+
Piece Count: 1125
Dimensions: 7 inches high, 14 inches wide, 2.5 inches deep
Price: $79.99 at Amazon
A delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, perfect for adult beginner 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 ($74.99 - 20% off)
This Animal Crossing set 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
This set recreates the iconic Dodo Airlines seaplane and includes 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 featuring moving Mario and Yoshi figures.
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 set allowing you to build the Great Deku Tree in either *Ocarina of Time* or *Breath of the Wild* style.
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 (January 2025): 34 Super Mario, 18 Sonic the Hedgehog, 10 Animal Crossing, and 1 Legend of Zelda.
The Future of LEGO Nintendo: The Mighty Bowser, while technically an expansion set, is marketed as a standalone piece, highlighting a shift towards a design philosophy that transcends the traditional child/adult divide. The focus is shifting from gameplay mechanics to the aesthetic appeal and enjoyment of the building process itself.
The current LEGO Super Mario sets are more substantial and detailed, prioritizing build quality and display value. The core joy lies in the construction process itself, regardless of the target audience.
A Netflix documentary ("The Toys That Made Us") highlights LEGO's repeated attempts to diversify beyond its core strengths, ultimately demonstrating the enduring appeal of the classic LEGO building experience. The initial Super Mario sets strayed too far from this core, overemphasizing play at the expense of build quality. The current direction, however, is a return to form, focusing on the inherent satisfaction of creating something tangible.
Also, check out our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets.
