As a long-time Nintendo gamer and AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego), I was absolutely ecstatic when these two beloved brands joined forces starting in 2020. Lego faithfully transformed intricate brick-built models and interactive courses featuring everyone‘s favorite mushroom-munching Italian plumber!
Having picked up numerous Lego Mario sets myself, I‘d like to showcase the 5 that have risen to the top of my recommendation list across various styles, functions and skill levels.
Whether you‘re shopping for a showpiece display model, introductory playset for kids, or modular course to expand over time, there‘s a perfect Lego Mario set waiting to enter your home! Let me walk you through what makes each one so special.
An Overview of The 5 Best Lego Mario Sets
| Set | Description | Pieces | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System | Authentic 1980s video game console with scrolling screen | 2,646 | $269.99 |
| The Mighty Bowser | Giant posable Bowser statue with flame effects | 2,807 | $269.99 |
| Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set | Buildable mushroom house and track for starter course | 1,071 | $59.99 |
| Super Mario ? Block | Flip-open block revealing hidden microscale dioramas | 2,064 | $199.99 |
| Adventures with Luigi Starter Set | Affordable set with buildable course and Luigi minifigure | 231 | $59.99 |
From stunning life-size models to beginner-friendly starters under $60, Lego has delivered iconic sets for collectors and kids alike since first teaming up with Nintendo in 2020. Keep reading as I showcase what makes each of these wonderful Lego Mario sets really shine!
#1 Overall: LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
The crowning jewel of Lego Mario builds is none other than the classic LEGO NES console!
- 2,646 pieces packed with nostalgic details
- Fully functioning cartridge slot and hand-cranked scrolling screen recreating World 1-1 from the iconic Super Mario Bros
- Buildable 1980s-style television and controller – takes me right back to my childhood!
- Vintage advertising booklet for the Nintendo Entertainment System rounds out a tremendous display piece
Just look at the incredible accuracy of those wood-grain finishes and perfectly pixilated diorama visible through the television screen:
(Image credit: Walmart)
As someone who eagerly awaited the release of the NES Classic retro mini-console, I can safely say Lego absolutely nailed recreating the full experience with this 2,600+ piece model.
Being able to insert those little plastic Super Mario Bros and Duck Hunt cartridges into the slot for safekeeping brings a huge nostalgic grin to my face even now!
If you or someone you know grew up gaming on Nintendo systems, the LEGO NES set deserves a spot of honor in your home office or gamer cave. It may cost around $270, but the incredibly accurate detailing and sheer "wow" factor make it a fantastic showcase model for any fan.
Just be aware it‘s suited more for adult builders – the recommended minimum age is 18+ years due to part count and complexity. Clear your schedule for a few cozy evenings snapping all those pieces together for a rush of game room nostalgia!
#2 Best Statue: The Mighty Bowser
Once the NES set first released, Lego had some big Koopa shoes to fill for their next Mario franchise tribute. And fill it they did with the imposing Mighty Bowser statue!
- Towering 12.5 inches of Lego sculpture excellence
- Signature flexing pose with posable limbs and flame effects
- Arena display base coded to interact with Mario minifigures
- 2,800+ pieces capturing Bowser‘s menacing glare in brick form
Gaze in wonder at the size and presence of this expertly crafted Lego Bowser:
(Image credit: Walmart)
The sheet variety of reddish bricks, black spikes and molded elements perfectly evoke Bowser‘s sinister character. Being able to tilt his head and pose those beefy arms helps make The Mighty Bowser feel like a true collectible centerpiece.
Pressing the hidden back buttons triggers his iconic fire-breath using flick missiles. And did you know his chest emblem scans with certain Mario minfigures to trigger sound effects and virtual coins? Very cool bonus!
As expected, successfully assembling Bowser‘s imposing frame is no quick task. Aimed at builders 18+ years, the instructions feature some complex steps which can verge on repetitive with so many small dark pieces involved. Just be sure to sort elements carefully and set aside ample room for this behemoth.
All said, The Mighty Bowser checks off every box for premium Lego kits centered on childhood nostalgia. It looks fantastic from every angle and seamlessly blends multimedia interactivity with a bold symbolic display piece.
Just make sure to budget approximately $270 plus prepare mentally for an 10+ hour commitment snapping thousands of tiny bricks in place. Trust me, witnessing Bowser‘s finished form glowering atop your shelf makes all that effort intensely rewarding!
#3 Best Starter: Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set
Alright, clearly those gigantic brick-built icons deserve acclaim for ambitious scope and childhood wish fulfillment. But Lego caters some Mario offerings directly for younger audiences with their interactive Starter Course system.
The Mario‘s House & Yoshi Expansion Set exceeded my expectations by truly enhancing the core Starter Course experience.
- 1,000+ pieces to build Mario‘s culturally iconic mushroom house
- Posable Yoshi companion for riding and earning bonus stars
- Customizable level layout using basic electronic Mario figure
- Free app with interactive challenges and sound effects
Check out this adorable brick-built scene of Mario riding Yoshi outside his distinctly themed home:
(Image credit: Walmart)
Where basic Starter Course kits only contain raw building bricks, this set provides actual Lego models for an immersive Mario-world environment. Kids can guide the included electronic Mario minifigure through his cozy house while collecting coins via sensors.
Connecting Lego‘s free Super Mario app unlocks fun sound clips, challenges and visual effects. This added interactivity makes the standard Mario figure more dynamic when traversing player-created courses.
I love how this set effectively expands the Starter Course concept into true modular playsets. Additional packs can snap onto the base for endless layout options to continuously refresh the platforming gameplay experience. Very clever design!
The Lego Super Mario series struck product gold by blending Nintendo‘s iconic IP with multifaceted toy construction play. Kids recognize their beloved characters while flexing creativity piecing together courses. This 311-piece set sits perfectly at the intersection for younger builders ages 6+ years.
#4 Best Display Model: Super Mario ? Block
Let‘s shift back to standalone bricks-and-mortar masterpieces with the Super Mario ? Block. This wonderfully nostalgic set pays tribute to the floating mystery cubes synonymous with Nintendo‘s early days.
- Fully articulating facade showcasing four detailed micro dioramas
- 2,064 pieces packed with references spanning Mario franchise history
- Peach‘s castle grounds overlooks Bowser‘s minifigure-scale kingdom
- Bob-omb Battlefield and other iconic courses from Super Mario 64 represented
When closed, the ? Block looks like it floated straight out of the classic NES-era Mario games to rest mysteriously before you. Tilting the front down reveals almost impossibly tiny brick-built scenes honoring core moments every fan remembers.
Gazing at the array of micro courses and figures arranged across sloped platforms flooded my mind with blissful gaming memories. I must have flipped the façade open and closed 20 times just soaking in every delightful detail!
Constructing the full ? Block took me around 8 hours over a relaxed weekend. Despite the mid-range age rating of 12+ years, some repetitive sequences may test the patience of younger builders. My tip is sorting pieces by color before beginning assembly.
The LEGO Super Mario ? Block set wonderfully exceeded my expectations for effectively condensing so many iconic franchise hallmarks within one impressive display model. Opening the façade almost feels like peering into a miniature museum filled with vivid gaming nostalgia.
It looks fantastic standing alone on any shelf or bookcase. But the hidden playful surprises inside make this 2,000+ piece tribute extremely memorable even among Lego‘s highest quality kits. Just beware not to get any fingerprints on those glossy exterior tiles!
#5 Best Budget Set: Adventures with Luigi
Not everyone can dedicate $200+ or 10+ hours towards giant Lego sets for display purposes. That‘s why the brilliant Adventures with Luigi Starter Course deserves strong recommendation as well.
- Contains 231 pieces alongside special Luigi minifigure
- Build interesting platforms using included bricks and plates
- Mobile app integration with interactive challenges
- Affordable entry point under $60 to try Lego Mario play
Despite the low piece count, don‘t underestimate the fun interactivity bundled within the humble Luigi set:
(Image credit: Walmart)
The electronic Luigi scans special gem pieces while traversing player-assembled courses to earn virtual coins and triggers expressive sound effects. This base Starter Course kit can connect with all other Lego Mario releases for expanding the hands-on play.
Between the Super Mario smartphone app and continually growing series compatibility, starters like Luigi offer terrific value under $60. Lego really succeeds promoting open-ended creativity here letting kids construct adventures centered on beloved franchise characters.
I‘d absolutely recommend the Adventures with Luigi set for parents seeking to surprise their Nintendo-loving youngster without breaking the bank. It serves as a perfect holiday or birthday gift sure to ignite their imaginative sparks for hours on end!
Finding Your Ideal Lego Mario Set
Hopefully this guide has helped showcase the diversity of Lego options for Super Mario fans of all ages to enjoy! Here are a few key factors when choosing your perfect set:
Purpose: Display model, playable kit, standalone vs expansion
Complexity: Number of pieces indicates challenging builds
Interactivity: Look for set compatibility with others and mobile app
Price: Consider value for money and budget flexibility
Availability: Check manufacturer retirement dates as some sets leave store shelves quickly
Evaluating those aspects in relation to personal expectations helps narrow suitable choices. Seek reputable sellers and beware outlandishly cheap deals which may signal counterfeit products.
If built properly and cared for, Lego sets often gain collector value after retirement too. So don’t worry about “wasting money” on plastic bricks – popular kits like these tend to yield great returns down the road!
Most of all, pick a Lego Mario set bringing you satisfaction through displaying, sharing or interacting hands-on. With masterfully crafted sets spanning collectors and kids, the only winning move is choosing the one tugging your nostalgia strings!
Let Your Nostalgia Run Wild with Lego Super Mario!
Thanks for joining me on this tour through of some beautifully creative Lego Mario sets. I had an absolute blast revisiting the memories attached to these wonderful kits. Hopefully you now feel equally excited envisioning the perfect set for displaying or playing within your own home!
Nintendo and Lego built tremendously on the initial product concept delivering display masterpieces, great playable starters and microscale tributes spanning Mario franchise history. It warms my inner child seeing such passion for detail aimed at fellow devoted fans.
Be sure to let me know your own thoughts on Twitter over @NostalgiaTechGuy. If you found this helpful for making a buying decision, share which Lego Mario set you’re leaning towards snapping up this year!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I see a stack of unsorted bricks calling to be pieced back together into a winding course… It’s time for this pixel-pouncing plumber to grab some virtual coins!
