Top LEGO Nintendo Sets for All Ages

Since LEGO formalized its creative partnership with Nintendo several years ago, the collaboration has blossomed into some of the most inspired and accessible sets LEGO has ever produced. Initially, in 2020, LEGO made a clear distinction between sets for children and adults. Kids were treated to Super Mario playsets, which combined digital and physical elements to let them build their own Mario courses. Adults, on the other hand, got their hands on iconic replicas, large and nostalgia-inducing sets that appealed to Gen-X fans.

However, in recent years, LEGO has deliberately blurred the lines between these audience segments. The newer sets for children are now more complex and engaging, while those for adults have become more whimsical and cartoonish. This shift aligns well with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, making these 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 create your own Mario courses, utilizing an LED Mario figurine that scans barcodes on enemies and obstacles to produce audio feedback like music and classic Mario sounds. The coins you collect are tallied in an app, which syncs with Mario and documents your progress. This latest starter set includes the essential Mario LED figure, a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure riding inside 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 be compatible with the Interactive Mario LED figure from the Adventures starter set. This classic Kart build features a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, making it an ideal starting point for designing your own race courses. At just $19.99, it's an excellent budget-friendly option for LEGO 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 colorful and quirky 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, making it a fun and engaging build for fans.

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 our expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is not only charming and adorable but also offers great value for its price. It's a rare find in LEGO sets where you feel you're getting a deal, and this set is definitely worth every penny.

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

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're including Sonic the Hedgehog due to its close collaboration with Nintendo. This set is a delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a smirking Sonic minifigure. It's perfect for adult beginners looking to explore LEGO building without a major commitment. More Sonic LEGO sets are available for those interested in building in 2025.

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's LEGO offerings have expanded to include Animal Crossing sets, launched in March 2024. This set, the largest at launch, includes Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage. With more sets like this, Animal Crossing fans can recreate their own village, mirroring the game's experience.

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 Animal Crossing location, Dodo Airlines lets you travel to other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock, and minifigures for Wilbur and Tangy, enabling you to create engaging roleplay scenarios.

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 set of Mario & Yoshi is one of the best LEGO sets in recent memory. The model moves with the turn of a crank, animating Yoshi's feet, head, arm, and Mario's cape. A separate mechanism allows Yoshi to open his mouth and stick out his tongue. The set's vibrant 16-bit colors make it a standout piece.

Great Deku Tree

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 documented this set upon its launch. As a 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. Though fun to build, it's one of the pricier LEGO sets available.

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 arguably the finest LEGO set designed by LEGO in collaboration with Nintendo. This massive, cartoonish build of Mario's arch-nemesis is both imposing and adorable, featuring a spring-loaded mechanism that allows 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 Does the Future of LEGO Nintendo Look Like?

The Mighty Bowser, while technically an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set, signaling a new approach for LEGO Nintendo in 2024 and beyond. This design ethos no longer strictly differentiates between children's and adults' sets. The early Super Mario playsets for children were quite basic, emphasizing play over build. Today, LEGO Super Mario sets are more substantial and detailed, even if they still include interactive elements. The focus has shifted towards the joy of building and the aesthetic appeal of the final product, which is crucial for sets aimed at both kids and adults.

For a deeper understanding of LEGO's history and evolution, consider watching the LEGO documentary on Netflix, part of the series "The Toys That Made Us." It highlights how LEGO has continually tried to expand its appeal but always returns to the core joy of building. The initial Mario playsets might have overemphasized play, but the current direction aligns more closely with LEGO's strengths, promising an exciting future.

For more LEGO fun, don't miss our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets.