Top LEGO Nintendo Sets for All Ages

Since LEGO and Nintendo joined forces several years ago, they've created some of the most innovative and accessible LEGO sets on the market. Initially, in 2020, LEGO distinguished between sets aimed at children and those for adults. The younger audience enjoyed Super Mario playsets, which are digital-physical hybrids that let kids construct their own Mario courses. Meanwhile, adults were treated to iconic replicas that sparked waves of nostalgia among Gen-Xers.

Over time, LEGO has intentionally blurred the lines between sets designed for children and those for adults. The newer sets for kids are more intricate, while the adult sets have become more whimsical and cartoonish. This approach aligns well with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, making the 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 enable you to build your own Mario courses. Using an LED Mario figurine, you scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles, which trigger audio feedback like music and classic Mario sounds. The coins you collect are tracked in an app that syncs with Mario and records your progress.

This is the latest starter set that includes the Mario LED figure; other expansion sets require this figure to function. It also comes with essential pieces such as a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure that rides 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 work with the Interactive Mario LED figure from the Adventures starter set. This classic Kart build, complete with a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, is perfect for starting your race course designs. It's a must-have for Mario Kart enthusiasts and offers great value at just $19.99.

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 quirky, colorful, and endearingly self-absorbed set featuring a massive Bowser head on its engine. It includes six baddies: a Hammer Bro, a Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. All aboard!

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 full of charm and personality, offering great value for its price. It's a rare treat to feel like you're getting a deal with LEGO, but this Piranha in a pipe is both affordable and worth every penny. Highly recommended.

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

While not strictly Nintendo, we include this Sonic set due to the collaboration between Sonic and Mario. Sega's presence on Nintendo's online service makes this a fitting addition. This set creates a lovely diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's perfect for adult beginners looking to dip their toes into LEGO building.

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

In 2024, Nintendo expanded its LEGO offerings with Animal Crossing sets. This set, the largest at launch, includes Tom Nook's shop and Rosie the Cat's cottage. With a few more sets like these, Animal Crossing fans can create their own customizable village.

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 beloved location from the Animal Crossing series, Dodo Airlines lets you travel to other players' islands. This set includes a seaplane, a dock/jetty, and minifigures for Wilbur and Tangy, allowing for immersive 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

One of the most nostalgic LEGO sets in recent years, this depiction of Mario & Yoshi features movement via a crank. Yoshi's feet, head, and arm, along with Mario's cape, animate with the turn of the crank. A separate mechanism makes Yoshi open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, the set's vibrant 16-bit colors truly stand out.

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. It's a versatile 2-in-1 build, allowing you to choose between the Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild version. The set includes three versions of Link, Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. It's a fun build, though it comes at a higher price point.

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 the standout Nintendo set from LEGO, and one of the best LEGO sets overall. This large, cartoonish, yet adorable build of Mario's nemesis is larger than expected and features a spring-loaded mechanism that lets Bowser "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's Does the Future of LEGO Nintendo Look Like?

The Mighty Bowser, while technically an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set. It showcases a new LEGO Nintendo approach for 2024 and beyond: a design philosophy that blurs the line between children's and adults' sets.

The early Super Mario playsets for children were simple and airy, focusing more on play than build. They felt less engaging even for children who enjoy LEGO. However, today's LEGO Super Mario sets are more substantial and detailed, maintaining the interactive elements like barcodes while prioritizing the building experience and display quality. The best sets, like The Mighty Bowser, emphasize the joy of building over mobile gameplay.

For a deeper look into LEGO's history and evolution, the Netflix documentary series "The Toys That Made Us" offers fascinating insights. It highlights how LEGO has tried various innovations but always returns to what fans love most: the joy of building.

As LEGO continues to create sets that align with their core strengths, the future of LEGO Nintendo looks promising. Be sure to explore our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and the best Marvel LEGO sets for more building inspiration.