Do you enjoy Nintendo‘s Super Mario video games? Have you wanted to bring Mario, Luigi, and other iconic characters into the real world? If so, then Lego Mario sets are perfect for you. These intricate toy sets let builders recreate items and scenes from popular Mario games.
In this article, I‘ll countdown the top 5 Lego Mario sets across various themes. We‘ll compare prices, pieces, and special play features. You‘ll also gain insider knowledge around the Lego Mario lineup. My goal is to help you discover the ideal Mario set that matches your budget and interests. Shall we begin?
1. LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
The best overall Lego Mario set transforms the classic NES console into an interactive, nostalgic build. Lego designers expertly captured the look and spirit of the original 1985 hardware that introduced Super Mario to the world.
The Deets:
Pieces: 2,646
Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 5 inches
Price: $229.99
This isn‘t just a mini NES to sit on your shelf. It recreates the full experience complete with a boxy 1980s television, two game controllers, and Mario popping out on screen.
Turn the hand crank on the TV to scroll through a dynamic first level of the Super Mario Bros game. You‘ll see Mario hopping over pipes and question blocks straight from the classic NES title that started it all. Or slide the Super Mario Bros cartridge into the front loading slot to play imaginary games, just like millions did with their real NES systems decades ago.
It‘s these interactive touches that earn the Lego NES wide acclaim as the best Mario set for retro gamers and Nintendo fans. The final product looks so realistic you‘ll do a double take to see if it‘s made of plastic bricks or actual electronics.
Speaking of bricks, you‘re getting an excellent value here with one of Lego‘s highest piece counts. Expect the modernized NES set to keep both young builders and nostalgic adults entertained for hours reliving 1980s gaming magic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Faithfully detailed console, TV & controllers | Expensive at $230 |
| Cool crank scrolls through first Super Mario Bros level | Doesn‘t include Mario minifigure |
| Brings 1980s video gaming to life |
Let‘s cue up the iconic Super Mario Bros soundtrack as we unveil Lego‘s blocky Nintendo!
*Stats per Lego.com, June 2023
2. The Mighty Bowser
In the number 2 spot towers The Mighty Bowser set – a breathtaking statue of Mario‘s menacing arch-nemesis. Lego sculpts Bowser with an astounding 2,807 pieces measuring over 12-inches tall. That makes The Mighty Bowser one of Lego‘s largest Mario sets…and largest minifigures period!
Let‘s size up the build:
Pieces: 2,807
Dimensions: 32cm x 32cm x 38cm
Price: $269.99
Price per piece: $0.096 per piece
With intricate sculpting and hidden features, The Mighty Bowser earns his place among the best Lego Mario sets.
Poseable joints allow you to position Bowser‘s limbs, tail, and head exactly how you want. Push a secret button on his back to trigger menacing jaw and neck movements. Keep pressing the button until his mouth gapes open and he launches a surprise fiery attack!
The figure stands atop a battle platform straight from Bowser‘s castle. You can place Mario and Luigi figurines (sold separately) onto marked areas and recreate boss battles from the video games. Interactive sound effects play from the included speaker. There‘s even a built-in scanner that links Bowser to the Mario Lego app.
While pricey, the set offers excellent value with one of Lego‘s lowest price-per-piece ratios around 10 cents per brick. Collectors praise The Mighty Bowser set for its towering impact combined with playable features. It‘s the centerpiece Mario baddie your Lego lineup has been missing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Amazing 2,800 piece Bowser statue | High $270 price tag |
| Poseable limbs and fiery breath attack | Doesn‘t include Mario minfigures |
| Battle platform with app connectivity | Requires lots of build time |
Ready to brick-build your own King Koopa? March on over to grab The Mighty Bowser!
*Dimensions and pricing per Lego.com, June 2023
3. Mario Adventures Starter Course
If you‘re shopping for young builders, the Mario Adventures Starter Course delivers endless creative construction play. Kids can build their own Super Mario levels with the included 231 Lego pieces.
The Details:
Pieces: 231
Price: $59.99
Intended Age: 6+
The open-ended brick set promotes imagination and problem solving. Children arrange pipes, question mark bricks, Piranha plants and more to form custom courses for everyone‘s favorite plumber.
But the adventures really come to life thanks to the exclusive electronic Mario minifigure. His feet feature color sensors that trigger reactions as he traverses your custom level designs. Hop on a red brick? Mario shows a scared reaction to hot lava. Bounce on enemies? Coins spill out as rewards.
Connecting Mario to a smart device via Bluetooth unlocks even more fun. The Lego Mario app provides digital building instructions, helpful hints during gameplay and tracks scoring. It also unlocks recognizable tunes and phrases from the videogames through the figure‘s speaker.
With endless arrangements and smartphone connectivity, the Starter Course empowers young builders to create living Super Mario levels filled with sights and sounds of the Mushroom Kingdom. Expand the set by combining with other characters like Luigi, Peach and Yoshi or add-on level packs. For an imaginative intro into Lego Mario, the Starter Course jumps to first place.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Creative open-ended build system for kids | Requires smartphone/tablet for connectivity features |
| Interactive Mario figure with color sensors | Small parts may frustrate younger kids |
| Expandable with add-on packs | Doesn‘t include other major characters |
Run and grab this interactive set for your little Mario masters!
*Pricing per Lego.com, June 2023
4. Question Mark Block
Number 4 takes us inside Mario‘s iconic power-up cube with the Question Mark Block set. Paying tribute to the pioneering Super Mario 64 Nintendo 64 game, this 2,064-piece build authentically reconstructs Mario‘s favorite block.
Let‘s break down the blueprints:
Pieces: 2,064
Dimensions: 18 x 7 x 18 cm
Price: $199.99
Minifigures: 10 included
The real brick-built magic gets unleashed when you tap the top. Just like an in-game power up, the Question Mark Block unfurls to reveal hidden diorama scenes. You‘ll uncover four micro-sized levels from Super Mario 64:
- Peach‘s Castle Courtyard
- Bob-omb Battlefield
- Lethal Lava Land
- Cool, Cool Mountain
Also built into the backwall lurks a fifth secret area depicting Mario‘s final Bowser battle. Micro figures and platforms add authenticity while packing tons of nostalgia into a tight space.
Fans praise how the Question Mark Block looks great displayed both closed or with the full cubic feet of levels exposed. The set works with the interactive Mario minifigure who scans unique barcodes in each scene to register virtual coins and rewards.
For Super Mario 64 enthusiasts or cube cowboys craving triangles, the foldable Question Mark Block is the perfect puzzle box add-on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unfolds into iconic Mario 64 levels | Pricey at over $199 |
| Innovative packaging as Mario‘s power-up block | Microscale limits intricate detailing |
| Integrates with Mario minifigure via QR codes | Niche appeal for SM64 vs main Mario games |
Grow your world and Super Mario Lego kingdom with this transforming tile!
*Dimensions and pricing per Lego.com, June 2023
5. Donkey Kong Treehouse
My number 5 pick swings into the Lego Mario lineup with a jungle treehouse themed around the original Donkey Kong arcade cabinets. Let‘s climb for a closer look at the details:
Pieces: 555
Price: $59.99
Minifigures: Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong
The triple-decker treefort marks Donkey Kong‘s Lego debut alongside his wisecracking elder Cranky Kong. Their brick-built figures work alongside the electronic Mario, Luigi and Peach toys activating special features across the wooden platforms.
Kids can position Mario to ride on DK‘s back as he pounds his chest and knuckle-walks around the level. Cranky‘s lookout gazebo hides a hammer for bashing breakable bricks that spill bananas. Spinning tire swings and barrel cannons offer interactive obstacles. It‘s everything you‘d want for a swinging Donkey Kong domain!
As an add-on to the Mario Adventures series, the treehouse expands the possibilities for new levels and play. The DK duo minifigures add fresh characters to adventures beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. While not the largest set piece-wise, fans welcome the chance to finally build with Nintendo‘s powerhouse primate outside of Mario‘s shadow.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adds iconic Donkey Kong & Cranky figures | Mid-size 555 piece count |
| Expandable kit for Mario Adventures series | Requires other sets for full play features |
| Cool vine swings and breakable bricks | Currently only sold directly via Lego |
Go bananas and pass me the DK Rap! Pick up thisneo-classic castle for your Lego lineup.
*Stats according to Lego.com, June 2023
Ranking All 5 Lego Mario Sets
Now that you‘ve seen the top contenders vying for best Lego Mario set, let‘s view how they compare across key stats in this single cheat sheet:
| Set | Pieces | Minifigs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO NES | 2,646 | 0 | $229.99 |
| Mighty Bowser | 2,807 | 1 | $269.99 |
| Mario Adventures Starter Course | 231 | 1 | $59.99 |
| Question Mark Block | 2,064 | 10 | $199.99 |
| Donkey Kong Treehouse | 555 | 2 | $59.99 |
The LEGO NES set stands out as the largest build packed with authentic 1980s gaming nostalgia. Mighty Bowser edges ahead in pieces for the towering King Koopa focal point. Question Mark Block also impresses with high piece count that transforms into iconic Mario 64 scenes.
But piece numbers alone don‘t determine value. Compare each set‘s look, play features and don‘t forget your budget!
The Starter Course delivers big interactive fun in a small affordable package perfect for younger kids. While the Donkey Kong Treehouse trails for raw bricks, it introduces the long-awaited Kongs to extend adventures.
Keep this ranking handy while exploring the unique perks offered across Lego’s Mario sets lineup!
Start Building Your Super Mario World
As you can see, Lego recreates the magic of Nintendo‘s Mario games through interactive brick-built playsets and statues. With options spanning over 30 years of video game history, they offer nostalgic toy boxes for every gamer kid-at-heart!
I hope mapping out the top 5 Mario Lego sets helped identify the perfect brick-built collectible, creativescape or display piece to add to your mushroom kingdom. Let the building adventures begin!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to warm up my virtual go-kart racing skills on Rainbow Road before Bowser gets the jump. Thanks for reading and may fortune shine gold coins your way in all Lego Mario quests ahead!
