It's been several years since LEGO formalized its creative partnership with Nintendo, resulting in some of LEGO's most inspired and accessible sets. Initially, in 2020, LEGO clearly distinguished between its child and adult audiences. Children were introduced to Super Mario playsets, which combined digital and physical elements to let kids construct their own Super Mario courses. Adults, on the other hand, were treated to iconic replicas, large sets that evoked waves of Gen-X nostalgia.
However, in recent years, LEGO has intentionally blurred the lines between these two groups. The newer LEGO sets for kids have become more complex and engaging, while the adult sets have taken on a more cartoonish and whimsical tone. This shift aligns well with Nintendo's family-friendly ethos, as their LEGO sets now appeal across generations.
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario
6 See it at Target!
Mario Kart – Standard Kart
2 See it at Amazon!
The Bowser Express Train
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LEGO Piranha Plant
2 See it at Amazon!
Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO Set
1 See it at Amazon!
LEGO Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie's House
1 See it at Amazon!
Fly With Dodo Airlines
0 See it at Amazon!
LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
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LEGO Great Deku Tree Set
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Mighty Bowser
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LEGO/Nintendo has gradually expanded its sub-themes, moving from solely Super Mario to include Sonic the Hedgehog and Animal Crossing. Now, LEGO Zelda has joined the lineup. Here are some of the best LEGO Nintendo sets available in 2025.
Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario
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 build your own Mario courses. Using an LED Mario figurine, you can scan barcodes on enemies and obstacles, which trigger audio feedback including music and classic Mario sounds. The coins you collect are tracked in an app that syncs with Mario and documents your progress.
This is the most recent starter set that includes the Mario LED figure; all other expansion sets require it to function. It also includes other essentials: a starting pipe, a Yoshi figure, a flagpole, and a Bowser Jr. figure riding inside a Junior Clown Car.
Mario Kart – Standard Kart
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, which includes a Glider, a Toad pit crew member, and a launching mechanism for Green and Red Shells, is an excellent starting point for designing race courses. If you're a fan of the Mario Kart games, this set is a great addition at a budget-friendly price of $19.99.
The Bowser Express Train
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 charming set featuring a massive Bowser head on the front of its engine. It comes with six baddies: a Hammer Bro, a Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. All aboard!
Piranha Plant
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 expectations. The LEGO Piranha Plant is brimming with personality and charm, offering great value at its price point. It's rare to feel you're getting a deal with LEGO sets, but this one is reasonably priced and highly recommended.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone LEGO Set
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 iconic rivalry and current collaboration between Sonic and Mario. Sega's presence on Nintendo's online service adds to its relevance. This set is a delightful diorama of Green Hill Zone 1, complete with a loop and a confident Sonic minifigure. It's perfect for adult beginner builders looking to explore a new hobby in 2025.
Nook's Cranny & Rosie's House
LEGO Animal Crossing 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. More sets like these will allow fans to customize their own LEGO village, mirroring the game's experience.
Fly With Dodo Airlines
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 various roleplay scenarios.
Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi
LEGO 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 brings Mario and Yoshi to life with a crank mechanism that moves Yoshi's feet, head, and arm, as well as Mario's cape. A separate mechanism lets Yoshi open his mouth and stick out his tongue. At nearly 16 inches tall, the vibrant colors make it a standout display piece.
Great Deku Tree
LEGO Great Deku Tree Set
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
This 2-in-1 set offers the flexibility to build the Great Deku Tree from either Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. It includes three versions of Link, Princess Zelda, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Though fun to build, it is one of the pricier LEGO sets available.
The Mighty Bowser
LEGO Super Mario 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 hailed as one of the finest LEGO Nintendo sets, offering a large, playful, and adorable build of Mario's ultimate adversary. With a spring-loaded mechanism that allows him to "breathe fire," it's a standout set that's even larger than expected.
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, though technically an expansion playset, is marketed as a standalone set, illustrating a new approach for LEGO Nintendo. This design ethos blurs the lines between children's and adult sets, focusing more on the joy of building and the final display rather than just play.
The early Super Mario playsets were overly simplistic, feeling more suited for children uninterested in LEGO. However, the newer sets are more detailed and engaging, emphasizing the build process and final product. This shift aligns well with LEGO's strengths and bodes well for the future.
For more on LEGO, check out the documentary on Netflix, part of the series "The Toys That Made Us," which provides insight into LEGO's history and evolution. LEGO's attempts to broaden its appeal through different toys or augmented reality have not been as successful as returning to what people love most about the brand: the joy of building.
Also, explore our lists of the best Star Wars LEGO sets, best Harry Potter LEGO sets, and best Marvel LEGO sets for more building inspiration.
