Lego bricks have been around now for over 70 years and are arguably the greatest toy ever. Lego has extended its pop culture footprint from just interlocking plastic parts to movies, video games, and even theme parks. When something is this unbelievably popular, you know that other companies will want to get involved.
One of those companies is Nintendo. Since it's the most popular video game company ever, it seems that Lego and Nintendo have created a partnership made in heaven with some of the most fun and nostalgic Super Mario sets in the last few years. And while there are many great and creative ideas, some of them are just built better. Here's the best of the best!
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Adventures With Mario/Luigi/Peach Starter Course
One of the most exciting things to come out of the Nintendo sets are the new Mario figures. While they're bigger and a bit blockier than the classic Mini Figure, each of the three characters has a computer inside of them that can interact with different objects in different Super Mario sets. This not only makes a unique sound with each item but changes the eyes and chest on the figure as well.
If you want to get the Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures, you must purchase their respective starter courses. Not only do these come with the previously mentioned figures, but they also come with different items and characters for the trio to interact with like Yoshi, Baby Bowser, and Toad.
7 Luigi's Mansion Haunt-And-Seek
The cool thing about the different Super Mario sets is that they are based around specific games. For example, you can battle the Reznor from Super Mario World and ride the Big Urchin roller coaster from Super Mario Sunshine. However, one of the most fun collections has got to be the Luigi's Mansion sets.
While there are a few different sets that make the entire mansion, the highlight is easily the Haunt-And-Seek set. Not only does it have King Boo and a couple of ghosts, but you can also interact with different puzzle elements and battle King Boo! It's a great detailed set that makes up for Lego having retired the Haunted Yard Set.
6 Bowser's Castle
Bowser is the main villain for the entire Super Mario series, so it only makes sense that many of the Lego sets would be based on him. It's just a shame that you can't get access to one of his best sets: Bowser's Castle.
Bowser's castle has a lot of great details including lava pouring out of the castle, Dry Bones, and the big bad himself. However, the highlight has got to be the giant Bowser statue that stands behind him. Unfortunately, this set was retired a while ago and the only way to find one is through various e-shops.
5 Bowser's Air Ship
Bowser's Castle may be gone, but don't worry about the King of the Koopas! He still has a home that can get him from place to place, even if he's not in the set itself. That's right, you can build Bowser's iconic air ship!
Bowser's Air Ship comes with everything you remember from different Super Mario games including Kami Koopa, a Goomba with a captain's hat, and a cannon to reach the flying ship. Once again, the best parts of this build are the details, specifically the wings on the mast and the Bowser face on the front of the ship. This is one of the coolest boats in all of Lego, and it is definitely sea-worthy. Sorry, I mean air-worthy.
4 Peach's Castle
90's gamer kids everywhere likely still remember when they first approached Peach's Castle back in Mario 64. There was a real sense of wonder, since nothing like it had ever been seen before. Now you can experience that wonder again by building Peach's Castle at home, and it's wonderful.
What separates Peach's Castle from the other sets is how whimsical it is. Not only can you interact with Ludwig Von Koopa and Toadette, but there are delightful little details like the painting for Bob-Omb Battlefield and a Goomba hiding in a cake. Unfortunately, this is now the only regular set featuring Bowser.
3 The Mighty Bowser
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In The Mighty Bowser set, Bowser finally gets the respect he deserves. While this isn't the largest Bowser ever built out of Legos, this set is still the biggest money can buy standing at about 12.5 in. (32 cm) tall between two large flaming pillars. It can also move around allowing it to be posed in various ways.
But that isn't even the best part! Much like every other set previously mentioned on this list, all the Super Mario figures can interact with Bowser and have epic battles with him. This makes it even easier to recreate memorable Mario moments, which is really what this whole collection is about.
2 Nintendo Entertainment System
While many people will be buying these sets for their kids, a lot of purchases are definitely going to be driven by adults who just want to revisit their youth. And no set is going to be nearly as nostalgic as the Nintendo Entertainment System Set.
Genuinely, the attention to detail on this set is mind boggling. The NES doesn't just look like an NES on the outside, but on the inside as well with circuit boards meticulously detailed. There's also a controller and Super Mario Bros. cartridge that can be inserted into the system. But the real coup de grace that makes this build stand out is the CR TV that features an actual Mario platforming through part of World 1-1 on loop. You can genuinely see the love and care put into this by the master builders, and it seems that that kind of love will continue with the new Lego Atari 2600.
1 Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block
There are many things that can make a Lego set stand out from the pack such as creativity, interactivity, attention to detail, and just plain fun. While every set on this list features some combination of all of these, this final set is the only one that exemplifies all four. The best Nintendo-based Lego set is easily the Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block.
Although it looks like an ordinary question block, if you push on the top it will open up to reveal four classic levels from Mario 64: Peach's Castle, Bob-Omb Battlefield, Cool, Cool Mountain, and Lethal Lava Land. Each level is filled with minute details including the penguin race, Mr. I, cannons, and even Yoshi on top of Peach's Castle. The Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block isn't just the best Nintendo Lego set. It is easily one of the best Lego sets of all time.