It’s every kid’s dream come true – IRL Mario. The Italian plumber is entering the three-dimensional world with a brand new Lego set, marking the first collaboration between Nintendo and Lego. These aren’t your regular primary-coloured blocks; Lego Super Mario (see here for English) comes with a Bluetooth Mario figurine complete with LCD eyes and mouth. Lego Mario collects virtual coins along the Lego course, which users assemble themselves.
A gyroscope, accelerometer and sensors keep the set rooted in its video game origins – they let Lego Mario react to seven different action blocks, including that famous yellow question mark box. Speakers inside Mario play the familiar theme song and other sound effects. There’s even a companion app with a kid-friendly forum and building guides. Lego really leveled up in 2020.
Preorders for the set began on Amazon Japan back in April. If you prefer to get yours from a physical store instead, the Mario Starter Course, along with two expansion sets (Piranha Plant Power Slide and Desert Pokey Expansion), will be released in Japan on July 10 – almost a month ahead of the worldwide launch.
As for the eight additional expansion sets, which include Mario favourites like Yoshi, Boo, Toad and ultimate boss Bowser, we'll have to wait until the international release on August 1. Power-up suits will also be released on August 1, which give Mario extra powers like throwing fireballs or flying.
Here’s a sneak peek of the expansion sets.
If you’re in Japan, you can pick up the sets at Lego shops and the Nintendo Tokyo store in Shibuya Parco starting July 10. The price for the starter set is not announced on the Lego Japan website but is listed as ¥7,035 on Amazon Japan.
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