As the gaming world celebrates Mario Day, LEGO has announced a delightful expansion to its Super Mario line. LEGO and Nintendo are collaborating yet again to bring fans a fresh range of Mario-themed playsets scheduled to hit the shelves on August 1st, 2024. These new sets promise to immerse fans in the rich universe of the iconic video game franchise by offering detailed models and engaging interactivity.
There's plenty of excitement for dedicated Mario and LEGO enthusiasts, as the new lineup includes three major sets: The Bowser Express Train, King Boo's Haunted Mansion, and Battle with Roy at Peach's Castle. Each of these sets brings a unique slice of the Mario world to life, allowing players to collect, build, and play their way through familiar scenarios and challenging new adventures.
The Bowser Express Train, set number 71437, priced at USD 119.99, and containing 1,392 pieces, is a remarkable addition to any collection. This set is a train ride like no other, featuring a detailed locomotive, two railway stations, a handcar, and six engaging figures, including Hammer Bro, Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. Though the LEGO Mario, Luigi, or Peach figures are sold separately, once added, they can interact with the environment in creative ways. Kids can help their characters chase the train in the handcar, fend off enemies with a cannon wagon’s spring-loaded shooter, and celebrate the conquering of Bowser's Express with horn sounds as they reach the station.
Next up is the eerie and exciting King Boo's Haunted Mansion, set number 71436, which retails at USD 74.99 and comes with 932 pieces. This spooky set invites players to navigate ghostly terrains and discover treasures hidden within the haunted walls. Players can delve into the intricacies of the mansion, fitted with an elevating sofa and a secret revealing bookcase. It includes figures such as the fearsome King Boo, a Yellow Baby Yoshi, the skeletal Dry Bones, and a Boo. The playset is designed to work with the interactive Mario, Luigi, or Peach figures, which can be used to collect rewards and battle the mansion's spectral inhabitants.
Complementing these two is the Battle with Roy at Peach's Castle set, numbered 71435, at a cost of USD 64.99 and with 738 pieces. This set allows fans to relive classic showdowns at an iconic location—the majestic Peach's Castle. Once built, it features walls that can collapse, a catapult, a rotating throne, and a garden with a charming fountain. Included in the set are figures of Roy (a first for LEGO Super Mario sets), Chain Chomp, and Toad. The challenge is to defeat Roy, take control of the Chain Chomp, and find Action Tags that activate digital reactions, such as piano music, when touched by the interactive Mario series figures.
These upcoming sets not only build on the already substantial LEGO Super Mario universe but also engage players in a new layer of interactive play. Each set inspires imaginative role-play and offers countless hours of hands-on fun, emulating the digital delight found in the Super Mario video games.
With the promise of Mario Kart-themed LEGO on the horizon for the following year, 2025, these new sets for 2024 are strategically placing LEGO Mario fans at the starting blocks of a new chapter of imaginative brick-building and storytelling.
For collectors, hobbyists, and gamers who grew up with Mario or those introducing the next generation to his adventures, these sets represent a unique merging of the digital and physical play worlds. Indeed, the Bowser Express Train, King Boo's Haunted Mansion, and the breathtaking Battle at Peach’s Castle are set to become treasured pieces in the collections of many LEGO and Super Mario fans around the globe, offering endless possibilities for creative construction and playful encounters with well-loved characters from the Super Mario series.
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