Lego’s Awesome New Mario Kart Display Set Is Available Now

Fans of Nintendo who are eagerly awaiting Mario Kart World can consider purchasing the newly released Lego Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart set, designed for adult collectors. The launch of this intricately detailed Mario Kart collectible on May 15 is quite timely, given that Mario Kart World’s release date has only recently been confirmed – June 5, alongside the Switch 2. It’s worth noting that the unveiling of the set took place before Nintendo announced Mario Kart World, making this well-designed tribute to the beloved franchise even more fitting as it enters a new chapter of open-world racing.

Builders who have previously constructed any of the other Lego Nintendo displays or are familiar with larger car builds from themes like Technic or F1, will find this build relatively straightforward. The increased piece count suggests a larger scope, but the kart construction isn’t significantly more complex than smaller Mario Kart sets or the soon-to-be discontinued Bowser Muscle Car.

Among the Super Mario Lego sets, only Mario Kart and Piranha Plant don’t connect with the main characters from the starter kits. Other adult-oriented displays like NES, Question Block, Mighty Bowser, and Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi have special features that react when you touch them. As a Lego builder who has assembled all Nintendo display models, I’ve always seen these interactions as a fun discovery rather than a necessary part of the building process. Moreover, an interactive mini-version of Mario’s Kart was already released in the initial launch of Lego Mario Kart, so adding it here might seem repetitive.

One unique aspect of this set is that it provides Lego’s initial rendition of Mario’s contemporary character design that we have seen thus far. While the Mario & Yoshi kit launched last fall excellently captured the 16-bit sprites of Mario and Yoshi from Super Mario World, this new set offers something different. Although Mario can be detached from the kart for individual display, he cannot be posed in a standing position due to weight concerns. However, Mario’s head, arms, legs, wrists, ears, and even his thumbs are articulated, enabling various poses. In a seated position, the buildable Mario figure stands approximately seven inches tall and four inches wide from ear to ear. I believe that this is one of the most realistic and high-quality “action figures” of Mario available, making it an excellent standalone display piece.

Among the 17 brick bags, eight are assigned to Mario, while the initial nine are intended for his iconic red and white kart. The kart, featuring a broader variety of parts, turns out to be the intricate half of this set. As anticipated by fans, it appears to have been plucked straight from the games. The completed kart measures 12.5 inches in length and 7.5 inches in width. With Mario seated in the driver’s position, the model stands at 8.5 inches tall.

Although the go-kart doesn’t directly interact with the electronic Lego Mario figures, it still offers interactive features. The wheels spin effortlessly, allowing you to maneuver Mario around. Just take care not to cause accidents, as you may have to reassemble some parts if that happens. The pedals and steering wheel are also functional; moving the latter turns the front tires. The thoughtfully designed stand enables you to pose the kart in various positions, even tilting it slightly to mimic drifting from the game. However, when displaying the kart without the stand, make sure your surface is level and stable so that Mario doesn’t accidentally roll off.

It’s not unexpected that the 326-page instruction booklet for this set is straightforward to understand, as Lego’s DIY building manuals are exceptional compared to other toys or even furniture. Before diving into the first bag of parts, a timeline of the Mario Kart franchise from Super Mario Kart to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is provided. While the physical instruction manual is excellent, the Lego Builder app for iOS and Android offers an even more detailed guide. This app provides step-by-step instructions with 3D images that can be rotated and zoomed in on. You can watch each piece being assembled and revisit any parts of the build that might cause difficulty.

Refashioned expression: Just as previous Nintendo models have, Mario Kart and Standard will likely delight fans. Building it is both fun and calming, and the completed item makes an excellent focal point for any shelf dedicated to the Mario Kart series.

Mario Kart Lego Playsets

If you’re a fan of Mario Kart, don’t forget to explore the six Lego playsets that were launched at the start of the year. Among these sets, you’ll find a miniature replica of Mario’s iconic kart, along with other enjoyable budget-friendly builds such as Yoshi’s Bike, Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi, and Donkey Kong’s DK Jumbo, to name a few.

  • Standard Mario Kart (174 pieces) — $20
  • Yoshi Bike (133 pieces) — $13 ($15)
  • Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi (321 pieces) — $25.49 ($30)
  • Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set (823 pieces) — $80
  • Toad’s Garage (390 pieces) — $34 ($40)
  • Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (387 pieces) — $30 ($35)

All Lego Nintendo Display Models for Adults

As a devoted fan, here’s a rundown of the current Lego Nintendo display models I’ve got my eye on! Since the launch of Lego Super Mario in 2020, we’ve seen seven grown-up-friendly sets come to life. Regrettably, two have already been phased out. Excitingly, Lego is set to add a Game Boy building set to the collection this October!

  • Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart at Lego Store (1,972 pieces) — $170
  • Super Mario: Piranha Plant (540 pieces) — $48 ($60)
  • Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (1,215 pieces) — $130
  • Super Mario: Mighty Bowser (2,807 pieces) — $270
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (2,500 pieces) — $300
  • Lego NES (2,646 pieces) — $330 | Retired, MSRP was $270
  • Super Mario 64: Question Block (2,064 pieces) — $250 | Retired, MSRP was $200

More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders

  • First Book In Joe Abercrombie’s New Fantasy Series Is Finally Here
  • Amazon Restocks Lego Transformers Optimus Prime, Offers Big Discount
  • PSA: Lego Bowser’s Muscle Car Is Retiring – Save Big On 3 Mario Sets Before They’re Gone
  • + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5)
  • Tomtoc Releases Nintendo Switch 2 Version Of Its Popular Form-Fitting Travel Case
  • Lego Star Wars Day Sale Is Live – Get Two Free Sets With Jango Fett’s UCS Starship
  • All The Nintendo Switch 2 Games You Can Preorder Now
  • Studio Ghibli Movies With Collectible Steelbooks Are Available For Cheap
  • 8BitDo Halts US Shipments Due To Tariffs, But You Can Get Great Controller Deals (For Now)

Read More

2025-05-15 19:10