LEGO Super Mario: Merging Two Worlds of Play

In the vast universe of toys and games, few brands boast the universal appeal and timeless charm of LEGO and Super Mario. Both have individually carved indelible marks on the hearts and minds of generations. So, when in 2020, LEGO and Nintendo announced a collaboration to create the LEGO Super Mario sets, it was the union of two giants, promising an immersive and innovative play experience unlike any other.

LEGO Super Mario is not just another themed LEGO set—it’s an interactive gaming experience that merges the tactile creativity of LEGO building with the digital excitement of Super Mario’s video game world. At the heart of this novel play experience is the LEGO Mario figure, a tech-infused marvel equipped with LCD screens for his eyes, mouth, and chest. These screens allow Mario to react to his environment, display emotions, collect virtual coins, and even play familiar game sounds. By incorporating sensors, the LEGO Mario figure can identify colors, scan special action bricks, and communicate with Bluetooth-connected devices.

The magic truly unfolds when players start building game levels. Each set brings various challenges and characters familiar to any Super Mario enthusiast: from iconic enemies like Goombas and Bowser Jr. to beloved game elements like the Question Mark Blocks and green pipes. Players can design their courses, integrating obstacles, enemies, and power-ups, making every play session unique. The objective remains quintessentially Mario: navigate the course, tackle adversaries, and collect as many coins as possible within a time limit.

This blend of physical building and digital gaming encourages players to exercise both their creativity and problem-solving skills. There’s an inherent trial-and-error aspect, as players optimize their courses for maximum coin collection or to increase the level of difficulty. The feedback loop is instantaneous, with Mario’s real-time reactions serving as an immediate gauge of success or areas for improvement.

One of the standout elements of the LEGO Super Mario series is its expansiveness. The Starter Course is foundational, introducing players to the basic mechanics and characters of the game. But from there, the world expands significantly. Expansion Sets delve deeper into the Mario universe, featuring environments like the Toad’s Treasure Hunt, Bowser’s Castle, and the guarded fortress of the Guarded Fortress. Power-Up Packs further augment gameplay, providing Mario with classic costumes like the Fire Mario suit or the Propeller Mario suit, each granting him unique abilities.

Click here to see all LEGO Super Mario sets

Click here to follow us on Instagram @zatugames