Name a more iconic duo than Mario and Yoshi. Sure, there are likely tons of others, but Super Mario World was my gospel for years when it launched on the Super Nintendo. Over three decades later, I still hum a few iconic themes from one of Nintendo’s best SNES games.
While it isn’t surprising that LEGO has produced some incredible gaming sets over the years, everything from Animal Crossing to Fortnite, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario, what is surprising, though, are the throwbacks we’re seeing. The LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set the perfect celebration between the plumber and Yoshi.
Let’s Build LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi!
The interactivity behind this specific LEGO model attracted me. A few years ago, the Nintendo Entertainment System build was one of my first significant re-introductions to how far LEGO has come from when I was growing up. The NES build features a CRT television, which scrolls alongside the console and shows the original Super Mario Bros. scrolling across the screen.
Now, pop culture is being built with LEGO and retro consoles. While it pains me to say we’ve never had an SNES follow-up, the Mario and Yoshi set is acceptable (make it an actual set, LEGO!).
The Mario & Yoshi set faithfully replicates the pixels millions of millennials remember from Super Mario World. The set is rated for ages 18+, includes 1,215 pieces, and is the perfect holiday gift. I’ve built a lot of LEGO sets since the pandemic, the most challenging being the Back to the Future DeLorean and Horizon Forbidden West’s Tallneck sets. The Mario & Yoshi is more intricate due to all the moving parts you’re assembling, partly due to the Super Mario World build standing at 15.5 x 10 inches. It’s taller than my Tallneck set but sits comfortably on my bookshelf.
What’s in the Box?
In total, expect to work through a whopping 15 bags of pieces. You begin with the base and work your way up, with the pieces slotting together satisfyingly each time you complete a bag. Each bag connects to a base, which includes all the mechanical pieces that power Mario and Yoshi’s movement.
I felt a bit frustrated in the middle of my build session because some pieces became hard to fit together. I even had issues making sense of the diagrams provided, so I resorted to finding the manual online to zoom in and ensure it was the right piece I used.
But just like the LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 I made in June, as impressive as the front looks, the internals, or in this case, the back, are a technical marvel. Rubber bands and plastic pieces work together like a symphony to make everything move in tandem. The one thing I’ve noticed about these complicated builds is that you can’t visualize them until you’ve nearly completed them. You’re building the intricate parts before assembling the “pixelated” pieces on the front to make the backend work as intended. I had instances where I was confused about what I was left with and had four or five similar-looking pieces together. Thankfully, the numbered bags helped me identify what I was working on and where it went.
There’s even interactivity, so you use the side handle to move Yoshi and Mario’s cape. There is also a separate knob that allows Yoshi’s mouth to open and his tongue to extend, simulating the action of eating enemies. Yoshi’s feet move about as he magically moves his arms and legs. Then, Mario’s iconic cape moves behind him as the wind swirls around the duo. Returning to Yoshi for a minute, its face and tongue include an adjustable dial, too, so you can position the dragon in a memorable pose from the game itself.
If you have an afternoon or two to spare, I completed the entire build while watching TV in six hours. That included a break, struggling with making sense of what piece I was working on, and ensuring I was on the right bag a few times. If you’re a skilled LEGO builder, you could complete the entire set in under five hours. Without the intricate bits to worry about, this would be a more straightforward build, but I’m glad the moving parts are included, as they bring a wave of nostalgia when using the handles.
As a bonus for existing users, if you own any LEGO Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures, you can use those to interact with the set via a QR code via the retractable base. Tapping each figure on the QR code plays an animation, including sounds and music from Super Mario World and is such a lovely little Easter Egg for fans.
The LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set is available now for $169.99.
