LEGO and Nintendo shows off the full lineup of their Super Mario collection, available for preorder now.
Basics
On June 16, 2020; LEGO, in partnership with Nintendo, released the full lineup of their Super Mario LEGO sets. The Super Mario collection consist of a starter kit, 10 themed location expansion sets, 4 power-up packs containing exchangeable LEGO costumes for Mario, and blind bag sets (basically physical loot crates) containing 1 of 10 different characters.
As you can see, these Super Mario sets aren’t your typical plastic LEGO bricks that give you the serious pain of the feet. Although I’d imagine that stepping on them would hurt all the same.
Getting back to the point though, these Super Mario sets apparently have little LED screens built into Mario’s eyes, mouth, and belly. These screens allow Mario to change expressions on the fly, and display images as you’re playing around with them. Speakers on the bricks also allow Mario’s voice and assorted sound effects to play as you’re moving Mario around. Sensors and gyroscopes built into the bricks allow Mario to detect what position he’s in, what color of brick he’s put on, and even when he’s collecting virtual coins. Plus, a companion app for iOS and Android allows players to zoom and rotate bricks virtually to make building easier, make build suggestions, and offer a safe forum for builders to talk on.
All of this is integral with building entire Mario worlds out of nothing but LEGO bricks. Specially designed and highly advanced LEGO bricks sure, but still LEGO bricks at their heart. The only difference now is that batteries are now required.
Pricing
I must note though that this LEGO set isn’t quite ready for purchase yet. As of June 16, the sets can only be preordered, with shipping dates starting on August 1.
The full breakdown is available here including prices in USD and EUR:
Starter Set
- 71360 – LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course (59.99 USD/EUR)
Expansions
- 71362 – LEGO Super Mario Guarded Fortress Expansion Set (49.99 USD/EUR)
- 71363 – LEGO Super Mario Desert Pokey Expansion Set (19.99 USD/EUR)
- 71364 – LEGO Super Mario Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion Set (19.99 USD/EUR)
- 71365 – LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set (29.99 USD/EUR)
- 71366 – LEGO Super Mario Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set (29.99 USD/EUR)
- 71367 – LEGO Super Mario Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set (29.99 USD/EUR)
- 71368 – LEGO Super Mario Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set (69.99 USD/EUR)
- 71369 – LEGO Super Mario Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set (99.99 USD/EUR)
- 71376 – LEGO Super Mario Thwomp Drop Expansion Set (39.99 USD/EUR – available only with select retailers)
- 71377 – LEGO Super Mario King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set (49.99 USD/EUR- available only with select retailers)
Power Up Packs
- 71370 – LEGO Super Mario Fire Mario Power-Up Pack (9.99 USD/EUR)
- 71371 – LEGO Super Mario Propeller Mario Power-Up Pack (9.99 USD/EUR)
- 71372 – LEGO Super Mario Cat Mario Power-Up Pack (9.99 USD/EUR)
- 71373 – LEGO Super Mario Builder Mario Power-Up Pack (9.99 USD/EUR)
Blind Bag Characters (Paragoomba, Fuzzy, Spiny, Buzzy Beetle, Bullet Bill, Bob-omb, Eep Cheep, Blooper, Urchin, and Peepa)
- 71361 – LEGO Super Mario Character Packs ($4.99 USD/€3.99 EUR)
Conclusion
LEGO bricks are now definitely going high-tech with these new Super Mario sets. I remember when they were just simple plastic bricks. I also remember stepping on them as a kid too.
There’s a reason why LEGO bricks plot to be under our feet right at that moment when it happens to be bare.
In any case, prepare for some new fun with these electronic and computerized LEGO bricks, and prepare for some old-fashioned pain when someone inevitably leaves them scattered on the floor. Remember, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. Or at least, what doesn’t kill you will make you more cautious of tiny, hard plastic bricks where you step.
Source: ComicBook
