General Nintendo/Mario Discussion

mattytreks

Creating this thread to discuss anything & everything related to the Nintendo/Mario properties.

As of writing this, we have these sets to sink our teeth into:

Console
71374 - Nintendo Entertainment System

Super Mario
Starter Course
71360 - Adventures With Mario Starter Course

Expansion Sets
71369 - Bowser's Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set
71368 - Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set
71362 - Guarded Fortress Expansion Set
71377 - King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set
71376 - Thwomp Drop Expansion Set
71366 - Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set
71367 - Mario's House & Yoshi Expansion Set
71365 - Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set
71363 - Desert Pokey Expansion Set
71364 - Whomp's Lava Trouble Expansion Set

Power-Up Packs
71373 - Builder Mario Power-Up Pack
71372 - Cat Mario Power-Up Pack
71370 - Fire Mario Power-Up Pack
71371 - Propeller Mario Power-Up Pack

Character Packs
71361 - Character Pack

GWP's (Gift With Purchase)
40414 - Monty Mole & Super Mushroom Expansion Set
30385 - Super Mushroom Surprise Expansion Set

mr_benn

Well, I picked up the starter pack and a bunch of the character packs yesterday and I'm... intrigued by the whole thing.  I think that I'm liking it more than I had perhaps expected to following all of the preview pictures.  Mario in hand is actually quite fun and you quickly forget about his slightly weird Duplo-esque proportions.

The reliance on you having a compatible smart device I am somewhat less fond of.  Whilst I appreciate that most households have a smartphone/tablet accessible, how many of the target age have a device that they can use all the time as and when they want?  (I suspect the answer is 'some, but definitely not all').  Also whilst the character bags came with paper instructions, there are zero paper instructions in the main starter kit, so even though many of the builds are quite basic, you're out of luck if you want to build and you haven't got a device.  Will be interesting to see the wider reaction on the device dependence.

The individual enemies are actually all rather lovely and well realised (albeit in a blocky sort of way).  I'd say the starter pack was definitely verging on stingy by only including a Goomba and Bowser Jr as enemies - practically necessitating other purchases too.  Luckily the enemies in the character parks are rather charming - my particular favourites being the Bullet Bill and the Blooper. 

Printed tiles all round!  Wahey!

So how does it play?  It's... ok.  You need to get yourself into a bit of a Mario mindset and get hungry for coins.  You can't really lose as such, only not win as much (I read somewhere that this was intentional by the designers) but there's a certain satisfaction in Mario recognising the surface that you're plonking him around on - grass, water, sand or lava - as well as the barcodes (for want of a better word) for a variety of different platforms and enemies to plonk him on. Plonk on the pipe to start, then bip bip bop around your course until you get to your flag, see how many coins you got.  The app will also tell you where the coins came from which is a nice touch - but once again dependent on you having a device.

I'll definitely be picking up other kits because I'm a fan of Mario, and I have an aspiration of essentially using a lot of Minecraft sets to create some sort of Mario based dioramas (which due to the tech could also be used as 'levels' as well if I wanted to play.  But can I recommend?  It's certainly not going to satisfy the build-and-display only types, it's definitely more of a toy than that - but it's rather an expensive one - I think the cost for all the first wave sets is somewhere in the region of £500-£600, which could get you an awful lot of other Lego.  

I look forward to seeing other peoples' opinions about these sets in this thread!

panchox1

I really don't have any interest in this theme as a whole but I did come across some of the character packs the other day and picked one up out of curiosity. I can honesty say I like them far better than the normal minifigure CMF packs. Super fun minibuild. I will definitely be looking for more. But still not enough to get me to buy into the Theme beyond that. I guess I may if I found a starter super marked down.

klinton

I think the idea is brilliant for the target market. I can see kids having hours of fun with the level building system. I used to do something similar when I was a kid, building mushroom platforms using 2 2x4 red bricks upon 2x2 white bricks. :p

For myself though, I've little interest in it. Sprawling, sparsely detailed strings of plates would look ridiculous on a shelf next to a perpetually dead eyed Mario figure. I'll likely end up grabbing the starter kit this weekend out of curiosity, but I can't see myself collecting the theme. The character packs look kinda fun though. A few Lego Bloobers can't hurt...

Bumblepants

I am just hoping to find some of these on discount later for part packs. New Elementary has as great article on all the recolors and there are a ton of good ones.

CCC

Bumblepants said:

I am just hoping to find some of these on discount later for part packs. New Elementary has as great article on all the recolors and there are a ton of good ones.

If it sells as well as dimensions, then I'll be aiming for 25% of RRP if buying for parts. It will be interesting to see how well these sell beyond the initial release.

Russell844

There are really only a few sets I want: #71374, #71360, and #71367. I just don't have the room to set the whole thing up.

msanders

Oh, I`m glad that there is a thread for this.

I am definitely excited for this theme. Super mario - check! Lego - check! It helps that our family love Nintendo and we play the games on the Switch (including the back catalogue). I have been watching the various video reviews in great anticipation and I have all of the sets on order (I just couldn`t wait!) - luckily a local retailer has them on immediate discount (around 15%).

We`re all excited and looking forward to the creativity that it brings. We are planning on building some dioramas with the different Biomes (Lava one with Bowsers castle is top of my list). We love Minecraft as well and these Mario sets remind me of the Minecraft builds and themes. 

I also think that some of them make great display sets for those that are interested in Super Mario but not the play aspect (although the blackened out Mario eyes will be a bit disconcerting). 

Granted, on the face value of things, the sets seem a bit expensive. Again, I feel this is similar to Minecraft, and in both cases, they use lots of plates and larger pieces, so its difficult to get obsessed with price per part. Also, I constantly read that AFOLs don`t like putting stickers on things, and there are no stickers to apply in the Super Mario sets (although the barcodes HAD to be stickered so that they were robust enough to withstand the play aspect, but these are pre-applied!). All of the decorations are printed so there will be added expense! Given that there are over 200 new parts/recolours, you can really see why the sets are slightly poorer price per part. 

I`m not sure if people are aware but already there are some pieces available on Bricks and pieces (only 3 sets are the moment).  Understandably, you can`t order the printed pieces, but surprisingly, you can order some barcode pieces from sets #71363 Desert Pokey and #71365 Piranha - I got the Time block barcode and some of the moving platform barcodes. The Mario starter set pieces are available as well (no printed pieces or barcodes). The new baseplate pieces are available in the colours found in these sets, so I have ordered these as well. I will also likely use them for Minecraft builds. 

Super (Mario) excited! Let`s play! 

Shib

I really want to get all the sets but then try to turn them into a more faithful reproduction of some of the real levels.....

adding that to the list of MOCs I’ll never get round to

pxchris

Other than the console set, which I'm absolutely going to get, the rest of the theme still just doesn't hold any personal appeal to me at all. The more video reviews I've seen of it, the less impressed I am. However, I hope that the target demographic really loves the theme!

Lyichir

Personally I'm really excited for the theme. I'd theorized all sorts of ways for a Mario theme to work in the past, but trying to design traditional sets or diorama-style scenes that really captured the spirit of the Mario series gameplay never really worked out for me. So when I saw what Lego had done with these I think they managed to actually figure it out. I love the brick-built enemy and ally characters. And I already have all sorts of ideas for MOCs—not just level designs but also enemy variants (the simple, geometric designs of the enemies and the fact that Mario series enemies already come in all sorts of permutations makes this much more feasible than if they'd used molded figures of some sort).

So far I'm for sure going to get the Starter Pack, Mario's House, Toad's Treasure Hunt, and Bowser's Castle Boss Battle sets, and there's a number of others I wouldn't mind getting either. The only ones I'm really not particularly drawn to are the Power-Up packs—they really only seem to add minor gameplay features and most of them aren't even that great a match to the actual costumes or power-ups they're based on. I've also been thinking about ordering some non-Lego NFC tags so that I can make custom Amiibo bases to attach some of the characters to, since I don't have any Mario-series Amiibo and the novelty of having "Lego versions" of those Amiibo seems like it could be pretty neat.

mattytreks

With this initial slate of offerings, I'm excited to see where LEGO's license with Nintendo will take us.

As for now, I'm all in on the NES set being releaed tonight, and due to the musical interactive feature with the Mario figure, they hooked me on the Starter Course set, as well.

It remains to be seen whether I go the route of building my own "Mario World" with the various expansion sets, but at the very least I'd like to pick up some of the GWP's and maybe a few fun Mario characters along the way.

I sure hope the NES set paves the way for Super NES and Gameboy sets, as well as sticker packs to create additional game cartidges.

I would also like to see a series of traditional Mario-themed minifigures.  Fingers crossed!

mr_benn

Surprised that we haven't seen any official Brickset reviews of these yet?

Anyway, turns out that this is quite a hit with the kids, who have totally reconstructed the courses.  Having picked up the piranha plant seesaw thing (not sure that's the official name) I'm becoming increasingly impressed with Mario's functionality too - he's got reasonably responsive tilt sensors and can tell when he bumps things (in this case the plants at each end) - the seesaw actually requires genuine skill if you're going to get any coins.  Colour me shocked!

Weepy_Donuts

We surprised the kids with the Starter Pack this morning. All three worked together, taking turns building each module with my phone. As they finished I pulled out 3 blind bags (one for each kid) and the Power Mushroom poly (for me to build a small bit too). They were absolutely delighted with the play.

My 10yo said that we should get more. I said that maybe we could in the future, what others do you like? He said probably Thromp. Great minds think alike and I grabbed the Thromp set from the cupboard where it had been hidden with the blind bags. Complete kid freak out!

It has been a fun morning with Mario, but that's probably the last set until we see some discounts in the fall.

donutboy

I just want the Blooper character pack. £3.50 and i'm all done.

NicksBricks

While I prefer the physical instruction booklet I was very impressed with how the digital instructions turned out. Being able to rotate the model was great.

msanders

So, almost the complete collection arrived yesterday and we have had soooooooo much fun with this! Even my wife has got involved, plus the 3 yr old loves it. She is understanding the whole concept as well (start, jump, spin, turn, finish, etc).

This is so unique and got the whole family involved. This really is very interactive and fun. We have been designing and redesigning different courses, and tomorrow we will have our very own Lego Super Mario world championships (well, Sanders championships!). Also, the kids love changing the outfits so we really like these Power-up packs!

In terms of which sets we play with the most:

• I would say definitely Toads treasure hunt and Bowsers castle are must-haves. After that we use the Guarded fortress. Most of the time, we have been setting up grass-water courses.
• Apart from that, most of the other sets we have just taken the special blocks and enemies - e.g. the Star block is amazing! That`s in Mario`s house (apart from that block there`s not much else to that set) and King boo`s. Or chance it on the `?` block but you can waste time trying to get it. 
• We use the extra time block (Piranha and Mario`s castle), as well as the`P` block (Whomp lava) since this gives lots of coins and does not deduct time (same for the Star block) - they both give you around 10 seconds of extra time.
• The best `enemy` is definitely Bob-omb - you get to jump on it loads and get off before it explodes (if you have the mushroom you don`t need to jump off). You can get 30-40 coins, which is the best of any enemy per time that you invest.

So overall, you can get 60 secs + 15 secs (`?` block) + 30 secs (Time block), plus 10 secs (P block) + 10 secs (Star block). Have I forgotten something?

*Note that you can only use these special blocks once per course apart from the `?` block, which gives 6 options and replaces a used option with 1 coin - so it`s like rolling the dice each time. 


So to summarise my thoughts on each set for play value:

• Guarded fortress - Scenery is great. Bob-omb is perfect, although you can get the character pack much cheaper!
• Desert pokey - Its OK. Unique hammer bashing function but overall you do not get many coins. 
• Whomp`s Lava - again OK, but the bridge-platform function is found in other sets. `P` block is great!
• Piranha plant slide - unique function, but not many coins for the time investment. Contains the Time block (also in Bowser`s castle).
• Boomer Bill - Spinning function not unique and found elsewhere. Not many coins and can get knocked off. Contains mushroom, but that you can get in Polybag or `?` block.
• Mario`s house - Star block is essential to have (although again, `?` can give you the star, or King boo`s set has this same block)! Otherwise, a disappointment for play.
• Toad`s treasure hunt - the most `complete` set, with spinning, bridge-platform, treasure hunt etc. Criticism is that there are not many baddies, but you could pick up some character packs to flesh it out. Great scenery to rebuild for courses.
• Bowser`s castle - another almost `complete` set, including time block and `?` block. There is a lot of time investment in this set, so sometimes not great to maximise coins per time. 
• I don`t have the Thwomp`s drop and King boo`s set yet since they are retail exclusives so I`m waiting for Lego online shop order to be arrive! They both look great. Both have unique functions, plus King boo`s contains a Star block. 

For those wanting to get most of the play value without investing loads, I would pick up Toad`s treasure and/or Bowser`s Castle, and pick up Bob-omb character pack. Then you can:

1. Order the barcode-tiles from BnP for the Time block (although no need if you get Bowser`s castle), `P` block, and Star block (granted you don`t get the printed bricks so the `look` won`t be there, but much cheaper than buying the sets). 
2. If you get King boo`s set (and time block from Bowser) then that just leaves the `P` block. 

Starter set + Toads treasure hunt (+ Time block from somewhere)/Bowser`s castle + Bob-omb + King boo  = great play value 

We have achieved coins in the region of 250+ maximising these special blocks and courses. May be I should submit a review to the main Brickset page (problem is I don`t have a good photo set-up, although I could try!). 

Enjoy!

msanders

I wanted to make more of a feature of Bowser's castle so quickly put this together. 

CCC

Some people have already started to hack / reverse engineer Mario, see this thread on EB: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/179464-reverse-engineering-lego-super-mario/

The barcode parts are also for sale on B+P currently (plus quite a few other parts) which is surely an error, so anyone wanting to add functions but use existing parts for builds should probably buy them sooner rather than later. Although it would not surprise me if custom printed labels appear on the internet soon given they are just coloured barcodes.

Given the bluetooth connectivity, I wonder what custom apps will get written to pair with Mario.

Fauch

Is the Nes set becoming one of the most popular Lego set?

mattytreks

Fauch said:

Is the Nes set becoming one of the most popular Lego set?

Time will tell.  Whenever two mega-brands come together like LEGO and Nintendo have on the NES set, it certainly is a recipe for success

CCC

I doubt we'll ever know. Nintendo fans that buy it are unlikely to log their collection here, so won't be counted.

Modeltrainman

So...Yoshi is mostly useless? What does putting Mario on his tile do? I strongly suspect I'd be disappointed if I didn't really want Yoshi.

Ayliffe

Modeltrainman said:

So...Yoshi is mostly useless? What does putting Mario on his tile do? I strongly suspect I'd be disappointed if I didn't really want Yoshi.

Mario says "Hello!", shows a love heart on his chest screen and gets a few coins out of it - definitely one of the more disappointing intereactions so far personally, I wasn't expecting a fully ridable version by any stretch (given how chonky mario is, it would've led to a very urgent ambulance call for yoshi...) but at least a sound clip or two would've been a nice addition.

klinton

I completely forgot to head to the Lego Store last Saturday for this. I thought of it only when I popped into TRU last day to see if they had the new HP or HS sets (they didn't) and saw the Mario display. I suppose it's rather telling about my enthusiasm when I completely forget to buy a Lego set.

I didn't bother grabbing the starter kit (the only impetus there was the Lego Store promos), but I snagged a couple of the character packs. I got Urchin and Spiny. No Bloober. It was dissapointment all around, hahaha.

flord

Good luck trying to find any character packs. Everybody around me is sold out.

klinton

TRU is well stocked. They always overdo it with licensed blind bags (they're still trying to shift at least four boxes of Disney CMFs and a couple TLM2 boxes at my nearest location). They had a sparse selection of the Mario sets, but an endcap full of the character packs.

mr_benn

For what it's worth, my experience with the blind pack boxes is that they come in boxes of 20 separated into two rows, and each side has a whole series of 10 in - certainly I got a set of 10 that way.  Perhaps someone else might be able to confirm this?  

cody6268

My problem is that to get not even close to a regular Mario game, you've got to buy everything. I did the math, and got $590 for most of the regular sets (I didn't count the GWPs, or the NES, despite according to the database, being a part of this theme, and working with Mario).  A Switch is $300, and its regular Mario game $60. So, $360.   The 2DS (the Nintendo I am actually buying here in a few weeks) $100 and Mario Kart 7 is preloaded to the console.  New Super Mario Bros. 2 is $30. So, $130 and you've got TWO full games!  The Switch Lite (still torn between it and the 2DS, mainly because the Switch Lite is a newer console, and thus will be supported longer) is $200, and obviously, the same Mario title as with the regular Switch, so $260.   So, we're talking close to double, or more the cost of a Nintendo console with a regular Mario game, but a tiny fraction of the playability.  

I can see these being clearance fodder way more than Life of George or Dimensions (and might I add, despite never actually playing the game, it's one of my favorite LEGO themes for introducing a ton of new IPs). I may mess with the starter set, but will wait until next year.

Fauch

yeah, the nes sets would be more attractive if you didn't have to add 70€ for sounds. on the good side, you can get extra enemies in blind bags. I wonder how crazy dots style blind bags with mario tiles would sell O_O

mattytreks

Just finished putting together the NES console and cartridge -- I am thoroughy impressed at LEGO's ingenuity on this set.  I can't wait for the TV unit.

A few gripes: For $230, I wish two controllers were included, and I'm unclear why LEGO decided to use 1x2 plates on the top of the console near the cartridge door hinges, instead of 1x2 tiles, which would have resulted in an entirely smooth top.  In any case, I've already Bricklinked those two parts.

Eventually I'm going to get the itch to build cartridges for my other favorite NES games: Mario Bros 2/3, Zelda, Marble Madness, Friday the 13th, Castlevania, Double Dragon, Captain Skyhawk, Slalom...  Now to create some stickers!

Odeinoichus

I like the theme's idea, it's pretty impressive. Definitely looking forward to getting the Mario set, but have to wait until next payday.

I'm not a fan of having to get instructions online to build the sets though, I mean it seems counterintuitive. Unless Nintendo is going to include the LEGO Mario App on their Switch E-Shop.

Lyichir

mattytreks said:

Just finished putting together the NES console and cartridge -- I am thoroughy impressed at LEGO's ingenuity on this set.  I can't wait for the TV unit.

A few gripes: For $230, I wish two controllers were included, and I'm unclear why LEGO decided to use 1x2 plates on the top of the console near the cartridge door hinges, instead of 1x2 tiles, which would have resulted in an entirely smooth top.  In any case, I've already Bricklinked those two parts.

Eventually I'm going to get the itch to build cartridges for my other favorite NES games: Mario Bros 2/3, Zelda, Marble Madness, Friday the 13th, Castlevania, Double Dragon, Captain Skyhawk, Slalom...  Now to create some stickers!

There are no tiles with a bar/handle attached like that, so using plates was the only way it could hinge open properly.

I had hoped to get some sets during a Lego store visit yesterday, but some of the ones I was most anticipating (the starter set and Bowser's Castle) were already sold out. Luckily for me, the staff member checking me out was generous and offered me the two gift with purchase sets along with my order since they had no way of knowing whether the offer would still be valid when they got more sets in! I'll probably save the Monty Mole set for once I have the starter pack but I did open the Super Mushroom polybag to get a feel for some of the pieces. They're quite nice! The printing quality is fantastic and I love the new parts like the 4x4 and 6x6 bases and the printed mushroom cap.

560Heliport

The plates with bars that the door hinges on are actually vertical, that is, their studs face the front (not up). I assume this is because it's sturdier than just having those plates horizontal. If you check out @CapnRex101's July 26th review, there's a picture from the side that shows that the bars are attached downwards, not to the 1x2 plates. However, I have no idea why those 1x2 plates were not tiles instead. (I hope this makes sense.)

Bumblepants

Lego tends to always have at least a couple studs up to subtly say 'this is Lego'. I think I heard that is actually a policy, perhaps in an interview with a Speed Champion designer when asked about a similar situation in those models.

560Heliport

This will make me look more closely at designs now! It makes sense. 

msanders

cody6268 said:

My problem is that to get not even close to a regular Mario game, you've got to buy everything. I did the math, and got $590 for most of the regular sets (I didn't count the GWPs, or the NES, despite according to the database, being a part of this theme, and working with Mario).  A Switch is $300, and its regular Mario game $60. So, $360.   The 2DS (the Nintendo I am actually buying here in a few weeks) $100 and Mario Kart 7 is preloaded to the console.  New Super Mario Bros. 2 is $30. So, $130 and you've got TWO full games!  The Switch Lite (still torn between it and the 2DS, mainly because the Switch Lite is a newer console, and thus will be supported longer) is $200, and obviously, the same Mario title as with the regular Switch, so $260.   So, we're talking close to double, or more the cost of a Nintendo console with a regular Mario game, but a tiny fraction of the playability.  

I can see these being clearance fodder way more than Life of George or Dimensions (and might I add, despite never actually playing the game, it's one of my favorite LEGO themes for introducing a ton of new IPs). I may mess with the starter set, but will wait until next year.

Everyone keeps making these arguments about pricing but that's not the point. Not everyone wants their child to have a computer console. They dont want them to get hook on games at a certain age. Plus not all ages that Lego can appeal to are able to play a console - what age can kids play with consoles? 6 yrs old may be? (and that's if parents want them to!). Whereas, a 3 yr-8yr old can happily play with Lego Super Mario. 

I get that the sets are expensive when all added up but what about other Lego themes? How much do you have to spend to get all of the knights of Ren in the Star wars sets? How much for all of the sets to make the full Ninjago board game (I think 5/6 sets)? How much to get all of the colours and animal variants for the Friends collectable pods? How much for the minifigure-based Hotgwarts sets? The dots theme to get all of the printed tiles. It's no different to any other theme if you WANT to complete it. But you can buy just a few of the Super mario sets and get almost the whole play experience. 

Also, the assumption that these will be clearance fodder may not ring true. Already, a number of sets are sold out on Lego shop online. Also, sets are sold out in stores around here and online shops. I think it's proving popular. 

Fireheart

I ordered 2 x 71374 (as my son wanted to build one), thinking that 2 individual 71374 will turn up in a LEGO parcel.. on opening the shipping box was another shipping box sealed, and on the label was;

Never had that before, a 2 pack sealed box of a large set. 

CCC

msanders said:

cody6268 said:

My problem is that to get not even close to a regular Mario game, you've got to buy everything. I did the math, and got $590 for most of the regular sets (I didn't count the GWPs, or the NES, despite according to the database, being a part of this theme, and working with Mario).  A Switch is $300, and its regular Mario game $60. So, $360.   The 2DS (the Nintendo I am actually buying here in a few weeks) $100 and Mario Kart 7 is preloaded to the console.  New Super Mario Bros. 2 is $30. So, $130 and you've got TWO full games!  The Switch Lite (still torn between it and the 2DS, mainly because the Switch Lite is a newer console, and thus will be supported longer) is $200, and obviously, the same Mario title as with the regular Switch, so $260.   So, we're talking close to double, or more the cost of a Nintendo console with a regular Mario game, but a tiny fraction of the playability.  

I can see these being clearance fodder way more than Life of George or Dimensions (and might I add, despite never actually playing the game, it's one of my favorite LEGO themes for introducing a ton of new IPs). I may mess with the starter set, but will wait until next year.

Everyone keeps making these arguments about pricing but that's not the point. Not everyone wants their child to have a computer console. They dont want them to get hook on games at a certain age. Plus not all ages that Lego can appeal to are able to play a console - what age can kids play with consoles? 6 yrs old may be? (and that's if parents want them to!). Whereas, a 3 yr-8yr old can happily play with Lego Super Mario. 

I get that the sets are expensive when all added up but what about other Lego themes? How much do you have to spend to get all of the knights of Ren in the Star wars sets? How much for all of the sets to make the full Ninjago board game (I think 5/6 sets)? How much to get all of the colours and animal variants for the Friends collectable pods? How much for the minifigure-based Hotgwarts sets? The dots theme to get all of the printed tiles. It's no different to any other theme if you WANT to complete it. But you can buy just a few of the Super mario sets and get almost the whole play experience.

I guess the other side of this is that if you don't want them playing video games (yet), why not play a completely different theme. If they don't know about the games, they won't know about Mario. And not knowing about Mario may put off them wanting to play video games a bit longer. But of course, this is parental choice, same as any theme.

msanders said:

Also, the assumption that these will be clearance fodder may not ring true. Already, a number of sets are sold out on Lego shop online. Also, sets are sold out in stores around here and online shops. I think it's proving popular. 

Yeah, although we often remember Dimensions as clearance fodder, it wasn't across the whole range. It tended to be less popular characters (so less demand from most people), characters already done in minifigure form (so less demand from minifigure collectors), characters that were not really needed in the game (so less demand from players) and also later waves (so less demand from players as the novelty had worn off). So I expect to see some as clearance. But not all, and certainly not yet.

Shib

Ok, where the hell are the instructions for the started set??

This is all I see on the app

I’m guessing it should be in that suspicious gap under Mario’s House.

Lyichir

Shib said:

Ok, where the hell are the instructions for the started set??

This is all I see on the app

I’m guessing it should be in that suspicious gap under Mario’s House.

I saw somebody else confused by this as well. Go back to the main screen (not the sub-page for instructions) and click the starter set in the middle.

It probably wouldn't have hurt for the starter set instructions to be visible in both sections just to prevent confusion...

Shib

There was no starter set - apparently it only appears after you’ve connected Mario.

I really hate the lack of physical instructions on this theme - have filled out the survey thing as such and hope a lot of other people do too, seen a lot of negative comments on social media about it.

lowlead

The NES console is mind-blowing - a definite buy.  Don't care about the rest. 

560Heliport

So there are no physical instructions? I hope this isn't the future of LEGO- I don't have a computer, just a smart phone, and building from the phone is a huge PITA. I will not buy sets without instructions, except maybe SW battle packs. 

mattytreks

lowlead said:

The NES console is mind-blowing - a definite buy.  Don't care about the rest. 

Surely LEGO are already thinking about creating a Super Nintendo console.

I imagine if they come out with future console builds, the accompanying TV sets will match the technology of the time, in which case we'll see a Super NES alongside a flatscreen CRT :)

KungFuKenny

560Heliport said:

...building from the phone is a huge PITA. 

I have a sudden craving for some shawarma!

im2cre8iv

Does the NES come with physical instructions or only digital?

NicksBricks

im2cre8iv said:

Does the NES come with physical instructions or only digital?

2 x big physical instruction books.

mr_benn

mattytreks said:

lowlead said:

The NES console is mind-blowing - a definite buy.  Don't care about the rest. 

Surely LEGO are already thinking about creating a Super Nintendo console.

Except you're going to have to produce different versions for the USA and European markets, which for what would be a pricey set might not unfortunately be the best plan.  

Having seen the NES built in store, I totally see the appeal of getting it, the price is just too much for me and I haven't really anywhere to put it - the cupboard under the tv is already overflowing with consoles and mini versions thereof!

msanders

CCC said:

msanders said:

cody6268 said:

My problem is that to get not even close to a regular Mario game, you've got to buy everything. I did the math, and got $590 for most of the regular sets (I didn't count the GWPs, or the NES, despite according to the database, being a part of this theme, and working with Mario).  A Switch is $300, and its regular Mario game $60. So, $360.   The 2DS (the Nintendo I am actually buying here in a few weeks) $100 and Mario Kart 7 is preloaded to the console.  New Super Mario Bros. 2 is $30. So, $130 and you've got TWO full games!  The Switch Lite (still torn between it and the 2DS, mainly because the Switch Lite is a newer console, and thus will be supported longer) is $200, and obviously, the same Mario title as with the regular Switch, so $260.   So, we're talking close to double, or more the cost of a Nintendo console with a regular Mario game, but a tiny fraction of the playability.  

I can see these being clearance fodder way more than Life of George or Dimensions (and might I add, despite never actually playing the game, it's one of my favorite LEGO themes for introducing a ton of new IPs). I may mess with the starter set, but will wait until next year.

Everyone keeps making these arguments about pricing but that's not the point. Not everyone wants their child to have a computer console. They dont want them to get hook on games at a certain age. Plus not all ages that Lego can appeal to are able to play a console - what age can kids play with consoles? 6 yrs old may be? (and that's if parents want them to!). Whereas, a 3 yr-8yr old can happily play with Lego Super Mario. 

I get that the sets are expensive when all added up but what about other Lego themes? How much do you have to spend to get all of the knights of Ren in the Star wars sets? How much for all of the sets to make the full Ninjago board game (I think 5/6 sets)? How much to get all of the colours and animal variants for the Friends collectable pods? How much for the minifigure-based Hotgwarts sets? The dots theme to get all of the printed tiles. It's no different to any other theme if you WANT to complete it. But you can buy just a few of the Super mario sets and get almost the whole play experience.

I guess the other side of this is that if you don't want them playing video games (yet), why not play a completely different theme. If they don't know about the games, they won't know about Mario. And not knowing about Mario may put off them wanting to play video games a bit longer. But of course, this is parental choice, same as any theme.

msanders said:

Also, the assumption that these will be clearance fodder may not ring true. Already, a number of sets are sold out on Lego shop online. Also, sets are sold out in stores around here and online shops. I think it's proving popular. 

Yeah, although we often remember Dimensions as clearance fodder, it wasn't across the whole range. It tended to be less popular characters (so less demand from most people), characters already done in minifigure form (so less demand from minifigure collectors), characters that were not really needed in the game (so less demand from players) and also later waves (so less demand from players as the novelty had worn off). So I expect to see some as clearance. But not all, and certainly not yet.

You can easily play with Mario without knowing about the video game or ever playing with Mario. The appeal is Lego and interactive, and lots of fun. 

I see plenty of Star Wars on clearance, also Friends, City, etc etc. Are those themes doing bad? Clearance often means end of line to make way for the next but people will read into it how they want to justify if a particular theme is or isn't doing well. I think the fact that a number of sets are already sold out online means it's doing well (or they've completely misjudged volumes). I hope that they've made loads are starter sets so there's no frustration for people buying this! 

Odeinoichus

I find this theme highly addictive and immeasurably impressive. Compared to what was on offer from competitor K'Nex which had the Mario license and made a very poor showing of it, the LEGO Super Mario world involves some really fun elements, a great heaping of familiar characters built in bricks and an interesting tie-in for smart device users.

That being said... I am seriously not a fan of online only instructions. This is a terrible idea. I'm taking down the PDFs to my computer and saving them so I'll have access to them in future, but honestly LEGO should have given us something physical.