Lego and Nintendo Team Up to Recreate 1981’s Donkey Kong in Stunning Detail

Lego and Nintendo have just unveiled the details of their highly anticipated Donkey Kong Lego set, and it looks like a fantastic build. Drawing inspiration from the classic 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, the set features Jumpman (known as Mario), Donkey Kong, and Lady (also known as Pauline) in a detailed recreation of the game’s iconic first level.

What sets this set apart is its interactive features. There’s a lever that, when pushed, continuously releases rolling barrels. Players can control Jumpman with a joystick, allowing for movement, and a button press makes him jump over the barrels.

The Lego Super Mario Donkey Kong Arcade set (72051) includes 1,367 pieces, featuring 21 rolling barrels, and is priced at $199.99. It will be available starting August 1 and is currently up for pre-order. Once assembled, the set stands 15.5 inches (39 cm) tall, 10.5 inches (27 cm) wide, and 5.5 inches (15 cm) deep.

To promote the new Donkey Kong Arcade set, Lego and Nintendo enlisted professional Donkey Kong player Steve Wiebe, whose quest for high scores was featured in a well-known documentary, for a captivating teaser video.

In recent years, Lego and Nintendo have formed a strong partnership, delivering a creative array of sets that range from traditional character designs to interactive builds that function as games. Their first collaboration was the Lego Super Mario line, which introduced sets centered around a Mario figure that interacts with various components. For example, when the Mario figure hits a coin block, its LED screen displays coins, and touching fire triggers a flame display. Following the launch of the original starter course in March 2020, they expanded the lineup with numerous additional levels, including a Bowser boss battle and Peach’s castle.

The duo has also released more classic sets, such as a replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System, a massive Bowser figure, several Animal Crossing sets, and builds from The Legend of Zelda, including one that showcases the final battle from Ocarina of Time. They’ve even introduced smart play-enabled Pokémon sets and the highly praised Lego Game Boy. With several Nintendo-themed sets among Lego’s best sellers, including Luigi, Eevee, and the Game Boy, it’s clear that this partnership is just getting started.

A new Mario minifigure and more are set to arrive in 2027.