Lego Donkey Kong leak reveals an authentic tribute to a Nintendo classic.

The highly anticipated Lego Donkey Kong set has surfaced, revealing that it draws inspiration from the classic arcade game that helped establish Nintendo’s legacy.

An image of the “Donkey Kong Arcade Set” appeared on Reddit on July 10, just shy of two months after Nintendo’s initial tease. According to the leak, the set is set to launch in August, featuring 1,367 pieces and priced at $200. The image suggests that this set is designed with adults in mind, recreating the first level of the iconic 1981 arcade game—a detail that wasn’t entirely clear from Nintendo’s announcement in May.

Over the years, Nintendo and Lego have teamed up on various sets, including themes from The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokémon, and more. There’s also a dedicated Lego Super Mario line that offers a unique twist compared to traditional Lego sets. Given that Donkey Kong expansion sets were released for Lego Super Mario in 2023, it seems that Nintendo and Lego aimed for a fresh direction with this new offering.

While I would have loved to see a Lego rendition of Donkey Kong’s destructible worlds or minifigures of DK, Diddy, Dixie, and Pauline, I’m excited to see the arcade version of Donkey Kong receive a Lego tribute. Anyone familiar with Nintendo’s history knows that the company owes much of its success to the popularity of Donkey Kong in arcades. The first level is legendary, making it a fitting choice for a Lego set that can resonate with both adults and younger fans.

If the leaks hold true, the Donkey Kong Arcade Set will be available in August. Here’s hoping for an official announcement and reveal soon!