In the early 80s, two iconic Italian brothers burst onto the scene and captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. Mario and Luigi became household names, known for their adventures in saving princesses and thwarting villains. Mario, in particular, became the beloved mascot of Nintendo, the gaming giant. Since the release of Mario Bros, over 200 games have been spun from the golden pipe, spanning across various genres such as puzzles, RPGs, sports, racing, turn-based strategy, and party games. Mario’s popularity reached new heights with the live-action movie “Super Mario Bros” in 1993 and the 2023 hit animated film featuring superstar Chris Pratt.

It’s no surprise that the franchise continues to expand and collaborate with other brands to evoke childhood nostalgia and fun. In this case, The LEGO Group has added new sets to the LEGO Super Mario collection. To kick off the LEGO Gaming Campaign, The LEGO Group unveiled new sets with a large Super Mario-themed question box inspired by the game. The display left a big impression, and inside it was two LEGO sets and a medium-sized poster. The first set, titled #71439 Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario, and the second set, the largest of the two, called #71437 Bowser Express Train, were inside.

There are so much good in these sets from the initial price, building experience and of course, shelf presence. But with the good also come some caveats which we will also point out in this review.

Let’s start with the #71439 Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario, consisting of 218 LEGO pieces, is my favourite, if I have to choose between the two. The set is marked as being a 6+ build which means its more suitable for kids, but let’s be real, when it comes to Mario, it’s definitely for all ages. Straight out of the box are 4 marked sealed paper bags, a small box, which has an interactive LEGO Mario figure, and an instruction build booklet.

As a huge Mario fan, I was thrilled to start building the LEGO Mario figure. The only extra thing you need is a pair of AAA batteries, which aren’t included in the set. Once assembled, you’ll find two buttons on the figure’s back – a power switch and a Bluetooth switch. That’s right, it’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to connect the LEGO Mario figure to the LEGO Super Mario App for an immersive experience. For a start, you’ll need a device with the app installed.

Setting up the app is a breeze. Just input your birth year, watch a short video demonstrating interactive play, and hit start to pair the figure with the app. It takes about 7 minutes to complete the pairing process. Once that’s done, you’ll have access to a tutorial video that breaks down the build into short 360-degree segments. You can manipulate the pieces in 360-degree movements, zoom in and out, and more. It’s virtually foolproof, but I’m a bit old-school and prefer following the traditional booklet for the build.

One of the highlights of the set is the inclusion of Bowser Jr, Yoshi, and a grumpy yet adorable Goomba. Building these characters was a delight, and I couldn’t help but admire their cuteness. The three environment builds, from the starting pipe to the Goal Pole, provided a bit of a challenge due to the smaller pieces, but they were ultimately satisfying to complete.

What truly sets this LEGO set apart is the interactive element. Each character and environment features a unique QR code-inspired colour display. When Mario lands on top of the code, he changes his reaction and blurts out different phrases, adding an extra layer of fun to the building experience. Building this set was a fun and nostalgic experience. It provided a quick and breezy way to relax and embrace my inner child.

The price of the #71439 Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario set is RM219.90, which is definitely worth it and justified. I was surprised that it was priced below RM500. If I have to nitpick, I’d say that it’s a bit of a downer that I still need to use my phone for building LEGO. While it’s not mandatory to install the app, it just makes sense to have it downloaded since you already have the set in hand.

Personally, I see LEGO as a way to take a break from gadgets, rest my eyes, and get away from the screen. However, it’s a small price to pay for having my own “live” Mario figure. If you’re a long-time fan of Mario and are unsure of which set to get from the LEGO Super Mario collection, the #71439 Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario is the perfect first choice.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, #71437 The Bowser Express Train. The packaging is impressively large and heavy, designed for kids 9 and up. Inside, you’ll find twelve sealed bags, an extra bag, and two instruction booklets.

Building the back of the locomotive was my first task, featuring a spring-loaded shooter, a passenger wagon, and a hand car. You also get cool characters like Hammer Bro, a Goomba couple, some Para-Biddybuddies, and Boom Boom. The assembly took about three hours, with the spring-loaded shooter being a bit tricky due to its small pieces, but it was all worth it.

One of the highlights was assembling the figures, especially the adorable Para-Biddybuds—they look just like tiny pixel fairies! The passenger wagon design was equally delightful, allowing you to pop off the roof and seat the Goomba couple for a cute coffee date in style.

This set is perfect for those who enjoy interactive play rather than just displaying their builds. While I sometimes find it a hassle to detach and reattach pieces during play, I truly enjoyed bringing the Bowser Express Train to life.

Moving on to the second booklet, which is larger and significantly heavier, this section focuses exclusively on the front head engine. The considerable size of the packaging indicates that this build requires seven bags to complete.

Starting with the base, the process includes assembling mechanical parts, wheels, the body, and finishing touches like the brows and smoke effects. I spent four hours getting it ready and running. When attaching the smaller sections to the main base, it’s essential to have a steady hand, as the smaller pieces can easily pop out if you’re not careful.

The most challenging parts were found in bags eight to ten, where you need to concentrate on the tiny pieces, and some steps can be quite confusing. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend building the entire head by yourself, as it can be quite taxing.

Priced at just RM629.90, the #71437 Bowser Express Train delivers an unparalleled Mario universe experience. Whether you’re a LEGO Super Mario collection enthusiast or simply a fan of LEGO, this set is an ideal choice. It’s perfect for making a big impression at your child’s birthday party or hosting a Mario-themed celebration with friends and family.

Visit the LEGO Super Mario website for more information.

Pros

• Having your own “live” LEGO Mario.
• Many small character figures included.
• Can interact with other characters and environment to spark Mario’s reaction.
• No stickers!

Con

• The front head requires plenty of patience.
• Interactive play requires to sync with an app.

Final Score: 80/100

The Lego #71439 Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario set and Lego #71437 The Bowser Express Train were provided to us for review courtesy of The LEGO Group.