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Lego Mario Kart Display Model Set Launches At Major Retailers, Including Amazon

The first Lego Mario Kart display model designed for adults is now available at major retailers. Preorders for the $170 Mario & Standard Kart had only been available at Walmart, but the superbly realized 1,972-piece replica of Mario and his signature red kart launched at all major retailers this week, including Amazon. Prime members can get the charming building set in time for the holiday weekend.

Get Mario & Standard Kart at:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Target
• Best Buy (sold out)
• Lego Store

Like most of Lego's "black box" display model kits licensed by Nintendo, Mario & Standard Kart debuted as a Lego Store exclusive. But exclusives typically don't release at major retailers for three to six months after launch. Mario & Standard Kart initially released on May 15, so its arrival on retail shelves on July 1 is a bit surprising. Best Buy has already sold out of its first batch, likely because the retailer gives a 10% discount to My Best Buy Plus/Total members on Lego sets.

Younger builders who have put together other Lego Nintendo display models likely won't have any issues with this one. The same goes for builders who have experience with larger car builds from Lego's other themes such as Technic or F1. The scope is naturally larger due to the piece count, but the kart build isn't that much more complicated than the smaller Mario Kart builds or the soon-to-be retired Bowser Muscle Car.

Mario & Standard Kart joins the Piranha Plant as the only Super Mario Lego sets that do not interact with the Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures from the starter playsets. Other display models for adults--NES, Question Block, Mighty Bowser, and Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi--have Action Tags that create audio and visual reactions from the electronic figures. As someone who has built all of Lego's Nintendo display models, the interactivity with the figures has always felt like an Easter Egg to "find" once after building, not an essential part of the overall experience. Besides, a smaller version of Mario's Standard Kart with interactive elements was part of the Lego Mario Kart launch lineup, so it would feel redundant here.

What's especially cool about this set is that it offers Lego's first realistic depiction of Mario's modern character model to date. I qualified that with "modern" because the Mario & Yoshi kit that released last fall does a remarkable job of recreating the 16-bit sprite models of Mario (and Yoshi) from Super Mario World. Although Mario can be removed from the kart and displayed on his own, you can't pose him in a standing position--likely because of the weighting. But Mario's head, arms, legs, wrists, ears, and even his thumbs are jointed, allowing him to strike different poses. In a sitting position, the buildable Mario figure is roughly seven inches tall and four inches wide from ear to ear. I'd argue that this is the most lifelike and premium Mario "action figure" around, so it makes for a great display piece in its own right.

Of the 17 bags of bricks, the last eight of them are dedicated to Mario. The first nine bags are for Mario's signature red and white kart. The kart utilizes a wider range of pieces and is ultimately the more complex half of the set. Just as fans would hope, the end result looks ripped from the games. The kart is 12.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. With Mario connected to the driver's seat, the model is 8.5 inches tall.

And while the kart doesn't interact with the electronic Lego Mario figures, that doesn't mean it lacks interactive elements. The rubber tires rotate smoothly, so you could push Mario and watch him roll; just make sure he doesn't crash, otherwise you'll likely need to reconnect some of the pieces. The pedals move and rotating the steering wheel turns the front tires. The cleverly designed buildable stand makes it possible to pose the kart at different angles, including tilted to the side to mimic drifting from the game. You can display the kart without the stand, but you'll want to ensure you have a level surface that won't be jostled--you don't want Mario to roll and tumble to the floor.

It probably doesn't come as a surprise that the set's 326-page instruction booklet is very easy to follow. Lego's instruction manuals are virtually unparalleled when it comes to DIY building toys or even furniture. Before it's time to open the first bag of parts, there's a timeline of the Mario Kart franchise from Super Mario Kart through Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Even though the physical instruction manual is fantastic, there is another, even more thorough option. The Lego Builder app for iOS and Android has a step-by-step guide with 3D images that you can turn and zoom in on. You can watch each piece come together and review any sections of the build that may give you trouble.

Mario Kart Lego Playsets

• Mario Kart Lego Sets Available Now:
• Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi (321 pieces) -- $25 ($30)
• Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (387 pieces) -- $29.49 ($35)
• Yoshi Bike (133 pieces) -- $13 ($15)
• Toad's Garage (390 pieces) -- $34 ($40)
• Standard Mario Kart (174 pieces) -- $20
• Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set (823 pieces) -- $80
• Mario Kart Lego Sets Releasing August 1:
• Interactive Mario & Standard Kart (278 pieces) -- $55
• Bowser's Castle (1,068 pieces) -- $100
• Wario & King Boo (512 pieces) -- $55
• Piranha Plant Power-Up Pursuit (588 pieces) -- $50 | Preorder Now
• Shy Guy & P-Wing (249 pieces) -- $20 | Preorder Now

Mario Kart fans should also check out the six Lego playsets released at the beginning of the year. As mentioned, the Lego Mario Kart launch lineup included a smaller version of Mario's legendary kart as well as a handful of other fun budget-friendly builds: Yoshi's Bike, Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi, Donkey Kong's DK Jumbo, and more. Four of them are discounted at Amazon, making these well-designed buildable figures and themed karts even more affordable.

On August 1, Lego will nearly double the roster of racers by adding at least five new playsets to the Mario Kart lineup. The new batch includes the largest Mario Kart playset yet: a 1,068-piece Bowser's Castle build with King Koopa and Yoshi figures/karts. The series will also have its own Interactive Lego Mario starter set, which means you'll be able to pick between the traditional Adventures with Lego Super Mario starter set with platforming level components or a kart set. The Mario Kart starter set is $55, while the traditional Mario, Luigi, and Peach Adventures sets carry $50 MSRPs. That said, you can get Adventures with Interactive Mario for only $42 at Amazon; the other two are also discounted to similar prices.

Other additions to the roster include Wario and King Boo in a $55 combo set, Toadette and Koopa Troopa--with a Piranha Plant item cameo--for $50, and a Shy Guy character and vehicle set for $20. Piranha Plant Power-Up Pursuit and Shy Guy & P-Wing are available to preorder now.

If you're interested in the Donkey Kong Mario Kart set, you may also want to check out the four Lego Super Mario playsets themed around DK and his crew. These sets were officially retired by Lego last fall, but Amazon restocked all four ahead of Donkey Kong Bananza's release on Switch 2.

All Lego Nintendo Display Models for Adults

Here's the full list of Lego Nintendo display models. Of the seven adult-oriented sets released since Lego Super Mario debuted in 2020, two have been retired. Lego will expand the lineup this October with a Game Boy building set.

• Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart (1,972 pieces) -- $170
• Super Mario: Piranha Plant (540 pieces) -- $48 ($60)
• Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (1,215 pieces) -- $130
• Super Mario: Mighty Bowser (2,807 pieces) -- $270
• The Legend of Zelda: The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (2,500 pieces) -- $300
• Lego NES (2,646 pieces) -- $313.50 | Retired, MSRP was $270
• Super Mario 64: Question Block (2,064 pieces) -- $259 | Retired, MSRP was $200
  • $245 with Frustration-Free Packaging