Yesterday, leaked images showcased a new LEGO set that depicted Nintendo"s classic videogame system, the NES, complete with a controller, cartridge, and a TV displaying Super Mario Bros. LEGO began teasing the launch soon after, and today, Nintendo has officially announced the product, which doubles down on the partnership between the two companies.
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is launching on August 1, alongside the LEGO Mario set that"s been known of for a while. As seen in the images from yesterday, it includes 2,646 pieces, but what wasn"t clear from the still pictures was how the content on the TV would actually move. You can now see it in action in the video below.
Bring the pixels to life with the #LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set! Assemble your own console and retro TV, then turn the crank to make 8-bit Mario move across the screen! Add your LEGO Mario figure for even more fun!
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 14, 2020
Available 8/1: https://t.co/51IHyLMEFj pic.twitter.com/io1xr1Jhz7
Essentially, a Super Mario Bros. level is built on a sort of conveyor belt, and as you rotate the crank on the side of the TV, it rotates to move through the level, with Mario jumping through obstacles and enemies. It can work together with the Mario figure from the LEGO Mario set, too. If you place the Mario figure on the slot on top of the TV, it will play sound effects that match what"s happening on screen. This is likely thanks to the color sensors built into the Mario figure, which should detect what part of the screen is directly under it.
As mentioned above, the set will be available on August 1, and in line with yesterday"s leak, it will cost €229.99/$229.99. The LEGO Mario Starter Course costs €59.99/$59.99, and if the integration isn"t enough, it also offers some features on its own if you"re a LEGO fan.