The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is a lot of fun to build and looks great as a retro display piece, but it’s also pretty pricey. The $270 bundle released four years ago, but like many Nintendo games, you wouldn’t know it for its stagnant price at major retailers. Additionally, NES and CRT TV models are often sold out, even at full price. But if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to finally buy the 2,646-piece set, you can save some cash at: Amazon and Target Before Prime Big Deal Days and Circle Week. The LEGO NES is on sale for $255 at two retailers, which is only $15 off, but it something At least. You can also take advantage of rare (and even better) discounts on Piranha Plant and Mighty Bowser Lego sets.
LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System (2,646 pieces)
LEGO’s take on Nintendo’s iconic console not only includes a buildable version of the machine, but also includes all the parts you need to build an old-school CRT TV and stand, an NES controller and a Super Mario Bros. NES. The end result is a complex display piece filled with interactive elements such as working card slots, a rotating dial on a CRT TV, and a crank-operated screen that simulates a Super Mario level. It also has a very fascinating secret that will delight long-time fans.
If you thought this LEGO set might cost less than $270, you’d be right. Released in 2020 with a launch price of $230, the LEGO NES is one of many sets to see significant price increases in 2022. Major retailers (and sometimes all retailers) are constantly selling out of LEGO Famicom.
LEGO Super Mario: More display models for adults
If you find yourself scoffing at this deal, maybe you’ll be interested in the bigger discounts on two other adult LEGO Mario display models.
The 540-piece LEGO Mario Piranha Factory is 20% off at Amazon and Walmart, bringing the price down from $60 to $48, matching its all-time low price. It’s the most affordable display kit in the LEGO Mario line, and you can buy five of them for the price of an NES and still have some cash left over. Piranha Plant was on sale for the same price ahead of Prime Day in July, but both retailers sold out within a day.
When it launched two years ago, Mighty Bowser surpassed the NES as the LEGO Mario set with the most components. Including the display stand, this interactive model consists of 2,807 pieces and measures 12.5 inches tall by 16 inches wide. It’s a really fun build and has cool features like movable arms and legs, and a button that turns Bowser’s head. Typically sold for the same price as the NES, you can get Mighty Bowser on sale for $234 (originally $270). The LEGO NES is shipped and sold by Amazon, while Mighty Bowser is sold by a third party and shipped by Amazon (eligible for Prime).
The latest Super Mario display set launches on October 1st. LEGO Super Mario World: Mario and Yoshi Recreating the magic of one of the best Mario games in all its retro glory. It features Mario and Yoshi’s eye-catching sprites built from 1,215 LEGO bricks. When you turn the crank on the display stand, Yoshi’s legs start running. When you turn the knob, Yoshi’s tongue sticks out—Mario doesn’t even need to tap the back of Yoshi’s head to achieve this.
Nintendo fans should also check out the first LEGO set based on The Legend of Zelda. Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 The building kit is a 2-in-1 set exclusive to the LEGO Store and retails for $300. This makes it the most expensive LEGO Nintendo set to date, but it’s a 2-in-1 product. Both builds have the same base, but about halfway through the process you can choose whether to create a Breath of the Wild or Ocarina of Time version of the Grand Deku Tree. The Breath of the Wild build uses more parts, so if you want to try both builds, the Ocarina of Time build is the easier of the two to build and tear down.
