Nintendo fans looking for a way to pass the time while waiting for Mario Kart World should check out Lego’s latest building set geared toward adults and collectors. Lego Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart launched today, May 15. Though surely not a coincidence, the timing of this wonderfully designed Mario Kart collectible really couldn’t have been better. When the set was unveiled during Mario Day, Nintendo hadn’t even officially announced Mario Kart World, let alone a release date, which we now know is June 5 alongside the Switch 2. With the franchise entering a bold new era of open-world racing, it’s only fitting that the newest addition to Lego’s small but mightily impressive lineup of Nintendo display model kits commemorates the iconic series in style.
$170 | Released on May 15
The 1,972-piece Mario & Standard Kart costs $170 and is exclusive to the Lego Store at launch. Most of Lego’s “black box” kits licensed by Nintendo have started their lifecycles as Lego Store exclusives before hitting major retailers several months later. Mario & Standard Kart is the seventh Nintendo Lego set designed for display. Though the black box means it carries an 18-plus age recommendation, like with the others before it, Mario & Standard Kart’s age designation more so distinguishes it as one of the few Nintendo Lego sets mainly intended to be admired rather than played with like a toy.
The new set expands the lineup of Lego Mario Kart sets to seven. The series was introduced at the start of 2025 with six playsets featuring smaller-scale karts and character builds accompanied by interactive accessories.
Younger builders who have put together any of the 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 & Standard Kart, like the Nintendo display models before it, should prove to be a real treat for fans. The building process is enjoyable and relaxing, and the finished product is a worthy centerpiece on any display shelf dedicated to the Mario Kart franchise.
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.
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.
