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 quite pricey. The $270 set released over four years ago, but like many Nintendo games, you wouldn’t know it based on its stagnant price at major retailers. Plus, even at full price, the NES and CRT TV model set is often sold out. But if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to finally pick up the 2,646-piece set, you can save a bit of cash at Amazon and Target ahead of Prime Big Deal Days and Circle Week. The Lego NES is on sale for $255 at both retailers, which is only 15 bucks off, but it’s something at least. You can also take advantage of rare (and better) discounts on the Piranha Plant and Mighty Bowser Lego sets.
Lego Nintendo Entertainment System (2,646 Pieces)
Lego’s take on Nintendo’s iconic console doesn’t just include a buildable version of the machine, it also throws in all the pieces you’ll need to build an old-school CRT TV and stand, NES controller, and a Super Mario Bros. NES cartridge as well. The end result is an intricate display piece., full of interactive elements like a working cartridge slot, rotating dials on the CRT TV, and a crank-operated screen that emulates a Super Mario level. It also has a very charming secret that will delight long-time fans.
If you thought this Lego set could be purchased for less than $270 at one point, you’d be correct. Released in 2020 with a launch price of $230, the Lego NES was one of many sets that received substantial price hikes in 2022. For the past two years, the Lego NES has remained at its $270 price–when it’s available to purchase at all. Major retailers–sometimes all of them–are constantly sold out of the Lego NES.
Lego Super Mario: More Display Models for Adults
If you find yourself scoffing at this deal, maybe you’ll be interested in the more substantial discounts on two other Lego Mario display models for adults.
The 540-piece Lego Mario Piranha Plant is 20% off at Amazon and Walmart, which drops the price from $60 to $48, matching the all-time low. It’s the most affordable display kit in the Lego Mario line, and you could buy five of them–and still have some cash left–for the price of the NES. The Piranha Plant was on sale for the same price ahead of Prime Day in July, but both retailers sold out within a day.
The Mighty Bowser overtook the NES as the Lego Mario set with the most pieces when it launched two years ago. With the display stand included, the 2,807-piece interactive model is 12.5 inches tall and 16 inches wide. It’s a really fun build and has cool features such as posable arms and legs, as well as a button that turns Bowser’s head. Normally sold for the same price as the NES, you can get The Mighty Bowser for $234 (was $270). The Lego NES is shipped and sold by Amazon, whereas The Mighty Bowser is sold by a third party and shipped by Amazon (eligible for Prime).
The newest Super Mario display set launched on October 1. Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi recaptures the magic of one of the best Mario games in all of its retro glory. It features eye-catching sprite depictions of Mario and Yoshi built from 1,215 Lego pieces. When you turn the crank on the display stand, Yoshi’s legs animate into a running motion. Yoshi’s tongue sticks out when you twist a dial–Mario doesn’t even need to punch the back of Yoshi’s head to make this happen.
Nintendo fans should also check out the first Lego set based on The Legend of Zelda. The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 building kit is a Lego Store-exclusive 2-in-1 set that retails for $300. This makes it the most expensive Lego Nintendo set to date, but it is a 2-in-1 build. Both builds have the same foundation, but about halfway through the process, you pick whether to create the Breath of the Wild or Ocarina of Time version of The Great Deku Tree. The Breath of the Wild build uses more pieces, so if you want to try both, the Ocarina of Time build is the easier of the two to both build and disassemble.
