Best gaming Lego sets: Our favourite builds for all ages from Super Mario to Sonic the Hedgehog

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

• Model Number: 71374
• Pieces: 2646
• Ages: 18+

The Lego Nintendo entertainment system is one of the best tributes to the Eighties console that launched with Super Mario Bros. Not only can you build the console itself (with some hidden references to the game inside) but there’s a scale-replica of the four-button controller, as well as a game cartridge of Mario’s first solo that can be spring-loaded into the console, no blowing necessary.

The crown jewel of this set is the retro-style television which features a recreation of “World 1-1” that Mario can move through on a rotating screen. If you happen to have the Lego Super Mario figurine, it can also be placed on top of the TV set to play the original game’s infamous theme song. It’s a glorious tribute to Nintendo’s long video game history and a challenging but rewarding build for older fans that deserves to sit on your shelf.

Best: For Nintendo 64 fans

Rating: 9/10

• Model number: 71395
• Pieces: 2064
• Ages: 18+

Fun fact: The yellow question block never actually appeared in Super Mario 64 back when it was released in 1997. But it’s still a staple of the franchise and the perfect housing for a recreation of the 3D platformer’s most recognisable locations.

Within the cube sits three levels: “Bob-omb Battlefield”, “Cool, Cool Mountain” and “Lethal Lava Land” as well as Princess Peach’s Castle, which acted as the game’s hub-world where Mario could jump into paintings to collect stars. The attention to detail in each level is staggering, with references to some of the game’s memorable moments such as the hidden slide inside Cool, Cool Mountain and the winding gauntlet that leads to the game’s first boss-fight with King Bob-omb.

Super Mario 64 set the bar for every other 3D platformer that came after it and this set is another wonderful tribute to one of Mario’s most literal game-changing outings.

Best: For Sega fans

Rating: 9/10

• Model number: 21331
• Pieces: 1125
• Ages: 18+

It’s hard to believe, but at one point in time, Sega’s blue mascot was as popular, if not more so, than Nintendo’s Super Mario. In the original console wars of the early-Nineties, the Sega mega drive launched with Sonic the Hedgehog, a side-scrolling platformer that put speed and momentum before anything else.

The first level, green hill zone, has been lovingly recreated, complete with blocky palm trees, collectible rings, checkpoints and a loop-de-loop. It was actually designed by a fan and voted for on the Lego ideas page and the attention to detail really shines through.

The Sonic minifigure that comes with it has its own display stand and also features the game’s antagonist, Dr Robotnik. Adding one of the game’s “chaos emeralds” to Sonic’s collection after each section is completed is also an inspired choice and is a great size and depth for display.

Best: For player one

Rating: 8/10

• Model number: 71360
• Pieces: 231
• Ages: 6+

The Super Mario starter course is one of the most innovative and creative collaborations Lego has ever done. Officially licensed by Nintendo, the starter course includes an interactive Mario figurine (AAA batteries required) and a series of modular obstacles with a goomba and Bowser Jr figurine included as well.

Special barcodes can be scanned by the Mario figurine as he comes into contact with them. Sound effects and voice clips will be played in correspondence with each interactive piece (such as getting coins from a question block or jumping on the goomba’s head) and as the set is modular, different parts can be moved around to recreate an entire level.

The starter set is fairly barebones and is more focused on play than display if you were hoping to present it on your shelves, but it’s a perfect toy for children who want to build their own levels. The set also comes with a free companion smart phone app that will give you clear instructions of how to assemble each part of the course, as well as inspiration for some level layouts. As a starter course, there are a number of different expansions you can add to the initial offering but they will all require the Super Mario figurine to make the most of them.

Best: Lego Mario expansion

Rating: 7/10

• Model number: 71391
• Pieces: 1152
• Ages: 8+

One of the larger expansions for the Lego Super Mario line, Bowser’s airship is a far more intricate build as a large airborne pirate vessel. Not only are there two intricately detailed Bowser-shaped figureheads on the ship’s bow and stern, the centre of the ship can fold outwards to access compartments inside.

While a larger build, it’s much more simple to assemble than it looks but it wouldn’t look out of place sitting on a display shelf or as part of a larger level design when added to the rest of the Lego Super Mario line. The airship also comes with a canon to “launch” the Mario figurine from (not included) as well as three enemies: a Kamek, a Rocky Wrench and a Goomba (complete with pirate hat, so you know he’s in charge) to add to the collection.

Best: For player two

Rating: 9/10

• Model number: 71387
• Pieces: ‎280
• Ages: 6+

Luigi is highly underrated in our eyes. He’s often sidelined by his more famous brother but at his heart he’s just as capable and often has his own adventures as the Mushroom Kingdom’s resident ghostbuster.

More than a palette swap, the Luigi starter set has more pieces than Mario’s equivalent, but the variety and intricacy of the pieces make for a much more fun building challenge as being slightly more creative for making your own levels. There are also more characters, including a bone goomba, a pink Yoshi and Boom Boom, one of Bowser’s minions with articulated arms. Dare we say it, it’s a much better build than the Mario starter set (£54.99, Lego.com), even if he does still hog the limelight.

Best: Lego Luigi expansion

Rating: 7/10

• Model number: 71401
• Pieces: ‎877
• Ages: 8+

If Mario can leave the Mushroom Kingdom behind to fight Bowser and collect stars, then Luigi can have his own adventures clearing out ghosts in haunted mansions.

Luigi’s Mansion is one of Nintendo’s most interesting spin-off series, with the most recent game being Luigi’s Mansion 3 on the Nintendo Switch (£49.99, Nintendo.co.uk). This expansion set does an excellent job of recreating the spooky interiors of the game, complete with spectral visitors including, a garbage can ghost, a grabbing ghost and King Boo. Toad also makes an appearance and can be rescued from a haunted painting.

The haunt-and-seek expansion set itself contains four modular rooms with a rotating corridor in the middle that separates them all. Three hidden gems can be found in each of the separate rooms and stomped on by the Luigi figurine to collect more coins before confronting King Boo in his tower.

Best: For extra characters

Rating: 6/10

• Model number: 71402
• Pieces: ‎29
• Ages: 6+

If you’re content with the quantity of pieces available in the Mario and Luigi starter courses but still want some variety then an affordable addition could be some new characters to construct levels with.

The current character packs include one of ten new characters that come with their own display stand or can be used in level designs with their own scannable action tag for the plumbers to jump on. These packs include a Mechakooper, Para-Biddybud, Stingby, Bully, Freezie, Ant Trooper, Goombrat, Coin Coffer, Scaredy Rat or a baby penguin.

It should be noted that as each pack is sold as a blind bag, there’s no guarantee that you will get exactly the one you hope for but each one can be used to build on your existing collection.