This $200 Lego NES set features a scrolling 8-bit Mario

The last Nintendo/Lego was for kids, but this one is aimed at the adults.

Read the whole story

 

[adespoton]

But I'm also at that age when I look at things like this and think "neat", and then follow it up with "where the heck would I put that after I built it?" I simply don't have the free surface space.

I was given a Lego Star Destroyer as a gift. I built it, then gave it away for that reason. Now I have kids and wish I had it back. just for the pieces.

That star destroyer had awesome pieces. I used them to create all sorts of neat buildings and sets before I... gave it all away due to lack of space.

But life's revenge is sweet: now my kids have their own Lego spilling off shelves and out from under the bed in their rooms. And they're pragmatic enough to supplement with off-brand bricks and 3D printed bricks where the Lego sets are too costly.

 

[Thunder.gryphoN]

Would something involving an all-plastic Bowden cable too thoroughly violate the Lego-ness of it?

Lego used to make little bowden cables for the Technic theme some years back, it was called the Flex System.

 

[japtor]

Verrry tempting. A few months ago I started buying up some cheaper Lego Racers sets, then the Lunar Lander...and haven’t built anything yet. This will go nicely...with those other boxes until they’re all eventually built

Ars, no link to the MOC at Brickcon last year from where Lego & Nintendo clearly stole this idea?

https://youtu.be/nz8JGww6ukY

Fair to link it but I don’t think they stole it. From some other Lego places I follow, it sounds like they hired that guy a while back. If true they rewarded him for his talent and helped iterate and put his idea to market, official Nintendo licensing and all. (Edit: or not, sounds like that was a different guy with similar concepts. But apparently they did talk to this guy at that show)

Am I the only one that does not really get all that impressed when someone sticks a rasberry Pi into something like this?

Dont get me wrong, I love rasberry Pi, I have a bunch of them. but sticking one running an emulator into a lego box is really not all that creative.

For this particular one, just plopping an LCD screen in to play would replace the neatest part of the whole build, so yeah agree with you there.

...but if you could use the Pi to use the left/right controller input to control the treadmill that’d be cool. And maybe wire up some lights so the TV and NES have power on/off states, and everything wouldn’t "run" until you put the cart in and turned everything on properly.

 

[japtor]

Double post cause I just saw this elsewhere and well this might get (more) expensive for collectors...

So there's a rumour that the Nintendo system set advertises other cartridges coming later this year with new backdrops and pixel characters.

Apparently its designed so you swap that out with relative ease.

Course it’s Lego so you can just build your own stuff if you have enough spare parts around

 

[Oak]

obilgatory:

Whatever the image was, it's now giving me a "403 Forbidden" error. I suggest copying to a hotlinking-tolerant image host, in the future.

 

[defaultluser]

I got tired of Lego once all the custom parts were introduced (and obvious cash-ins like these didn't help with the already pricey standard sets)

Give me classic Technic any day of the week, but computer software development has forever ruined that inclination for me.

Unfortunately, I already kn ow how the scrolling works in a device like the Famicom, so there is no "wonder" left for me.

 

[Batmanuel]

That is really brilliantly designed. It’s a shame that like most interesting Lego sets, these will almost certainly get picked up by eBay and Amazon resellers looking to make a profit.

That's usually only a problem after they stop making them.

Usually while they're in production you can find plenty available.

Yeah, it was hard to find a Saturn V set when it first came out, but about a year later Amazon was running it $20 off. If you’re patient, you can usually pick them up without paying a premium.

 

[PrimalxConvoy]

Ahh, Lego, the toy that was too expensive for most kids. I remember that it was like Playmobil, or the original wooden trains/tracks, in that only rich kids had them.

I had a big box of second hand Lego from other kids in my neighborhood (the same with my Star Wars toys and many other toys when I was young). The only new Lego I got was some small boxes of Space Lego (including a medium-sized Blactron ship).

I'm sure that Lego has come down in price, over the years though. Let's see...

The 2,646-piece set goes on sale on August 1, and it will cost $229.

 

[mitty84]

Sigh... this is really cool, but I don't even have a place to display my actual NES and retro consoles, let alone a fake one.

 

[Skyfire77]

obilgatory:

Whatever the image was, it's now giving me a "403 Forbidden" error. I suggest copying to a hotlinking-tolerant image host, in the future.

 

[EBone]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

 

[TheIllustrativeMan]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

I've built my fair share of Lepin sets (the best clone), and while they're good, official Lego sets are an order of magnitude better. Don't even get me started on the dumpsterfire that is Megabloks.

 

[EBone]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

I've built my fair share of Lepin sets (the best clone), and while they're good, official Lego sets are an order of magnitude better. Don't even get me started on the dumpsterfire that is Megabloks.

I don't discount Lego's terrific manufacturing tolerances. My point is even with that, their sets are not worth what people are willing to pay for them. I'm sure the manufacturing tolerances of the Switch Lite are pretty damn terrific as well.

 

[Oak]

obilgatory:

Whatever the image was, it's now giving me a "403 Forbidden" error. I suggest copying to a hotlinking-tolerant image host, in the future.

Ah, thanks. (And if that one goes down, at least the URL still hints at the Fry meme.)

 

[Fancy Internet Person]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

I've built my fair share of Lepin sets (the best clone), and while they're good, official Lego sets are an order of magnitude better. Don't even get me started on the dumpsterfire that is Megabloks.

I don't discount Lego's terrific manufacturing tolerances. My point is even with that, their sets are not worth what people are willing to pay for them. I'm sure the manufacturing tolerances of the Switch Lite are pretty damn terrific as well.

A Switch Lite has about 17 components (in the ifixit teardown I looked at). The electronics are, obviously, complex, but they are machine produced and integrated as a unit.

This building toy is 2646 pieces and instructions to be assembled as an integral part of its use and fun. The design and level of complexity of each piece is different, and if building toys aren't your thing, then that's ok.

 

[john-whorfin]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

I've built my fair share of Lepin sets (the best clone), and while they're good, official Lego sets are an order of magnitude better. Don't even get me started on the dumpsterfire that is Megabloks.

I don't discount Lego's terrific manufacturing tolerances. My point is even with that, their sets are not worth what people are willing to pay for them. I'm sure the manufacturing tolerances of the Switch Lite are pretty damn terrific as well.

Try taking your Switch Lite apart and reassembling it 100 times, then come back and tell us how good the manufacturing tolerances are.

 

[Sarty]

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

Wikipedia says about 20 microns, which of course should be taken with the usual grain of salt.

It's not like they require glue or solder or snaps or other sorts of mechanical fasteners or retainers to hold together pretty solidly. This is a more notable property than many people seem to realize. Certainly no set of parts in my car have that property, or in my pocketknife, or in my laptop.

 

[Zeroumus]

I got tired of Lego once all the custom parts were introduced (and obvious cash-ins like these didn't help with the already pricey standard sets)

Give me classic Technic any day of the week, but computer software development has forever ruined that inclination for me.

Unfortunately, I already kn ow how the scrolling works in a device like the Famicom, so there is no "wonder" left for me.

to me, Technic is the real LEGO anyway. I just love making things like transmissions, logic gates, adders, etc

 

[Dr. Fancypants]

Anyone ever wonder about (or feel guilty purchasing) all this non degradable plastic Lego just keeps producing ? Most of it eventually ends up in a landfill or floating in the ocean.

If you ever throw out your bricks, you're doing it wrong. They should be usable more or less forever, and if you don't want them it should be easy to find someone who does.

While going through some old boxes, my wife and I found her brother's old sets from the 70s and early 80s (many still with the original boxes!). They've now been fully incorporated into my son's ever-growing collection.

 

[j17robotdancer]

This really makes the geek in me come out. Now if only I had the patience to assemble it.

 

[heartburnkid]

It's really cool, but I wonder if they might release a cheaper version that just has the NES and not the mechanical TV.

Because I want to stick a Raspberry Pi in it.

 

[Fancy Internet Person]

It's really cool, but I wonder if they might release a cheaper version that just has the NES and not the mechanical TV.

Because I want to stick a Raspberry Pi in it.

The building instructions for the kit should be available soon, and I'd you have a bulk used Lego store that you can visit, you can probably get the pieces without difficulty (none of the bricks or plates in the NES part look rare or unusual).

 

[EBone]

More expensive than a Switch Lite.

When did we all agree that Lego’s ridiculous prices for little bits of plastic is okay?

If you think you can manufacture and sell compatible precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes at less than ten cents each, you're welcome to try to undercut the Lego Group.

Take note that several other manufacturers have been trying that for decades without much success.

There is no way that any manufacture of "precision plastic components of equivalent quality in a wide variety of shapes and sizes..." that goes into that Nintendo Lego set is more precise or of a superior quality to the plastic AND electronic components that go into a Switch Lite, which costs $30 less.

Lego Group's manufacturing tolerances are insane. I forget the actual numbers, but iirc they're more specific than just about any other industry. One of the reasons they put the super tiny "Lego" logos on each stud is because it makes it easier to check for molding issues. That's why their bricks go together so well.

I've built my fair share of Lepin sets (the best clone), and while they're good, official Lego sets are an order of magnitude better. Don't even get me started on the dumpsterfire that is Megabloks.

I don't discount Lego's terrific manufacturing tolerances. My point is even with that, their sets are not worth what people are willing to pay for them. I'm sure the manufacturing tolerances of the Switch Lite are pretty damn terrific as well.

Try taking your Switch Lite apart and reassembling it 100 times, then come back and tell us how good the manufacturing tolerances are.

My child can build Legos. I don't think most people could build the circuit board, silicon processor, and flash storage system in a Switch.

 

[Dr Gitlin]

We get it, you have nothing but contempt for Lego. You’ve made that quite clear, you can stop polluting this thread now.

 

[stopher2475]

I don't mind Lego making some bank on the licensed type products.

I just wish they'd bring back Pirates and Castles ...

Here you go. It’s a new version of a classic set. At 200 bucks I think it’s mostly older collectors buying it.
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/pira ... -bay-21322

 

[Sarty]

We get it, you have nothing but contempt for Lego. You’ve made that quite clear, you can stop polluting this thread now.

"STOP LIKING THE THING I DON'T LIKE!" can be irresistible.

 

[midian454]

I built a similar hand-cranked scrolling mechanism of part of World 1-1 a couple of years ago. Looking forward to getting this set and seeing how they made it work!

 

[Digital Dud]

It's funny that Lego and Nintendo have a partnership now because years ago LEGO sued Nintendo for making knockoffs: http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/10/nin ... 68-71.html

 

[waldo22]

I'd like to point out that $200 (or $229) is more than double the price of the actual NES console when it came out.

I remember how badly we wanted it, and what a big deal it was because $100 was officially the most expensive thing we had ever asked for.

...pretty cool set, though.

EDIT: This wasn't meant to be negative; just a "my how prices have changed in 30+ years" type of comment. I think the design of this set is really creative and fun, and didn't mean to imply that it was a rip-off or something.

 

[Defenestrar]

I don't mind Lego making some bank on the licensed type products.

I just wish they'd bring back Pirates and Castles ...

https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/pira ... -bay-21322

That's awesome! (1)

I pulled out my old Pirate Legos when my kids were just starting to age out of Duplo and my son accidentally broke a unique piece. I figured I'd just grab some old kit cheap on Ebay and boy was I surprised! I like that this new set is an order of magnitude cheaper than the "collectors" version (at least when I checked a couple of years ago). $200 is still a doozy for a toy, but I guess that's not too far ahead of inflation (about $100 in 1990).

I remember saving my (small) allowance, packing my own lunch to pocket lunch money (a parental incentive to encourage thrifty behavior), and chipping cement off of old bricks. I think I got about $0.10 per cleaned brick. Unfortunately, the price had been set assuming it was mortar - but cement had been used instead. Lots of bricks and patient savings is what got me my Legos!

(1) I understand the desire to use more than one exclamation point, but it's still wrong, so I didn't.

If you want to replace that broken part, check out bricklink.com or brickowl.com. Bricklink is possibly the largest online marketplace for used Lego parts, with many resellers all in one website (which is now owned by Lego). Brickowl is similar, and includes sales of customized and third-party parts. Those sites also have retired sets for sale.

Depending on which part you need, you may be able to purchase directly from Lego at https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/repl ... parts/sale.

Thanks!

 

[albeec13]

Having the actor blow into the game cartridge was a nice touch

 

[AlexHilbertRyan]

Pathetic ,lego should be able kids and creativity and not sets filled with custom brick pieces that only serve a single purpose.

Lego you sold out to the hipsters.

 

[IntergalacticWalrus]

To do Duck Hunt, they would need to make the Zapper, but I suspect that Lego doesn't do guns, even fake ones. I could be wrong.

Also, how long do we think it'll take for someone to rebuild this as a fully-playable NES? I'm thinking the emulated Raspberry Pi version (with LCD screen) appears a couple weeks before the one that can read actual NES cartridges.

Lego's internal rule is no depictions of contemporary, real life guns.

Fictional or historical guns are fine.

 

[Systema Encephale]

Pathetic ,lego should be able kids and creativity and not sets filled with custom brick pieces that only serve a single purpose.

Lego you sold out to the hipsters.

Honestly, how many custom pieces do you actually spot here? The sprites, probably, though it is hard to tell with the little enemies. Apart from that it looks like just stickers and creative use of existing parts.

An excessive inventory of distinct bricks was a problem of Lego's troublesome phase in the late 90s and 2000s, but since then they have greatly reduced the number to less than half. And if you hang out at Lego forums it is often remarkable to see what creative uses people come up with for seemingly single-purpose bricks.

 

[AlexHilbertRyan]

Pathetic ,lego should be able kids and creativity and not sets filled with custom brick pieces that only serve a single purpose.

Lego you sold out to the hipsters.

Honestly, how many custom pieces do you actually spot here? The sprites, probably, though it is hard to tell with the little enemies. Apart from that it looks like just stickers and creative use of existing parts.

An excessive inventory of distinct bricks was a problem of Lego's troublesome phase in the late 90s and 2000s, but since then they have greatly reduced the number to less than half. And if you hang out at Lego forums it is often remarkable to see what creative uses people come up with for seemingly single-purpose bricks.

I see many custom pieces that simply do not make a good fit with anything. I highly doubt you could build a tower use even half those pieces...

 

[rosen380]

Pathetic ,lego should be able kids and creativity and not sets filled with custom brick pieces that only serve a single purpose.

Lego you sold out to the hipsters.

Honestly, how many custom pieces do you actually spot here? The sprites, probably, though it is hard to tell with the little enemies. Apart from that it looks like just stickers and creative use of existing parts.

An excessive inventory of distinct bricks was a problem of Lego's troublesome phase in the late 90s and 2000s, but since then they have greatly reduced the number to less than half. And if you hang out at Lego forums it is often remarkable to see what creative uses people come up with for seemingly single-purpose bricks.

Anyone who watched "Lego Masters" would have seen those "creative uses" a dozen times a week.

 

[sean1121]

I don't mind Lego making some bank on the licensed type products.

I just wish they'd bring back Pirates and Castles ...

Agreed 100%. I loved the pirate sets as a kid.

 

[afreeflyingsoul]

Now we need the Legend of Zelda version!

 

[Dr Gitlin]

Pathetic ,lego should be able kids and creativity and not sets filled with custom brick pieces that only serve a single purpose.

Lego you sold out to the hipsters.

Honestly, how many custom pieces do you actually spot here? The sprites, probably, though it is hard to tell with the little enemies. Apart from that it looks like just stickers and creative use of existing parts.

An excessive inventory of distinct bricks was a problem of Lego's troublesome phase in the late 90s and 2000s, but since then they have greatly reduced the number to less than half. And if you hang out at Lego forums it is often remarkable to see what creative uses people come up with for seemingly single-purpose bricks.

I see many custom pieces that simply do not make a good fit with anything. I highly doubt you could build a tower use even half those pieces...

Your Lego knowledge is about 30 years out of date.

 

[Wanderlost]

that is the sexiest thing