LEGO designers really outdid themselves with the recently released #71374 LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System. With authentic reproduction of the original console, controller, Game Pak cartridge, and retro-styled 1980s TV, the set gives fans of Super Mario Bros. a way to recapture their childhood magic. You can read more about the set in the press-release (see: LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System Coming!), and a few days ago LEGO also released the designer-video, which you can watch below.
The #71374 LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System is a massive model with 2,646 pieces and realistic details, including an opening slot for the Game Pak with a locking function, and a controller with a connecting cable and plug. The console comes with a buildable retro TV, featuring a flat 8-bit Mario figure on the scrolling screen, plus an action brick to scan with LEGO Mario (figure not included; find in the #71360 LEGO Super Mario Starter Course set) so he reacts to the on-screen enemies, obstacles and power-ups just like in the Super Mario Bros. game.
Such a large and complex set requires a power team of LEGO designers. In fact, I believe this is the largest team of LEGO designers I have ever seen in a LEGO designer-video working on the same set. The team included LEGO designers Pablo Gonzalez and Léon Pijnenburg who worked on the console, the controller, and the Game Pak cartridge, LEGO Senior Designer Daire McCabe who worked on the retro-styled TV, LEGO Graphic Designer Anthony Palamaro who was responsible for the decorated elements and stickers, and LEGO Senior Designer Benjamin Ma who worked on integrating the Mario figure from the #71360 LEGO Super Mario Starter Course with the TV. In the video below, they talk about the challenges and triumphs they faced while designing the set, demonstrate the features and functions, and also share some of the cool Easter eggs found in the set.
It’s pretty clear that #71374 LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System is an incredible set. Although we have seen similar designs from LEGO fans, most of us never expected that LEGO would release something like this. However, with the new 18+ line, they can explore projects that were previously considered too large, complex, and expensive to become official LEGO sets. If you want to check it out, it’s available at the Online LEGO Shop. (Please note that due to the popularity of the set, it might show up as out of stock or back-ordered, but don’t worry, LEGO is making more!)
I also wanted to bring to your attention the awesome contribution of LEGO fan enochgray, who designed four additional custom levels for the game; Underground, Sky, Underwater, and Castle (see images below of the original level and the four custom levels). You will have to remove and replace the tiles and plates from the screen which will take a bit of time, but other than that, this is a great way to customize your NES. You can download the instructions for each level from enochgray’s page at Rebrickable.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System? Are you planning to get it? Or do you have it already? Did you learn something interesting from the LEGO designers that you weren’t aware of before? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!
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