Prestige branding.
LEGO and Nintendo are coming together to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System with a massive LEGO set building the console, life-size controller, a Game Pak, and a ‘playable’ tube tv.
When LEGO Mario, from the LEGO Super Mario Starter Course, is placed on top of the massive tv, it will create sound effects to match the scenery. A crank on the side of the tv set will allow players to move the scenery around emulating a real game experience.
The set will contain 2646 pieces–making this comparable to the SHIELD Helicarrier or the LEGO Statue of Liberty–and retails for $229.99.
This pricing isn’t out of the ordinary for such a high brick count but may also reflect LEGO treating Nintendo properties as something of a ‘prestige’ brand. Fans have been clamouring for Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sets, and this may provide the opportunity for that partnership to flourish.