Lego and Nintendo Partner for $200 Playable Donkey Kong Arcade Set
The set, launching on 1 August, recreates the classic arcade experience with a working lever and joystick, following a series of successful collaborations between the two brands.
Lego has expanded its ongoing partnership with Nintendo by releasing a 1,371-piece playable replica of the classic Donkey Kong arcade cabinet. Designed primarily for the nostalgic adult collector market, the new set, titled Lego Donkey Kong Arcade, offers a physical recreation of the game that established the franchise. The product is priced at $200 and is scheduled for general release on 1 August, with pre-orders currently available.
The build features a functional lever located at the rear of the cabinet, which allows users to release one of the 21 included barrels into the play area. A joystick controls the character Jumpman, who later became known as Mario, enabling players to make him leap over obstacles. The set also includes figures for the original Donkey Kong and the damsel in distress, who was referred to as "Lady" in the original game before being named Pauline.
According to the source material, the mechanical operation is functionally similar to the original arcade experience, though the physical implementation is understandably simplified. The design recreates the iconic scaffold and ladders of the first level in detail. Once purchased, the set provides a free-to-play experience indefinitely, distinguishing it from the coin-operated machines of the past.
This release follows several other high-profile Lego and Nintendo collaborations, including a buildable NES replica, a posable Bowser figure, and the two-in-one Great Deku Tree set. The new Donkey Kong model is compared to the previously released crank-operated Pac-Man set, which is reportedly being retired from the product line.
The Lego Donkey Kong Arcade set represents a significant entry in the brand's video game-themed collection. By combining intricate brick-building with interactive mechanics, the product aims to capture the essence of the 1980s arcade era for a modern audience. The set is available for pre-order now ahead of its August 1 launch date.
