Head-to-head
LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser vs LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
Both built. Both reviewed. Here's how they actually compare on the things that matter.
Set #71411
LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser
The biggest Bowser LEGO ever made. Articulated. Fire-breathing pose. And a question-mark base that earns the show.
Set #71374
LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
A LEGO NES with a working scroll-screen Mario level on a CRT TV. Retired in 2024 — and one of the most coveted LEGO sets ever made.
By the numbers
The spec sheet.
| Metric | LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser | LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Pieces | 2,807WINS | 2,646 |
| MSRP | $269.99 | $249.99WINS |
| Price per piece | $0.10 | $0.09WINS |
| Verdict | Must buy | Must buy |
| Best for | Mario fans with shelf space, AFOLs who appreciate buildable-figure engineering, and anyone collecting the LEGO Mario boss set lineup. | Retro gamers, 80s/90s nostalgia collectors, and anyone hunting modern LEGO grails on the secondary market. |
Pros & cons
What I actually noticed.
LEGO Super Mario The Mighty Bowser
Pros
- Largest LEGO Mario set ever — 32cm tall, 41cm long with the tail extended
- Fully articulated: head turns, jaw opens, arms move, tail swings
- Question-mark display base with three micro figures (Mario, Peach, Goomba)
- Best buildable-figure engineering in the LEGO catalog since the [Optimus Prime](/reviews/optimus-prime)
- Fire-breathing pose mode — Bowser leans forward, mouth open, claws extended
Cons
- Aggressive footprint — measure twice before committing display space
- Articulation joints loosen with frequent posing
- If you don't own LEGO Mario starter sets, the interactive features unlock fewer easter eggs
LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
Pros
- The CRT TV scrolls a hand-cranked Super Mario level — actually playable feeling
- NES console opens to reveal a Mario cartridge, controller works as a static replica
- Retired since 2024 — already $400+ on the secondary market
- Most accurate LEGO recreation of vintage tech ever shipped
- Pairs with the LEGO Super Mario starter sets for animated Mario figure on the screen
Cons
- Hand-crank scroll mechanism is delicate — easy to over-rotate and pop pieces
- Retired aftermarket prices have already crossed $450
- Display footprint is bigger than people expect (the TV is the volume hog)
Made up your mind?
Pick a retailer.
Comparison generated from our individual reviews. Pros, cons, and ratings come from full hands-on builds — see each review for the complete take.