From a week before, we got the first look at the most surprising LEGO Super Mario set released yet. Initially teased as just a big yellow question-mark block, it was actually an encapsulated tribute to “Super Mario 64.” The Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) was a diorama of several levels from the 1997 Nintendo 64 “Mario” title. They unfold for display from the box then fold back inside for storage. Ten microfigures populate the four “Mario 64” levels depicted in the set. Or at least that was what the official promotion fluff and LEGO online product listing say.
As Brick Fanatics puts it, LEGO has pulled a fast one on its Super Mario set collectors. Recall those four “Mario 64” levels displayed on the promotional pictures? They were actually missing one, a fifth level from the N64 game. Actually, if one looks at some of the pictures closely, like below, they might have realized this. See that curious partly-open flap in front of the question-mark block, while the other game levels are opened? Brick Fanatics confirm excited reports from early reviewers of this LEGO Super Mario set. The front of the block opens to reveal a buildable King Bowser, Mario’s bad guy. And the flap underneath reveals the fifth featured “M64” game level.
Unlike the earlier four (Peach’s Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool Cool Mountain, Lethal Lava Trouble), this is a boss level. That explains why Bowser is present to open it up. His buildable form easily towers over the 10 microfigures included in the set (especially the 3-piece micro-Mario). We thought the initial reveal of Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) surprised everything out of us. We were wrong. Bravo, LEGO. You’ve generated some sure-fire “must-buy” frenzy for this “Super Mario” set when it releases this October 1.