In case you missed it, LEGO has officially announced the release of a wave of new LEGO Donkey Kong sets that further expand its highly successful LEGO Super Mario theme. Following a teaser from several days ago, LEGO has finally listed four new LEGO Donkey Kong sets slated to arrive on shelves in August. The exciting reveal marks the beginning of a new wave of inspiration from Nintendo franchises.
A Brief History of Donkey Kong
For the younger generation who may be unfamiliar with the iconic video game character, Donkey Kong (DK) was first introduced in 1981. He first debuted as the dotting villain in an arcade game where he is pitted against the pixelized hero Mario. And in 1994, DK saw a revival when gaming developer Rare released Donkey Kong Country. It is a side-scrolling platformer game that boasted pre-rendered 3D graphics that were quite ahead of its time. Aside from the inclusion of Donkey Kong’s flashy red tie, he is now viewed as the hero of the game paving the way for him to become a Nintendo mainstay.
Now, LEGO has introduced another milestone to Donkey Kong and his clan, as they will now receive their official LEGO versions. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from these new LEGO Donkey Kong sets before they arrive in August.
4 New LEGO Donkey Kong Sets Added to LEGO.com
Rambi the Rhino Expansion Set (71420)
106 pieces | $10.99 | Coming Soon on August 1, 2023
The smallest of the bunch, this set includes Donkey Kong’s Rambi the Rhino as a buildable 106-piece set, which can plow through baddies and obstacles.
Get set for LEGO® Super Mario™ adventures with the Rambi the Rhino Expansion Set (71420) for kids aged 7 and up. It features a brick-built LEGO toy figure of Rambi that interactive LEGO® Mario™, LEGO® Luigi™ or LEGO® Peach™ figures (not included) can ride on. When Rambi walks, charges into the included stackable rock elements and makes other movements, sound effects are activated in the interactive figure. Note: the 71360, 71387 or 71403 Starter Course is required for interactive play.
Dixie Kong’s Jungle Jam Expansion Set (71421)
174 pieces | $26.99 | Coming Soon on August 1, 2023
This new LEGO Donkey Kong expansion set features brick-built figures of Dixie Kong and Squawks the parrot on a small stage to rock out.
Children can venture into the jungle home of Donkey Kong™ for musical fun with this LEGO® Super Mario™ Dixie Kong’s Jungle Jam Expansion Set (71421). It features Dixie Kong and Squawks figures, a buildable stage, jungle scenery and musical instruments and equipment. Place LEGO® Mario™, LEGO® Luigi™ or LEGO® Peach™ (figures not included) center stage and turn them to make the connected stage platforms rotate, activating musical sounds. Note: the 71360, 71387 or 71403 Starter Course is required for interactive play.
Donkey Kong’s Tree House Expansion Set (71424)
555 pieces | $59.99 | Pre-order this item today, it will ship from August 1, 2023
We now get to see the King in action in DK’s Tree House Expansion set! It comes with a 555-piece buildable house and accessories like a TV, radio, conga drums, and a hammock. I just hope that DK also comes with the same in-game functionalities as that of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach in their respective starter course.
Children can build a colorful jungle level and role-play stories with this LEGO® Super Mario™ Donkey Kong’s Tree House Expansion Set (71424). The tree house is packed with authentic details to delight Donkey Kong™ fans, including a buildable TV, radio and a secret compartment. Kids can use their LEGO® Mario™, LEGO® Luigi™ or LEGO® Peach™ figures (not included) to ride on Donkey Kong’s back, nap in the hammock, knock a banana off the palm tree and gift it to Donkey Kong, ‘play’ the conga drums, visit Cranky Kong and more to earn digital coin rewards. Note: the 71360, 71387 or 71403 Starter Course is required for interactive play.
Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride Expansion Set (71425)
1,157 pieces | $109.99 | Coming Soon on August 1, 2023
By far the largest addition to this wave of new LEGO Donkey Kong sets, this $110 LEGO Super Mario set includes a 1,157-piece buildable version of the cool and funky Diddy Kong. The set also showcases a rideable mine cart track that can break apart, a Mole Miner, and a Snaggle shark.
Create an iconic Donkey Kong™ level in the brick-built LEGO® Super Mario™ universe with this Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride Expansion Set (71425) for kids. Place a LEGO® Mario™, LEGO® Luigi™ or LEGO® Peach™ figure (not included) in the mine cart to ride around the track. Flip the Snaggles out of the way, fix the broken section of track, defeat the Mole Miner and ‘explode’ the rock to reveal a bunch of bananas to ‘eat’ or gift to Funky Kong or Diddy Kong. Buy balloons from the airplane shop and ‘fly’ the plane to earn more digital coins. Note: the 71360, 71387 or 71403 Starter Course is required for interactive play.
New LEGO Donkey Kong Sets: Pricing and Availability
All of these new Lego Super Mario Donkey Kong expansion sets will be available for purchase starting on August 1 on LEGO’s home shopping portal and other brick and mortar stores worldwide. You also have the option to pre-order DK’s Tree House set starting today.
These collection of new LEGO Donkey Kong expansion sets are a nod to the past, with DK’s comeback as a hero in the 90s with the release of Donkey Kong Country. Those who grew up with these classic Donkey Kong video games will surely appreciate the play features and design of these LEGO iterations.
Will these sets be added to your must-have LEGO sets in August? Let’s talk about in the comments below!
