How LEGO made Mario playable in bricks

Introduction

LEGO Super Mario mattered because LEGO did not treat Mario as a character to display. It treated Mario as a behaviour to recreate. Instead of producing ordinary minifigure-scale sets based on familiar game locations, the LEGO Group and Nintendo built a system in which players physically assembled courses, moved Mario through them, collected coins, triggered enemies and chased time limits. The result was closer to a buildable game engine than a traditional licensed toy line.[The Brothers Brick]brothers-brick.comThe Brothers Brick LEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product lineThe Brothers BrickLEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product line…March 12, 2020 — 12 Mar 2020 — Designers from both companies j…Published: March 12, 2020

That distinction makes LEGO Super Mario an important example of how licensed themes can strengthen LEGO’s antifragility. Rather than merely attaching a famous brand to existing products, LEGO absorbed a powerful cultural trend — children’s attachment to interactive screen play — and translated it into brick-based activity. The company borrowed the appeal of a video game while keeping building, rebuilding and creative construction at the centre of the experience.[LEGO]lego.comWhat is LEGO® Super MarioLEGO® Super Mario™ turns digital gaming into physical play, perfect for family fun! With interactive bricks…

Why Mario needed a new LEGO play pattern

Mario presented a problem that many licensed themes do not. The appeal of Super Mario has never mainly been its visual design. Children do not spend hours with Mario because he wears a red hat. They spend hours with Mario because of what he does: running, jumping, collecting coins, avoiding hazards and navigating levels.

A conventional LEGO adaptation could have reproduced locations from Nintendo games, but it would have missed the central activity that makes Mario compelling. The design team therefore started from gameplay rather than appearance. LEGO designer Jonathan Bennink later explained that the challenge was finding the right “play recipe” around an interactive character rather than simply creating another technology-enhanced toy. According to Bennink, development took years because the team first had to determine what players would actually do with Mario once he existed as a physical object.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Super MarioLego Super Mario

This led to a significant departure from LEGO’s normal licensed model.

Instead of:

Players were encouraged to:

In effect, LEGO translated level design into a physical building activity. The player became both builder and game designer, a role much closer to video-game creation than to traditional toy collecting.[The Brothers Brick]brothers-brick.comThe Brothers Brick LEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product lineThe Brothers BrickLEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product line…March 12, 2020 — 12 Mar 2020 — Designers from both companies j…Published: March 12, 2020

Interactive courses as trend absorption

The core innovation was the interactive Mario figure itself. Unlike a standard minifigure, LEGO Mario contained screens, sensors, sound effects and Bluetooth connectivity. His eyes, mouth and chest displayed reactions, while scanners underneath the figure read colours and machine-readable action tiles embedded within courses. Mario responded differently when encountering lava, enemies, bonus blocks or goal posts.[forbes]forbes.comeverything we know about lego super mario12 Mar 2020 — LEGO Super Mario is a new toy-game collaboration from LEGO and Nintendo. It centres around a smart Mario character that can… This allowed Nintendo-style game logic to exist in a physical environment.

A child could build a course from ordinary LEGO elements and then test it as though it were a level. Coins accumulated as Mario moved through the course. Timing mattered. Obstacles mattered. Route design mattered. The system rewarded performance rather than mere completion of a build.[toyworldmag.co.uk]toyworldmag.co.ukThe Lego Group and Nintendo detail new Super Mario rangeApril 8, 2020 — 8 Apr 2020 — The new Lego Super Mario product line features an interactive Lego Mario figure that collects coins in real…Published: April 8, 2020

The important antifragile move was that LEGO absorbed a trend without copying its surface form.

Many toy companies responded to digital entertainment by trying to compete with screens directly. LEGO’s own Hidden Side theme, for example, relied heavily on augmented reality and smartphone interaction. While technically impressive, it often created the feeling that the physical model existed mainly to support an app experience. The line was discontinued after a short run.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Hidden SideLego Hidden Side

[Lego Super Mario]WikipediaThe Brothers BrickLEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product line…March 12, 2020 — 12 Mar 2020 — Designers from both companies j… reversed the balance.

The screen element existed inside Mario himself, while the primary activity remained physical:

The technology enhanced brick play instead of replacing it. Axios noted that previous attempts to merge digital and physical play often felt distracting, whereas LEGO Super Mario succeeded because the interactions directly mirrored familiar Mario actions such as stomping enemies and collecting coins.[Axios]axios.comUnlike previous attempts, such as Lego's Hidden Side augmented reality sets, which felt more distracting than enhancing, Lego Super Mario…

Building became level design

One of the most revealing aspects of the theme was that there was no single correct course layout.

Traditional LEGO sets often guide players toward a finished model. LEGO Super Mario encouraged constant rearrangement. Expansion packs could be connected in multiple ways, and players were expected to redesign courses repeatedly to increase difficulty or improve coin collection.

Nintendo’s own messaging described children building challenges and creating real-world game levels. LEGO similarly framed the theme as a way to bring Super Mario adventures into hands-on construction rather than simply recreating scenes from the games.[The Brothers Brick]brothers-brick.comThe Brothers Brick LEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product lineThe Brothers BrickLEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product line…March 12, 2020 — 12 Mar 2020 — Designers from both companies j…Published: March 12, 2020

This effectively imported a design philosophy already familiar to video-game audiences.

The closest comparison was not a standard Mario platformer but Mario Maker, Nintendo’s game that lets players build and share their own levels. Multiple reviewers immediately recognised the similarity, describing LEGO Super Mario as a physical version of that creative process.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Super MarioLego Super Mario

From LEGO’s perspective, that was strategically valuable.

Every rebuilt course extended engagement without requiring new content from the company. The system relied on user creativity rather than a fixed narrative. That is a powerful trait in antifragile products because value emerges from player experimentation rather than from a single carefully controlled experience.

Why the technology served the bricks

The theme also showed unusual discipline in how technology was used.

Bennink explained that the team deliberately avoided making technology the entire attraction. The goal was not simply to create an electronic Mario toy. Instead, the figure had to encourage building activity around itself. He emphasised that Mario reacts to how the world is built, not merely to pre-programmed components. Players could incorporate their own bricks and create new environments that still generated meaningful interactions.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Hidden SideLego Hidden Side

Even the companion app reflected this philosophy.

Rather than acting as the primary play environment, the app supported the physical experience through building instructions, score tracking and demonstrations. The design team argued that explaining the unusual play pattern through paper instructions was difficult, so digital guidance became a practical tool rather than the centre of the product.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Hidden SideLego Hidden Side

That distinction matters because many digital-physical hybrids fail when the digital layer overwhelms the toy itself. LEGO Super Mario largely avoided that trap by making the physical course the main event.

What the theme says about disciplined adaptation

LEGO Super Mario demonstrates a particular form of adaptation that appears repeatedly in LEGO’s strongest licensed themes.

The company did not ask how to decorate LEGO with Mario imagery. It asked which parts of Mario’s appeal could survive translation into bricks.

Some elements changed dramatically:

But the core loop remained recognisably Mario:

• Explore.
• Jump.
• Collect.
• Race the clock.
• Improve performance.

That is why the line became more than a merchandising exercise. LEGO absorbed the cultural force of a screen-native franchise while reinforcing its own strengths in construction, creativity and open-ended play.[LEGO]lego.comWhat is LEGO® Super Mario™?Official LEGO® Shop GBDesigned for kids, adults and fans of all ages, these interactive playsets let you build an exciting playtime wit…

In antifragility terms, the theme shows how LEGO benefits from external change without becoming dependent on the exact form that change takes. As children’s attention shifted further towards interactive digital experiences, LEGO did not abandon brick play. Instead, it redesigned brick play so that it could express behaviours that previously existed mostly on screens. LEGO Super Mario became a test of whether a video game could be rebuilt as a construction system, and its success suggested that the company could adapt to new cultural habits while still making the brick the foundation of the experience.[Wikipedia]WikipediaLego Hidden SideLego Hidden Side[LEGO]lego.comMeet the LEGO® Super Mario™ CharactersWith his signature red cap and overalls, our hero, LEGO Mario, is an interactive figure that reacts…

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to How LEGO made Mario playable in bricks. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

Book

Reality Is Broken

By Jane McGonigal

Helps explain why gameplay mechanics matter more than appearance.

See on Amazon

Book

The art of game design

By Jesse Schell

Relevant to translating digital play into physical systems.

See on Amazon

Book

Console Wars

By Blake J. Harris

Provides context for Nintendo's evolution and brand power.

See on Amazon

Book

Lego

By Unknown author

Explains LEGO's brand management, licensing relationships and strategic constraints.

See on Amazon

Browse more on Amazon: Reality Is Broken The art of game design Console Wars

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

eBay marketplace picks

Marketplace Samples

Example marketplace items related to this page. Use the search link to explore similar finds on eBay.

Shop location

UsingUSA USA USAUKCanadaAustraliaIreland

Example eBay listing

LEGO Super Mario: The Mighty Bowser 71411 Brand New Sealed

SearcheBay.co.uk: LEGO Super Mario set

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

LEGO Super Mario Guarded Fortress Expansion Set 71362 New and Sealed Box Damage

SearcheBay.co.uk: LEGO Super Mario set

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

LEGO Super Mario: Dorrie's Beachfront Expansion Set (71398)

SearcheBay.co.uk: LEGO Super Mario set

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Example eBay listing

Lego SUPER MARIO Starter Course 71360 Adventures with Mario Set🔻NEW / SEALED🔻

SearcheBay.co.uk: LEGO Super Mario set

Browse similar oneBay.co.uk

Browse more oneBay.co.uk

Example items shown for inspiration; availability and pricing can change. Branchoria may earn a commission if you purchase through outbound eBay links.

Endnotes

1. Source: brothers-brick.com
Title: The Brothers Brick LEGO and Nintendo reveal new Super Mario product line
Link:https://www.brothers-brick.com/2020/03/12/lego-and-nintendo-reveal-new-super-mario-product-line-news/

Published: March 12, 2020

2. Source: brothers-brick.com
Title: everything you want to know about lego super mario feature
Link:https://www.brothers-brick.com/2020/03/13/everything-you-want-to-know-about-lego-super-mario-feature/

3. Source: lego.com
Link:https://www.lego.com/en-ie/themes/super-mario/about

4. Source: lego.com
Title: What is LEGO® Super Mario™?
Link:https://www.lego.com/en-gb/themes/super-mario/about

5. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Lego Super Mario
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Super_Mario

6. Source: forbes.com
Title: everything we know about lego super mario
Link:https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2020/03/12/everything-we-know-about-lego-super-mario/

7. Source: lego.com
Link:https://www.lego.com/en-us/article/lego-super-mario-characters

8. Source: toyworldmag.co.uk
Title: The Lego Group and Nintendo detail new Super Mario range
Link:https://toyworldmag.co.uk/the-lego-group-and-nintendo-detail-new-super-mario-range/

Published: April 8, 2020

9. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Lego Hidden Side
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Hidden_Side

10. Source: axios.com
Link:https://www.axios.com/2020/08/24/lego-super-mario

11. Source: lego.com
Link:https://www.lego.com/en-us/article/lego-super-mario-parents-guide

12. Source: lego.com
Link:https://www.lego.com/en-nl/themes/super-mario/play-together

13. Source: store.nintendo.nl
Link:https://store.nintendo.nl/nl/merchandise/view-all-merchandise/shop-by-franchise-merchandise/lego-x-super-mario

14. Source: discussingfilm.net
Link:https://discussingfilm.net/2020/04/23/lego-super-mario-lead-designer-jonathan-bennink-on-evolving-the-lego-experience-exclusive-interview/

15. Source: nerdist.com
Title: lego super mario interactive set preorder
Link:https://nerdist.com/article/lego-super-mario-interactive-set-preorder/

16. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/NintendoSouthWales/posts/2677691702464003/

17. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyV2BtCz6YM

18. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy9ISXklVVY

Additional References

19. Source: mojo-nation.com
Title: legos jonathan bennink collaborating nintendo bring super mario life bricks
Link:https://www.mojo-nation.com/legos-jonathan-bennink-collaborating-nintendo-bring-super-mario-life-bricks/

20. Source: bricktastic.nl
Title: lego en nintendo presenteren interactieve super mario sets
Link:https://www.bricktastic.nl/lego-super-mario/lego-en-nintendo-presenteren-interactieve-super-mario-sets/

21. Source: ramblingbrick.com
Title: meeting jonathan bennink design lead on lego super mario
Link:https://ramblingbrick.com/2020/07/18/meeting-jonathan-bennink-design-lead-on-lego-super-mario/

22. Source: brickingaround.com
Title: getting started with lego mario
Link:https://brickingaround.com/2020/08/03/getting-started-with-lego-mario/

23. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTODSy2zvl0

24. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwIbGwKCyrA

25. Source: youtube.com
Title: “How LEGO Built a Billion-Dollar Empire | The Untold Business Story”
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrJYkG9oCrY

26. Source: brickfanatics.com
Link:https://www.brickfanatics.com/does-lego-super-mario-successfully-combine-physical-and-digital-play

27. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdcAdqGFnM

28. Source: youtube.com
Title: LEGO’s Comeback: From Nearly Bankrupt To $6 Billion
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjcSKukg9IE