Recently, Nintendo unveiled its newest product: the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System. The product features a LEGO version of the Japanese company's 8-bit gaming console, controller, and even a cartridge of the game's number one selling title, Super Mario Bros. In addition, LEGO fans also get a LEGO CRT television set and, perhaps the coolest inclusion, the ability to recreate the entire first level of the iconic NES game on the LEGO television.
The package in undoubtedly awesome, and something that neither Nintendo or LEGO have done thus far. The two companies must be very confident, as the item's asking price is a whopping $229.99 USD. That's nearly three times the price of an NES Classic.
Many Nintendo fans agree on this sentiment, as they've taken to Twitter to complain about LEGO and Nintendo's outrageously high price. Fans have tweeted out how they feel about the set, complaining that the item is out of their price range. Some even state that, for the price that they're asking, the product should play actual NES cartridges.
While the product looks very cool, it's clear that $229.99 might have been a bit too steep of an asking price if fan's reactions are anything to go by. It remains to be seen whether these fan complaints speak for the large majority, or just a very vocal minority. We'll find out whether the price is indeed for most fans when the product releases later next month, on August 1st.
In addition to the NES set, Nintendo and LEGO also formally announced the LEGO Super Mario Starter Course, the Bowser's Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set, Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set, King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set, and much more. All of the other expansions beside the NES one are generally priced much more reasonably, around $19.99 and $99.99 range. There are over ten Nintendo LEGO sets releasing, with more likely to come.
So far, every Nintendo LEGO set is Mario-themed, but who's to say that Nintendo won't later announce its sets themed after The Legend of Zelda,Pokemon, or LEGO versions of any of its other properties? And if fans are wrong and the LEGO NES ends up becoming a massive hit, we could end up seeing Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 LEGO sets in the future as well. Here's hoping we get the Nintendo 64 Classic before the latter.
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System releases on August 1st, 2020.
Source: Comicbook