LEGO has officially revealed its Donkey Kong Arcade Machine set, a collaboration with Nintendo that brings the iconic game to brick form. The set, comprising 1,371 pieces, stands over 15 inches tall and offers an interactive experience reminiscent of the original arcade game.
Releasing on August 1, the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set includes several playable functions. A lever on the left side of the cabinet allows players to deploy barrels down scaffolding, mirroring a key mechanic from the game. A central joystick moves the character, Jumpman, towards a hammer power-up, and a dedicated jump button allows Jumpman to perform his namesake action. When operated with two hands, the set provides a limited but functional recreation of the classic Donkey Kong gameplay.
The set comes with 21 barrels, and a clever design allows for automatic reloading from the bottom when the lever is pulled, creating an endless gameplay loop. The mechanics are visible through clear bricks, offering insight into how the set functions. The design faithfully recreates a Donkey Kong level, featuring brick-built representations of Donkey Kong, Jumpman, and Lady (Pauline). While traditional minifigures are absent, the set utilizes bespoke brick designs and new colors for its characters.
The brick-built "Donkey Kong" sign atop the arcade machine is a notable design element. Though it adds to the visual appeal, its size might pose a challenge for shelf display. However, the letter attachments are easily accessible, allowing for removal if space is limited.
The LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set is priced at $199.99 and is available for preorder through Amazon and LEGO. This interactive set is designed to appeal to both adult LEGO fans and gamers.