Five intriguing features in the LEGO Super Mario 2023 sets

2023 is bringing a selection of new LEGO Super Mario models, with plenty of new features to whet your appetite.

The LEGO Super Mario theme has proven very popular with LEGO fans – and with over three decades of video games to draw inspiration from, there’s always somewhere else for the Super Mario theme to go. That’s borne out in 2023’s first wave of sets, which offers some new snowy environments for Mario and friends to explore.

As such, we’re always keen to see what LEGO Super has to offer each time around. Here’s what’s leapt out to us so far:

5 – A new powerup suit (that’s arguably redundant)

Suits are an attractive (if expensive) way to spice up your LEGO Super Mario experience, and now we’ve got a new one – sort of. Within the video games, Ice Mario is essentially an underpowered version of Penguin Mario – he can shoot ice balls to freeze enemies, but he can’t slide on his belly over frozen surfaces. The ice suit in this game also varies a little in appearance from the in-game version (the overalls should be red rather than blue) although it is certainly attractive here, and probably the best option.

It’s possible that the Ice Suit will function in a similar way to the Fire Suit – shaking Mario with that equipped allows you to affect enemies with a little distance between you. In any case it comes with a substantial chunk of terrain, which may help make it more attractive as a purchase.

4 – New ice pieces

Indeed, sets like 71415 Ice Mario Suit and Frozen World and 71417 Fliprus Snow adventure appear to feature a new textured tile element. This element has a substantial footprint, and gives Mario a substantial surface to slide around on. It can also be, er, tiled, allowing you to create a larger area of ice with little effort.

Given the LEGO Group’s preference for re-using and recolouring pieces, we suspect we’ll be seeing this element in several more sets over the next few years. Its texture and tileability (that’s a word, right?) presents interesting creative opportunities going forwards.

3 – A new sandbox set

LEGO Super Mario is designed to encourage a fair amount of remixing, but there’s still a clear direction of travel for each individual build. 71418 Creativity Toolbox is a bit more flexible, offering more component pieces (and following in the footsteps of sets like 71380 Master Your Adventure). As such, this seems like a solid addition to any Super Mario collection – particularly with Wendy O. Koopa and some familiar colourful hills making an appearance in it as well. 

2 – More character recolours

A lot of Super Mario characters are just variations on a theme – although it does, in all likelihood, inspire multiple purchases from diehard fans. 2023’s Super Mario sets offer a blue Yoshi, a green Toad and both Fire Bros and Ice Bros; while these aren’t structurally innovative, we’re sure they’ll be an enticing prospect.

1 – Birdo

Since her appearance in Super Mario Bros. 2, Birdo has remained one of the franchise’s more iconic characters. Now (after literal years of waiting) we have a LEGO version – with her red bow and tubular mouth intact. She’s also available for a very reasonable price – although since she can only be found in a blind box, tracking her down may prove more difficult than anticipated.

You can learn more about the new LEGO Super Mario sets in our report on the subject. All of them will be available at LEGO.com from January 1, 2023.

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