Five essential power-ups LEGO 72037 Mario & Standard Kart needs

There are a few brick-built extras missing from LEGO Super Mario 72037 Mario & Standard Kart, including these five essential power-ups.

The LEGO Group made a lot of video game fans very happy this week, following the official reveal of 72037 Mario & Standard Kart. The 1,972 piece set offers up both Nintendo’s iconic plumber and his signature vehicle in brick form, with the LEGO Super Mario set representing what looks to be a near perfect recreation of the racing duo.

While it’s possible to place Mario in a number of poses and position the kart on its own special stand, there don’t appear to be any additional extras included with the model. That feels like a slight missed opportunity, especially as the Mario Kart games are known for their wide range of power-ups and vehicle mods.

With that in mind, here are our picks of five essential brick-built extras we would have liked to have seen included with 72037 Mario & Standard Kart, many of which have already appeared in a number of existing LEGO Super Mario sets.

1 – Red and green shells

Both of these power-ups come with 72032 Standard Kart, so why not its much bigger brother? In the Mario Kart games, green shells can be launched from the front and back of the vehicles, before ricocheting around the tracks, while red shells home in on opponents.

2 – Banana skin

Some Donkey Kong fans will be lamenting the lack of any banana skins in 72037 Mario & Standard Kart, one of many staple items in the video game series. Fortunately, builders can find a tiny version in 72033 Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo, with the printed face on the yellow fruit matching the digital fruit.

3 – Glider

A new feature added in Mario Kart 7, gliders can be attached to vehicles, allowing racers to fly short distances when jumping off ramps. That same functionality has been replicated in 72032 Standard Kart, with a detachable red and white cloth Super Glider element, complete with Mario symbol.

4 – Mushroom

We’ve yet to see this temporary speed boost power-up included with any of the current line-up of LEGO Super Mario Kart sets, but it has kind of appeared in a previous polybag from the theme. 30385 Super Mushroom Surprise was released back in 2020, with the 10-piece set available as a free GWP with specific purchases.

5 – Blue shell

The spikey blue shell is the weapon of choice for sneaky Mario Kart players and can completely change the game at a moment’s notice. The powerful homing item takes out the current race leader, allowing others to seize the day, but has yet to appear in a LEGO Super Mario Kart set. If there’s one essential brick-built power-up that should have come with 72037 Mario & Standard Kart, then this is it.

72037 Mario & Standard Kart is due to launch on May 15, with pre-orders now open for the LEGO Super Mario set, which is priced at  £149.99 in the UK, $169.99 in the US, and €169.99 in Europe.

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