The various LEGO® Super Mario sets fall into unique categories. They include Starter Sets, Character Packs, Power-up Packs and a large number of courses. There are also the less common Maker Sets. The first of which was released in 2021 as part of the theme’s second wave. Partly inspired by the Mario Maker games, the Maker Sets are a mash-up of elements which can be used to add flourishes to other sets. They aren’t really focused on any particular era of Mario games or Mushroom Kingdom locations. It’s a tricky set to review due to its lack of focus so this will be more of a hands-on look at what the set has to offer. For another of the new LEGO Super Mario set reviews, here’s a closer look at the Creativity Toolbox
Creativity Toolbox
Set Name: Creativity Toolbox | Set Number: 71418 | Pieces: 588 | Theme: Super Mario | Action Tags: 9 | RRP: £54.99/$59.99/59.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 5 (plastic) + Loose Element | Instructions: LEGO Super Mario App | Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
Most of the other Mario sets are focused on particular locations, characters or powers found in the Mario games. The Maker Sets are a little different as they are basically a collection of buildable elements along with a couple of characters. The Creativity Toolbox features 3 Mushroom King biomes. They include the standard grassy green surface, desert sandy yellow and fiery red plates. The various buildable elements also found in the set are connected to these biomes. Some have featured in other sets but others are entirely new. So although the set may seem like a various collection of builds, they do introduce some new things.
The grass and desert areas are built upon elongated plates. These use the new island half plates combined with a 4×8 plate. There are then related elements which can be added to these platforms. The grassy platforms include a number of colourful hills. Weird hills have always been a feature of the Mario games. These jazzy hills have appeared in New Super Mario Bros. games. They are joined by various-sized trees, rocky crops and bushes which use the cloud plates first seen in Unikitty character packs, now recoloured in green.
The desert plates have a few different details which include very simple pyramid hills, cactus plants and palm trees. The different styles of builds manage to capture both the early 2D games and some of the more recent 3D titles. The desert section also features a Stone-Eye enemy. This is only the second time the character has appeared in a set. A bigger version was featured in the Monty Mole & Super Mushroom GWP from back in 2020.
The Stone-Eye isn’t the only unique character found in the set. There is a unique blue Yoshi and another member of the Koopalings, with the only female character Wendy. Both have a similar style builds to similar characters and both include Action Tags to let them interact with LEGO Mario, Luigi and Peach. Wendy has a stone perch to stand upon which is surrounded by red lava plates and other flame-like regalia. Compared to the desert and grass area, the fire section is noticeably smaller.
Although the set offers plenty of unique things it also includes various elements found in other Mario expansion sets. These include a Super Mushroom and a Goomba, both built in the exact same way as other versions. There are also a couple of newish Action Tags such as the fruit power-up and a gift box.
The app which is used to build and interactive with the game elements of the set, offers up suggestions for courses when combining the set with one of the three Starter Courses. It doesn’t offer step-by-step instructions for creating these, just inspirational images.
Overall
It really is a collection of buildable things which are meant to extend the detail of other sets or courses. If you only pick up the Mario sets to add to your collection of characters, then the inclusion of a Blue Yoshi and Wendy make it a must. To a lesser extent so does the Stone-Eye. Plus all the plates and little buildable details will give you a few nice plates to display the characters from this and other sets. I also must mention the box. It’s different to other Mario sets as it features a top-opening flap. This makes it much easier to store and access all the various sections featured in the set. Please note the LEGO Mario, Luigi or Peach interactive figures are not included with this set. They can be found in the LEGO Super Mario Adventures with… Starter Packs.
Shop Now: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for review purposes. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
