It’s taken far longer than it should, but I’ve finally finished off the Summer set reviews with this Super Mario set. It’s one of three larger sets released alongside a trio of new ‘Starter Sets’ which contain LEGO® Mario, Luigi and Peach interactive figures. Those characters have inspired the larger of the most recent expansion sets including Luigi’s haunted mansion and Peach’s Castle, but this one is Mario’s domain. A level from Super Mario World 3D inspires the Bowser Express Train. A game which was originally released for the Wii U before getting released on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s a quick look at The Bowser Express Train set.
Product Details
Set Name: The Bowser Express Train | Set Number: 71437 | Pieces: 1392 | Theme: Super Mario
Number of Bags: Bags x 24 (paper) | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: A Hammer Bro, Boom Boom, 2 Goombas & 2 Para-Biddybuds. | Action Tags: 12 | Insiders QR: Yes
RRP: £104.99/$119.99/119.99€/CAD149.99/AUD199.99/NZD219.99
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
King Koopa is known for his love of transportation which in some way, features his face. So it’s not surprising to learn Bowser has a train modelled on his regal head. As mentioned, the train was featured in Super Mario World 3D and was the focus of the level in which you travel through the train from the rear carriages to the front engine. In LEGO form, it features a unique train engine, along with a couple of carriages plus some additional scenery elements. Although it’s classed as an expansion set, it doesn’t feature the same connectable elements often found in past expansion sets. However, does include several Action Tags including a ‘finish’ tag making it fully compatible with previous Super Mario sets.
Before building the train, you craft two pieces of scenery. These include a station platform and a cannon, which is used in the Super Mario World 3D level to get Mario aboard the train. These are the only parts of the set to feature the usual island elements, allowing them to be incorporated into courses with other expansion sets. Beyond these, the rest of the set is focused on the unique-looking train.
The carriages connected to the train are a little less roomy than the ones found in the game but they do add a few play features. One features another cannon pipe, but instead of an Action Tag, this one features a spring-loaded shooter. This fires one of the larger rubber-tipped projectiles. The next carriage is a little more traditional and features a removable roof which reveals a table, hiding a ‘?’ block. The last carriage is styled after one of the pump carts often seen in old black-and-white films. The pump handles used to power the cart, are perches for a pair of Para-Biddybuds. Once connected to the rest of the train, the handles move as you’d expect them to.
Although the carriages are inspired by moments from the Super Mario 3D World level, the train engine is almost an exact copy. It has elements you’d expect to find on a steam train but these are incorporated around Bowser’s head. In his gaping mouth is the traditional engine front and the steam chimney protrudes from Bowser’s head. This is connected to a gear system hidden within the train. When the train moves it causes the chimney stack to bob up and down along with spinning a platform on the rear of the train. One thing I like about the engine is all the little trimmings, such as the curved edges around the front of the train and the little platforms on the side. It’s really an impressive recreation of what’s seen in the game.
The set features several buildable characters based on enemies from the Mario games. All of those found in this set have previously features in past sets but a couple do offer something a little unique. The Hammer Bro and Boom Boom are exactly the same as they are in other sets. But the two Goombas are sporting fancy hats, presumably they have decided to dress up for a fancy afternoon tea onboard the train. There are also two Para-Biddybuds which are uniquely coloured for this set.
Although it has limited connection points to other expansion sets, it still includes a series of Action Tags. These are scannable patterns which can be read by each of the three interactive figures. These are dotted around the set and offer different actions. One of the best ones is found on the train and activates a familiar Mario jingle. Almost all of the Action Tags offer the ability to collect coins be that through defeating enemies or completing various actions.
The fractured nature of the expansion sets often makes the Super Mario sets unusual builds. But as this one features a fairly big element in the train, I found it more enjoyable to build. I especially like how detailed and robust the train engine is. The Bowser Express Train is available now.
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The LEGO Group provided this set for this review. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Nintendo. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
