The Koopalings get some love in the newest LEGO Super Mario playset. Larry’s and Morton’s Airships Expansion Set has two of Bowser’s underlings and their flying ships, as well as adding new augmented reality play options.
- LEGO reveals a new Super Mario playset featuring Koopalings.
- The set includes Larry and Morton’s airships and a Goomba figure.
- The playset offers augmented reality play options.
- The set is available for pre-order and ships from August 1, 2023.
- It is best played with previous Super Mario playsets.
LEGO and Nintendo revealed the Super Mario-themed playsets and expansions in 2020, as part of the 35th anniversary celebration of the classic Super Mario Bros. Released back in 1985 for the Nintendo Famicom (and later the Nintendo Entertainment System), Super Mario Bros. has become legendary for being recognized as the game that saved the industry, following the video game crash of 1983.
The LEGO Super Mario Collection has since had multiple expansions, such as one themed around Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong.
The LEGO Super Mario Larry’s and Morton’s Airships Expansion Set was revealed at the official LEGO website.
Larry Koopa and Morton Koopa, Jr. are two of the seven Koopalings, aside from Roy Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Ludwig von Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, and Iggy Koopa. Introduced in the NES game Super Mario Bros. 3 back in 1988, the Koopalings served as the bosses for the seven worlds within the game. As either Mario or Luigi, players would encounter one of these Koopalings at the end of each world, after navigating their flying airships.
Originally, the Koopalings were conceptualized as the children of Bowser. However, that has since been changed, with Bowser, Jr. as the Koopa king’s only child. The Koopalings have since been designated as underlings whom Bowser delegates his authority to in order to maintain his kingdom, as well as lead his troops.
Since their debut in Super Mario Bros. 3 (and the SNES Super Mario All-Stars remake), the Koopalings have appeared in later Mario games, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart Tour. They have also made appearances in various other media such as the Super Mario animated series. But interestingly, the Koopalings did not appear in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, except for a nod in one scene with the name of Ludwig von Koopa on Bowser’s piano.
As for the toys’ specifications, the Larry’s and Morton’s Airships Expansion Set is recommended for children ages 8 and up. The main feature of the buildable LEGO playset is the two airships, which are inspired by the ones that appear in the video games used by Bowser’s forces.
This Super Mario-themed set has 1062 pieces, which includes the 2 Koopalings and an extra Goomba (Bowser’s lieutenants need to have someone to boss around, of course). Measuring 9 inches high, 7.5 inches long, and 5 inches wide, Morton’s airship also opens to create a battle zone (which looks like a small fortress from the Mario games), allowing players to topple Morton from his pedestal. And it would look great being combined with Bowser’s own massive airship playset!
Although it is a standalone product, the LEGO Super Mario Larry’s and Morton’s Airships Expansion Set is best played with previous Super Mario playsets, particularly the LEGO Super Mario Starter Course. For instance, placing the LEGO Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach figures in the ship cockpits unlocks the augmented reality feature, activating sound effects to simulate a virtual cannon battle.
In addition, the LEGO Company recommends downloading the LEGO Super Mario app, which provides building instructions, suggestions for creative inspiration, and other tools.
The LEGO Super Mario Larry’s and Morton’s Airships Expansion Set is available for pre-order via the official LEGO website or through Target. Priced at $79.99, the set will begin shipping starting August 1, 2023.
