After a teaser earlier this week, Lego and Nintendo have officially revealed that Donkey Kong is officially joining Lego Super Mario. Donkey Kong will be joined by other members of the Kong family, including Diddy and Dixie, across four new expansion sets. All four expansion sets release on August 1. As of now, only Donkey Kong's Tree House Expansion Set is available to preorder. The other three were available briefly before returning to the status of “coming soon” at the Lego Store. However, all of the expansions will be available at major retailers, too. You can check out the Donkey Kong expansion sets below. As usual, to take advantage of the “play” element of these sets, you’ll need Lego Mario, Luigi, or Peach.
Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride Expansion Set
$110
Mine cart levels have always been some of the most challenging and dynamic course types in the Donkey Kong Country series, so it makes sense that they are being adapted into a Lego playset. Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride nods back to Mole Miner Max, a boss fight from Donkey Kong Country Returns. It’s the largest Donkey Kong-themed expansion, clocking in at 1,157 pieces. The set comes with buildable figures of Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Mole Miner, and Chomps.
In terms of the play aspect here, the mine cart will interact with a Lego Super Mario figure (Mario, Luigi, or Peach). Your job is fix the track and beat the Mole Miner at the end. In addition to the mine cart and rail system, you can build Funky Kong’s airplane, which is complete with the balloons he sells in the game and a barrel.
Donkey Kong's Tree House Expansion Set
$60
Donkey Kong’s Tree House Expansion Set lets you build the iconic treehouse that DK calls home. The 555-piece set isn’t a “level” with enemies like some other Lego Super Mario sets, though Cranky Kong will give Lego Mario, Luigi, or Peach coins. Any of the three Lego Super Mario figures can attach to Donkey Kong’s back. Cranky Kong is also included in this set, along with a hammock, conga drums, palm trees, a Bowser flag, and a Warp Pipe.
Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam Expansion Set
$27
Dixie Kong’s Jungle Jam is a stage for live music. Your Lego Mario figure will accompany Dixie (who has an electric guitar) and Squawks. The set shows Squawks behind the mic, so hopefully he’s parroting some good tunes. The Jungle Jam set comes in at 174 pieces.
Rambi the Rhino Expansion Set
$11
Rambi the Rhino is more like one of the Lego Super Mario character packs than an expansion, but 106-piece set does have a few interactive features. Just like with Donkey Kong, your Lego Super Mario figure can ride on Rambi’s back. There are sound effects for movements such as walking and charging. And of course you can use Rambi’s tusk to topple the included blocks.