Super Mario return confirmed for 2027, just not in the way you're hoping

Your famed moustached, pipe-passing, mushroom-munching, princess-poaching protagonist is making a grand return in 2027, as Nintendo partners with an unexpected giant to rebuild Rainbow Road one block at a time.

Mario has enjoyed a rather relaxed time in 2026, trading castle-raiding for a life of luxury. After starring in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo's favourite character has picked up sports in his leisure time, picking up the racket again in Tennis Fever.

A semi-sabbatical has also seen the red-hatted man become a pre-school teacher alongside a certain green dinosaur, as Hello, Mario! and Hello, Yoshi! both launched as educational titles this year.

In fact, the spanners and stars have been locked away for Mario for the rest of the year too, with Nintendo focusing on franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon.

Yet he will return in 2027, just in block form.

LEGO set to release eight Mario sets up to $99

According to LEGO leaker Unibricks, Nintendo and LEGO are combining to release eight new Mario sets in 2027, featuring minifigures such as Bowser, Bowser Jr., Luigi, Yoshi, and even Koopa Troopa.

The eight leaked sets vary in price from $10-100, with the most expensive set being Bowser's Castle.

The eight LEGO Mario sets are:

• Mario’s Pipe Jump (#72052) - $9.99
• Mario Kart: Racing with Mario (#72054) - $14.99
• Mario’s Beach Adventures (#72055) - $19.99
• Fire Luigi vs. Koopa Troopa Battle (#72061) - $29.99
• Mario Kart: Luigi & Bowser Jr.’s Karts (#72056) - $29.99
• Yoshi at Mario’s House (#72057) - $39.99
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Rumbling Kart (#72058) - $59.99
• Fire Mario & Bowser’s Castle (#72060) - $99.99

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The new pieces will be the second wave of Mario blocks to be released, with Nintendo and LEGO previously joining forces for Mario Kart sets in 2015.

Fellow IP cousin, Pokémon, also got another LEGO collab this month, with the furry fire evolution, Arcanine, getting a 1190-piece build two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, there's no sign of a LEGO Mario game, which could have been a blockbuster collab to rival some of the best blockhead titles out there.

In fact, as far as Mario goes on the gaming front, it looks like we're destined to explore the Mushroom Kingdom through the eyes of secondary characters.

Earlier this year, Yoshi And The Mysterious Book arrived as a charming puzzler that now holds the fort down for Mario's universe - or 'galaxy'.

A release date hasn't been announced for the upcoming LEGO sets, aside from a '2027' window.

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