Lego’s Donkey Kong arcade machine lets Mario jump endless barrels — Miyamoto is reportedly happy
Lego has released a new Donkey Kong arcade machine set that features a functional mechanical game. The design, created by Carl Merriam, has reportedly received positive feedback from Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto.
Why it matters
This highlights the intersection of nostalgia-driven consumer products and the collaborative design processes between major toy manufacturers and gaming companies.
Carl Merriam has designed some of my favorite nostalgia-inducing Lego sets, including the Lego Nintendo Game Boy and Piranha Plant. He’s assisted on the incredible Lion Knights’ Castle, Galaxy Explorer, and Pirates of Barracuda Bay.
Now, he’s helped the company create a Donkey Kong arcade machine set that managed to win even Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto’s favor — or so he’s told.
[Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/lego-donkey-kong-2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]
It doesn’t play quite like Donkey Kong, of course. Jumpman, the character that would be renamed Mario, can never reach the top under his own power. But like Lego’s $230 pinball machine, it does contain a basic fully functional game. There’s a working joystick to move Mario left and right a bit, and a button to make him leap. Throw a lever, and you’ll release one of an endless series of barrels for him to jump.
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