LEGO Mario Kart Adds Luigi and Mach 8 Set on April 1

With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arriving on April 1, it’s no surprise that the LEGO Group is capitalizing on all things Mario right now. Yesterday, Nintendo and Illumination unveiled the movie’s final trailer, and today, LEGO has revealed the LEGO Mario Kart Luigi and Mach 8, a set featuring 2,234 pieces that brings Luigi and the Mach 8 kart to life in brick form. It’s available for preorder now at $179.99 and goes on sale April 1 through LEGO.com and LEGO Stores.

The buildable Luigi figure has a posable head, arms, and hands, and sits behind the wheel of what LEGO is calling the first large-scale brick recreation of the Mach 8. The kart can be displayed on a stand at angled, mid-drift positions, or removed from the stand and rolled around. Turning the steering wheel moves the front wheels, and spinning the back wheels activates a flame exhaust effect. The whole thing measures about 16 inches long, 10 inches tall, and 9 inches wide when built. I, for one, am greatly disappointed that Luigi isn’t sporting his death stare that became famous with Mario Kart 8’s release.

The set is designed as a companion piece to the LEGO Mario Kart Mario and Standard Kart, which is sold separately, so collectors can display both side by side. The $179.99 price tag might seem high, but anyone who has been collecting LEGOs and is a Nintendo fan is used to this type of pricing. Now, where’s my Yoshi set?