LEGO Super Mario sets have rapidly become a favourite among fans of all ages, blending the beloved video game world with the creative possibilities of LEGO. Since the original Super Mario game launched with Nintendo in 1985, the franchise has sold over 380 million copies, cementing its place in gaming history. The LEGO Mario sets bring the Mushroom Kingdom to life, allowing fans to build and play through iconic levels, complete with Mario, Luigi, and their quest to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser, the fire-breathing Koopa King. These sets capture the magic of the games, offering endless opportunities for imaginative play and adventure.
Set Details
LEGO Super Mario The Bowser Express Train (71437) could be a great addition to any Super Mario fan’s collection. Designed for kids aged 9 and up, this adventure-packed set includes a detailed train, a handcar, two stations, and six iconic LEGO Super Mario figures: Hammer Bro, Boom Boom, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. Interactive play can be enhanced with the addition of a LEGO Mario, Luigi, or Peach figure (not included), allowing players to chase the train on the handcar, operate the spinning platform on the locomotive, and fire the cannon wagon’s spring-loaded shooter. Once all the enemies are defeated, players can trigger horn sounds as they drive Bowser’s Express to the station, making it an exciting and immersive experience for young gamers.
| Model Name | The Bowser Express Train |
| Model Number | 71437 |
| Theme | Super Mario |
| Sub Themes | Expansion Set |
| Pieces | 1392 |
| RRP | $120 / £105 / €120 |
| Price per Piece | 9c / 8p / 9c |
| Minifigures | 6 |
| Minifigures Value | TBC |
| Launch Date | August 2024 |
| Current Status | Available |
| Retirement Date | December 2026 |
Investment Potential
LEGO 71437 is a LEGO Super Mario set with nearly 1400 pieces and a price per brick of 9c / 8p and comes with 6 minifigures. Due to be launched soon on august 1st 2024, will it be a good LEGO investment?
| Projected 5 Yr Value | $142 / £113 / €135 |
| % Increase ($) | 18% |
| Projected Future Annual Growth | 4% |
| Theme Growth | -3% |
| Sub-Theme Growth | -2% |
Theme Analysis
It really isn’t a pretty picture when we look at the historic performance of the retired sets within the LEGO Super Mario theme, with the retired sets actually losing value on average post-retirement so for us as Investabrick, it has to be a really special set for us to recommend a set from the LEGO Super Mario theme.
Whilst the LEGO Super Mario theme in general is a poor LEGO investment theme, there are some successful sets within. LEGO 71384, the Penguin Mario Power Up Pack has seen 80% growth from its $10 RRP when retiring in 2021 and the recently retired LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) has shown positive signs with a 15% increase on its $200 RRP since retiring last December.
| Set Number | Set Name | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| 71395 | Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block | December 2023 | $200 | $230 | 15% | 29% |
| 71380 | Master Your Adventure | December 2021 | $60 | $53 | -12% | -5% |
| 66677 | Super Pack | July 2022 | $63 | $53 | -16% | -8% |
| 71384 | Penguin Mario Power-Up Pack | December 2021 | $10 | $18 | 80% | 26% |
Comparable Set Analysis
We have looked a bit closer at some of the LEGO Super Mario Expansion packs and again the picture is quite mixed. Some positive sets but on the whole as a sub-theme it struggles to be any better than break even which makes recommending sets very difficult.
The pick of the retired sets is LEGO Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle (71369) which has seen 37% growth from its $100 RRP since retiring in 2021. In stark contrast LEGO Bowser’s Airship (71391) has reduced 10% in value from its $100 RRP since retiring at the end of 2022.
| Set Number | Set Name | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| 71369 | Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle | Dec-21 | $100 | $137 | 37% | 13% |
| 71391 | Bowser’s Airship | Dec-22 | $100 | $90 | -10% | -7% |
| 71401 | Luigi’s Mansion Haunt-and-Seek | Dec-22 | $80 | $78 | -3% | -2% |
| 71377 | King Boo and the Haunted Yard | Dec-21 | $50 | $58 | 16% | 6% |
Conclusion
With no sales data to look at whilst at retail sale (as it hasn’t been released yet), it is very hard to recommend a LEGO set from a LEGO theme that overall loses money and this sadly is no different. Whilst we think this will prove popular to Super Mario fans as a set to build, here at Investabrick we don’t see this as a LEGO investment now, or in the future.
