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Lego releases Donkey Kong arcade machine set with functional game
Key points
- Lego released a $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine set.
- The set includes a functional game with a joystick and barrel-jumping mechanism.
- Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto reportedly approved the set's execution.
- It uses original 1989 Lego barrel elements and a unique barrel pump mechanism.
New Lego Donkey Kong Arcade Set
Lego has launched a new $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine set, designed by Carl Merriam, known for previous Nintendo-themed Lego creations. The set is a physical recreation of the classic arcade game, featuring Jumpman (the character later known as Mario).
Functional Gameplay Elements
The set incorporates a basic, functional game. Users can move Jumpman left and right with a working joystick and make him leap using a button. A lever releases an endless series of barrels for Jumpman to jump over, mimicking the original game's core mechanic.
Miyamoto's Approval and Design Details
The set reportedly garnered positive feedback from Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Donkey Kong and Mario. A specific request from Nintendo during development was to make 'poison barrels' heavier, which Lego achieved by adding Minifigure heads inside them. The Jumpman Lego element is detachable, allowing for interaction with other figures.
Designer Carl Merriam confirmed that the set utilizes the same original barrel elements Lego released in 1989 for its first pirate sets. A significant design challenge involved ensuring the barrels rolled slowly enough without getting stuck.
Barrel Mechanism Explained
The barrel mechanism operates like a pump. It uses a stack of 14 barrels along the side of the model. Each pull of the barrel lever adds one barrel to the bottom of the stack while one falls out the top. The system is designed to hold 20 barrels in total.
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Reporting from
Lego has released a $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine set, designed by Carl Merriam, which includes a basic functional game where Jumpman (Mario) can jump endless barrels. The set reportedly received approval from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and features original Lego barrel elements from 1989.