Leaked LEGO Donkey Kong set reveals a charming homage to DKs arcade roots

Nintendo teased a few months back that some Donkey Kong LEGO would be on the way, and now, thanks to a new leak we know what the very first dedicated DK-themed set will be: an awesome homage to the 1981 arcade game that started it all.

Images circulating on both X and Reddit show the supposed retail box for the upcoming ‘Donkey Kong Arcade’ set — a 1,367-piece build, in which you’ll recreate the original game, complete with Jumpman (Mario), Pauline, and DK himself. The finished piece looks to be a really accurate recreation of the arcade hit’s iconic first stage, including girders, ladders, and rolling barrels.

The entire piece is surrounded by a lovely looking faux arcade cabinet that faithfully matches the design of the original — and it appears that there’s a working joystick too, suggesting that the LEGO won’t be stationary, and once complete you’ll be able to ‘play’ the game to some degree. Very cool.

When Nintendo first teased DK LEGO, I assumed they may well start here. It makes perfect sense to start with the origin of the character, so I’m pleased to see that’s exactly what they are doing. I love all of these retro Nintendo sets, but as ever with these more ambitious LEGO sets, it’s where to put them once built. With over 1,000 bricks, this isn’t exactly a dinky shelf ornament — it’s the kind of set that needs its own dedicated spot.

Official details on this aren’t confirmed, but rumours point to a release date being just a month away in August, with a price tag of around $200. Considering how consistent LEGO leaks have been of late, I’d be inclined to believe these details.

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