LEGO® Super Mario™ review + MOCs: 71411 The Mighty Bowser

For the uninitiated, Mario’s archenemy is Bowser, a turtle like creature with dragon-like features. Also known as King Koopa, the big boss kidnapper of Princess Peach is depicted in LEGO® Super Mario™ set 71411 The Mighty Bowser at a suitably magnificent scale. 

Will this LEGO power-up set be collecting all of your gold coins? Let’s jump down the warp-pipe and see where it takes us, as I review its parts and build, and create some original MOCs.

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
LEGO® Super Mario™ 71411 The Mighty Bowser
US$269.99/ £229.99/ 269.99€/ AU$399.99
2807 parts
1 October 2022
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First things first: we know why you're here, so let's get into the elements.

New Mould

• 10x Cone 3 x 3 x 3 (Elliptic Paraboloid) in Tan (6399977 | 1744)

Later in this article I take a close look at this curvy cone, called Sphere 3X3X3, W/ Knob by TLG, but for now let's keep looking at the elements.

Exclusive Recolours

Tan / Brick Yellow

• 6x Brick Round Corner, Curved 3 x 3 x 1 Quarter Circle in Tan (6404615 | 76797)
• 2x Brick Round 4 x 4 Dome Top with Round 2 x 2 Cutout, 4 Studs in Tan (6404616 | 79850)
• 2x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Tan (6404628 | 80178)
• 2x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Tan (6404629 | 80177)
• 2x Brick Round 2 x 2 D. Tube with 45° Elbow and Axle Holes (Crossholes) at each end in Tan (6404621 | 65473)

Bright Green

• 2x Brick Curved 2 x 1 with Inverted Cutout in Bright Green (6404619 | 78666)
• 4x Brick Round Corner, Curved 3 x 3 x 1 Quarter Circle in Bright Green (6404637 | 76797)
• 4x Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted in Bright Green (6404643 | 32803)

Yellow / Bright Yellow

• 20x Brick Round Corner, Curved 3 x 3 x 1 Quarter Circle in Yellow (6397957 | 76797)
• 2x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Left in Yellow (6404633 | 77180)
• 2x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Right in Yellow (6404635 | 77182)
• 22x Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted in Yellow (6411332 | 32803)
• 8x Brick Round 2 x 2 D. Tube with 45° Elbow and Axle Holes (Crossholes) at each end in Yellow (6369779 | 65473)

Green / Dark Green

• 11x Wedge Sloped 45° 3 x 3 Left in Green (6404631 | 42862)
• 11x Wedge Sloped 45° 3 x 3 Right in Green (6404638 | 48165)

Dark Orange

• 10x Dish 4 x 4 with 4 Studs in Dark Orange (6404641 | 65138)
• 2x Technic Disk 3 x 3 in Dark Orange (6404642 | 2723)

Light Bluish Gray / Medium Stone Grey

• 1x Plate Round Corners 4 x 8 x 2/3 Half Circle with Reduced Knobs in Light Bluish Grey (6399721 | 73832)

Trans Orange

• 1x Projectile, Arrow with Shaft, Liquid Shaped End in Trans Orange

White

• 14x Brick Round 2 x 2 D. Tube with 45° Elbow and Axle Holes (Crossholes) at each end in White (6404625 | 65473) 

Rare Parts

In one other set

Tan

• 1x Slope Curved 3 x 4 x 2/3 Triple Curved with 2 Sunk Studs in Tan (6302259 | 93604) also in 75967 Forbidden Forest: Umbridge’s Encounter
• 2x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 No Studs in Tan (6391523 | 37352) also available in 75326 Boba Fett’s Throne Room

Bright Green

• 4x Brick 1X3 in Bright Green (6343280 | 3622) also available in 71404 Goomba's Shoe
• 9x Bracket 1 x 2 - 2 x 2 Inverted in Bright Green (6401818 | 99207) also available in 71404 Goomba's Shoe
• 6x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top in Bright Green (6411397 | 32807) also available in 71404 Goomba's Shoe

Yellow

• 2x Plate Round Corner 2 x 6 Double in Yellow (6116475 | 18980) also in 71404 Goomba's Shoe
• 10x Slope Curved 3 x 4 x 2/3 Triple Curved with 2 Sunk Studs in Yellow (6397593 | 93604) also available in 76830 Zyclops Chase
• 16x Tile Special 2 x 2 Inverted in Yellow (6411902 | 11203) also available in 60366 Freight Train

White

• 4x Technic Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double Split [Reinforced] in White (6346389 | 69819) a remould of 41678 also available in 42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter

In two other sets

• 4x Plate Special 1 x 2 with Pin Hole on Top in Yellow (6344181 | 11458)
• 1x Technic Beam 1 x 7 Thick in Green (6215041 | 32524)
• 8x Plate Round Corner 3 x 3 with 2 x 2 Round Cutout in Light Bluish Grey (6383110 | 68568)
• 8x Cylinder Quarter 2 x 2 x 5 (Wall) in Light Bluish Grey (6391500 | 30987)

In three other sets

• 1x Plate Special 1 x 3 with 2 Studs with Groove and Inside Stud Holder (Jumper) in Green (6378110 | 34103)

Other rare parts, or parts reintroduced in 2022

• 4x Cone 2 x 2 x 2 with Completely Open Stud in Tan (6223758 | 3942c) For such an old part I’m surprised it was only introduced in two sets in 2003 but has been MIA since appearing in 7888 The Tumbler in 2008. This year it has already been included in three other sets!
• 2x Slope 65° 2 x 2 x 2 with Bottom Tube in Tan (6391522 | 3678) also available in 75326 Boba Fett’s Throne Room from earlier this year, another surprisingly rare part not seen since 2004.
• 2x Bracket 3 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Bottom Stud Holder in Tan (6395373 | 73562) is the 2021 remould of 18671 without pin bottom. It’s available in four other sets. 4x Cylinder Half 2 x 4 x 4 in Light Bluish Gray (6393672 | 20430) last seen in 2008
• 8x Technic Cam in White (6410764 | 6575) last seen in 2003

Printed or stickered parts in 71411

• 1x Tile 2 x 2 with Groove with Bowser and Barcode Print (Sticker) in Dark Red (6413111 | 100891)
• 2x Tile Round 2 x 2 with Red Bowser Skull print in Black (6353858 | 79534)
• 1x Brick 1 x 2 with White 'POW' print in Black (6360242 | 79872)
• 2x Brick Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole, Red and Dark Red Eye Print in White (6404665 | 100436)

Remoulds

• 2x Technic Steering Ball Joint Large Receptacle [Big Ridges] in Dark Bluish Grey (6296844 | 65453) old Design ID: 92911
• 2x Technic Steering Ball Joint Large Open with C-Shape Pivot Frame [Reinforced] in Light Bluish Grey (6296843 | 65452) old Design ID: 92910

The ball joint part of this pairing shows the most change, with enlarged flanges on both sides supporting the ball. The changes to the socket however are very subtle. Perhaps it's my old eyes, but it just looks like the four slots have been widened.

Parts of note in large quantities

In addition to the healthy selection of newer and recoloured parts, there are a plethora of bows and arches in 71411 The Mighty Bowser. Most notably in yellow but also in Tan and Green too. There is a cornucopia of regular building blocks and plates that could rival a large set from the LEGO Classic theme. 

So, as a taster for the volume of parts contained in this set, here is a selection of some of the highest quantities.

• 34x Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter in Dark Bluish Grey (6199549 | 25269)
• 33x Slope 45° 1 x 1 x 2/3 Quadruple Convex [Pyramid] in Light Bluish Grey (6258381 | 35344)
• 32x Slope Curved 2 x 2 x 2/3 in Yellow (6079007 | 15068)
• 26x Slope Curved 3 x 2 No Studs in Yellow (6198024 | 24309)

• 25x Plate Special Round 2 x 2 with Center Stud (Jumper Plate) in Light Bluish Grey (6183782 | 18674)
• 24x Tile 45° Cut 2 x 2 in Dark Bluish Grey (6262025 | 35787)
• 20x Tile Special 1 x 2 with Sloped Walls AKA Money / Gold Bar [Ingot] in Pearl Gold (6207933 | 99563)

Geometry of LEGO part 1744, the 3x3x3 Cone

Before we get into the build, let’s take a proper look at that new 3x3 cone! This is another instance of the current spate of four digit Design IDs: 1744.

The (classy) dimensions of this 'parabolic' or 'tangent ogive' nose cone are 3x3x3. It follows established conventions for a conical element with a hollow stud and an internal Technic axle connection.

I dug out a few other 3x3 round parts for comparison and although this is not an exhaustive group (and certainly doesn’t qualify as a family) I don’t doubt that there will be many opportunities presented by this new cone.

Some of them might not exactly be rocket science though!

At time of writing, this new cone is not available on LEGO Pick a Brick but if their new "3 month" rule is effective, it might be there in January 2023.

Search for part 1744 on LEGO® Pick a Brick: USA UK Australia (Affiliate links; we may earn a fee.)

Building the LEGO Mighty Bowser 

The construction is relatively straightforward and the design of the inner mechanism is really neat.

The creation of the various forms is impressive. My son did much of the building, but the stuff he let me do was fun and I was struck by just how many different directions we were building in. 

We encountered that phenomena throughout the construction. Each section had enough to maintain interest. Various methods were employed to create forms we don't normally see made in regular LEGO sets.

Certainly some inspired (or perhaps laborious trial-and-error) building has gone into the construction of the shell.

The finished model, placed on his podium is impressive; a fine representation of the character from the game. Some of the forms are really quite sculptural. There are compromises here and there, the placement of the thumbs bothers me a little, but I doubt there is a preferable approach in keeping with the established design.

There is a surprising degree of movement in this set, especially for something as bulky and heavy as this model ends up being.

I was really pleased with movement in the head and jaw. The two controls are hidden neatly away behind the arms on each side. A push slide switch moves the head side to side and a little lever opens the jaw and (if loaded up) fires the "fireball" dart. They are surprisingly easy to use even with the burden of the weight of the model; just over 2kg.

Conclusion

The Mighty Bowser delivers on its name. It is truly enormous; a hefty display model with unexpected play features. 

Quite apart from its sheer size and action features, this set has to be considered as a wonderful parts pack. A limited palette of colours with nice quantities of new and rarer parts as well as a store of more regular parts in the same colours. 

At £229.99 / $269.99 / 269.99€, the outlay shouldn’t be ignored, but on the basis of discounts of around 20% that I have already seen I could easily recommend this for sheer volume of parts. If you are a fan of Super Mario, it won’t disappoint either, but maybe hope for a sale to beat this end of level boss!

If, however, you can't wait, please consider using our affiliate links to purchase from LEGO.com. We may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

Kev Levell's MOC inspired by parts in 71411

I've got a Space Mouse (he doesn't have a house, I don't know why I call him Gerald). 

Is it a Robo-rodent or is it a rat-droid, a spacecraft... or nothing more than the product of my strange imagination? A friend suggested he was a cheese-ball... and the name for a big block of cheese is a truckle, which is funny too. I can't decide. 

Whatever it is, it was built using the 3x3 quarter circle domed parts (76797) and the new 3x3 cone.

This isn't the first time my creations for New Elementary have been cheesy. It's probably just the whey I roll.

 

Editor: Chris Baginski

READ MORE: Caz Mockett builds with new parts from LEGO® Monkie Kid 80039 The Heavenly Realms

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