New LEGO Super Mario DK set references a classic video game controller

Thanks to an early reveal of 71424 Donkey Kong’s Treehouse, we’ve spotted a brick-built version of a classic video game controller in the set.

Earlier today an Australian LEGO Certified Store dropped images and details of 71424 Donkey Kong’s Treehouse, an upcoming expansion set for the LEGO Super Mario theme. Clocking in at 555 pieces, the model has provided us with our first look at what’s included in the box and the unique interactive features available with the build.

As well as the ability for LEGO Mario, Luigi or Peach figures to ride around on DK’s back to complete objectives, 71424 Donkey Kong’s Treehouse also comes with one item that will be familiar to gamers of a certain age. The details for the set state that DK can ‘play’ with a set of brick-built conga drums, with the design of the instrument perfectly matching the original controller included with Donkey Konga.

Released in 2003, the Nintendo GameCube title allowed players to use a conga-based peripheral (or DK Bongos) to tap out rhythms and follow along with songs onscreen. Successfully remaining in time with tunes lead to further level progression, while poor musical skills resulted in a less-than happy primate pal. It appears as if 71424 Donkey Kong’s Treehouse will include the ability for players to interact with the conga drums in the set and earn digital coin rewards, as evidenced by the notes floating above the brick-built drums in the image above.

The Australian LEGO Certified Store has listed 71424 Donkey Kong’s Treehouse as releasing on August 1, 2023, priced at $94.99 AUD. Note that there’s currently been no official confirmation from the LEGO Group so far regarding when the set will be arriving or what the model will be priced at.

Every LEGO Super Mario set rumoured for 2023

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