Desert Pokey

"With a BrickScore of 64.2, the Desert Pokey Expansion Set is a crowd-pleaser buoyed by its genuinely ingenious Pokey-smashing mechanic and the coveted Monty Mole figure, though reviewers consistently flag that the set's small scale makes the price tag a tough sell at full retail."

The Desert Pokey Expansion Set earns a solid BrickScore of 64.2, reflecting genuine enthusiasm for its clever Pokey-destruction mechanic and striking desert aesthetic, tempered by mild concerns about size and value. Reviewers across LEGO.com, Brick Fanatics, and Brickset agree that the swinging hammer mechanism — where Mario bashes Pokey sections down a guided rail one at a time — is the standout feature and among the most satisfying play features in the Super Mario line. The main sticking points are the set's modest footprint for the price and limited gameplay depth, with digital-only instructions drawing a few complaints. Monty Mole's inclusion is a consistent highlight, especially given how expensive that character can be on the secondary market.

Where they split: Value perception split mildly: most LEGO.com owner reviews rated value 5/5, while expert reviewers at Brick Fanatics and Brickset were more measured (65 and 55 respectively), flagging the set's small size relative to cost. One LEGO.com reviewer gave only 3 stars overall, citing insufficient content for the price and frustration with digital-only instructions — a minority view but a real one.