Dry Bowser Castle Battle

"With a BrickScore of 78.5, the Dry Bowser Castle Battle is a fan-favourite Super Mario set that delivers a visually striking castle, a brilliant hidden strategy chamber, and the irresistible Dry Bowser figure — but buyers should know that several play mechanisms are fragile and the digital-only instructions can frustrate younger fans."

Reviewers across the board are enthusiastic about the Dry Bowser Castle Battle, praising its imposing castle design, impressive variety of play features, and the standout Dry Bowser figure that serves as the set's undisputed centerpiece. The secret strategy chamber — complete with printed blueprint tiles and micro-builds of Princess Peach's castle and airship — earns special praise as a clever, narrative-rich Easter egg. At roughly 8 cents per piece, most reviewers consider it solid value for a substantial build. That said, more critical reviewers flag real durability concerns: the crane wobbles and detaches easily, the basement loses structural integrity with repeated play, the Magmaargh spring mechanism misfires, and Dry Bowser's jaw cannot fully close. There's also a recurring frustration with digital-only instructions requiring the LEGO Mario app.

Where they split: Most reviewers are overwhelmingly positive, but one LEGO.com reviewer felt the set was essentially only worth purchasing for Dry Bowser himself, rating value and build experience below average. The Brickset reviewer offered the most nuanced take, balancing genuine enthusiasm for the design and hidden basement against specific, detailed criticisms of structural weaknesses — a more measured view than the uniformly glowing owner reviews.