The Bowser Express Train

"Scoring an 81.5 BrickScore, the Bowser Express Train is a celebration-worthy set for Super Mario and LEGO fans alike — the locomotive alone is a showpiece, and the interactive, mechanically rich build justifies every penny of its price tag."

The LEGO Super Mario Bowser Express Train (71437) earns strong marks across the board, with reviewers praising its impressive locomotive design, engaging multi-part build experience, and interactive play features that bridge LEGO Mario gameplay with traditional train building. Buyer reviews are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with families and Mario fans alike highlighting it as a standout gift and bonding activity. The expert reviews reinforce the appeal, particularly noting the mechanical complexity and faithful recreation of the Super Mario World 3D train design. The main criticisms are minor: a few reviewers found the standalone carriages feel disconnected from the main train, minifigures are largely reprints, and one parent flagged the Bowser face attachment as structurally fragile under active play.

Where they split: Most reviewers agreed on the set's strengths, but playability split slightly: the majority of buyers report kids playing with it nonstop, while one parent specifically called out the fragile Bowser face as a recurring frustration during active play, and one buyer found the extra carriages and platforms felt purposeless. BricksFanz also noted the carriages feel undersized versus the game.