It starts with a "wahoo!" or that iconic coin sound. If you have kids, you know the sound. It’s coming from the tablet, the TV, or maybe just their own imagination as they jump over a "lava" pit made of sofa cushions. Mario toys for kids aren't just plastic junk gathering dust under the bed; they’ve become a bridge between the digital world and actual, physical play. It’s honestly wild how a plumber created in the early 80s still owns the toy aisle in 2026.
Nintendo doesn't just slap a logo on things anymore. They’ve gotten picky.
The market is flooded, though. You’ve got everything from basic five-dollar figures at the grocery store checkout to massive, three-hundred-dollar LEGO sets that require an engineering degree and a lot of patience. Picking the right one depends on whether your kid wants to display a masterpiece or actually bash things together. Let’s get into what’s actually worth the shelf space and what’s just going to end up in the vacuum cleaner.
The LEGO Super Mario Revolution
When LEGO first announced they were doing Mario, people expected traditional minifigures. You know, the little guys with the yellow heads? Instead, we got this blocky, electronic Mario with screens for eyes. It was a risk. But man, did it pay off.
These sets are basically a video game in real life. The Mario (or Luigi, or Peach) figure has a sensor on the bottom that reads "barcode" bricks. If he steps on a red brick, he "burns." If he steps on a blue one, the screen on his chest shows water. It’s clever. Kids don't just build it once and look at it; they build a course, set a timer, and try to get the highest coin count.
One thing most parents realize too late: you need the Starter Course. You can't just buy the cool Bowser’s Castle expansion set and expect it to work. The actual electronic Mario figure only comes in those specific starter packs. If you buy an expansion first, you've basically bought a very expensive pile of bricks that doesn't do the "cool stuff."
The 2024 and 2025 waves brought in more interactive elements, like the Mario Kart sets. These aren't just static cars. They use the same tech so you can "drive" through brick-built tracks. It’s a bit chaotic. Bricks fly everywhere. But that’s kinda the point.
Action Figures that Actually Survive a Drop
Not every kid wants to build. Some just want to play. This is where Jakks Pacific comes in. They’ve held the license for years, and they’ve basically perfected the 2.5-inch and 4-inch scales.
These are the "bread and butter" of Mario toys for kids. They’re cheap—usually under ten bucks for the small ones—and they’re built like tanks. I’ve seen these things survive being dropped from second-story windows and chewed on by Golden Retrievers. The 4-inch line is better for kids who care about "articulation" (being able to move the arms and legs into cool poses), while the 2.5-inch ones are perfect for dioramas.
Jakks also does these massive playsets, like the Mushroom Kingdom Castle. They look great, but a word of warning: they take up a lot of floor space. If you're living in an apartment, you might want to stick to the smaller sets like the "Acorn Plains" or "Dungeon" dioramas. They fold up or sit on a shelf much easier.
What about the "Movie" toys?
When The Super Mario Bros. Movie hit, the toy designs shifted slightly. They became more detailed, with "realistic" textures on the overalls and eyes that look a bit more expressive. These are great, but they don't always mix perfectly with the classic "game" style toys. If your kid is a stickler for consistency, they might notice that Movie Mario looks a little different than Game Mario. Kids are weirdly observant like that.
Remote Control Chaos
Mario Kart RC cars are a staple. You’ve probably seen the "Anti-Gravity" ones. These are the cars where the wheels flip sideways, and the car can drift.
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They are loud. Let’s be real.
But they are also incredibly fun. The "Mini RC" versions are usually better for indoor play because they won't dent your baseboards as hard as the big ones. There’s also the Carrera slot car tracks. Those are a bit more old-school. They require more setup and the cars fly off the track if you go too fast around a corner, which leads to a lot of "Dad, help me fix this" moments.
If you want something more modern, there's the Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. It uses an actual camera on a physical RC car and beams the image to the Nintendo Switch. It turns your house into the track. It’s some of the coolest tech Nintendo has ever done, but it needs a lot of flat, open floor. If you have thick shag carpet, forget about it. The car will just get stuck and sad.
Plushies: The Bedtime Heroes
Sometimes the best Mario toys for kids aren't the ones with batteries or 500 pieces. Sometimes it’s just a soft Yoshi.
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The "All Star Collection" by Sanei is the gold standard here. They are imported from Japan (though easy to find on Amazon or at Target now) and the quality is significantly higher than the generic claw-machine versions. The stitching is tight, the colors are vibrant, and they actually look like the characters.
Sanei covers the deep cuts, too. You can get a plush Chain Chomp, a Piranha Plant, or even obscure enemies like a Wiggler. For a kid who’s obsessed with the lore of the Mushroom Kingdom, getting a plushie of a "bad guy" is often more exciting than another Mario.
Real-World Value and Longevity
People often ask if these toys hold their value. Generally, no. They are meant to be played with. However, certain LEGO sets and limited-edition Jakks figures (like the "Gold" or "Trophy" series) do sometimes tick up in price once they are retired.
Don't buy them as an investment. Buy them because they encourage "open-ended play."
That’s a fancy term child psychologists use, but basically, it means the toy doesn't just do one thing. A Mario figure can be a hero, a villain, a racer, or a guy who just sits on a block. That versatility is why these characters have stayed relevant for forty years while other toy brands vanish after six months.
Practical Steps for Choosing the Right Toy
Buying blindly is a recipe for a "that’s nice" reaction that lasts five minutes. To get something that actually sticks, follow this logic:
- Check the Age: For kids under five, stick to the 2.5-inch Jakks figures or the plushies. Small parts in LEGO sets or the tiny accessories with 4-inch figures are just asking to be swallowed or lost.
- Assess the Space: If you don't have a dedicated playroom, avoid the large-scale playsets or the Carrera slot car tracks. The LEGO sets are "modular," meaning you can break them down into smaller chunks, which is a lifesaver for storage.
- The "Starter Pack" Rule: Always verify if a toy requires a base unit. This applies mostly to LEGO and the "Home Circuit" RC cars. Nothing ruins a birthday like a toy that won't turn on because it’s missing its "brain."
- Look for Sets, Not Just Singles: Mario is better with friends. A Mario figure alone is okay, but Mario plus a Goomba and a green shell is a story. Look for the "Multi-Packs" which usually offer better value than buying three individual blister packs.
- Durability over Gimmicks: If a toy has a lot of thin, protruding plastic bits, it’s going to snap. The "classic" Mario designs (round, chunky) are inherently more durable than some of the more elaborate "collector" editions meant for display shelves.
The best way to start is usually a small "Diorama Set." They usually come with a couple of figures and a piece of scenery like a warp pipe or a flag pole. It gives the kid enough to start "building" a world without committing to a massive project. From there, you'll quickly see if they're more into the building aspect or the storytelling aspect.