Review: LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade

LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade 72051 New Release Review Brick Banter - 2026

Barrel in to your local LEGO Store for this Arcade Machine!

Donkey Kong has been in the gaming world for a long time, and it was only so long until LEGO made something for him. I’m not talking about the LEGO Mario Kart sets, but something for the OG. LEGO have given us a retro console with striking colours and a play feature. So how does this set hold up? Is it worth your arcade money? Read on!

The Arcade

One of the first things that took my eye when looking at this set is the nostalgic colour choices by the LEGO group. There is something extremely pleasing about looking at the red, white, yellow and blue hues that really bring this model together.

LEGO have given us new and rare recoloured elements for this set, including the new Minecraft ladder piece in teal. There is, however, only one new part in this set, and that’s Jumpman. Similar to the SNES set, Jumpman is unique moulded element that sits out the front of the model. He is connected to the model by technic beams and has a limited range of motion, but does in fact move.

Jumpman’s movements are a simple range of up, down, left and right within a small box. It gives enough movement to be able to leap over the barrels being sent by Donkey Kong. The player, or a willing player 2, can use the lever at the base of the model to send barrels on their way down. There isn’t any music or sounds when clearing a barrel, but that somehow doesn’t stop my head from hearing it.

The decals across the model are unfortunately all stickers, from Donkey Kong and Lady’s portraits to Donkey Kong and Lady themselves. It does feel strange that Donkey Kong doesn’t get his own custom mould in his own set, but I can see why LEGO did this.

The mechanisms within the model are very new-person friendly, and also provide a good build experience. Although the final movement payoff isn’t as grandiose as I would like, I’d rather have it than not.

Verdict

The LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set is a strong set to have for any fans of classic retro games who have the space to display it. The bold text on the top and the functional game element are a lot of fun.

The set does have some drawbacks, as I feel like new LEGO fans may have trouble getting the stickers in place.

I don’t dislike this set at all, and really love LEGO’s way of bringing this idea to life. I just genuinely have nowhere to put this.