We’ve come across a hot leak that, if true, would be a very nostalgic nod to early arcade gaming. According to Insider Gaming, images and details posted by a user on the LEGOleak subreddit suggest Nintendo and LEGO are preparing a new set modeled on the original arcade classic Donkey Kong.
What Was Reported
Per Insider Gaming, the leak shows a completed box for what appears to be a tabletop arcade-style LEGO build inspired by the first level of the 1981 arcade game. The post claims the set is a 1,367-piece model and is being shown as a compact arcade machine recreation of that opening Donkey Kong stage. The leaked imagery reportedly includes the classic scene with Mario (originally known as Jumpman and described as a carpenter) climbing girders and preparing to jump over a barrel while Donkey Kong keeps Pauline trapped at the top of the stage.
The leak also describes a small playable element: a mini arcade joystick featuring icons tied to the original cast — icons related to Mario, Donkey Kong, and Pauline. The post allegedly lists a price of $200 for the set.
Insider Gaming also notes that Nintendo has worked with LEGO before on products covering Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda, framing this leak as the next potential collaboration aimed at celebrating the legacy of the 1981 arcade release. The leak was posted by user CarterBricks04 on the LEGOleak subreddit, with an image credit mentioning u/Gupytex for an image titled “Mario: 72051 Donkey Kong Arcade Set.”
The Source & Credibility
Leak Origin
Insider Gaming attributes the information to a Reddit post from user CarterBricks04 on the LEGOleak subreddit and references imagery shared via u/Gupytex. Take this with a pinch of salt: community leaks can be spot-on or completely speculative, and the post is presented as a leak rather than an official reveal.
Why We Should Be Cautious
We’re treating these claims as unconfirmed. The details — including the 1,367-piece count and the alleged $200 price — are presented as part of the leak rather than confirmed data from LEGO or Nintendo. As ever with fan-shared images and subreddit leaks, the provenance and authenticity can be difficult to verify without an official announcement.
What It Could Mean
If true, this would be a clear celebratory product tied to the long history of Donkey Kong. Insider Gaming frames the potential set as tied to the game’s legacy: 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of the original Donkey Kong, which the leak references as first appearing in arcades in July of 1981. An arcade tabletop build would play directly into that anniversary angle, offering a physical homage to the cabinet experience that introduced the characters to a global audience.
- Nostalgia Appeal: A tabletop arcade recreation would appeal to collectors and fans who remember the original cabinet and the iconic first level.
- Playable Detail: The inclusion of a mini arcade joystick with icons could add a tactile, display-friendly gimmick that collectors often value.
- Brand Collaboration: It would continue the working relationship between Nintendo and LEGO on franchise-driven sets.
Of course, all of this hinges on the leak being accurate. If the piece count and price are correct, the set would be substantial and potentially aimed at adult collectors — but again, that’s conditional on the leak’s credibility.
Why This Matters
Whether this set is genuine or just an inspired mock-up, the leak underscores how enduring the Donkey Kong brand remains. Insider Gaming’s coverage highlights the way companies and fans alike keep reaching back to the early days of gaming for inspiration. If the reported 1,367-piece tabletop arcade set and its $200 price are accurate, it would represent a sizeable, nostalgia-forward product that leans into both LEGO collecting culture and retro gaming fandom.
We’ll keep watching for official confirmation from LEGO or Nintendo, but until then, take this leak with a generous pinch of salt and enjoy the idea of a brick-built Donkey Kong arcade sitting on your shelf — allegedly.
