At a Glance
Hook: More Than a Garage
Toad’s Garage does not look like much in promotional images. A small workshop, two identical Toads, and a cart that seems unremarkable at first glance. That underselling works against it. In hand, this 390-piece set reveals a surprisingly deep customization system tied directly to the interactive LEGO Mario figure, turning a simple pit stop concept into one of the more engaging play experiences in the 2025 Mario Kart wave. It chooses functional depth over flashy scale, and that restraint mostly pays off.
Presentation and Build
The B Dasher is the centerpiece, and LEGO captures its iconic silhouette with reasonable accuracy. The proportions land well: smaller front wheels, larger rear wheels, a low-slung frame with four exhaust pipes in the back using dark gray horn pieces. The round detailing along the body adds visual interest and breaks up what could have been a purely rectangular build.
That said, the cart reads a little too blocky from certain angles. The source material calls for smoother curves that brick geometry struggles to replicate at this scale. A Toad emblem sticker occupies the front hood where a Mario “M” would feel more natural for anyone treating this as their primary racer. It fits the pit crew theming, but limits the cart’s identity as a standalone vehicle.
The garage structure itself splits into two hinged sections. One houses the vehicle lift and tool station. The other provides a customization terminal with scannable tiles. The hinge connection lets you angle and reposition the sections, which adds versatility to display and play layouts without requiring a fixed footprint.
The Figures: Blue Pit Crew Toad
Both included figures are the Blue Pit Crew Toad, a new variant drawn from Mario Kart Tour. The outfit print is clean: blue detailing on the mushroom cap with white stripes on the back, a new torso design, and red legs. A notable hardware improvement arrives with the updated hand pieces, which now rotate and allow color swapping, unlike the stationary molded fingers found in earlier Super Mario sets.
The shared expression between both Toads is the one miss. A secondary face print (determined, surprised, anything distinct) would have added personality to Double Dash style play scenarios. Including at least one additional character, a Koopa Troopa or Shy Guy, would have stretched the set’s replay value considerably. Two identical figures limits the narrative possibilities.
Core Play: Interactive Customization Loop
Where Toad’s Garage separates itself from a standard brick-built vehicle set is its integration with the interactive LEGO Mario figure (sold separately). Scanning Mario onto the garage platform activates a 60-second timed play session. You drive, honk, brake, glide, and collect coins, all accompanied by responsive audio and music from the figure.
The customization terminal is the real draw. Two scannable tiles let you choose from multiple horn sounds and engine types. Once selected, those choices carry over to the driving experience. You pick a horn, scan it, pick an engine note, scan that, and the Mario figure remembers the combination. It is a simple loop (scan, choose, drive) but it creates genuine ownership over the cart’s personality. For younger builders especially, this transforms the set from something you build once into something you configure repeatedly.
Cart Systems: Stud Shooters, Glider, and Tire Swaps
The B Dasher carries more functional modularity than its compact frame suggests.
Stud Shooters: White stud shooters mount to the front of the cart and fire included Red and Green Shell pieces. The launcher position is adjustable, left or right side, and rotates 180 degrees to fire backward. A small but effective touch that encourages creative play scenarios. Just watch that you don’t clip your own cart when firing rearward.
Glider Attachment: A connection point on the rear accepts the glider accessory from the standard Mario Kart cart. The attachment range is limited (it does not fold back far enough for a fully fluid glide pose), but the cross-set compatibility is welcome. Every Mario Kart set in the wave supports this system, which rewards collectors with mix-and-match potential.
Tire Swaps: The garage includes a spare tire rack with alternate wheel sets. Popping axles out and swapping tires is quick and tactile. The wheels themselves use plastic rather than rubber, a deliberate choice that lets the cart drift on smooth surfaces, mimicking the in-game mechanic. It sacrifices grip for thematic accuracy, which is the right call for a Mario Kart product.
The Garage: Lift Mechanic and Workshop
The vehicle lift is the garage’s standout structural feature. You drive the B Dasher onto the platform, pull the red lever, and the car rises for Toad to work underneath. Simple, mechanical, satisfying. It requires care not to roll the cart off the back edge, but the action feels appropriately hands-on for the pit stop fantasy.
Supplementary details fill out the workshop: a crowbar and wrench on one platform, a flexible hose with nozzle that fits into Toad’s hand for “maintenance” play. The hose tube tends to spring back into its molded shape, which makes posing the figure with it a minor struggle. Over time and repeated use, the plastic relaxes and this becomes less of an issue.
The pit crew tower rounds out the build with a 2×4 sticker detail, a walkie-talkie element, and a standing platform for observation. Functional without being overbuilt.
Scanning and Idle Audio
A small but thoughtful detail: leaving the Mario figure on the garage scanner triggers ambient workshop audio. Clanking, mechanical hums, the sounds of Toad working on the cart. It is a passive feature that adds atmosphere during imaginative play without requiring active input. When the “repair” sequence finishes, the figure signals completion. It is not a major selling point, but it demonstrates the care put into the interactive layer.
Value and Market Positioning
At $39.99 USD for 390 pieces, Toad’s Garage sits at roughly 10 cents per piece, which is standard for licensed LEGO sets. The value proposition leans heavily on play features rather than display presence. This is not a shelf piece. It is designed to be handled, scanned, reconfigured, and driven. Buyers looking for a static model will find it undersized. Buyers invested in the interactive LEGO Mario ecosystem will find it punches above its price point thanks to the customization depth.
The set occupies a smart niche in the 2025 Mario Kart lineup. Rather than competing with larger track or course sets on spectacle, it focuses on the garage fantasy: tuning, swapping, and personalizing your ride. That narrower scope keeps the build accessible (suitable for younger builders) while offering enough systemic interaction to hold attention across multiple sessions.
Verdict
Toad’s Garage earns its place in the 2025 LEGO Mario Kart wave by committing fully to its pit stop identity. The interactive customization loop (horn selection, engine tuning, tire swaps, shell loadouts) gives the compact build more replay value than its 390 pieces initially suggest. The B Dasher captures the iconic cart’s essence despite minor blockiness, and the garage lift mechanic delivers simple, tactile satisfaction. The figure selection holds it back: two identical Toads with no expression variety and no secondary character limits play scenarios unnecessarily. For anyone already invested in the interactive Mario ecosystem, this set offers genuine depth at a fair price. For display-only collectors, look elsewhere.
FAQ
Is LEGO Mario included with Toad’s Garage (72035)?
No. The interactive LEGO Mario, Luigi, or Peach figure is required for scanning features and is sold separately in starter course sets.
How many minifigures come with the set?
Two Blue Pit Crew Toad figures, both with the same expression and outfit design based on Mario Kart Tour.
Can the B Dasher cart drift?
Yes. The wheels are plastic rather than rubber, allowing the cart to slide on smooth surfaces to simulate drifting.
Is the set compatible with other LEGO Mario Kart vehicles?
Yes. The glider attachment point accepts gliders from other Mario Kart sets, and the stud shooter system is standardized across the wave.
What age range is Toad’s Garage suitable for?
LEGO recommends the Super Mario Kart sets for ages 7 and up. The build is straightforward, and the interactive features are intuitive for younger builders.
What customization options does the set offer?
Multiple horn sounds, engine types (via scan tiles), swappable tires, repositionable stud shooters with Red and Green Shell ammo, and a glider attachment point.
