Review: LEGO Super Mario 71362 Guarded Fortress Expansion Set

We quickly move on with a new extension of the LEGO Super Mario ecosystem: the set 71362 Guarded Fortress Expansion Set (468 pieces - 49.99 €), a pack in the soft underbelly of the range which, like the other available extensions, allows you to add a few additional steps to the very basic starting level of the set 71360 Adventures with Mario.

If the extensions 71369 Bowser's Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set (1010 pieces - 99.99 €) and 71377 King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set (431 pieces - 49.99 €) which I have already told you about on the site are already out of stock on the official online store, this one is still available at the time of this writing and it would therefore seem that 'it is a little less interesting for fans who want to try this board game inspired by the famous video game.

However, if we stick exclusively to the features offered by this extension, they largely offer something to expand the game sequences a little with three different courses on which there are a few catapults, water, lava, and more. a piranha plant returned to its pot to release an action brick by tapping on a platform and a final POW block that must be tapped to open the fortress gate. I think we probably get the extension here that offers the most interactivity in a relatively small space.

As usual, the game board will need to be set up where you can let it collect dust between two parts, it is difficult to move without breaking everything and LEGO did not see fit to provide a base plate on it. which to install the different elements of the course. The dislocation of the level during movement is however not dramatic, you can reorganize it as you see fit, it does not change much on arrival.

The "fortress" is here only a simple facade which serves to dress a little the decoration of this level, do not expect a very elaborate construction reusable in another context even if the few elements which constitute the building are sufficient to to give a little volume to the whole and to reassure (a little) those who will have spent 50 € in this box. The fortress gate can, on the other hand, be used as a gateway to another connected expansion pack.

As for the items to keep to build a thematic collection, we will keep the pot with the piranha plant, the green Koopa Troopa, the cubic Bob-omb and the few pieces, all pad printed, which will eventually allow you to decorate your shelves.

at 50 € a box, it's a bit expensive to pay to keep only these few elements, but with a little patience it should be possible to find this set much cheaper at Amazon or on the secondary market. I have not changed my mind, I do not see who will use these products beyond a few parts and the second hand market should quickly expand with second hand products.

Be careful if you plan to buy these sets from a fan who has grown bored with the concept and wants to buy a PS5, they come without instructions in paper format and it is difficult to put together the full inventory without calling a online database.

Each extension contains more elements than those used to assemble the level by following the instructions in digital format including a few plates which allow you to vary the layout of the different interactive islands but which are not mentioned anywhere.

The LEGO Super Mario range is now available and if you've decided to invest in the starter pack with one or more of the expansions on offer right now, feel free to share your first impressions in the comments. There will be as many reviews as there are fans and all the feedback is good to take especially for those wondering if they should spend their money on these products.

I remind for all intents and purposes that the interactive Mario figurine is not provided in this box, it is only an extension of the game board that does not contain the starting sticker to be scanned to start a game nor that of arrival allowing to validate the progression within the time limit.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at August 9, 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.