Review: 71425 Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride
Posted by SetToBuild,
Much like the Water Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, or a sky-based auto-scroller in Super Mario, mine cart levels in Donkey Kong games give me a feeling of anxiety that I think many gamers can relate to. Much like a mine cart level, I wondered during this build: When will it end? Please, make it stop!
Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh, but I found building the track portions to be repetitive—and that comes from someone who has built a lot of grey triangles in his day! Luckily, that part of the build experience is saved by the sections that the tracks attach to. Each module creates an interesting part of the route for your hero figure to follow. The course features some entertaining supplementary sites like the aeroplane from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Additionally, the set has some well-built characters that are a must-have for every Donkey Kong fan.
Summary
71425 Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride, 1,157 pieces.
£94.99 / $109.99 / €104.99 | 8.2p/9.5c/9.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The largest set of this subtheme comes with a variety of build experiences and play features that will have you searching for every barcode
- Well-designed brick-built figures
- Impressive layout
- Lots of play features
- Repetitive build experience
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Characters
We get a few new moulds from 2023 through Diddy Kong's figure including his legs, arms, and hands also seen on Dixie Kong. We also get his iconic red cap. The cap unfortunately lacks the Nintendo logo that it often features. The tail has appeared in different colours through the LEGO DREAMZzz theme, but this is the first time we’ve seen it in reddish brown.
Spreading out each of the Kongs among all these sets doesn’t make it easy to collect them all. Slightly disappointingly, Diddy Kong didn’t come with a giant barrel for him to hide in and break out of. Speaking of which, aren’t you glad I haven’t said in my Donkey Kong reviews that these sets have been more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Because they have been!
Second only to Donkey Kong from 71424 Donkey Kong's Tree House, Funky Kong is my favourite figure from the theme. He’s the king of cool and is the proprietor of Funky’s Flights. The pieces used to depict his bandana, tank top, and tattered jean shorts are all perfect. The pins and hinges in his legs plus the Mixel joints in his neck and shoulders make Funky Kong very expressive. However, the movement of his arms comes with a compromise, as the back view of Funky Kong’s shoulders is a bit exposed.
Funky Kong is best viewed from the front as seen in this excellent pose scratching his head. A few new parts from 2023 can be found in this figure as well—two 1x4 slopes in tan, one printed with nostrils, and one 3x4 plate in white. The white plate is a new piece that used to exist as multiple pieces, but Funky Kong's strong construction wouldn’t be the same without it. Donkey Kong’s new lock-hinge feet pieces are also used here.
We only see two enemy characters in the Donkey Kong subtheme, and they’re both in this set! The Mole Miner is a simple but effective build. The mining hat over the eyes, snout, and single large tooth are charming features. I would love to have an army of these moles. During play, hitting this character three times gets you four coins.
We get some light nougat bricks in this figure as well, including 1x1 plates, 1x2 slopes, and for the first time in this colour, the leg parts seen on many Super Mario characters.
Snaggles has a wacky expression more characteristic of Donkey Kong’s enemies. The bulging eyes and gaping jaws make this character the goofiest-looking in the theme. When laid flat the space behind the space behind eyeballs is concerning, but this character is meant to fly upwards and chomp at prey jumping over a gap so that space is needed for the jaws to open.
The Completed Model
The colour palette of the completed set draws you into the landscape. From the lush jungle outside, into the rocky mines, then out onto some islands, and back into the rocky mineshaft. Each section has a pleasing aesthetic and helps tell your story for the course. Each module can be swapped around to add some variety to existing courses, but this set is large enough to be a course on its own. Even on a large table, it was a struggle to photograph the entire layout.
The most adorable build in the set has to be Funky's Fly 'n' Buy aeroplane. The scale of the plane is more in line with Donkey Kong Country, but this open shop display is seen in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. For sale are a Capsule Toy Machine, a barrel, and some balloons. This is also the first time we see a parabolic reflector in orange.
The exaggerated chibi aesthetic makes this aeroplane fun to build, display, and play with. One very minor gripe is the roof of the plane tends to slide off easily since it’s only attached by one stud. Also, it would have been nice to easily remove the storefront and seal up the open side of the plane for takeoff.
Nine track sections connect the course together. The smallest piece of track is a ramp for the mine entrance platform. The two identical sections are the beginning and the end of the course. This set also introduces the new skip element as the mine cart. It can hold both Diddy Kong and one of your hero figures for a ride.
With connection points on all sides, this well-designed element offers a lot of room for expansion. It already has my gears turning to figure out other ways to use it in MOCs. For example, if placed upside down the shape looks like a straw roof for a hut.
The mineshaft’s starting platform is where you’ll find Diddy Kong hanging out under the arch that illustrates the entrance. I enjoyed the inclusion of the buffer stop at the end of the track with a stripe-printed 1x4 tile. However, other than the plants surrounding the opening, the entrance to the mine shaft is dull. More stone structures on either side of the arch would have helped to present the rocky opening.
The next module consists of a small ramp leading up to a platform where Snaggles is waiting to snap at the hero. Slamming down on the platform causes Snaggles to spring up and reveal the creature’s gaping maw. You’ll have to slam with a bit of force to get Snaggles to pop up completely, otherwise, the beast will block your path. I was amused by the springing motion of the shark.
This module is a good example of the perilous platforming found in the Donkey Kong games. Pressing down on the right platform causes the left platform to rise to a ramp. Rolling the mine cart down the left ramp causes the platform to fall again when exiting the module. When initially building this section I was puzzled by the right platform’s ability to rotate. This doesn’t make sense until you assemble the entire course. I believe this platform turns so the mine cart can continue the course uninterrupted. Letting go of the mine cart from the left platform allows it to roll to the last section of the course.
The final module is the exit ramp for the mineshaft. Thankfully this section has a bit of detail with the rocks and other items to distract the eye from exposed structural technic beams. Otherwise, this section would be bland. I would have liked to see an arch at the bottom of the ramp to illustrate the end of the course better.
The final builds are supplementary scenery for the other modules. A simple waterfall for the perilous platforming module, a buffer stop for the beginning of the course, and a TNT-laden rock for the mineshaft entrance. These help bring more life into the course.
Pressing down on the TNT plunger box causes the mountainside to pop off and reveal the new bananas element. I cover this new piece within my review of 71424 Donkey Kong's Tree House. This explosion feature is a blast to play with. It took me back to Christmas day in 1996, spending hours with 6755 Sheriff's Lock-Up.
Play
Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride has eight barcodes to scan and enhance your course. Whether you want to traverse the shaky mine cart tracks or take a spin on Funky’s Flight, there is plenty of amusement ready for you. Scanning Diddy Kong’s barcode at the start causes the hero figure to greet Diddy and collect a heart and some coins. Diddy can be heard talking back in excitement. Similar to the barcodes found in 71424 Donkey Kong's Tree House, scanning the bananas element first and then scanning Diddy or Funky’s barcodes causes the hero figure to give the bananas to them. The hero receives a heart and a lot of coins as a reward.
When you scan the barcode for the mine cart it causes the theme “DK Island Swing” to play and upon rolling the cart, you can hear the sounds of the wheels going over the tracks. Lifting and tilting the cart with the hero figure inside will generate thrilling cries from the characters as they travel along the hazardous platforms. Unfortunately, scanning the barcode for Diddy Kong and then immediately scanning the barcode for the mine cart doesn’t add an additional voice to the journey. I was expecting to hear Diddy Kong shout along with the hero similar to how we hear Dixie Kong and Squwaks sing along with Mario in 71421 Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam.
The hero has to be quick if they want to defeat Snaggles as pressing down on the barcode with too much force will cause the beast to fall back down into the water. Mario will say, “Oh! Scary!” with a shocked expression and collect some coins when scanning the barcode. Much like the Donkey Kong video games, I find the hitboxes for enemies to be frustratingly large and will cause the character, and in this case my fingers, to take some damage. Those teeth are sharp!
Encountering Funky Kong is the same as the other Kongs. Scanning the barcode induces a greeting in the character’s voice and a reward. The barrel on Funky's Fly 'n' Buy aeroplane features a barcode that will yield three different outcomes depending on what colour of balloon you end up with. A red balloon gives the hero a super mushroom, green adds a 1-UP extra-life mushroom to your inventory, and blue will press a P-Switch allowing you to jump and collect coins for about 12 seconds.
I was impressed with the interactivity of the hero figure’s motion sensors when playing with the aeroplane. When the hero figure sits in the plane, the mechanical sound of a door closing can be heard. Before take-off, you can roll along a surface to hear an engine attempting to start. Then a propeller spinning up can be heard when lifting the plane into the air. Once airborne, move the vehicle up and down to collect coins and listen to cartoonish spinning blades. Most of all, I appreciated that landing the aeroplane caused the sound of screeching tyres to be heard.
Conclusion
Even though there are some repetitive portions of the build, Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride is overall an enjoyable set. I imagine that the target audience for these sets would have a lot of fun incorporating the mine cart tracks into courses, or even rebuilding the set into a larger display. With eight barcodes to scan and multiple outcomes, there is much fun to be had.
Personally, as an adult fan of LEGO and Nintendo, all I’m looking for from the Super Mario sets is a fun initial build and enjoying the play features once or twice. Like most of the larger sets, this one is bulky and difficult to store, so I would display the figures and sort the rest of the parts for my own creations. Speaking of which, at least those repetitive track sections contain 55 1x2 curved plates in reddish-brown—that’s so many log cabins!
Since this was the only Donkey Kong set to contain enemies, if the subtheme were to continue, I would like to see a CMF series to bring even more classic DK characters into play. There are plenty of enemies throughout the different games that would be perfect for a full collection of figures. Perhaps a Mole Miner battle pack to supplement this set? Sadly I don’t see that happening.
76 likes
36 comments on this article
I’m impressed by the ambition of this range, but reviews like this reinforce how glad I am that I haven’t seriously pursued it. Then again, I’m not exactly the target audience.
Nothing destroys a friendship faster than playing Tropical Freeze mine cart levels with a friend.
The plane feature is really impressive, especially compared to other flying vehicles in the game that mostly just play the SMB3 Sky Land theme.
The lack of K Rool is strange for sets based off DK Country.
I know this is not applicable to this article, but did brickset really not post any articles at all about bricklink being down? I just scrolled back in the feed and I don't see anything. Why is this?
@Huw Could the Set Number be a clickable database link in the Summary Panel. I know it often is elsewhere in the text, but not always.
FUNKE MONKE
Also, just in time for dk mountain and funky kong. Who else loves the remix?
@Jxck2233 said:
"I know this is not applicable to this article, but did brickset really not post any articles at all about bricklink being down? I just scrolled back in the feed and I don't see anything. Why is this?"
There not bricklink that's why.. my opinion.
They were hacked.. they say change login info, password
@missedoutagain said:
"There not bricklink that's why.. my opinion.
They were hacked.. they say change login info, password"
I thought Brickset was a major Lego news website. Bricklink being down was a major Lego news story. With the absence of any comment from Brickset on that news, the always positive pandering reviews, the incredibly obnoxious deluge of invasive advertisements, it is clear that Brickset isn't an organization to be taken seriously. The value of this website to the Lego community is negligible.
Great review!
@Jxck2233 said:
" @missedoutagain said:
"There not bricklink that's why.. my opinion.
They were hacked.. they say change login info, password"
I thought Brickset was a major Lego news website. Bricklink being down was a major Lego news story. With the absence of any comment from Brickset on that news, the always positive pandering reviews, the incredibly obnoxious deluge of invasive advertisements, it is clear that Brickset isn't an organization to be taken seriously. The value of this website to the Lego community is negligible. "
Come on, it's not that deep.
You'll have to ask Huw or Chris why they didn't post about it, but the reason I didn't is because it was not clear what was going on, and by the time there were more concrete details to post, it had been sorted out. It has nothing to do with any perceived negligence - just the circumstances. It happens.
Us not posting about one thing should not be this upsetting to you.
I never was a huge DK Country fan because of mine-cart type levels - seemed like a lot of stages in the game were like a proto SUPER MEAT BOY where the screen moved fast and certain death was one bad jump away... D:
Shocked that the parabola dish has never shown up in orange before!
@PixelTheDragon said:
"The lack of K Rool is strange for sets based off DK Country. "
That might be in part because the Kong designs and enemies in these sets are based more on Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze (the two most recent games in the series), which didn't feature K. Rool or other Kremlings as the villains.
@Lyichir said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
"The lack of K Rool is strange for sets based off DK Country. "
That might be in part because the Kong designs and enemies in these sets are based more on Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze (the two most recent games in the series), which didn't feature K. Rool or other Kremlings as the villains."
It’s really because LEGO can’t yet capture the majesty of that golden chest plate.
@TheBrickPal said:
"Us not posting about one thing should not be this upsetting to you."
I never said I was upset. I simply pointed out that this website is trash for news. I can get better and more relevant Lego news on Reddit, 4chan, or the Eurobricks forums.
@Jxck2233 said:
" @TheBrickPal said:
"Us not posting about one thing should not be this upsetting to you."
I never said I was upset. I simply pointed out that this website is trash for news. I can get better and more relevant Lego news on Reddit, 4chan, or the Eurobricks forums. "
The problem may be in your assumption that Brickset is a “major Lego news website”. I’m not sure Brickset has ever claimed to be that.
News articles are obviously a *part* of what Brickset does. I too would be curious on their opinion regarding the Bricklink situation. However the other websites you mentioned may better serve the role you are looking for.
This review is perfectly timed with the return of Diddy and funky kong to Mario kart!
@JimBaggins said:
"This review is perfectly timed with the return of Diddy and funk to Mario kart! "
Oh phew I thought that said the f-word at first
Nice review. Let's feed the Kongs, not the trolls.
@Ridgeheart said:
"It's not the Temple of Doom we need, but it's the Temple of Doom we deserve.
I say that, but what I really want is to repurpose this set so I can build my own representation of the minecart-sections in the DuckTales-games. Woo-oo!"
Now I've got that theme song stuck in my head! THANKS!
@iwybs said:
"Nice review. Let's feed the Kongs, not the trolls."
Thanks! Definitely agree!!
@Jxck2233 said:
" @missedoutagain said:
"There not bricklink that's why.. my opinion.
They were hacked.. they say change login info, password"
I thought Brickset was a major Lego news website. Bricklink being down was a major Lego news story. With the absence of any comment from Brickset on that news, the always positive pandering reviews,"
Bricklink sent news updates direct to users. Thankfully Brickset normally seem to stick to facts rather than conjecture.
" the incredibly obnoxious deluge of invasive advertisements, it is clear that Brickset isn't an organization to be taken seriously. "
You clearly don't understand how to use Brickset.
"The value of this website to the Lego community is negligible."
You clearly don't understand why Brickset is such a hugely valuable website to the Lego community.
View Jxck2233's collection
1 to 4 of 4 matches
Ah... got it.
Try not to slam the door on your way out!
@Jxck2233 , we do not aim to be a one-stop-shop for LEGO news. There are plenty of other sites that cover every story related to the hobby, however trivial.
We did not cover the BrickLink outage because there was no news to report other than 'It's down' and 'It's up again'. There was plenty of speculation but we don't ever base articles on rumours and suchlike.
Now, please return to discussing this set and SetToBuild's excellent review.
I'd like to say on behalf of the human race, while alternative Lego news outlets are available, 4chan is not one of them.
The only relevance 4chan has to this set is that most of its users think the world's leaders are really King K. Rool in disguise.
How does the minecart funtion on the tracks? Does it stay on, or is it down to just HOG-ing it around guided loosely by the brown parts on the side but otherwise not smooth or secure?
(Edit: I'm not sure 'Hand of God-ing' is a word, but I'm going to use it here)
@Freddy_Hodson said:
"I'd like to say on behalf of the human race, while alternative Lego news outlets are available, 4chan is not one of them.
The only relevance 4chan has to this set is that most of its users think the world's leaders are really King K. Rool in disguise."
What's 4Chan? Or do I not want to know?
@beige2 said:
" @Freddy_Hodson said:
"I'd like to say on behalf of the human race, while alternative Lego news outlets are available, 4chan is not one of them.
The only relevance 4chan has to this set is that most of its users think the world's leaders are really King K. Rool in disguise."
What's 4Chan? Or do I not want to know?"
Maybe not.
@JimBaggins said:
"This review is perfectly timed with the return of Diddy and funky kong to Mario kart! "
Ahh, I didn't realise! Perfect!
@bealegopro said:
" @beige2 said:
" @Freddy_Hodson said:
"I'd like to say on behalf of the human race, while alternative Lego news outlets are available, 4chan is not one of them.
The only relevance 4chan has to this set is that most of its users think the world's leaders are really King K. Rool in disguise."
What's 4Chan? Or do I not want to know?"
Maybe not."
Okay
@Binnekamp said:
"How does the minecart funtion on the tracks? Does it stay on, or is it down to just HOG-ing it around guided loosely by the brown parts on the side but otherwise not smooth or secure?
(Edit: I'm not sure 'Hand of God-ing' is a word, but I'm going to use it here)"
For two-thirds of the course, you do have to 'God-hand' it, yes! On the platform that falls towards the exit, you can let the cart go and it will quickly run down the ramp. I talk about this briefly if you find where 'perilous platforming' is first mentioned.
I was surprised that even with a hero figure and Diddy in the cart it didn't topple over when sliding down the ramp. I was expecting some carnage!
Maybe a fun MOC challenge for someone to make a mine cart level with the small tracks used in the modern roller coasters that can move on its own?
@johleth said:
"Nothing destroys a friendship faster than playing Tropical Freeze mine cart levels with a friend. "
But nothing destroys friendships more thoroughly than a session of Mario Party.
Nintendo: Our first-party games can be enjoyed by people of all ages! Because you're never too old for ruined friendships!
I look forward to buying this, and the rest of the DK wave soon.
@Jxck2233 said:
" @TheBrickPal said:
"Us not posting about one thing should not be this upsetting to you."
I never said I was upset. I simply pointed out that this website is trash for news. I can get better and more relevant Lego news on Reddit, 4chan, or the Eurobricks forums. "
The value Brickset adds to the community first and foremost is the excellent database, the chance to manage your own collection efficiently, plus the excellent reviews. And while the reviewers always try to maintain a positive attitude, reviews never shy away from mentioning negative aspects of sets.
The news are a welcome add-on, but definitely not the main attraction.
And as for advertisements, you do know that those disappear once you log in, don't you?
Also, is Bricklink being down for a couple of days such earth-shattering news to you?
You seem to have read about it elsewhere anyway, so what value would reading it again on Brickset have?
I am well known for being highly critical of lots of things TLG does, but Brickset isn't TLG and posting news about each and every LEGO related event isn't what I would consider necessary.
Just my two cents of course. Ymmv.
@Ridgeheart: Because if we get derailed, we'll lose the level!
@Spritetoggle said:
" @johleth said:
"Nothing destroys a friendship faster than playing Tropical Freeze mine cart levels with a friend. "
But nothing destroys friendships more thoroughly than a session of Mario Party.
Nintendo: Our first-party games can be enjoyed by people of all ages! Because you're never too old for ruined friendships!"
My vote for ruining friendships and destroying families goes to MarioKart.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @Spritetoggle said:
" @johleth said:
"Nothing destroys a friendship faster than playing Tropical Freeze mine cart levels with a friend. "
But nothing destroys friendships more thoroughly than a session of Mario Party.
Nintendo: Our first-party games can be enjoyed by people of all ages! Because you're never too old for ruined friendships!"
My vote for ruining friendships and destroying families goes to MarioKart."
If someone hits you, the hunger for revenge is insatiable. You will not rest until they are punished
@Ridgeheart said:
"Also - my dudes, this thread is about a set based on a minecart-level. The last thing we need is for anyone to derail it."
LOL