Carl Merriam, the mastermind behind Lego sets like the Nintendo Game Boy and Piranha Plant, has once again struck gold with his latest creation: a $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine. This unique gadget allows players to control Jumpman (aka Mario) as he jumps endlessly over barrels, much like in the original game.

The barrel mechanism is ingeniously simple yet complex. Each time you pull the lever, another barrel drops from the top of a stack while one rolls out at the bottom. The system can hold 20 barrels, ensuring a constant stream of obstacles for Jumpman to overcome. According to Merriam, countless barrels were used in testing to perfect this loop.

Miyamoto himself is reportedly pleased with the set's execution, though he hasn’t personally seen it yet. Nintendo did make one small request: to add heavier poison barrels by placing Minifigure heads inside them for added realism.

The joystick and button controls are reminiscent of classic arcade games, adding a layer of nostalgia to the experience. Pulling the lever releases a new barrel while moving Jumpman left or right uses a long lever mechanism connected to a dingler. Pressing the jump button makes him leap through the air with gravity taking care of his descent.

Despite its simplicity, the set is a testament to Lego's ability to merge childhood memories with modern engineering. It’s available from August 1st for $200 or €170, making it a perfect gift for fans of both vintage video games and intricate Lego builds.