The LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade (72051): Now playable by machine?

Your wallet can relax. For now. LEGO just announced the Donkey Kong Arcade (72051), and it’s not about building a new set. It's about building a machine to play an existing set. Yes, you read that right.

BrickNerd has detailed the Kong-o-Matic 2000, a fan-built contraption designed to automate the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set. This isn't a new official LEGO product. Think of it as a very elaborate, very specific LEGO Technic project that plays the game for you. The premise is simple, and frankly, brilliant in its absurdity: you don't have to play it yourself.

The Kong-o-Matic 2000 is a motorized marvel that takes over the controls of the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade. It uses a series of motors and clever gearing to move the joystick, press the buttons, and essentially play the game on your behalf. The design process, as documented by BrickNerd, is a fascinating deep dive into problem-solving, engineering, and a healthy dose of "why not?" If you've ever found yourself too busy to beat Bowser, or perhaps just a bit tired of the repetitive nature of arcade games, this is your dream machine.

The original LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set itself is a celebration of retro gaming, bringing a classic arcade experience to the brick-built world. The Kong-o-Matic 2000 takes that celebration and adds another layer of LEGO ingenuity. It highlights the versatility of LEGO Technic elements and the boundless creativity of the LEGO community. While LEGO itself hasn't announced any official plans for an automated game-playing brick machine, this fan project shows what's possible. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most impressive LEGO builds aren't official sets, but the wild ideas brought to life by dedicated fans.

The LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade (72051) was ₹17,999 at both MyBrickHouse and Toycra when we wrote this. Use code ABHINAV12 at Toycra for 12% off (min. ₹500).

This project is a fantastic showcase of what can be achieved with LEGO bricks when you combine a love for gaming and a knack for engineering. It’s a project that doesn’t require a purchase from LEGO directly, but rather an appreciation for the build itself.

Keep building, keep dreaming... And don't let your wallet see your LEGO wishlist.

Verdict: WAIT — check prices at MyBrickHouse and Toycra before pulling the trigger.

On that bombshell, bubyee.

Correction (26 Sep 2026): an earlier version of this article listed the wrong set number and price. Both have been fixed.