Exciting news for fans of Hyrule! The highly anticipated Legend of Zelda Collector’s Chess Set has made a triumphant return. Originally launched in June by the acclaimed board game manufacturer The Op Games, this officially licensed set has been a rare find since its release. Now, you have the chance to own this handsome edition of the classic tabletop game, featuring exquisitely detailed gold and black figurines inspired by Hyrule’s most beloved heroes and formidable villains.
For those who love Nintendo-themed board games, there’s also the Super Mario Chess set to consider. We’ll delve into the details of both these fantastic Nintendo-inspired chess sets, and even explore other noteworthy options based on popular entertainment and gaming franchises.
The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Chess Set
This stunning set, priced at $45, is currently back in stock. It masterfully brings the epic conflict of Hyrule to your chessboard, pitting Link, Zelda, and their loyal allies against the forces of Ganondorf and his nefarious cohorts.
Fittingly, Link and Ganondorf stand as the kings, while Zelda and Twinrova take their places as the queens. The heroes are joined by iconic supporting characters from numerous games, including Ocarina of Time, such as Navi, Impa, Darunia, and Link’s faithful steed Epona.
Opposing them, Ganondorf’s side features the cunning Twinrova (Gerudo witches), powerful Iron Knuckles from Zelda II, ghostly Phantoms from Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass, and the ever-present Armos and Deku Scrubs.
The hero pieces gleam in a miniature gold finish, while the villains are rendered in black, all boasting a beautifully weathered, rusty aesthetic.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s included:
- Legend of Zelda Chess Board
- 16 Hero Gold Chess Pieces
- Link (King)
- Zelda (Queen)
- 2x Impa (Bishops)
- 2x Epona (Knights)
- 2x Darunia (Rooks)
- 8x Navi (Pawns)
- 16 Villain Black Chess Pieces
- Ganondorf (King)
- Twinrova (Queen)
- 2x Iron Knuckles (Bishops)
- 2x Phantoms (Knights)
- 2x Armos (Rooks)
- 8x Deku Scrubs (Pawns)
This isn’t the first time the Legend of Zelda universe has inspired a chess set. A previous collector’s edition, once a popular exclusive, has often fetched high prices on secondary markets.
Super Mario Chess Set
While not a new release, the awesome Super Mario Chess Set is definitely worth highlighting. This set comes with 32 custom-sculpted and hand-painted figures, showcasing modern character models of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., and more. It’s available for around $35-$42, depending on where you look.
On the Mushroom Kingdom side, gold coins serve as the pawns, while Bowser’s loyal but expendable Koopa Shells take the frontline for the villains.
Here’s the full breakdown of characters and pieces in the Super Mario Chess Set:
- Super Mario Chess Board
- 16 Hero Figurines
- Mario (King)
- Luigi (Queen)
- Peach (Bishop)
- Daisy (Bishop)
- 2x Yoshi (Knights)
- 2x Toad (Rooks)
- 8x Coin (Pawns)
- 16 Villain Figurines
- Bowser (King)
- Bowser Jr. (Queen)
- 2x Magikoopa (Bishops)
- 2x Birdo (Knights)
- 2x Goomba (Rooks)
- 8x Green Shell (Pawns)
The Op Games has also released various editions of The Legend of Zelda Monopoly over the years. Similar to the original Zelda chess set, The Legend of Zelda Monopoly is no longer in print and commands high prices. For instance, Monopoly: The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition has been seen listed for around $100. This version’s game pieces are inspired by iconic weapons and symbols like Link’s shield, the Ocarina of Time, and the Triforce.
If you’re looking for more themed chess sets from popular gaming and entertainment franchises, The Noble Collection offers an impressive range. This includes The Lord of the Rings Chess Set, allowing you to command the armies of good (Galadriel, Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf the Grey) or unleash the forces of evil (Sauron, Gollum, Nazgul, Saruman). This set also includes two branded storage bags.
While a Pokémon-themed chess set has yet to appear, you can often find deals on Pokémon Monopoly.
The Noble Collection Chess Sets
- Batman
- Harry Potter
- Jurassic Park
- The Lord of the Rings
- Minecraft
- Minions
