Its good play at its core and we are making it even better these 12 Lego Pokmon sets finally get Smart Play right, and I cant decide which I love most

Date:
Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
"Our challenge is always to find what story we can tell, and also see how children play with these sets, then figuring out how to bring that to
physical play."

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Yesterday, I spent several
hours playing with the brand-new Lego Pokmon Smart Play sets, and it was the most fun Ive had in ages, and the August 1 launch date cannot come soon enough.

However, for the short period of time when I remembered Im an adult
journalist with a job to do, I had the chance to sit down with some members
of the design team to chat about the sets, starting with the most striking improvement: they feel like Lego builds with Smart Play enhancements rather than being dependent on the new technology. Thats unlike the first-wave of Smart Brick sets, which didnt feel complete unless you had the brick charged up and in place. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

We're glad you picked up on that. Weve been working on these sets for a few years, so for us it doesnt feel quick. Our challenge is always to find what story we can tell, and also see how children play with these sets, then figuring out how to bring that to physical play and seeing where the Smart Brick can enhance the experience.

For example, in the Pikachus Training House set, you can throw a pokball at the target to catch him the grass opens up, and its fun on its own but we can enhance that with a Smart Brick by having the pokmon react and play a celebration effect. Its good play at its core and we are making it even better. You may like Ive played with Legos new Pokmon Smart Play sets I thought the Lego smart brick was the worst idea ever then I built it Make lasers blast and X-Wings whoosh with LEGO's amazing Star Wars sets (Image credit: Lego / The Pokemon Company) As the team explained, they spent a lot
of time watching how kids played with the sets and used that to inspire aspects like how battling should work you'll notice it's quite similar to children having their action figures interact by crashing into each other.
And also using the Smart Brick to answer the one request every kid had, "They all wanted the Pokmon to come to life, so we focused on how we can do that with the Smart Brick."

The designs are also superb. Some of this is helped by the minting of new pieces such as the eye pieces used by Cubone, Lapras, and Mewtwo but also the teams working with The Pokmon Company to ensure every mon looks like its in-game counterpart. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
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Wed get very detailed feedback. Can you make the neck longer? Can you shorten the arms a bit? Can you make sure it has three claws on each hand? But that means the final models truly capture the essence of the Pokmon. (Image
credit: Future / Hamish hector) This capturing of its essence includes my favorite of the designs Garchomp. I love the pokmon in the games, but the build is so well done for me because, unlike most of the models which have smoother finishes, Garchomps Lego build is very bricky with rough studs all over to match his in-game ability: Rough Skin.

Its a very nice touch, and the sets are full of these one of the designers pointed out several easter eggs hidden in the builds, including that the Trophy included with Garchomp and Umbreon is made to look like Cynthias hair accessories (the Champion of Sinnoh, and one of the series most formidable foes). What to read next Pokmon Champions first impressions: approachable competitive excellence I can genuinely see Pokmon Pokopia being my Game of
the Year but I really wish it didnt have this one issue 'I'm going to play this with my granddaughter' Mark Hamill on Lego Star Wars

Though while all the sets are great, there's undoubtedly a best-in-show, and we want you to help us decide! Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the poll below, and we'll try to make sure it's featured in our Lego Pokmon Smart Play review when that's published.

Can't decide? Scroll down for the full 12-set collection. The full Pokmon Smart Play collection Not sure how to vote in our poll? No worries, below Ive written down some details (and personal thoughts) on all 12 of the builds.
Ive seen them all in person and spent several hours playing with them all, so I have firsthand knowledge of what they look and feel like.

I know which one I think is best, but theres no one right answer. And whichever you like youll also find links to preorder them from Lego.com ahead of their August 1 launch. All-in-one sets Lego Training House with Pikachu:
at LEGO $69.99 / 59.99 / AU$129.99 This all-in-one set comes with a Smart Brick and charger so you can access all of its electronic features sound effects to accent when you catch, train, feed, and rest your partner Pikachu. The Smart Brick isnt essential however, as there are several physical play features like tall grass which falls when you throw a pokball, a bed that folds down for your electric mouse to sleep in, and a rotating target for the pokmon to train against. View Deal Lego Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate
Battle: at LEGO $119.99 / 109.99 / AU$199.99 The only other all-in-one set
for the Pokmon Smart Play series boasts not one but two Smart Bricks, as its focus is battle. Youll get a Charizard and Jolteon, plus a small training ground to help them prepare for their upcoming bout. Theres also a potion bottle which can be used to recharge their health before, after, or mid-fight
with LEGO reps telling me that its up to you and your friends to decide what the rules are for healing when you compete. View Deal Smart Play compatible Lego Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof: at LEGO $19.99 / 17.99 / AU$34.99 A simpler Smart Brick-compatible set, this build shows Bulbasaur and Bidoof working together to blend berries into hearty smoothies. Its one of the most affordable in the lineup despite coming with two fan-favorite mons. View Deal Lego Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle: at LEGO $29.99 / 24.99 / AU$54.99 Paying homage to the Squirtle Squad, this set sees the water starter roam around on a buggy, putting out fires so he can save a sandwich. Though any mon can ride in the vehicle, and with a Smart Brick (not included), you can hear the critter giggle while the car chugs around. For non-Pokmon fans, the appeal here is the vehicles Smart Play tile, which offers some generic vehicle sound effects that would be ideal for custom builds. View Deal Lego Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash: at LEGO $19.99 / 17.99 / AU$34.99 A simpler set like the Bulbasaur and Bidoof one, this simple yet effective construction comes with a pair of iconic Gen 1 pokmon, including the much-loved Charmander, plus a thematic battleground for their clash. View
Deal Lego Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle: at LEGO $34.99 / 29.99 / AU$59.99 For fans of Scarlett and Violet, this build is relatively simple scenery-wise, but does offer you the full trio of Gen 9 starter mons. Its probably my least favorite, but if the action-figure-play appeal of the
models is what excites you most with these builds, this is a strong
contender. View Deal Lego Jigglypuff Concert: at LEGO $14.99 / 12.99 / AU$24.99 The cheapest set in this collection, and also the simplest at just
88 pieces, I see this being popular amongst fans of the Gen 1 popstar
wannabe, and as the perfect add-on for the Training House with Pikachu set
or one of the other more affordable builds as it expands your pokmon collection without breaking the bank. View Deal Lego Drone Search for
Mythical Mew: at LEGO $49.99 / 44.99 / AU$$99.99 Simple, yet effective, I
love this build as it feels inspired by one of my favorite spinoffs: Pokmon Snap. It also focuses on the exploration and catch em all aspects of the Pokmon franchise rather than the battling, and I can see myself constructing more complex jungle ruins for Mew to hide in. Mew can still battle if you
give it a Smart Brick. View Deal Lego Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt: at LEGO $59.99 / 54.99 / AU$$109.99 Another set focused on exploration, this would fit right at home amongst a collection full of pirate sets. This was
one of the first sets I saw in the collection, and the designs may be small, but are packed with detail. View Deal Lego Mewtwo's Lab Break: at LEGO $69.99 / 59.99 / AU$119.99 For fans of the first Pokmon movie, and/or other tales focused on this pokmons story, this Lab Break set featuring Mewtwo works so well as a display piece, but also as a play set thatll give your other mons
an ultimate final battle to face off in. View Deal Lego Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle: at LEGO $79.99 / 69.99 / AU$139.99 My favorite build in the whole collection is this. Why? I love both Garchomp and Umbreon (with the former being the only one in the 20 so far to rep my favorite generation in Gen 4), but also this seemingly simple build hides two very cool details. The first is that the trophy is intentionally designed to mimic Cynthias hair,
the other is Garchomp is the only one to have a rough, brickier feel mimicking its in-game ability Rough Skin. Lego reps explained this was part
of the back-and-forth between Lego and The Pokmon Company, making sure
details like this are translated into the models to make them feel true to
the series. View Deal Lego Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown: at LEGO
$89.99 / 79.99 / AU$159.99 Last, but by no means least, this build is, like the Pikachu set above, packed with physical play features that are amplified by the Smart Brick but not exclusive to it. Gengar looks perfectly
terrifying, weird, and a bit funny, and Cubone has a kind of intimidating
look that fits right into this scenes Spooky Showdown theme. View Deal Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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