Weeks after building them, Im still playing with Legos Smart Play Pokmon sets
theyre easily the best of 2026

Date:
Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Description:
Legos Smart Play Pokmon sets are as close to perfect as a build can get.

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 Pokemon s Lego Smart Play sets couldnt be more perfect, even if you hate the Smart Brick. I was convinced of this when I first saw them ahead of their launch , and since their public debut, Ive only grown more in love with the builds now that I have them in my home.

When Lego first debuted its Pokmon sets, it showcased a few display-focused builds designs aimed at older audiences to be shown off on a shelf more than to be actively played with. This meant relatively high prices to account for the massive brick counts and complex building techniques applied. At first glance, the dozen Smart Play sets the duo just launched are the exact opposite. Theyre built for play with two of the sets coming with a Smart Brick (or two) to bring the Pokmon models to life and generally cheaper and simpler build-wise. But like the Smart Brick, theyre so much more than meets the eye. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

From a play perspective, thanks to tiles hidden in each Pokmons belly, the Smart Brick can know which creature it is and make distinctive sounds when
the critter is being fed, training, sleeping, driving a vehicle, or hiding in the tall grass waiting to be captured by a trainer. Importantly, two pokmon can know when theyre near each other and engage in a battle which cleverly takes into account if the Pokmon was recently trained, which types its weak
or strong against, what innate power it has (third-stage and legendary Pokmon will be stronger than first-stage starters), and what health it has (plus if it has been healed by something like a potion). You may like Gotta munch em all: I tried the new Pokmon x Krispy Kreme donuts to find out if theyre actually worth buying What's new at Lego for August? 10 brilliant new sets to build including a retro gaming classic 12 new Lego sets for July including the first Demon Hunters set

Its very sophisticated but also so incredibly intuitive. Moving the Pokmon like action figures shaking to charge up attacks, lunging forward to strike, moving away to dodge, and lying down to rest after a busy day enables every single action the Smart Brick is programmed for. I gave my wife the Pikachu
to play with without telling her anything, and she instantly knew what to do. (Image credit: Future / Hamish hector) Smart and simple At the same time, so many play features dont require a Smart Brick at all. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

While the actions will lack sound effects, Pikachu can still lie down in his fold-down bed, emerge from the tall grass when a pokball hits the target, battle with the spinning target, and be played with in whatever way you can imagine.

So when youre waiting for the Smart Brick to recharge, or if you simply
decide not to pick up one of the All-in-one sets that comes with a Smart
Brick in the box and opt for a merely Compatible set instead, youll still
have a play set that feels complete something I couldnt say for Legos first Star Wars Smart Play models.

My only caveat is that the battle-focused sets Charizard vs. Jolteon
Ultimate Battle and Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle are a little more dependent on the smart brick to create engaging fights between the
blocky pocket monsters. What to read next This unexpected Pokmon and Polaroid collab might just be my favorite camera release of 2026 Here are the best Pokmon Nintendo Switch 2 game deals for Amazon Prime Day Lego and F1 have 22 new cars for the drivers to race, and I cannot wait (Image credit: Future) Perfect for play doesnt mean perfect for everyone, but as a display build, these models again have so much potential.

Not necessarily out of the box the background scene elements are always the most visually stunning but with some creativity and time to build your own, these blocky figures could easily be posed as part of beautiful dioramas.

If you prefer minifig scale designs, youll be disappointed, but if you dont mind something thatll take up more room on your shelf, I think these sets
have so much potential especially as each Pokmons design is so distinct and accurate to its in-game version. (Image credit: Lego) Lastly, I cant round things off without talking about their best aspect: price.

Simpler, play-focused sets come with fewer pieces and therefore a more affordable price. For kids who love Pokmon but for whom you cant fork out a lot of cash for a set thatll sit on a shelf, these Smart Play sets are perfect.

Plus, for the same price as the Eevee build, which was previously the most affordable option, you can grab two or three of the cheaper Smart Play compatible sets that just dropped.

Whether you buy one or all twelve of the new sets, Im certain Pokmon and Lego wont disappoint. These sets show how Smart Brick integration should be done, and Im hoping well see dozens more sets just like these down the line. 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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