Getting your
Trinity Audioplayer ready...Lego and The Pokemon Company have launched their long-awaited collaboration just in time for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The initial sets were aimed at older fans with some price tags to match. They’re complex builds that were meant to be display pieces.
Now, Lego is releasing 12 new sets, but these are meant for play. They also feature the company’s high-tech Smart Brick. The new pieces light up, make sounds and interact with other Smart Bricks for more immersive experiences.
The Smart Bricks launched with Star Wars sets, and the reaction to the high-tech bricks have been mixed with George Lucas’ universe, but it could be the right fit with these Smart Play sets.
With the upcoming products, 10 of them are compatible but don’t feature the Smart Bricks while two are all-in-one sets that include the high-tech piece. That also means they’re going to be more expensive.
Here are five of the more intriguing builds, which are going on sale Aug. 1 on Lego’s website, Lego stores and select retailers.
Smart Play: Training House with Pikachu — If you’re looking for a starting point for this new world of Lego, this is the set to get. It includes one Smart Brick, four Smart tags that interact with the brick and a charger. (The Smart Bricks run on batteries.) That’s everything you need for other sets, but the big star is Pikachu, the franchise’s mascot and most recognizable star.
The set is focused on aspiring trainers and the bond with the newly built Pikachu. The concept of the set is for players to nurture, feed, play and train with their electric mouse using the accessories that include Smart tags. Price: $69.99
Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle — This set features other fan favorites, but it’s more costly than the other all-in-one set. The price can be attributed to the higher 751-piece count, which is the third-highest among the collection. What makes it more worthwhile though is that it features two Smart Bricks, four Smart tags and a charger.
That makes it ideal for families with several children. The Charizard and Jolteon can battle each other, so two kids can play, and they can see the wider interactions. Price: $119.99
Smart Play: Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof — Those looking for the best value can find it in this set. It features two Pokemon and two Smart tags with a total piece count of 240. It’s better than The Jigglypuff Concert set, which is slightly more affordable at $14.99 but only features one pocket monster.
Lego also has comparable set featuring Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash for the same price, but it has fewer pieces at 198. The central theme for the Bulbasaur-Bidoof set is that players can make a berry smoothie to feed to these pocket monsters. Again, these sets do not have Smart Bricks. Price: $19.99
Smart Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle –- While it will cost over $70 to grab the Kanto starters, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, across three sets, fans of the Paldean starters can grab them all for half the price.
Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle all look good, and those with Smart Bricks can use them with the 313-piece set that also features three Smart tags. The gimmick for this one is a spinning wheel that helps determines battles among the three. Price: $34.99
Smart Play: Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle — The Pokemon Company held a vote for Pokemon of the Year in 2020, and Umbreon and Garchomp ranked in the top 10 overall. When split into regions, Umbreon topped the Pokemon for Johto and Garchomp was No. 2 in Sinnoh. It should be no surprise because these are some of the most powerful and best-designed pocket monsters in the franchise.
The two star in this 831-piece set, which also features two Smart tags. Although it’s more expensive than other two-Pokemon Lego sets, the popularity of these two make it stand out. It also features a Poke Ball trophy and a giant Poke Ball. Price: $79.99
A Gift with Purchase: One of the perks that Lego likes to offer is an additional limited edition set for those who spend a set amount of money. For this launch, the company is releasing the Smart Play: Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night. It will be available at its stores and website for those who spend $130. The build features Ditto that looks like Squirtle after it watched the pocket monster on a TV screen. According to Lego, the model includes a Smart tag and a slot for a separately sold Smart Brick. This will likely be a must-have for “Pokopia” fans.
“Pokemon Go” collaboration: For the release of the set, Scopely will turn Lego Stores into PokeStops and Gyms that will allow fans to unlock exclusive rewards. It sounds as htough it could act similarly to the Fendi and FRGMT collaboration a few years back. The promo runs through September, and it includes both in-game and in-store rewards.
**What about if you bought a Star Wars Smart Brick? **The beauty about Smart Bricks is that they’re universal across franchises and sets. They will be compatible with the Pokemon sets, but parents need to update the bricks first, according to Lego. Updates are done through the Lego Smart app.