Build it, train it, battle it — LEGO Pokémon just leveled up. 1The LEGO Group and The Pokémon Company International have unveiled 12 new sets in the LEGO Pokémon range, and these aren’t your ordinary brick builds. 1Thanks to LEGO SMART Play technology, builders will feel like Pokémon Trainers, as their beloved LEGO Pokémon now have the power to play back — going beyond building, the sets are all about training, nurturing, and battling.
But here’s what every parent, collector, and Pokémon fan needs to know before pre-ordering — there’s a hidden cost barrier that could easily double your spending.
Table of Contents
What Is LEGO SMART Play?
1 The LEGO SMART Play System is powered by the LEGO SMART Brick — packed with more than twenty patented world-firsts within its technology, making LEGO builds respond to how kids play through light, sound, motion, and sensing, all without screens. 5 Unveiled at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show, the LEGO Smart Brick is a 2×4 block that contains a high-tech chip no larger than a single LEGO stud. This chip reacts with special LEGO Smart Tag pieces, producing distinct lights and noises when in close proximity. 1 Children can feed their LEGO Pikachu a brick-built LEGO SMART Tag sandwich or tickle their LEGO Charizard to get a joyful laugh. The more they play, the stronger the bond, as they prepare for spectacular battles with friends and family.
All 12 LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Sets — Complete Price List
2 The 12 sets range from $14.99 all the way up to $119.99, depending on the complexity of the set.
| Set | Type | Price | Pieces | Smart Brick? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jigglypuff Concert (72159) | Compatible | $14.99 | 88 | ❌ |
| Charmander & Geodude’s Cavern Clash (72157) | Compatible | $19.99 | 198 | ❌ |
| Berry Bash with Bulbasaur & Bidoof (72155) | Compatible | $19.99 | 240 | ❌ |
| Trainer’s Buggy Adventure with Squirtle (72156) | Compatible | $29.99 | 320 | ❌ |
| Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly Battle (72158) | Compatible | $34.99 | 313 | ❌ |
| Drone Search for Mythical Mew (72161) | Compatible | $49.99 | — | ❌ |
| Eevee & Lapras’s Treasure Hunt (72162) | Compatible | $59.99 | — | ❌ |
| Training House with Pikachu (72164) | All-in-One | $69.99 | 400 | ✅ |
| Mewtwo’s Lab Break (72163) | Compatible | $69.99 | 605 | ❌ |
| Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle | Compatible | $79.99 | 831 | ❌ |
| Cubone & Gengar’s Spooky Showdown (72166) | Compatible | $89.99 | — | ❌ |
| Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167) | All-in-One | $119.99 | — | ✅ (x2) |
The $70 Catch — You NEED an All-in-One Set First
This is the single most important thing to understand before buying:2 While all the sets include Smart Tags that will let the completed LEGO build react appropriately when equipped in a Smart Brick, none of the sets except the most expensive (Charizard and Jolteon) and the most iconic (Pikachu) actually come with Smart Bricks. And you can’t purchase Smart Bricks separately. 2 So there’s a minimum of $70 in entry costs to use Smart Play at all.
| What You’re Buying | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Compatible Set only (e.g., Jigglypuff $15) | Standard LEGO build — NO interactive features |
| All-in-One Set (Pikachu $70 / Charizard $120) | Smart Brick(s) + Charger + Tags + Full interactivity |
| Compatible + All-in-One together | Full SMART Play experience across multiple Pokémon |
6 The Compatible sets work as standard LEGO sets on their own, but the interactive features require a SMART Brick, which only comes in the pricier All-in-One packages. So, if you want to experience the LEGO SMART Play features, you’ll have to fork out more cash.
So Are They Worth It?
✅ Yes, If You Buy Smart
11 After a hands-on preview, Game Rant was “blown away by LEGO’s new Pokemon Smart Play range.” 11 The official tagline of this LEGO Pokémon Smart Play wave is “You’re the trainer now.” 12 Pokémon like Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Garchomp are complete models without the Smart Brick — perfect blocky action figures to pose and battle with. But lift off their belly, and you’ll expose a Smart Play tile that, with a charged-up block, will help bring these critters to life. 8 While LEGO’s Smart Bricks proved divisive when they debuted in Star Wars sets earlier this year, the inclusion in Pokémon sets appears to have been better received, particularly due to pricing. “These in general seem like a much better idea and price point than the Lego Star Wars smart play sets were,” noted Reddit users.
❌ No, If You Expect Standalone Magic
10 There’s one major aspect that many fans were hoping for: the Pokémon don’t say their names. 10 Despite the advanced technology, there’s a key omission: the Pokémon figures don’t speak their iconic names. Unlike the animated series where a Pikachu might shout “Pika! Pika!”, these Smart Brick figures stay silent. 8 Some fans criticised the design choices and proportions. “The Jigglypuff’s eyes are just too far apart,” noted smilesbuckett on Reddit.
Which Set Should You Buy First?
| Your Situation | Recommended Set | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time buyer (budget) | Training House with Pikachu ($70) | Cheapest All-in-One, includes Smart Brick + Charger |
| First-time buyer (premium) | Charizard vs. Jolteon ($120) | Two Smart Bricks = instant battling |
| Already own a Smart Brick | Mewtwo’s Lab Break ($70) | Best collector set with 605 pieces |
| Gift for young kid | Pikachu + Jigglypuff bundle | One All-in-One + one cheap Compatible |
| Adult collector | Mewtwo’s Lab Break or Umbreon vs. Garchomp | Display-quality builds |
The Exclusive Ditto Set You Can’t Just Buy
3 Trainers who spend $130 or more on preorder products from the LEGO Pokémon category at Pokémon Center will also get a Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night LEGO SMART Play Compatible set. 2 This set is only available at Pokémon Center, and it does not include a Smart Brick. You’ll need to buy one of the All-in-One sets, and something else to get the total to $130 first.
Key Dates & Pre-Order Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Pre-Order | Open now at LEGO.com and Pokémon Center |
| Launch Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Retailers | LEGO.com, LEGO Stores, select retailers |
| In-Store Demos | Available at select LEGO Stores before launch |
| Pokémon GO Promo | Select stores become PokéStops & Gyms (Aug–Sep 2026) |
| Exclusive Rewards | SMART Tag, digital backgrounds, stickers, branded apparel |
1 To celebrate the launch, select LEGO Stores will transform into PokéStops and Gyms allowing fans to unlock exclusive rewards. From August to September 2026, fans will get the chance to unlock exclusive rewards both in-game and in-store.
For a comprehensive history of the Pokémon franchise and its merchandise empire, visit the official Pokémon Wikipedia page.
The Bottom Line
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play is the best use of SMART Brick technology so far — but the ecosystem demands a minimum $70 investment before the magic kicks in. 9Unlike app-dependent toys that become digital babysitters, SMART Play stays deliberately offline. Your kids manipulate physical models while technology remains invisible, creating what feels like magic rather than gadgetry.
If you go in eyes open — starting with an All-in-One set and expanding from there — these are absolutely worth it. Just don’t buy a $15 Jigglypuff expecting it to sing on day one.
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FAQs
Q: Do all LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets include a Smart Brick?
No. Only the two All-in-One sets — Training House with Pikachu ($69.99) and Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle ($119.99) — include Smart Bricks. All other Compatible sets require a separately purchased All-in-One set for interactivity.
Q: When do the LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets release?
All 12 sets are available for pre-order now and officially launch on August 1, 2026, at LEGO.com, LEGO Stores, and select retailers. A Pokémon GO crossover promotion runs from August through September 2026.
