LEGO Pokemon SMART Play Sets Turn Building Sessions Into Living Battles

LEGO has teamed up with The Pokemon Company for a fresh wave of sets that add real-time reactions to classic construction play. Twelve new SMART Play sets go on pre-order today and reach stores August 1, 2026. The line mixes brick-built Pokemon figures with a special hub brick that reads tags hidden in the models and responds with lights and sounds tailored to whatever scene a builder creates.

The core of each set is hidden within the SMART Brick. Builders install it into or near the finished model. RFID tags implanted in carefully selected pieces connect with the brick and report their findings. Variable combinations produce variable reactions, as the brick reacts to what it perceives. A training setup, for example, may feature encouraging sounds and illumination effects when a figure completes a circuit. A combat scenario, on the other hand, can alternate between a range of sounds, including attack noises, impact effects, and winner cues, depending on how the two sides align. Everything is highly real, thus no screen is required for the primary experience. However, the platform does connect to the complete LEGO Smart Play system, allowing users to add more depth later.

Pikachu (72164) is one of the flagship “All-in-One” sets. It is priced at a reasonable $69.99 and is designed for youngsters aged 6 and older, with 400 rather small parts. The goal is for builders to design a tree-house-style home equipped with training props, a Poké Ball, and even a buildable sandwich, all of which allow the accompanying SMART Brick to “train” Pikachu through a series of changing light and sound sequences.

The Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167) set takes the action to the next level. This one costs a little more, $119.99, and is a larger All-in-One release. The matchup revolves around a head-to-head battle between two brick-built creatures on a realistic battlefield. The SMART Brick identifies where the pieces are and what you’re doing, resulting in fire crackles, electric zaps, and entire light shows that match the activity. It basically turns a static diorama into one that reacts in real time when you move the characters or add new obstacles.

The Cubone and Gengar’s Spooky Showdown (72166) set is perfect for everyone who enjoys a little spooky fun; it is suitable for ages 8 and up and costs $89.99. This one works fine as a compatible set, but it does not include the SMART Brick, so you will need to reuse one or buy one separately. The set itself is mostly focused on a ghostly battle between Cubone and the ghost-type Gengar. Certain aspects then trigger a series of creepy audio cues, abrupt sound effects, and light flashes, heightening the tension during gaming.

Pre-orders started today via Lego.com, the Pokemon Center website, and select retailers. Then, on August 1st, all of the sets will be available in stores and online in the launch regions, giving you the opportunity to finally get your hands on them. If you want to try before you buy, LEGO is setting up in-store demo stations in select locations where you can experiment with the light and sound effects.