I played with the adorable Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets
Mashable got early hands-on time with Lego's Pokémon Smart Play Sets ahead of the Aug. 1 launch, and the verdict is giddy: staffers who played with the adorable interactive builds say the cute noises, nap snores, and battle mode beat earlier Smart Play Star Wars kits—and many sets stay under $75.
That early play session is the kind of then-and-now moment Nostalgia: Then & Now readers live for: childhood Pokémon fandom meeting a new Lego Smart Brick that talks, lights up, and battles. According to Mashable's hands-on report, even a self-described non-Pokémon fan left the office wanting more.
Key Takeaways
- Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets launch Aug. 1 after Mashable's early demo.
- A Smart Brick packed with sensors powers talking, lights, sounds, and battles.
- Cute creature noises and a snoring Murphy bed stole the show in testing.
- Not every set includes a Smart Brick; all-in-one kits start around $69.99.
- Compatible add-ons begin at $19.99, with bigger battle sets priced higher.
What are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets?
The Smart Play system centers on a new Smart Brick—a modified 2x4 Lego piece. Mashable notes Lego packed it with an accelerometer, microphones and speakers, LED lights, magnetic field sensors, a gyroscope, and a color sensor.
That brick responds to Smart Tags bundled with the sets and to various Smart Minifigures. A wireless charger tops up the battery when play time runs long. The result, Mashable says, is a set that reacts as you build and move pieces around.
Mini figures can talk to each other, light up, or make noises based on movement. On the Pokémon side, creatures make little noises and can enter battle mode. You can charge special powers, level up, and pit Pokémon against each other.
Mashable covered the Smart Brick's CES 2026 debut and attended the London launch event for these Pokémon sets. The hands-on session followed skepticism after underwhelming Smart Play Star Wars sets earlier in the year—skepticism that melted once Pikachu and friends started squeaking.
Why did Mashable's team lose it over the cute sounds?
The secret sauce, the review argues, is how adorable the creatures sound. Pikachu, Squirtle, Bidoof, Geodude, Charmander, and Eevee squeak and chatter when placed near each other. Push Squirtle's buggy and it makes choo-choo engine noises.
The standout gag: the Pikachu Treehouse Set hides a Murphy bed. Put Pikachu or a smart friend on it, and they fall asleep and snore. Mashable staffers squealed at the cuteness overload during office play.
Battle mode impressed too. Some sets include training stations to level up Pokémon before match-ups. You can power up a special move—shake too hard and it fizzles—dodge attacks, and experiment by moving Smart Tags and Smart Bricks onto different creatures.
Writer Timothy Beck Werth admits he was never a huge Pokémon guy, yet still had a blast. That cross-fandom reaction is why this launch sits neatly in the nostalgia lane: old franchise love, new interactive brick tech.
Which sets launch Aug. 1, and do they all include a Smart Brick?
Not every kit ships with a Smart Brick. Mashable flags that as the one clear downside, though it matters less here than with pricier Star Wars Smart Play sets. Buy at least one set that includes a Smart Brick and charger, then expand with compatibles.
All-in-one kits called out include the Training House with Pikachu and Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle, both with Smart Bricks. Mashable lists add-on-friendly pricing from $19.99 and all-in-one options from $69.99.
Smart Play Compatible sets named in the report include Mewtwo's Lab Break; Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt; Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof; Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle; Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash; and Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown.
At press time for Mashable's piece, three sets were on Amazon and the rest were up for preorder on the Lego online store. Listed price examples include Training House with Pikachu at $69.99, Charizard vs. Jolteon at $119.99, Squirtle's buggy adventure at $29.99, and $19.99 cavern and berry sets.
Are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets worth buying?
Mashable's answer is a flat yes. The team had a blast and likes how many sets sit under $75. If you love Lego and Pokémon, the review calls the collection fun for all ages.
For collectors chasing nostalgia, the pitch is simple: classic creatures, modern Smart Brick reactions, and a launch date of Aug. 1. Just read product details so you know whether a Smart Brick and charger are in the box before you click buy.
That is the story from the early hands-on: what Mashable saw, heard, and priced ahead of the drop. The report also says more smart Pokémon sets are presumably on the way.