These new Lego Pokémon sets all use fancy 'Smart Play' tech
Overview & Key Takeaways
Lego and The Pokémon Company unveil more than 10 new Lego Pokémon sets that use innovative Smart Play tech with expensive Smart Bricks.
Lego revealed a new slate of Pokémon sets on Tuesday that drastically expand the lineup of brick-based pocket monsters. There are 12 sets in all, each one containing at least one Lego version of a popular Pokémon character. Like the Star Wars sets announced at the start of 2026, these new Lego Pokémon sets make use of fancy new Smart Play technology. All are up for pre-order starting today, and will come with an extra gift with purchase.
Smart Play uses a piece of bite-sized tech called a Smart Brick that amps up a Lego set's interactivity. These are swanky features like dynamic lights and reactive sound, but packed into something about the size and weight of a normal Lego brick. Smart Bricks can communicate with Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures "for endlessly responsive play," Lego says. With the company's Star Wars sets, for example, you might use Smart Play to simulate the look and sound of a ship shooting down an enemy fighter.
Lego's new Pokémon sets focus on some of the most recognizable creatures around: Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Jigglypuff, Pikachu, Mewtwo, Eevee, Gengar, Mew, Garchomp, and Charizard. While some sets revolve around a single Pokémon, others consist of duos that include creatures like Geodude, Lapras, Umbreon, Cubone, Bidoof, and Jolteon. The sets range in complexity, with smaller offerings consisting of fewer than 100 bricks and the largest model clocking in just under 850 pieces.
"Children can feed their Lego Pikachu a brick-built Lego Smart Tag sandwich or tickle their Lego Charizard to get a joyful laugh," a Lego press release states. "The more they play, the stronger the bond, as they prepare for spectacular battles with friends and family."
Here's the full lineup of new Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets:
Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof (72155)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 240
- Price: $19.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Trainer’s Buggy Adventure with Squirtle (72156)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 320
- Price: $29.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash (72157)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 198
- Price: $19.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Jigglypuff Concert (72159)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 88
- Price: $14.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Drone Search for Mythical Mew (72161)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 429
- Price: $49.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt (72162)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 623
- Price: $59.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Mewtwo's Lab Break (72163)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 605
- Price: $69.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Training House with Pikachu (72164)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 400
- Price: $69.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle (72165)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 831
- Price: $79.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown (72166)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 782
- Price: $89.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 751
- Price: $119.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle (72158)
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
- Pieces: 313
- Price: $34.99
- Release date: Aug. 1, 2026
The Jigglypuff set might be the most emblematic of what's possible with Smart Play. As fans of the Pokémon anime know, the pink puff loves to force others to listen to its songs, and will get angry if the listener falls asleep to its lullabies. Sure enough, the Lego Jigglypuff Concert set is equipped with a microphone and a boombox set. Presumably, this Jigglypuff will sing a Lego jingle, too. Each set appears to have monster-specific sounds that bring battles to life. Don't worry: you can also spray your Pokémon with a potion to heal them as well.
Only two of the announced sets come with Smart Bricks included: Training House with Pikachu (1x Smart Brick) and Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (2x Smart Bricks). The rest will require Lego Pokémon fans to purchase one separately (or harvest one from a Star Wars Smart Play set).
Photo: The Lego Group, The Pokémon Company
Lego is promising a gift with every purchase called Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night; here's how the set is described:
TV time turns into transformation time with Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night. Switch channels by swapping what’s on the screen and open the TV stand to access the remote control and a movie. The model incorporates a SMART Tag and space for a SMART Brick from an All-In-One Set (sold separately). The SMART Brick activates the SMART Play Compatible Set’s interactive features, bringing Ditto as Squirtle to life with dynamic lights, sounds and interactions. This toy building set contains 185 pieces.
Smart Bricks and their higher price tags have proven controversial, but the magnetic pull of the Pokémon brand may override any sense of skepticism. The Danish company has had no trouble selling pricey Pokémon sets, like this year's 6,838-piece starter trio that sold out almost immediately despite costing $649.99.
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