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LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Sets Review: Which Set Should You Buy?

Training House with Pikachu is the simplest LEGO Pokémon SMART Play starter because it includes the Brick and charger. Compare it with the battle-focused All-in-One and ten Compatible sets.
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For a first LEGO Pokémon SMART Play purchase, choose Training House with Pikachu (72164): it includes the SMART Brick and charger, so its interactive features are ready without buying another set. If you already own a Brick, the Compatible sets can add new builds and play scenarios for less. The key difference is what comes in the box—not whether the set can be built and played with physically.

What LEGO Pokémon SMART Play is—and what you need

LEGO describes SMART Play as screen-free play that responds through light, sound, movement, and sensing. The twelve Pokémon sets launched on August 1, 2026, in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Poland, and Australia, according to LEGO’s on-sale announcement. These are launch-market and launch-date details; they do not establish current stock or availability elsewhere.

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The range has two categories. An All-in-One set includes at least one SMART Brick, a charger, and SMART Tags. A Compatible set includes SMART Tags but no Brick; pairing it with a Brick from an All-in-One set enables its SMART Play interactions. So, if you do not already own a Brick, a Compatible set is a physical LEGO build, but not a complete SMART Play purchase by itself. LEGO explains the categories and play features in its SMART Play set introduction.

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Which sets include the SMART Brick?

Only two launch sets are All-in-One: Training House with Pikachu and Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle. The other ten are Compatible and do not include a Brick. Use this distinction first when comparing prices: a lower-priced Compatible set adds a scenario to an existing system, while an All-in-One set supplies the electronics needed to start.

#1 Best Overall
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LEGO Pokémon Eevee 72151
  • POKÉMON BUILDING SET – The LEGO Pokémon Eevee (72151) building kit for adults ages 18 and up lets devoted fans build a detailed, posable Normal-type Pokémon figure that's packed with character
  • HIGHLY POSABLE FIGURE – With a moveable head and limbs, independently posable ears and an angled tail, builders can recreate iconic poses that will remind them of their favorite moments from the Pokémon video game series
  • HIDDEN EASTER EGG – Fans who know their Pokémon can find a surprise detail as they build that pays tribute to Eevee's many Evolutions
  • COLLECTIBLE ROOM DECOR – Pokémon collectors can proudly pose and display their completed Eevee figure on a bookshelf, desk or entertainment center
  • POKÉMON GIFT IDEA – Makes a memorable present for men and women who love Pokémon and LEGO building sets for adults

LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets compared

The figures below are LEGO launch specifications and prices in US dollars, euros, and pounds sterling, except where the US Jigglypuff price is attributed to TechRadar. Launch prices are historical reference points, not current retailer quotes. LEGO is the source for the set configurations, ages, piece counts, and listed launch prices; see its launch announcement and set explainer. TechRadar supplies the cited Jigglypuff US price and additional Australian prices.

Set System Age Pieces Theme and notable physical features Launch price (US / EU / UK)
Training House with Pikachu (72164) All-in-One: 1 Brick, charger, 4 Tags 6+ 400 Poké Ball aiming, feeding Pikachu, and searching for a hidden Pokémon $69.99 / €69.99 / £59.99
Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167) All-in-One: 2 Bricks, charger, 4 Tags 8+ 751 Battle-focused build with two Pokémon figures $119.99 / €119.99 / £109.99
Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof (72155) Compatible: 2 Tags, no Brick 7+ 240 Berry harvesting and smoothie-making $19.99 / €19.99 / £17.99
Trainer’s Buggy Adventure with Squirtle (72156) Compatible: 2 Tags, no Brick 7+ 320 Buggy with hinged chassis, water stud shooters, and storage compartment $29.99 / €29.99 / £24.99
Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash (72157) Compatible: 2 Tags, no Brick 6+ 198 Cave encounter with a disc shooter, lever, and hidden crystal $19.99 / €19.99 / £17.99
Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle (72158) Compatible: 3 Tags, no Brick 8+ 313 Wheel-based battle setup with three Pokémon $34.99 / €34.99 / £29.99
Jigglypuff Concert (72159) Compatible: 1 Tag, no Brick 7+ 88 Concert-themed set $14.99 (TechRadar) / €14.99 / £12.99
Drone Search for Mythical Mew (72161) Compatible: 3 Tags, no Brick 8+ 429 Drone and ruins search scenario $49.99 / €49.99 / £44.99
Eevee and Lapras’s Treasure Hunt (72162) Compatible: 3 Tags, no Brick 8+ 623 Treasure hunt with a map, shipwreck, and rock-lifting mechanism $59.99 / €59.99 / £54.99
Mewtwo’s Lab Break (72163) Compatible: 1 Tag, no Brick 10+ 605 Mewtwo has articulated arms, legs, hands, head, and tail $69.99 / €69.99 / £59.99
Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle (72165) Compatible: 3 Tags, no Brick 10+ 831 Larger battle and display build with two Pokémon $99.99 / €99.99 / £89.99
Cubone and Gengar’s Spooky Showdown (72166) Compatible: no Brick Not stated in the cited LEGO launch-page excerpt Not stated in the cited LEGO launch-page excerpt Training plate, battle platform, Ultra Ball targets, and hidden treasure Not stated in the cited LEGO launch-page excerpt

The Jigglypuff price needs a particular caveat: LEGO’s launch material lists an anomalous US figure of $99, while TechRadar lists $14.99, £12.99, and AU$24.99. The table uses TechRadar’s $14.99 for the US figure rather than repeating the apparent LEGO typo; check a live listing for the price where you shop. TechRadar also lists AU$129.99 for Training House with Pikachu, AU$199.99 for Charizard vs. Jolteon, and AU$34.99 for Berry Bash. Its review is a separate source from LEGO’s launch specifications: Hamish Hector’s TechRadar hands-on review, published September 19, 2026.

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LEGO Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball 72152
  • BUILD AN ICONIC POKÉMON MODEL – The LEGO Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) building kit for adults ages 18 and up assembles into a detailed, posable Pikachu model kit with a display-ready Poké Ball replica
  • POSABLE PIKACHU FIGURE – The Pikachu figure has posable ears and limbs so it can be posed leaping from the opened Poké Ball in a battle stance, or displayed in a resting pose with the Poké Ball closed
  • DETAILS FANS WILL LOVE – The display base features the number "25" formed from LEGO studs as a nod to Pikachu's Pokédex number, with a lightning bolt stand encircled by electric sparks representing its Electric-type
  • ROOM DECOR FOR MEN & WOMEN – Pokémon collectors can proudly display this LEGO Pikachu figure on a bookshelf, desk or entertainment center as a striking piece of gaming room decor
  • POKÉMON GIFT IDEA – Makes a memorable birthday or special occasion present for men and women who love the Pokémon video games and LEGO building sets for adults

Which LEGO Pokémon SMART Play set is best for you?

Best first set: Training House with Pikachu

At 400 pieces, this 6+ set includes one Brick, a charger, and four Tags. LEGO’s described activities span aiming a Poké Ball, feeding Pikachu, and looking for a hidden Pokémon. That mix and the included electronics make it the clearest first purchase for someone without the system. This is a recommendation based on the listed contents and described play, not a head-to-head test of every set.

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Best for battle-focused play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle

This 8+ All-in-One set costs more at launch than Training House with Pikachu in the US, EU, and UK, but it includes two Bricks, four Tags, two figures, and a charger. It is the straightforward pick if you want a battle-oriented set and do not already own a Brick. TechRadar’s reviewer cautions that the battle-focused sets rely more on Brick effects for engaging fights than many of the other builds.

Rank #3
LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise 72153
  • EPIC POKÉMON MODEL BUILDING KIT – Relive your thrilling training journey with this LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153) building set for adults ages 18 and up, featuring epic gaming action figures for display
  • 3 ICONIC POKÉMON FIGURES – This detailed Pokémon model kit features 3 posable Kanto partner Pokémon in their fierce and final evolution forms, set on a backdrop of beach, jungle and volcano display stands
  • DYNAMIC DISPLAY PIECE – Each Pokémon figure can stand alone while posed in a battle stance or be mounted on its biome stand, each of which can be connected to form one epic battleground
  • IMMERSIVE BUILD – These highly detailed Pokémon action figures with articulated limbs provide a rewarding build for experienced LEGO enthusiasts, and make a stunning piece of game room decor
  • GAMER GIFT – This nostalgic gift for Pokémon fans is a great present idea for gamer parents or any LEGO fans ages 18 and up

Best lower-cost Compatible option: Berry Bash

Berry Bash is the least expensive Compatible set among the listed US launch prices, at $19.99, and gives an existing Brick owner a berry-harvesting and smoothie-making scenario. It does not include a Brick, so its launch price should not be mistaken for the cost of entering SMART Play.

Best for larger display builds: Umbreon vs. Garchomp or Mewtwo’s Lab Break

At 831 pieces, Umbreon vs. Garchomp is the largest listed Pokémon SMART Play build here; it is a 10+ Compatible set with no Brick. Mewtwo’s Lab Break is also for ages 10+, with 605 pieces and an articulated figure. TechRadar notes that some builds have display potential, but are larger and less suited to people who prefer minifigure-scale sets.

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MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Kanto Region Team with 130 Pieces, 4 Poseable and Articulated Characters, 2 Inches Tall, for Kids
  • Buildable and poseable Pokemon building set including 4 figures
  • Set includes Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur plus buildable environment stands
  • 130 bricks and pieces combine with all MEGA Construx building sets and are compatible with other name brands
  • Ideal for ages 6 and up, this building toy provides build-and-play experiences to help develop creativity and problem-solving skills
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What the Brick adds—and what still works without it

In TechRadar reviewer Hamish Hector’s account, published September 19, 2026 after weeks with the sets, the Brick recognizes Pokémon through tiles concealed underneath them and responds with distinct sounds for play states such as feeding, training, resting, driving, or hiding. He also describes movement-based interactions such as shaking to charge attacks, lunging, dodging, and resting. These are the reviewer’s reported observations, not LEGO specifications, and they should not be read as a test of every set or configuration.

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The physical builds still have things to do without electronic responses. Hector gives Pikachu’s bed, a target, and a Poké Ball-triggered grass feature as examples. That makes a Compatible set a valid physical build for someone who is content with conventional LEGO play, but the Brick is necessary for the SMART Play interactions. The battle-oriented sets are the exception to weigh especially carefully: the reviewer found them more dependent on Brick effects to make their fights engaging.

Best Value
MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Jumbo Pikachu with 806 Pieces, Articulated and Poseable, 12 Inches Tall, for Kids
  • Buildable 12-inch Pikachu
  • Pikachu has articulated legs, arms, tail and ears for poseability
  • Pieces combine with all Pokémon building sets by MEGA and are compatible with other name brands
  • Ideal for ages 6 and up, these building toys help develop creativity and problem-solving skills
  • Officially licensed by The Pokémon Company International

Setup and compatibility notes

LEGO says SMART Bricks in new, unopened Pokémon All-in-One sets work out of the box. Owners of older LEGO SMART Bricks may need to update them through SMART Assist before Pokémon play. The cited LEGO information does not specify an exact menu path or update procedure, so check LEGO’s current support guidance for your Brick rather than relying on an assumed sequence. LEGO’s SMART Play explainer describes the system and set categories.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 4
MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Kanto Region Team with 130 Pieces, 4 Poseable and Articulated Characters, 2 Inches Tall, for Kids
MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Kanto Region Team with 130 Pieces, 4 Poseable and Articulated Characters, 2 Inches Tall, for Kids
Buildable and poseable Pokemon building set including 4 figures; Set includes Pikachu, Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur plus buildable environment stands
$42.00
Bestseller No. 5
MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Jumbo Pikachu with 806 Pieces, Articulated and Poseable, 12 Inches Tall, for Kids
MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Jumbo Pikachu with 806 Pieces, Articulated and Poseable, 12 Inches Tall, for Kids
Buildable 12-inch Pikachu; Pikachu has articulated legs, arms, tail and ears for poseability
$59.99

How to choose before buying

  1. Check whether you own a SMART Brick. If not, start with one of the two All-in-One sets; if you do, compare Compatible builds by theme and price.
  2. Match the theme to the play you want. Pick a battle, vehicle, concert, treasure hunt, lab, or food-making scenario rather than choosing on piece count alone.
  3. Use the age recommendation and pieces to judge build scale. The launch range spans ages 6+ to 10+ and 88 to 831 pieces among sets with specifications in the cited launch material.
  4. Check a current local listing. Launch prices are not guaranteed current prices, and the cited sources do not establish today’s stock or every market’s availability.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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