Don’t Worry LEGO Fans, More Pokemon Sets on the Way
This month sees the release of the first wave of LEGO Pokemon sets, kicking off a partnership that is sure to be popular (and lucrative) for both brands. But while this first trio of sets, and the add-ons that come with them, sets the tone for what LEGO fans can expect from the partnership with Pokemon, it is only the beginning.
There are more LEGO Pokemon sets coming later this year, according to the latest rumors and leaks from insiders. In fact, many of the sets slated to release later this year should be more affordably priced and will incorporate technology that LEGO just recently revealed, bringing a new concept of play to the brick-building toys.
Pokemon LEGO Sets Releasing This Summer:
- Squirrel’s Training Buggy Adventure
- Charmander’s Wild Encounter with Geodude
- Pikachu’s Training House
- Cubone vs Gengar’s Ghost Challenge
- Jolteon vs Charizard
- Scorbunny Evolution
- Stadium Bus
- Eevee Evolution
- Dojo House and Riolu
- Mewtwo Lab
In total, there are at least 10 additional LEGO Pokemon sets in the works for later this year, many of which sound much smaller in scale. There are sets that pit multiple Pokemon against each other, a few that feature evolutions, and the one I am most intrigued by is the MewTwo Lab, which sounds like it would feature the iconic Legendary Psychic Pokemon encased in glass. It should be a really cool display piece, if nothing else.
But what’s most interesting about the second wave of LEGO Pokemon sets is that, unlike the first wave, which includes Eevee, Pikachu, and the original three starters’ evolutions, they will all be part of the new Smart Play system. For those that aren’t familiar, Smart Play is a new LEGO concept that is meant to deepen the interactivity of supported sets.
LEGO Pokemon is Getting Its Own Smart Play Line
Through the use of a Smart Brick, various Smart pieces can interact and generate lights and sounds. Basically, you pop a Smart Brick into a build and when that comes into contact with another Smart LEGO piece like a Smart Minifigure or a Smart Tag, the Brick will light up or make a sound. The Smart Brick also has an accelerometer, so that it can sense movement while you are playing with the build.
The first Smart Play LEGO sets will release in March and are Star Wars themed, but there are additional sets rumored for later this year. These Pokemon sets are part of that secondary roll-out and will arguably be the biggest proof of concept for LEGO whether there is a high enough demand for Smart Play.
That being said, there are some concerns around Smart Play, specifically as it relates to the Pokemon sets. According to the leaks, only one of the LEGO Pokemon Summer sets, the Pikachu’s Training House set, will include a Smart Brick. Of course, this could change by the time summer rolls around (which is when these sets are rumored to release), but right now, it’s the only one that is said to include the crucial piece of the puzzle.
Without the Smart Brick, the Smart Play system doesn’t work. I would hope that you can take a Smart Brick from another set and use them here, but we will have to wait until those first Star Wars sets release before being able to confirm that.
Concerns about Smart Play notwithstanding, the good news is that there are more LEGO Pokemon sets on the way, and theyre should be some that are more affordable than the upcoming first wave. While I’m sure there are a lot of Pokemon fans that would love to own a massive LEGO Pokemon set with Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, $650 is a steep asking price. However, if you want to get in on the LEGO Pokemon action, I’d expect quite a few of these other sets – especially if they are all Smart Play compatible – to be reasonably priced.