Subj : Pokmon Smart Play mini-review
To   : All
From : Blue White
Date : Wed Jun 03 2026 09:29:52

I spent 3 hours with Legos new Pokmon Smart Play sets  they solve the Smart 
Bricks biggest problems, and are simply perfect

Date:
Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:00:00 +0000

The Pokmon Lego Smart Play sets are a triumph of everything that makes Lego 
and Pokmon a delight -- The most fun Ive had at work
for some time is when Josie and I got to build the Lego Smart Brick Darth 
Vader TIE Fighter set for our YouTube channel . Well, it was as now thats 
been replaced by the hours I spent playing the brand-new Lego Pokmon sets 
today  all 12 of them  as theyre everything I could want as a long-term fan 
of both, and they're a true evolution (pun intended) of the Lego Smart Play 
system .

My favorite improvement: you could forget these sets are at
all Smart Play compatible. This isnt meant as a slight against the Smart 
Brick  I think the techno block is an incredibly fun play feature  but my 
biggest criticism of the original Star Wars batch is that they feel 
incomplete without the brick. Darth Vaders TIE fighter literally has a giant 
open space at the back for the Smart Brick, and even with it in place, the 
set feels a little more open than a spaceship should be.

 Here, Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Garchomp, and the gang are complete models without 
the Smart Brick; perfect blocky action figures to pose and battle with. But 
lift off their belly, and youll expose a Smart Play tile that, with a 
charged-up block, will help to bring these critters to life. 

Further, the sets are jam-packed with play features enhanced by smart 
features, but arent dependent on them. Smart Play's improvements have left me 
thunder-shocked! The all-in-one Pikachus Training House couldnt be a clearer 
showcase of this. With the electric mouse, youll experience the full Pokmon 
cycle. He starts out hiding in the tall grass, waiting for you to throw a 
pokball at him  which you do by hitting a target, which makes the grass fall 
back, and, with a Smart Brick, plays a successful tune.

With your new partner, you can then touch the training 
tile to begin getting Pikachu ready for battle. In training mode, Pikachu and 
all other 19 Pokmon in this lineup can grow their strength by hitting 
targets, practicing moves, and generally preparing for battle (activated by 
your movements as you shake them about).

When they next take a breather, youll complete the training and, if you both 
worked hard enough, youll hear Pikachu level up. You can then prepare him a 
sandwich in the kitchen to reward his hard work, before folding down his bed 
so Pikachu can take a well-deserved rest (complete with sleeping noises). 

With a second Smart Brick and Pokmon, you can also engage in a battle  just 
make sure to remember your type matchups, and to consider the inherent 
strength of each mon. Even with training, Mewtwo might be a tough foe for 
your mouse.  As an all-in-one set,
Pikachus Training House is a little pricier at $69.99 / 59.99/ AU$129.99, but 
seeing it in action with all of its smart and non-smart play features, this 
feels like a very reasonable price. 

Though if you are on a budget there are simpler yet still delightful options 
like Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof ($19.99 / 17.99 / AU$34.99), 
Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle ($29.99 / 24.99 / AU$54.99) and youll 
also find pricier sets with more pieces like my favorite: the U mbreon vs. 
Garchomp Championship Battle ($79.99 / 69.99 / $139.99). The trophy is 
designed to look like Cynthias hair, Ive been told. 

All 12 of the new sets will launch on August 1 at Lego.com and are up for 
preorder right now.

Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/tech/i-spent-3-hours-with-legos-new-pokemon-smart-pl
ay-sets-they-solve-the-smart-bricks-biggest-problems-and-are-simply-perfect

$$
--- MultiMail/DOS
 * Origin: SFnet Mission Control (42:1/100)

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