A few weeks ago, I spent some time with LEGO’s two Pokémon-themed SMART Brick sets, each giving a nice taste of what the company’s newest technological venture would offer to the popular series. Of course, the beauty of the SMART Brick is that it can be used with any compatible sets, with Pokémon receiving ten more in a range of shapes and sizes. So far, I’ve worked my way through five of the ten and thought now might be a good time to evaluate before ploughing on through the remaining half.
SMART Play: Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash
One thing to note with all five of these sets (all ten, in fact) is that none of them come with a SMART Brick. You’ll need to pick up either the Pikachu set or the Charizard and Jolteon set.
Charmander and Geodude are one of the smaller sets, coming in at 198 pieces, but because of this it’s also one of the cheaper at £17.99. While Charmander looks pretty decent overall, his face does look a little flat; his mouth is the only protruding part of his head. Geodude, on the other hand, is absolutely perfect; his shape, flexing arms and see-through stand give the appearance that he’s floating just like in the games. While plugging in the SMART Brick will allow you to get each Pokemon to do an assortment of actions, plugging one into both will let you battle. What’s great about this set (and something you’ll see with many in this line) is the interactable elements that don’t even need the SMART Brick.
In the case of Cavern Clash, that means a small rocky terrain build where Charmander can slam onto a seesaw to topple a large rocky cliff while Geodude can swivel on a platform to trigger a projectile to fire out. Don’t get me wrong, the SMART Brick stuff is definitely the main draw here, but watching my kids play with the set, you could see they were having just as much fun firing off discs and breaking rocks.
SMART Play: Mewtwo’s Lab Break
Of all the sets in the lineup, I’d argue Mewtwo’s Lab Break is perhaps the best fit for a builder looking to add a new build to their collection to display on their shelves. While you are still able to utilise the SMART Brick on Mewtwo, you won’t find any other interactable scenery or items that use the technology.
Instead, you have a great-looking Mewtwo, everything from his chunky legs to his twisting tail pretty much nailed. Better still is the actual laboratory machinery he comes with, acting as a makeshift display stand of sorts that even splits in two when you twist a wheel piece stationed in front. Finishing off the set is a small see-through computer screen depicting Mewtwo’s vitals and a Master Ball complete with a small little stand of its own.
Coming in at £59.99 and 605 pieces, this set is a little on the expensive side, especially considering you get the one Pokemon. What this set lacks in SMART Brick functionality, it more than makes up for with its sheer striking look. Suffice to say, this will be one I may swipe for myself to display.
SMART Play: Drone Search for Mythical Mew
Another lone-Pokemon set, though this one comes in a little cheaper at £44.99 (429 pieces) and with three SMART Brick tags.
While Mew itself looks great in LEGO form, it would be the drone that my kids were instantly drawn to (and for good reason). By inserting a SMART Brick into the drone, you are able to mimic flying it around the house complete with sound effects. Best of all, though, you can play a little game of search for Mew, the drone beeping quicker as you approach its hiding place.
Whereas a lot of these sets will add more Pokemon to your collection to battle it out with, it’s great to see other unique forms of interaction like this too. Even without the SMART Brick functionality though, the kids were enjoying dropping berries from the drone onto a target attached to a small temple-like landscape. Again, the SMART Brick stuff is obviously the main draw with these sets, but it’s great to see the more traditional toy-like elements featuring too.
SMART Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle
If you’re looking to simply boost your Pokemon numbers, then this set may be a good one to start with since it includes the three Paldea starters and only costs £29.99. At 313 pieces total, it’s one of the smaller sets, but with three tags you’re definitely getting bang for your buck here.
Though dinky, it’s hard to deny the cute look of all three in brick form. I especially like Sprigatito and Quaxly, particularly the way LEGO has handled his stylish hair.
Also included is a small roulette wheel you can actually spin, with its segments split between the three Pokemon types. Kids no doubt will enjoy spinning it and working it into their battles somehow, but it is a little disappointing that it doesn’t work with a tag of any kind. It feels a little like a missed opportunity.
Overall, though, it’s hard to complain considering you get three Pokemon with this set. In fact, if you’re looking for LEGO sets for a Pokemon fan, then I’d recommend this one as all three look rather nice and cute up on a shelf together.
SMART Play: Eevee and Lapras’s Treasure Hunt
At £54.99 and 603 pieces, this set may sound rather pricey, but once built it’s hard not to be impressed, especially with Lapras, his size towering over the cute and dinky Eevee.
Outside the pair of Pokemon, you’ll also find a small ship wreckage scene complete with mast and wheel, the latter moving a large rock piece out of the way to uncover a treasure chest. The treasure chest itself has its own SMART tag, which is a nice addition meanwhile. While the level of non-SMART Brick interactivity with this set may be more limited (outside the twisting of a wheel), the builds of the Pokemon themselves are top-notch, with Lapras among one of the most impressive out of the sets.
You can look at these sets from two perspectives. On one hand, you have the younger audience, my kids absolutely loving their time building and playing with the various SMART Brick interactions as well as the LEGO itself. On the other, you have the older group more focused on simply building nice-looking and satisfying sets. While these SMART Brick sets are certainly more geared toward the former, don’t rule them out entirely if you’re simply after a nice series of brick-built Pokemon.
I’ll be back in a week with the remaining five sets and plenty more LEGO Pokemon coverage.
Review Copy Provided by The LEGO Group
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