Lego’s hi-tech smart bricks are bringing Pikachu to life. The Danish toymaker’s motion-sensitive “SMART Bricks” – packed with sensors, speakers and LEDs – allow the iconic yellow Pokémon to giggle when tickled, roar when moved, and battle other creatures with lights and sound effects. It is the first time the Pokémon franchise has been integrated with Lego’s interactive technology, and the company says the goal is to make fans feel like real trainers.
Interactive Smart Bricks Bring Pokémon to Life
The new Pokémon SMART Play sets are built around a standard 2×4 Lego brick that contains a custom-made chip, a wireless rechargeable coil (similar to an electric toothbrush charger), and Bluetooth communication protocol called “BrickNet.” When paired with small tiles known as “SMART Tags,” the brick triggers specific sounds and light sequences without the need for a screen. A Pikachu figure can be made to giggle as if tickled; a Charizard can let out a roar; and battle sounds activate when two Pokémon are brought close together or shaken.
Lego has designed the sets to be interoperable, meaning creatures from different packs can be used together for expanded battles. A “training dummy” SMART Tag can be held up to a Pokémon to trigger attack responses, and shaking the brick can simulate defensive moves. The bricks are powered by a wireless charging coil, and “SMART Chargers” are included in the All-in-One starter sets.
Julia Goldin, Lego’s chief marketing and product officer, said enthusiasts had told the company they wanted Pokémon to feel “here in the real world” or to “feel like the trainer.” The smart bricks allow the Pokémon to “respond to children’s actions,” she explained. “You are building it with your hands and able to interact with it in multiple different ways that are not preprogrammed.” Volume can be adjusted via an app, and the Lego SMART Assist App helps with setup and firmware updates.
Brand Crossover and Product Details
The tie-up unites two blockbuster brands: Lego, the world’s biggest toy company, and Pokémon, the world’s biggest media franchise. Goldin noted an “80% crossover” between the two fandoms, appealing to collectors and followers of all ages. Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and remains the biggest-selling name in UK toy stores. According to data firm Circana, it was the UK’s top-performing toy property in 2025.
The first wave of traditional Lego Pokémon sets – aimed at the 18+ collector market – launched earlier in 2026 and caused the websites of both Lego and Pokémon to briefly crash. A 6,838-piece set featuring Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise carries a £579.99 price tag (and was briefly discounted to £433.50 on Amazon UK). Other display-focused sets include a £179.99 Pikachu and Poké Ball set and a £54.99 Eevee model. By contrast, the new SMART Play line explicitly targets younger children, with age recommendations starting from 6+ or 7+.
The SMART Play range comprises 12 sets. Two “All-in-One” packs contain the necessary smart bricks and chargers: the Training House with Pikachu (72164, roughly 400 pieces, £59.99) includes one smart brick, a charger and four SMART Tags; the Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167, 751 pieces, £109.99) includes two smart bricks, a charger and four SMART Tags. Ten “Compatible” sets – which work with a smart brick you already own – start at £12.99 for the Jigglypuff Concert set (72159) and rise to £79.99 for Cubone and Gengar’s Spooky Showdown (72165). Pre-orders opened on 2 June 2026, with the official launch on 1 August.
Frédérique Tutt, a global toy industry analyst at Circana, said smart bricks were “bringing play back into toys.” The lights and sounds encourage children to physically interact with their builds rather than leaving them on a shelf. She noted that, unlike Lego’s Star Wars SMART Play line – which critics found lackluster with stripped-back designs – the Pokémon models have robust, chunky builds that can withstand rough battle play.
Some play experts have criticised Lego for “messing with the formula,” fearing technology risks undermining the imaginative strength of traditional bricks. But Goldin said the smart bricks were “not taking away from the experience of building. We are adding another dimension which I know that for children especially is very relevant today.” Lego senior vice-president Federico Begher described the SMART Brick as a “complementary evolution,” drawing a parallel to the introduction of the minifigure. The technology has been in development for eight years, with over 25 patents filed.
To promote the launch, Lego stores in the US, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Australia will become PokéStops within Pokémon Go in August 2026, allowing players to encounter creatures with unique Lego backgrounds and unlock in-game stickers and avatar items. Fans can also visit select Lego stores for a SMART Play demo.
While the giggles, beeps and battle music are novel, some may worry they will become grating. The app, however, allows the volume to be turned down – and the chunky designs mean the sets are built to last through repeated battles.
