Source : Perth Now news
The dream of capturing a real-life Pokemon is getting a hi-tech, screen-free upgrade.
The LEGO Group and The Pokemon Company International have announced a 12-set collaborative line-up powered by “LEGO SMART Play” technology, marking a major physical-digital crossover for the two massive entertainment brands.
Aimed at builders aged six and up, the collection embeds electronic sensors into plastic bricks, allowing physical figures to react to movement, touch, and care with lights and sounds.
The electronic brick uses physical accessories called “SMART tags” to trigger pre-programmed digital responses without an iPad or console, meaning a child can physically feed a brick-built Pikachu a plastic sandwich or tickle a Charizard figure to trigger a recorded laugh.
The interactive elements also introduce a tiered ecosystem for consumers, requiring an initial investment in an “all-in-one” kit to get the required central SMART brick and charger before any of the ten cheaper expansion sets can be fully utilised.
Julia Goldin, chief marketing and product officer at the LEGO Group, said Pokemon fans will be able to “build, train and interact” with their LEGO Pokemon through “hands-on, imaginative play that encourages creativity, confidence and storytelling”.
“It’s all about inviting children to explore, experiment and bring their own ideas to their adventures,” Ms Goldin said.
The initial rollout splits the 12 products between stand-alone starter sets and expansions.
The core ecosystem relies on products like the Training House with Pikachu or the premium Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle, which contain the necessary electronic components.
From there, consumers can expand the layout with environment-based add-ons, such as Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash or a music-themed Jigglypuff concert.
Chief Product and Experience Officer at The Pokemon Company International, Gaku Susai, said Pokemon has “always been about the joy of discovery and connection”.
“We see every day how powerful imagination can be when it’s nurtured and given the space to grow,” Mr Susai said.
“Working with the LEGO Group and its SMART Brick technology brings those shared values to life in a new, interactive way.”
Beyond the target 6+ demographic, the brands are also courting the fiercely competitive adult collector and Pokemon Go mobile player bases.
To market the launch from August to September 2026, select physical LEGO retail stores will temporarily convert into active in-game PokeStops and Gyms.
The cross-promotion will offer exclusive physical items and digital apparel, a move highly likely to trigger interest from collectors.
Pre-orders for the line-up open today, with the sets officially hitting retail shelves on August 1.
