The newly-revealed LEGO Pokémon range is prompting plenty of debate among fans, with praise for its versions of Eevee and Charizard — but also suggestion that its toy rival Mega Bloks did Pikachu better.
The LEGO Pokémon range is led by the Pikachu and Poké Ball set, which at 2050 pieces will cost $199.99. As with the other sets in LEGO's first Pokémon wave, it is available to pre-order now ahead of its March 1 launch, with an early release to VIP members on February 27.
Online discussion around the set has been mixed, with criticism for Pikachu's angular face and also the buildable Poké Ball which looks closer to a rectangle than a sphere.
Numerous comments here compare the design to previous buildable Pikachu models released by Megabloks, with the vast majority suggesting that its previous 1095-piece Motion Pikachu design captured the Pokémon's shape better.
"It's cool but I feel like I expected something a little better looking," wrote LEGO fan BreezySteezy in a long thread on reddit. "Not sure what it is but the face is kind of goofy/uncanny. I do like it coming out of the Pokéball and overall it's decent, but there's something off and I can't put my finger on it."
Feedback on the range's other sets is far more positive, however, with the 587-piece Eevee set getting considerable praise. Priced at just $59.99, fans have said the Evolution Pokémon's design is much more accurate than the set for Pikachu.
"Okay this one is really cute actually," wrote Lego fan COlimar788. "Much smaller, but presumably a lot more stable, than the Mega Construx equivalent. I might snag this."
"Perfect build," wrote another fan, Practical_Spend_422. Added Fluke_Skyflopper: "Basically flawless? Hopefully future mon designs follow more in this style than the Pikachu build."
Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise — the LEGO Pokémon range's biggest set — has also been well received, though the 6838-piece build's $649.99 price tag has raised a few eyebrows.
"This and the Pikachu set don't feel like they're coming out of the same company," wrote A_Pointy_Rock. "How are these more compact models so much more natural looking than the larger lone Pikachu?"
"Honestly, I don't quite get Lego sometimes," mecha-verdant concurred. "It's like they produce some of the most high-quality and exquisite pieces and when it comes with the lesser complex stuff, they mess it up. But all honesty, this is so much better than the Pikachu."
Of course, adding Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise to your collection won't be cheap. "$150 than Rivendell," noted heliostraveler. "Yikes." Said introvertmolecule: "So pretty! But sad that it is so expensive 😭😭 I've just bought Rivendell, so my wallet is empty. 🫣"
One sweetner here is that set will come with a free Gift With Purchase set: the Kanto Region Badge Collection. This replica of Ash Ketchum's badge collection has immediately prompted positive comments (though also sadness at it not being available separately).
Lastly, there's the LEGO Insiders reward Mini Pokémon Center, which users will be able to claim for 2500 membership points. "That has old 70s LEGO feel to it," Iggy0075 noted.
Interestingly, there's no mention yet that these sets contain Smart Play elements including the Smart Brick, which LEGO announced last week and told IGN was "here to stay" as a major part of the company's future. Of course, these LEGO Pokémon sets are just the initial items in the range, with many more expected — and having some kind of interactive element would certainly fit toys based around the hit video game franchise.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
