Feature: "He Was Like, 'No, I Don't Want That, I Want This One'" - LEGO Pokémon Designers Talk Kids & Prototype Pikachus

LEGO is expanding its Pokémon set collection on August 1, 2026, with a new wave of interactive builds featuring the company's new "Smart Play Brick" technology.

Ahead of the launch, LEGO designers Sid Muthyala and Mike Andersen shared insights into the design process and testing behind the upcoming line. The new technology adds sound and interactivity to the figures, aiming to foster emotional connections and active roleplay for children.

Smart Play Brick Technology and Sound Design

The core of the new LEGO Pokémon sets is the Smart Play Brick, an interactive element designed to respond during play. Out of 12 sets in the current assortment, 10 are compatible with the Smart Play functionality.

Rather than playing back static pre-recorded files or having Pokémon repeat their anime names, the Smart Play Brick utilizes an internal synthesizer to generate real-time audio. This dynamic sound design generates animalistic noises tailored to each figure.

"It's a synthesiser, so all the sound is generated. It's not playback sound... It also means that it's slightly new every time, slightly different," Andersen explained in an interview with Nintendo Life.

Despite the added tech, the design team emphasized that the physical build remains the primary focus. "I think very early on in the process, we learned that it's the toy that needs to shine, right?" Andersen said. "Like, the Smart Brick needs to go with something that feels natural for the kids, for them to understand it and for them to have a context for it, right?"

Play Testing and Trainer Roleplay

The sets are built around the concept that the child acts as a Pokémon Trainer, engaging in interactive scenarios like feeding or battling that trigger reactions from the figures.

During prototype testing, designers noted that this interactivity created strong emotional bonds between children and specific figures. Andersen recounted a test session where a child refused to swap a prototype Pikachu figure for an identical build.

"He knew they were identical, but no, he didn't want it," Andersen recalled. "This is the one I've bonded with. This is the one I like."

Design partner Sid Muthyala noted that these reactions validate the interactive approach. "I think that's the magic we've had of kids emotionally connecting with a Pokémon Lego model, and it’s because of Smart Play, because of the reactions," Muthyala stated.

Availability and Launch Details

The Smart Play LEGO Pokémon sets launch on August 1, 2026. At launch, the line will be available in six initial regions: Australia, France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US. Availability in other international markets remains to be announced.

Additionally, whether the Smart Play Bricks will ever be sold separately outside of bundled sets remains uncertain, as the designers confirmed there are no exact plans to share regarding standalone availability.

---

• Nintendo Life Hero image: https://images.nintendolife.com/da4c7998faa1d/large.jpg