Lego’s Second-Gen Pokémon Sets Bring Smarter Play but Missing Audio

The expansion introduces two "all-in-one" kits: a $69.99 Pikachu treehouse set and a $119.99 battle arena featuring Charizard and Jolteon. These packages include the necessary Smart Bricks and chargers to unlock the full feature set. The remaining ten sets, priced between $14.99 and $89.99, rely on passive Smart Tags that trigger interactions only if users already own the primary hardware.

Early testing reveals a more responsive system than the previous iteration, yet the gap between the technology’s potential and its actual application persists. By limiting the most advanced features to a small selection of premium bundles, Lego is taking a cautious approach to its digital-physical hybrid ecosystem. The collection is currently available for preorder, but the absence of signature soundscapes suggests that the company is still refining the balance between complex electronics and the tactile joy of traditional construction.