The primary official LEGO Pokemon units have been revealed, and have already discovered themselves on the coronary heart of a brand new controversy. With how common each the Pokemon and LEGO franchises are, a collaboration between these two collectible giants appeared inevitable. Nevertheless, the result’s largely anticipated, however considerably disappointing, as these units proceed two divisive developments of their respective franchises that would finally maintain the collaboration again from reaching its full potential.
There are 5 LEGO Pokemon sets in whole, together with Pikachu, Eevee, the starter trio of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, the Kanto Health club Badge Assortment, and a Mini Pokemon Heart. The latter two of those units are solely out there as a free reward with buy from The Pokemon Heart web site and for LEGO Insiders as a reward, respectively. Whereas these units are fantastic, focusing all the eye on Gen 1 is considerably underwhelming when additionally coupled with LEGO’s excessive costs.
LEGO’s new Pokemon units have been simply revealed, and in case you’re on the fence about considered one of them, the LEGO Millennium Falcon set is why you can purchase it now.
The New LEGO Pokemon Units As soon as Once more Present the Franchise’s Gen 1 Bias
A typical criticism of the Pokemon collection over the previous a number of years has been a skewed focus towards the Gen 1 video games and the Kanto Area. 2018’s Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee have been the second time the unique video games had been remade, and a variety of the brand new regional variants, Mega Evolutions, and Gigantamax kinds from the previous few generations have additionally closely favored Gen 1 critters. It is comprehensible that Sport Freak and The Pokemon Firm would wish to capitalize on nostalgia for the collection’ roots, however some followers consider this emphasis has been overdone and takes the highlight away from common mons from later generations.
Later-Gen Pokemon that Might Be Excellent for LEGO Units
- Rayquaza
- Garchomp
- Golurk
- Aegislash
- Zygarde
- Stakataka
One of the vital obtrusive points with the Pokemon chosen to obtain LEGO units are the rounded, smooth nature of the critters, which makes it tough to translate the blocky design of LEGO in a method that does their fashions’ justice. The end result has Pikachu and Eevee trying off, which is unusual when there are critters within the franchise that would work throughout the confines of LEGO’s angular blocks to look extra on-model. Inorganic-looking mons like Golurk, Aegislash, and Stakataka are the right match for LEGO’s signature aesthetic, and Zygarde Complete‘s hulking humanoid type would not be misplaced as a LEGO set both. Breaking free from Gen 1 would permit LEGO to include extra block-friendly critters into this collaboration.
LEGO Pokemon’s Leaked Wave 2 Units May Assist Ease This Drawback
- Squirtle’s Coaching Buggy Journey
- Charmander’s Wild Encounter with Geodude
- Pikachu’s Coaching Home
- Cubone vs Gengar’s Ghost Problem
- Jolteon vs Charizard
- Scorbunny Evolution
- Stadium Bus
- Eevee Evolution
- Dojo Home with Riolu
- Mewtwo Lab
Wanting on the leaked second wave of LEGO Pokemon units slated for a Summer season 2026 launch, there are a couple of non-Gen 1 mons getting illustration. The Scorbunny Evolution set implies that the Galar starter and its evolutions shall be getting a devoted set sooner or later, and the Dojo Home with Riolu set is giving the Gen 4 Combating-type illustration as nicely. Two non-Gen 1 units is not so much within the grand scheme of this collaboration, nevertheless it’s nonetheless higher than nothing and will result in extra later-gen units sooner or later.
LEGO’s Costly Costs Might Hinder These Pokemon Units’ Accessibility
Like Pokemon‘s overemphasis on Gen 1, one of the vital frequent complaints with LEGO is the more and more costly costs for its new units. As LEGO units get costlier, the barrier to entry for informal collectors turns into larger, and IP collaborations like this one with Pokemon change into tough for anybody who is not a devoted LEGO collector to take part in. LEGO Pokemon Eevee is the most affordable set at $59.99, whereas LEGO Pokemon Pikachu is rather more expensive at $199.99. The costliest set of this collab is the LEGO Pokemon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise is a hefty $649.99, making it one of many most expensive LEGO sets ever launched.
To make issues worse, many of those LEGO Pokemon sets are being scalped on eBay for insane costs. Collectors unfortunate sufficient to overlook out on pre-orders for his or her desired set could find yourself having to shell out much more than the already expensive MSRP of those units by way of third-party sellers. Though Pokemon is not a stranger to restricted product releases and scalped gadgets, it is a disappointing pattern that takes the wind out of the sails of what must be one of the vital thrilling LEGO releases of the yr.
