LEGO Pokémon sets are finally real, and the Training House with Pikachu is the cheapest way to try the new SMART Play system. It costs $69.99, and it packs a full interactive build into 400 pieces. But is it worth the price for your child? In this honest review, I break down what you get, how the SMART Brick works, and where the set falls short. So you can decide with clear facts, not hype.
First, I cover the build and the box contents. Then I explain the smart features in plain words. Finally, I weigh the price, the pros, and the cons. In short, this is the full picture before you buy.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5
The short version: The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Training House with Pikachu (72164) is a charming first step into LEGO Pokémon sets. It gives you a complete smart play kit in one box. The brick-built Pikachu reacts to play with sounds and lights, and no phone is needed for the core play. However, the price is high for 400 pieces. The sounds are also synthesized, not the classic game cry or the anime voice. In other words, buy it for the interactive play, not for a big display build.
Best for: Pokémon fans aged 6 and up who want a fun, screen-free, interactive LEGO build.
What Is LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Training House with Pikachu?
LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Training House with Pikachu (72164) is a 400-piece LEGO set for ages 6 and up. It builds a small Pikachu treehouse with training gear, a Poké Ball, and a buildable sandwich. It also includes a SMART Brick, a charger, and four SMART Tags. The SMART Brick makes the model react to play with light and sound.
The finished model is over 8 inches high, 11 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Inside, the treehouse has two floors. The top floor holds a kitchen set. At the twist of a dial, the kitchen swaps to a bed for Pikachu. Outside, you get a grassy area and a training dummy. For example, kids can feed Pikachu the sandwich, run training drills, and stage small battles. As a result, the set feels more alive than a static display model.
What is in the box? You get 400 LEGO pieces, one brick-built Pikachu figure, one SMART Brick, one SMART Charger, and four SMART Tags. This is an All-in-One set. That means it holds all the smart parts you need. In contrast, the ten Compatible sets in the same wave hold tags but no brick. So this set is the true starter kit for the range.
Who Created This Set?
LEGO and The Pokémon Company made this set together. It launched on August 1, 2026, in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Poland, and Australia. The launch wave holds twelve SMART Play sets in total. Two of them are All-in-One sets. The rest are Compatible sets that expand the play. LEGO is a trusted toy brand with decades of build quality behind it. Pokémon is one of the most loved game and anime brands in the world. So the partnership pairs strong building with a huge fan base. That said, this is a first-wave tech toy. Early tech can have rough edges, and this set is no exception.
LEGO Pokémon Training House Features — In Detail
The SMART Brick
The SMART Brick is a 2×4 brick with sensors inside. It holds motion sensors, light and sound sensors, a small speaker, and wireless charging. It reads the SMART Tags in the set. Then it answers with sounds and lights that fit the action. For instance, feeding Pikachu gives a happy response. A battle move gives a livelier response. In short, the brick turns quiet plastic into a reacting playmate.
Synthesized Sounds, Not Recordings
Here is a key fact. The brick does not play recorded sounds. Instead, it makes each sound live with a built-in synthesizer. LEGO design director Siddharth Muthyala said it plainly. He said, “We do not record anything.” He added, “Everything is created when you’re playing with it.” As a result, each sound shifts a little every time. However, Pikachu does not say its name like in the anime. It also does not use its video-game cry. Some fans love the fresh sound style. Other fans feel let down by it. So set your hopes right before you buy.
Screen-Free Core Play
Core play needs no phone or tablet. Kids just move the models and the brick reacts. That is a real plus in a screen-heavy toy market. Still, the LEGO SMART Assist app has a role. It covers settings, troubleshooting, and firmware updates. Older SMART Bricks from LEGO Star Wars sets need an app update first. But the brick in this All-in-One set already has the needed software. So most buyers can start play right out of the box.
A Brick That Grows With the Range
The SMART Brick is reusable. It works with future SMART Play sets built for the system. That makes this set a smart first buy if you plan to add more sets. For example, a Compatible set like Berry Bash adds new scenes and tags. Your existing brick then powers the new play. In other words, you buy the tech once and expand the fun later.
LEGO Pokémon Training House Pricing Explained
The listed price for set 72164 is $69.99. That is the LEGO US recommended price. Target also lists the set at $69.99. Note that the Target figure is Target-only evidence. It is not an Amazon price claim. Amazon prices can change, so check the live listing before you buy. At the time of writing, no Amazon star rating or review count could be verified. So this review gives no Amazon buyer rating. The 4.2/5 rating here is my own editorial rating from research. It is not a buyer average, and it is not based on personal use.
Full-Cost Summary
- LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Training House with Pikachu (72164): $69.99.
- No subscription is stated for the core play.
- Optional Compatible sets in the same wave: $14.99 to $119.99 each.
- Optional larger All-in-One set (Charizard vs. Jolteon, 72167): $119.99.
- Shipping and tax vary by retailer and by your location.
- Total cost for this set alone: $69.99 plus any shipping and tax.
At about 17.5 cents per piece, the price is high for 400 pieces. The premium pays for the SMART Brick, the charger, and the tags. So judge the value on the interactive play, not on piece count alone.
Pros and Cons
The Pros
- Complete All-in-One starter kit with SMART Brick, charger, and 4 SMART Tags included.
- Screen-free core play — no phone or tablet needed for the interactive play itself.
- Interactive light and sound responses that react to feeding, training, and battling.
- Reusable SMART Brick that also powers future Compatible SMART Play sets.
- Charming, detailed build with a treehouse, Poké Ball, sandwich, and training dummy.
The Cons
- Premium price — $69.99 for 400 pieces is high next to plain LEGO sets.
- Synthesized sounds only — no classic game cry and no anime-style spoken name.
- Reported short play time per charge (around 45 minutes, per one press report, not an official spec).
- App still needed for settings, troubleshooting, and firmware updates.
Who Should Buy LEGO Pokémon Training House?
Best For
- Kids aged 6 and up who love Pokémon and hands-on building.
- Parents who want interactive play without a screen.
- Families who plan to add more SMART Play sets later.
- Gift buyers who want a complete kit in one box.
Not For
- Buyers who want the classic game cry or the anime voice.
- Older builders who want a large, complex display model.
- Shoppers on a tight budget who judge value by piece count.
- Parents who want zero app contact of any kind.
LEGO Pokémon Training House vs Alternatives
Vs Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167)
The Charizard vs. Jolteon set costs $119.99 and holds 751 pieces. It suits ages 8 and up. It also includes two SMART Bricks and two figures. So it gives bigger battles and more tech. But it costs $50 more than the Training House. In short, pick the Training House to start small. Pick Charizard vs. Jolteon for bigger battles.
Vs Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof (72155)
Berry Bash costs $19.99 and holds 240 pieces. It suits ages 7 and up. But it is a Compatible set, so it has no SMART Brick. You need a brick from an All-in-One set to unlock its smart play. So Berry Bash is a great second set. It is not a good first set on its own.
Vs MEGA Pokémon Kits
MEGA Pokémon kits cost less in many cases. For example, Target lists MEGA Pikachu kits from $26.99. They build cute Pokémon figures from bricks. But they have no SMART Brick system. They give no light and sound responses. So MEGA wins on price. LEGO SMART Play wins on interactive play.
My Exclusive LEGO Pokémon Training House Bonus
When you pick up this set through my link, I am adding one original bonus I created specifically to complement this set — not a recycled freebie:
Bonus 1: LEGO Pokémon Training House — Building & Play Guide for Parents — a short guide that covers SMART Brick setup, age guidance, play ideas, and care tips for the set.
⬇️ Download Bonus 1: Building & Play Guide for Parents (PDF)
Click the download button above to get the bonus instantly — no forms, no waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LEGO Pokémon Training House a scam or legit?
It is legit. LEGO and The Pokémon Company made it together. It launched on August 1, 2026, through LEGO, Pokémon Center, and major retailers. The SMART Brick tech is real and press reviewers have tested it hands-on. So there is no scam here. Just weigh the price and the sound style before you buy.
Do I need a phone or tablet to play?
No, not for core play. Kids move the models and the brick reacts on its own. The SMART Assist app is only for settings, updates, and troubleshooting. So daily play stays screen-free.
How long does the SMART Brick play per charge?
One press report puts play at around 45 minutes per wireless charge. LEGO has not stated an official battery time in the press material I found. So treat 45 minutes as a reported figure, not a confirmed spec. The set includes a SMART Charger for recharging.
What age is the Training House for?
LEGO rates it for ages 6 and up. The 400-piece build suits young builders with some help. Older kids may finish it fast, so pair it with play time, not just build time.
Does the SMART Brick work with other LEGO Pokémon sets?
Yes. The brick works with SMART Play sets built for the system. Compatible sets add new scenes and tags. Your brick from this set powers them. So the tech grows as your collection grows.
Does Pikachu say its name or use its game cry?
No. The brick makes synthesized sounds live as you play. It does not play the game cry. It also does not speak Pikachu’s name like in the anime. Each sound varies a little each time, which keeps play fresh.
Final Verdict: Is LEGO Pokémon Training House Worth It?
Rating: 4.2/5
Buy it if: you want a complete, screen-free, interactive LEGO Pokémon starter kit, and you like the idea of a reacting Pikachu.
Skip it if: you want the classic cry or anime voice, a big display build, or the lowest price per piece.
In the end, the Training House earns its score on charm and smart play. It loses points on price and on sound hopes. For a first LEGO Pokémon set, it is still the best entry point in the range. Just buy it for what it is: a fun playset, not a collector showpiece.
✍️ My Personal Verdict
From my research, this is the LEGO Pokémon set I would point a new family toward first. I like that the box holds everything, so there is no hidden tech to buy later. I also like that core play needs no screen, since that is rare in smart toys today. Still, I would warn any buyer about two things up front. First, the price feels high for 400 pieces, even with the tech inside. Second, the synthesized sounds will thrill some kids and disappoint some adult fans. On balance, the fun and the reusable brick win out for me. That is why I rate it 4.2 out of 5, with eyes open about its limits.
Get LEGO Pokémon Training House on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and keeps the reviews free. Prices and availability can change, so please check the live listing before you buy. All views here are my own, based on public product information and press coverage.
