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Lego Pokmon Smart Play review: Brick tech reaches new heights with TV tie-in

Lego chiefs return with more of their Smart Bricks and this time its a tie-in with the Pokmon cartoon franchise to get you battling Charizards with Pikachu

[The Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set]

The Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set

The clever boffins at Lego are back with more of their Smart Bricks and this time its a tie-in with the Pokmon cartoon franchise that really starts to take this fledgling tech to the next level.

Smart Bricks are basically USB chargeable 4x2 Lego bricks that wor like normal Legos but also interact with tags placed on a build, producing lights and sounds unique to that tags design.

So, for example, kids building their own Pikachu from one of the 12 new sets on offer in this series can interact with their blocky toy critter by feeding him a Smart Brick sandwich, triggering an eating sound from the tag sitting on the squared grub.

They can even get a joyful laugh from a Charizard if they tickle it. Words you dont heard often enough.

Its all abbout merging that classic Lego building playtime fun with modern technology to bring toys to life without the need for any screens.

Thats something we can all get behind as parents.

I and my kids gave two of the sets a good go, the Training House with Pikachu (59.99) and the Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set (109.99).

[There are 751 pieces to this set, so plenty for the kids to get building ]

There are 751 pieces to this set, so plenty for the kids to get building

These two lead the pack with brilliant colourful builds picked straight out of the popular Pokemon cartoons.

The cute Pikachu set is 400 pieces and comes with a Pikachu-inspired tree house to make, the character himself, training items, a Pok Ball and of course that buildable sandwich to feed him.

This is great for younger Lego fans who want smaller, more bitesize buildable elements to put together.

Theres only one Smart Brick here but its enough to bring Pikachu to life with lots of critter noises as you train him up for battle and shake him to wake him.

On the Charizard vs. Jolteon set, you get a much more meatier build for older kids over eight with 751 pieces in the box and two Smart Bricks to charge on the yellow USB pad that comes in each kit.

Kids can play like Pokmon Trainers as they catch, bond and train for battle with two of their favourite characters from the franchise.

All the sets interact, so the kids had great fun with a beastie in hand, battling it out as the Smart Bricks respond to the battle and produced fighting noises before declaring a winner.

Its brilliant fun and produced plenty of school holiday rivalry between my pair as they fought it out after nurturing and training their different Pokemon.

[The Pikachu training house set is a little more manageable for smaller fingers ]

The Pikachu training house set is a little more manageable for smaller fingers

Other sets in the series include builds of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Gengar, Eevee and Mew.

Julia Goldin, of the Lego group, said of the sets: We are thrilled to bring together two beloved brands that are known worldwide.

For the first time ever, Lego Pokmon creatures respond to childrens actions: meaning fans can build, train and interact with their Lego Pokmon creatures through hands-on, imaginative play that encourages creativity, confidence and storytelling.

Smart Play is an expansion of our existing Lego System-in-Play and we are excited to integrate it into our latest Pokmon sets.

Its all about inviting children to explore, experiment and bring their own ideas to their adventures!

Gaku Susai, of The Pokmon Company International, added: Pokmon has always been about the joy of discovery and connection, and we see every day how powerful imagination can be when its nurtured and given the space to grow.

Working with the Lego Group and its Smart Brick technology brings those shared values to life in a new, interactive way.

Together, were giving young Trainers a handson way to engage with the world of Pokmon, as well as opening up new possibilities for a new generation of fans.

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