Pokémon Fans Have A Major Problem With The New Smart Play Lego Release

Pokémon fans have been blessed with a lot of cool things this year as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, but a recently announced Lego collaboration has some disappointed before it even releases. These Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets, which come out on August 1, 2026, are designed to be interactive. By incorporating Lego Smart Bricks, these toys react to how you play with them using lights, sounds, motion, and sensors to replicate a range of actions like training, battling, and even feeding your Pokémon. However, longtime fans have criticized the line for not using the Pokémon's in-game cries for audio effects.

The Lego Pokémon make distinct electronic noises, but fans argue they sound more like R2-D2 and other "Star Wars" droids than Pokémon, some of whom have (somewhat) scientifically plausible moves and abilities. An Instagram post from Lego reviewer Jay's Brick Blog shows off the Pokémon and how they interact with one another. For comparison, here's what Mewtwo, Gengar, and Charizard sound like in the games.

While it may seem like a small detail, those digital Pokémon cries mean as much to players as the Pokémon repeating their own names does to those who grew up on the anime. It's not uncommon for fans to recognize a Pokémon from just their cry, and there even are Reddit threads and online games devoted to the little sound effects.

That these sound effects originated from a game developed for a handheld released in 1989 makes it more baffling to fans, who have expressed their frustration on social media. One Reddit user slammed Lego, saying "They couldn't even replicate the s***ty [Game Boy] sounds?" Another said "I'm so tired of this d*** [Smart] brick," adding that, "if it can't even make a basic [Game Boy bit-crushed] Pikachu noise, then what is the point of buying it."

Pokémon sound effects aren't the only controversy that Smart Play has faced. In addition to Lego Smart Bricks having major limitations, the line's concept overall has been criticized by experts. Josh Golin of the organization Fairplay told the BBC they "undermine" the most important aspect of the toys, saying "children's Lego creations already do move and make noises through the power of children's imaginations." While designed to give kids a way to play without screens, "Lego bricks that play back," as the company calls them, are still adding technology to childhood in a way some find alarming.

That said, not everyone is disappointed in the upcoming Lego Pokémon line. TechRadar called the sets "simply perfect" after previewing all 12, noting you can leave off or remove the Smart Brick without undermining the overall design, an issue with past Smart Play products. They're also clearly meant for kids, who are far more likely to enjoy training and battling than to get upset that Charizard doesn't sound the same as it did in the '90s. The lack of actual Pokémon cries or interest in Smart Play may keep some fans and collectors away, but it'll probably still appeal to the target demographic.