When LEGO announced a Pokemon collaboration, the internet collectively lost its mind. Two of the most beloved brands in the world finally crossing paths felt inevitable and impossible at the same time. Forums exploded. Wishlists were updated. Wallets trembled.
But hype is a dangerous thing. It can set expectations so high that even a great product feels disappointing. So now that the dust has settled and the sets are on shelves, we need to ask the real question: are these sets actually worth your money, or are they riding the Pokemon name straight into mediocrity?
We have reviewed all three LEGO Pokemon sets - the massive Pikachu sculpture, the charming Eevee and Its Evolutions collection, and the epic Kanto Starter Pokemon display. Here is the honest breakdown.
| Set | Pieces | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikachu (72152) | 2,050 | 8.80 | Statement piece |
| Eevee and Its Evolutions (72151) | 587 | 8.50 | Collection display |
| Kanto Starter Pokemon (72153) | 6,838 | 8.30 | Weekend project |
Three very different approaches to the same license. LEGO did not just slap Pokemon on a City set and call it a day. Each set targets a different builder and a different budget. That alone is worth noting.
This is the headliner, and it delivers. The Pikachu sculpture stands roughly 12 inches tall and immediately reads as Pikachu from across the room. That sounds obvious, but brick-built characters can go very wrong very fast. LEGO nailed the proportions - the rounded cheeks, the lightning bolt tail, the wide-eyed expression that has been selling merchandise for three decades.
The build itself is satisfying in a way that large sculptures often are not. Instead of repetitive stacking, there are genuinely clever techniques used to get the organic curves right. The ears alone use some interesting angle work that will have experienced builders nodding in appreciation. At 2,050 pieces, it hits a sweet spot - big enough to feel substantial, not so big that it becomes a slog.
Where it truly shines is on display. This is a conversation starter. Put it on a shelf, a desk, a bookcase - people notice it. Pokemon fans lose their minds. Even non-LEGO people want to pick it up and look at it. That crossover appeal is rare in the LEGO world.
The only real knock is that it is purely a sculpture. There is no play function, no hidden compartment, no alternate build. You are paying for a display piece, full stop. If that is what you want, this is one of the best character sculptures LEGO has produced.
If you want the most Pokemon per dollar, this is your set. Nine builds in one box - Eevee plus all eight of its evolutions. Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon all get their own brick-built figure, and the character recognition on most of them is surprisingly strong.
Each figure is small, roughly palm-sized, but that works in its favor. You can display all nine together on a shelf without needing to dedicate an entire room to them. The color differentiation is excellent - you can tell each evolution apart at a glance, which is exactly what a display like this needs.
The builds are quick - expect 20 to 30 minutes per figure - making this a great set to work through over a few evenings. It also works as a set you can share with someone, each person building a few evolutions.
Some of the smaller figures do suffer from the brick-built limitations. At this scale, certain evolutions lose some of their defining features. Glaceon and Leafeon in particular feel a little generic compared to their game counterparts. But as a collection, displayed together, the effect is charming and unmistakably Pokemon.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. The original three. Nearly 7,000 pieces. This should be the crown jewel of the Pokemon lineup, and in many ways it is - but it comes with some caveats that keep it from the top spot.
The good: these are large, detailed sculptures that look incredible on display. Charmander's tail flame uses some beautiful transparent orange and yellow work. Bulbasaur's bulb has layered textures that reward close inspection. Squirtle's shell is structurally clever. When all three are displayed together, the visual impact is significant.
The less good: at nearly 7,000 pieces spread across three builds, this is a serious time commitment. Each character takes several hours, and the middle sections of each build can feel repetitive as you fill in the interior structure. This is not unusual for large sculptures, but it is worth knowing going in. The price point also puts this firmly in the "special occasion" category.
The score of 8.30 reflects that slight gap between ambition and execution. The individual character builds do not quite reach the polish of the Pikachu sculpture, and you are essentially paying premium prices for three mid-sized builds rather than one large cohesive set. For hardcore Gen 1 fans, none of that matters - these are your starters rendered in LEGO, and that alone justifies the purchase. For everyone else, make sure you have the shelf space and the patience.
Yes - with an asterisk. These are not lazy cash grabs riding a popular license. LEGO put genuine design effort into all three sets, and it shows. The Pikachu sculpture in particular stands with the best character builds LEGO has ever done.
But "worth the hype" depends on what you are buying and why. Here is how to decide:
Pokemon sets are popular, and popular sets go out of stock. If you are waiting for a price drop or want to know when a set is about to retire, GameSetBrick can help.
Market Prices: See real-time pricing across retailers so you know if you are getting a fair deal.
Wishlist: Add all three Pokemon sets and get notified when prices change.
Retiring Soon Tracker: Pokemon sets will not last forever. Know when to buy before they disappear.
Learn more about these features:
- Market Prices and Deal Scores - never overpay for a set
- Wishlist and Sharing - build your Pokemon collection list
- Retiring Sets Tracker - buy before they are gone
What excites me most about these sets is not the sets themselves - it is what they represent. LEGO has proven they can handle the Pokemon license with care and creativity. If these sell well (and early numbers suggest they will), we could see Legendary Pokemon, regional starters, maybe even brick-built Pokeball displays down the line.
For now, the three sets on offer range from very good to excellent. The hype was justified. The real question is not whether these sets are worth buying - it is which one you are buying first.
For more gift-worthy and family-friendly recommendations, see our best LEGO sets for kids by age guide, and for the top picks across all themes, the best LEGO sets for adults in 2026 ranking covers the full landscape. Check out all of our LEGO reviews for more honest, detailed breakdowns of the sets that matter.