This article discusses the new Lego Pokémon sets that are set to be released in 2025, with a focus on their appeal to adult collectors rather than children. The author notes that the sets are designed as display pieces aimed at adult collectors and are priced accordingly, with some sets selling for hundreds of dollars.
The article also mentions that the Lego company has launched an "Adults Welcome" campaign, which directly targets grown-up customers. However, it is unclear whether this will lead to more accessible sets for younger fans or casual adult collectors in the future.
Some potential new sets have been rumored, including a "Smart Play: Pikachu's House" set that incorporates Lego's new Smart Play Brick technology and is priced at around $70. This set could potentially be a link between Pokémon fans young and old, as the Smart Play line is designed for all ages.
The author also quotes Katriina Heljakka, a senior researcher of toy and play cultures at the University of Turku and Tampere University in Finland, who notes that licensed collectibles risk being perceived as display pieces for solitary play rather than as tools for shared play. She also emphasizes the importance of intergenerational play, which she says is one of the few remaining spaces where digital-native kids and analog-nostalgic adults can collaborate creatively without screens mediating the experience.
Overall, the article suggests that Lego's new Pokémon sets may be seen as catering primarily to adult collectors rather than children, and that this strategy may have both benefits and drawbacks.
The article also mentions that the Lego company has launched an "Adults Welcome" campaign, which directly targets grown-up customers. However, it is unclear whether this will lead to more accessible sets for younger fans or casual adult collectors in the future.
Some potential new sets have been rumored, including a "Smart Play: Pikachu's House" set that incorporates Lego's new Smart Play Brick technology and is priced at around $70. This set could potentially be a link between Pokémon fans young and old, as the Smart Play line is designed for all ages.
The author also quotes Katriina Heljakka, a senior researcher of toy and play cultures at the University of Turku and Tampere University in Finland, who notes that licensed collectibles risk being perceived as display pieces for solitary play rather than as tools for shared play. She also emphasizes the importance of intergenerational play, which she says is one of the few remaining spaces where digital-native kids and analog-nostalgic adults can collaborate creatively without screens mediating the experience.
Overall, the article suggests that Lego's new Pokémon sets may be seen as catering primarily to adult collectors rather than children, and that this strategy may have both benefits and drawbacks.
... I mean, don't get me wrong, who doesn't love Pikachu? But at the same time, it feels like they're pricing out the very kids who grew up with Pokémon in the first place. It's all about intergenerational play and collaboration, but what if that means you can only afford a $70 set because your parents won't spring for a $500 one?
! I mean, who says adults can't enjoy a little nostalgia with their kid-friendly friends? It's awesome that Lego is embracing its adult fanbase and making sets that are actually worth investing in (like, literally hundreds of dollars 
). And can we talk about how cool it is that they're incorporating smart tech into some of these sets? Like, Smart Play: Pikachu's House sounds like so much fun! 
I'm hoping this trend leads to more sets that bring people together, whether it's through playdates or just geeking out with fellow fans. We need more intergenerational playtime in our lives, you know? 
but at the same time, the fact that they're targeting adults as collectors is kinda genius, you know? it's like, the company's recognizing that we're all still huge fans of Pokémon even if our kids are too cool for it now 
and I gotta say, Katriina Heljakka's point about intergenerational play is SO true... as much as we're glued to our screens, there's still something special about creating together w/ the people who grew up w/ us 
I'm so over these new "Adults Welcome" campaigns from companies like Lego 
. They think they're being clever by pricing their sets in the hundreds of dollars 
. And don't even get me started on how they're trying to convince us that these sets are for everyone... please 
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to make a Pikachu set with some fancy "Smart Play" tech? 
It's just another example of companies catering to the rich and leaving out the rest of us 
! But at the same time, I do worry about it being too pricey for younger fans. My nephew loves Pokémon and I think he'd love something like this, but $70 is kinda steep even for me 
! Also, I really feel what Katriina Heljakka is saying about intergenerational play - my friends' kids and us old folks playing together is like the best thing ever 
. We should totes have more of that in our lives 
. Those $70+ sets are def worth it for the nostalgia and display value alone 
where you can build and play with friends from different generations. That'd be pretty cool 
. That sounds like a pretty awesome way to spend time with our loved ones. And maybe, just maybe, we can learn from each other's ways, too.
. but at the same time, it's hard to shake the feelin' that we're just passin' on the torch to a whole new generation of collectors and fans... what happens when they get bored or lose interest? 
.
I love how it incorporates technology for all ages. My niece (who's 8) loves Pokémon and would totally be into that set with me playing together - intergenerational play at its finest!
anyway, the smart play technology sounds interesting... and katriina heljakka makes some really valid points about intergenerational play 
like we need more spaces where kids & adults can collaborate without screens 
