The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Experience runs Sept. 26–27 at Americana at Brand in Glendale, where visitors can test screen-free builds whose SMART Bricks trigger lights and sounds. It then heads to Phoenix Oct. 3–4 and Dallas Oct. 10–11.
Marketed to ages 6–12, the experience runs in groups of eight. Visitors choose Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Pikachu or Eevee, then feed and train their Pokémon using SMART Tags that trigger lights and sounds. They battle one another through connected chips without the toys colliding, then enter a free-play lounge. The reviewer says the seven-year-old who accompanied them enjoyed caring for and training Pikachu.
At Glendale, hours are 11 a.m.–6 p.m. both days, though the line may close early based on capacity. Participants may get a free, limited-quantity Poké Ball SMART Tag Case by showing their event flyer at the LEGO Store at Glendale Galleria on Sept. 26–27, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The review flags charging as a limitation: chargers are not sold separately and, it says, are available only with the Training House with Pikachu or Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle sets; SMART Bricks also work with LEGO Star Wars SMART Play chargers.
