From Poké Balls to Barrels: LEGO's Nintendo Universe Keeps Growing

LEGO Pokémon 72153 Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise lifestyle press photo showing the completed build

Three Pokémon Smart Brick Play Sets Leak for August

The Smart Brick expansion of LEGO's Pokémon line arrived via the accidental route: a Belgian retailer posted product images early, and three unrevealed play sets are now public. Per StoneWars, the sets are due in August with Smart Play compatibility. Set names and pricing remain unconfirmed.

Coverage · 3 sources ▸

9to5Toys LEGO Justin Kahn

Three unannounced LEGO Pokémon sets leak online with Smart Brick functionality

Promobricks DE Michael

New LEGO Pokemon sets also with Smart Brick

StoneWars DE Jens Herwig

LEGO Pokémon: Leak shows first "Smart Play" compatible sets

Minty Take

The first LEGO Pokémon wave was display builds for collectors. Smart Brick play sets are a different tier, aimed younger and interactive. If this wave lands, LEGO has a full Pokémon range: collector pieces at the top, connected play at the base. That's a complete product strategy on one of the biggest IPs in the world.

LEGO 71424 Donkey Kong's Tree House Expansion Set product image

LEGO Donkey Kong Teaser Drops With Zero Warning

No leaks, no rumors: LEGO's own social channels dropped a Donkey Kong teaser Thursday with a barrel-rolling animation and the tagline 'Rolling Soon.' Jay's Brick Blog notes it may connect to DK's classic arcade debut. After a Super Mario cameo, this looks like a standalone theme.

Coverage · 2 sources ▸

Jay's Brick Blog Jay Ong

A LEGO Donkey Kong theme teaser drops out of nowhere!

Bricks Fanz Adam White

A New LEGO Donkey Kong Set Teased

Minty Take

LEGO's Nintendo partnership started with Super Mario, then expanded to Pokémon. A standalone Donkey Kong theme, separate from the Mario line, says this is becoming a Nintendo franchise strategy. The barrel-rolling teaser with no prior leaks is also notable: LEGO orchestrated a proper surprise, which has become genuinely rare.

Also Happening

Minas Tirith: Minifigures Compared, GWP Controversy Examined

StoneWars compared each 11377 Minas Tirith minifigure to its film counterpart from the Peter Jackson trilogy.

Coverage · 2 sources ▸

StoneWars DE Philip Erpenbeck

The minifigures in the LEGO Minas Tirith (11377) and their film counterparts from "The Lord of the Rings"

Building Together

Why Lego Lord of the Rings Gifts with Purchase are So Controversial

Blocks Issue 140: Mandalorian and Grogu on the Cover

Issue 140 leads with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, featuring designer interviews on the Razor Crest and Anzellan Starship sets.

Coverage · 3 sources ▸

Brickset Huw

Blocks magazine issue 140 out soon

Blocks Magazine Tom Saunders

LEGO magazine celebrates Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Bricks Fanz Adam White

Blocks Magazine Issue 140 Preview

LEGO Disney Main Street USA Revealed to Mixed Reactions

LEGO Disney 43302 Main Street USA is official: 3,899 pieces, 16 minifigures with exclusive torsos across three buildings, $400, June 1.

Coverage · 3 sources ▸

Promobricks DE Michael

LEGO Disney 43302 Main Street USA

Promobricks DE Michael

Six LEGO sets for Disney Park fans

just2good

The LEGO Disneyland Set is a Disappointment

First look at the next LEGO Star Wars AT-AT (75454)? LEGO children's video shows new minifigures StoneWars Buildable World Cup champion star: LEGO building instructions Promobricks Celebrate Blocks Issue 140 with an exclusive LEGO Star Wars subscription offer Blocks Magazine BMW Offers Sneak Peek At New Speed Champions Set Bricks Fanz LEGO Brick Separators Are Taking Over the World! BrickNerd LEGO Batman Drops Into LEGO Fortnite Bricks Fanz LEGO Batman - Legacy of the Dark Knight: Regular version will be released the day after tomorrow, deluxe edition already available StoneWars When the Bricks Won’t Click: Tackling Creative Burnout in the LEGO Hobby BrickNerd

Bricksie

LEGO Town Hall Placed! Layout Additions & Complications

Stud City

Every 2020 LEGO Ninjago set

Held der Steine

Lego does not win a fair comparison: Mattel is much better

Held der Steine

Mattel leads Lego - 300SL model against Shelby Cobra test

TD Bricks

POOR vs RICH in LEGO...

Stud City

Why WhatNot is Trash...Throwing Away LEGO Boxes? | Stud City Unhinged 027

Block Party

LEGO Fans Have Forgotten How To Enjoy Sets

Bricksie

DAY OF RECKONING! Smashing LEGO Mountains & Parting out Everything!

Block Party

AD | This cyberpunk gaming display looks incredible when it lights up 🤯🎮

Stud City

Will PSA Grade Minifigures??

Brick Clicker

NEW LEGO LEAKS! (Ideas, Pokemon, DC, Architecture & MORE!)

New Reviews

Spider-Man Brand New Day Summer Sets in Early Reviews

Six reviews cover three June 1 sets. Ashnflash and just2good both hit 76350 Spider-Man vs.

Coverage · 6 sources ▸

Bricks Fanz Adam White

76350: Spider-Man Vs. Hulk Epic Clash Set Review

Ashnflash

LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Hero Figure (76346) - 2026 Set Review & Comparison

Ashnflash

LEGO Spider-Man Prisoner Transport Chase (76349) - 2026 Set Review

Ashnflash

LEGO Marvel Spider-Man vs Hulk Epic Clash (76350) - 2026 Set Review

just2good

The LEGO Spider-Man Tombstone Set is a Rip-Off...

just2good

Summer 2026 LEGO Spider-Man vs Hulk REVIEW!

LEGO Marvel S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier REVIEW | Set 76354 Solid Brix Studios Review: 72050 Mario Kart™ – Luigi & Mach 8 from LEGO® Super Mario™ New Elementary If you don't like Yoda, it's a great set: LEGO® Star Wars 75438 Yoda bust Held der Steine Can't compete in the market, but not bad for LEGO®: Creator 10357 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C Held der Steine LEGO Editions Vini Jr. (43027) Review The Brick Fan

New in the Community

BDP 11: Dwarf Stronghold Brickset Heart sets: LEGO 6709 Chief from 1997 & LEGO 6712 Sheriff and Bandit from 1996 StoneWars Bricklink Designer Program Series 11 - My Top Picks! RacingBrick

Trend Watch

Nintendo's LEGO Universe Is Expanding Beyond Mario

Super Mario arrived in 2020. Pokémon followed in 2025 with a different product model: high piece count, display builds, collector buyers. Donkey Kong now surfaces as a third approach. The momentum is clear. If LEGO and Nintendo keep expanding franchise by franchise, the community will immediately start speculating about which major Nintendo IP comes next.

The Disney Park Set Is Now a Category, Not a One-Off

LEGO's Disney park sub-line now runs three large sets, with Main Street USA (43302) the latest: 3,899 pieces, $400, June 1. Promobricks counts six Disney park-inspired LEGO sets total since 2016. The mixed reaction to Main Street confirms that fan expectations for the format are still calibrating. LEGO has committed to the category; now it has to manage what fans expect from it.

Big GWPs, Rising Standards: Fans Want More at $400

Minas Tirith (11377) shipped with Grond as its GWP, and the debate is live again. Building Together traced why LEGO Lord of the Rings GWPs have been contentious: scale, representation, value. The broader pattern: as LEGO flagship sets push toward $400, the GWP becomes a value signal, and the community is holding each one to a higher standard.

← Tuesday, May 19, 2026 All Briefs Friday, May 22, 2026 →