We Build LEGO Pokémon Pikachu: A surprisingly enjoyable construct.

There is not any Pokémon extra iconic to the franchise than Pikachu, and whereas this set’s first photos weren’t as spectacular as I’d hoped, I’ve modified my thoughts after constructing it and seeing it up shut. As I stare upon it sitting on my shelf surrounded by different Pokémon plushes, statues, and quite a few different Pokémon collectibles, I’ve to confess that it appears to be like nice! Is it excellent? No, however man, it’s a really welcome addition to my assortment.

With Pokémon celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, it’s the right time to construct this newest collaboration and return to the collection’ roots, though Pikachu wouldn’t be a selectable starter till Pokémon Yellow’s 1997/1998 launch. LEGO supplied IGN with a evaluation set for a check construct, and I used to be excited and lucky sufficient to be the one to place it collectively. This 2,050-piece construct took me round six hours to finish, which was lengthy sufficient to revisit Pokémon: The First Movie (that large last second nonetheless brings tears to my eyes), Detective Pikachu, and a few different Pokémon films that have been obtainable to stream.

In the sooner steps, I used to be confused as to why our favourite little yellow mouse had so many vibrant pinks, teals, and different non-Pikachu-specific colours whereas constructing. However, as I completed the steps and his torso started to take form, I spotted all the extra colours can be hidden within the last construct, and have been there to make piecing collectively the within simpler.

It confirmed me how far LEGO has are available in lowering problems and making bigger builds sooner to finish. I couldn’t assist however smile after hitting main milestones within the construct, and had the largest one of all of them after I settled Pikachu into his last resting place surrounded by the plastic lightning, making his motion pose much more dynamic.

The largest downside to this LEGO Pikachu set is the $199.99 price ticket; it isn’t a lot bigger (size-wise) than its extra inexpensive counterpart, Eevee, and it doesn’t really feel as epic because the far more costly Kanto starters set. Pikachu’s set comes with 16 baggage. The first 9 construct the electrical mouse #25 (National Pokédex) himself, whereas the remaining seven construct his Poke Ball and the bottom to connect him to. The instruction guide is identical as the opposite Pokémon units and comes with a Pokédex entry for Pikachu, in addition to a glance again on his historical past with the franchise, which was enjoyable to remind myself of how far he and this franchise have come. Steps are effectively organized all through the constructing course of, and whereas the primary few steps could look nothing like Pikachu, they rapidly take form as you progress into the center steps.

Similar to the Eevee construct, as you progress, you’ll assemble sections, leaving small pockets open to finally connect its articulable arms, legs, ears, and tail. Pikachu’s construct begins with the interior parts of his torso, neck, and head, then provides the exterior rounded items to present him his iconic look. His lightning bolt-shaped tail and base have been the highlights of the construct for me, and so they look nice in LEGO kind, accentuating Pikachu’s design. These steps have been the best elements of the construct, however they have been additionally essentially the most satisfying for me. Pikachu additionally options a couple of enjoyable, swappable elements that may simply be adjusted for a brand new look. Swapping a hinge contained in the pokeball converts it from open to closed. Pikachu can stand on his personal or connect to his slanted stand (my choice), and you’ll swap the endcap items on Pikachu’s tail, swapping between heart-shaped (feminine) and pointed (male).

While not excellent, Pikachu’s toes are surprisingly pose-able to assist with balancing him. Just take precautions throughout the construct, as a result of mine did take a tumble or two. His arms, nonetheless, are restricted to vertical mobility and are susceptible to detaching in the event you attempt to alter them too far exterior that vary. The excellent news is they’re extraordinarily simple to reattach ought to that happen, because it did to me a couple of instances whereas rotating to connect new items.

His ears are additionally implausible for articulation, as they are often rotated and angled freely, permitting you to rapidly change his look. I solely want the set had a couple of extra alternate items, like his mouth, to vary his expression. There have been only some steps all through the construct course of that gave me some hassle, and certainly one of them was attaching the one spherical items to the middle of one other spherical piece. This made sense as one of many final phrases that involves thoughts for me after I hear the phrase LEGO is spherical, which made these problems comprehensible.

The last portion of most steps is adorning Pikachu with items that assist distinguish him from another pile of yellow bricks. Thankfully, Pikachu’s eyes and mouth are printed on items, so no worries about ruining a set with a barely misplaced sticker or something of that nature. The eyes and mouth are each singular items to connect whereas his cheeks are a easy mixture of items to present them their rounded look.

After finishing Pikachu himself, the final issues to construct are his Poké Ball and lightning bolt-shaped stand, which made up the final seven baggage of items. Though that is 40% of the baggage, it is also crammed with numerous bigger flat items and was the quickest a part of the construct. This was nice as a result of I constructed it in two sittings, making attending to the end line simpler and all of the extra pleasurable.

Pikachu might not be my favourite Pokémon (Bulbasaur, you already know, I needed to embrace him in right here not less than as soon as), but it surely was nonetheless an extremely enjoyable construct and a beautiful addition to my assortment. Each step after the primary few clearly showcases what you are constructing, from the memorable stripes on its again to its lightning-bolt-shaped tail. For those that love Pikachu, I feel that is a straightforward suggestion when you’ve got the money to spare. The photos and advertising don’t actually do that one justice; it is a type of units that look significantly better in individual.

Jada Griffin is IGN’s Community Lead. If she’s not partaking with customers right here, likelihood is she’s creating her personal video games, maxing the Luck stat in her favourite video games, or difficult her D&D gamers with Intense fight or masterful puzzles. You can observe her on Bluesky @jadarina.bsky.social