What works without a SMART Brick
Umbreon and Garchomp are fully buildable and posable, and the set includes a large Poké Ball and trophy for championship role play. That physical play does not disappear if the family does not own a SMART Brick.
What needs another set
The electronic SMART Play layer does require a SMART Brick. Set 72165 includes two SMART Tags but no Brick. LEGO currently directs buyers to All-in-One sets such as Pikachu Training House 72164 or Charizard vs. Jolteon 72167 to supply the hardware.
Best fit
This is strongest for an older Pokémon fan who already owns SMART Play hardware or cares enough about Umbreon/Garchomp to enjoy the 831-piece model without electronics. For a first purchase, its apparent $79.99 price understates total system cost if interactive play is the goal.
Screen and AI classification
The core build is screen-free. With a SMART Brick added, interaction still does not require a child-facing phone or tablet. We do not classify the set as generative AI; its responsive behavior comes from SMART Tags and the SMART Brick.
Strengths
- 831-piece build
- Two large posable Pokémon
- Works as a physical display/play set without electronics
- Current LEGO US availability
Tradeoffs
- No SMART Brick included
- Interactive ownership cost is higher than box price alone
- Age 10+ narrows the audience
- Large LEGO build requires storage space
Verdict
72165 is a strong expansion for a family already inside SMART Play. It is a weaker first purchase if the main reason for buying is responsive lights and sounds, because those features require hardware from another set.
Compare all reviewed Pokémon SMART Play sets →