LEGO Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown (72166): Worth It?
By Dexhaul Team · October 5, 2026
Worth it for Ghost-type fans and LEGO Pokémon collectors who already own a SMART Play All-in-One set. Skip it if you are buying in solely for the interactive SMART features without an All-in-One.
Set 72166 is a SMART Play Compatible set: the lights, sounds, and motion-based play require a SMART Brick from a separate All-in-One set. At $89.99 for 782 pieces, the standalone build value is solid. As a Halloween gift, it is the only set in the LEGO Pokémon lineup featuring Gengar, Pokémon's most beloved Ghost-type.
What your money buys
Set 72166 launched August 1, 2026, per the official LEGO SMART Play announcement (June 2026). It targets ages 8 and up and is labeled "SMART Play Compatible," not "SMART Play All-in-One." That distinction matters for your budget.
The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play system has two product tiers. All-in-One sets include the SMART Brick hub, which generates the interactive audio and motion responses. Compatible sets like 72166 include SMART Tags for the individual Pokémon, but they need the SMART Brick from an All-in-One set to activate those features.
If you own an All-in-One set such as the Training House with Pikachu (72164), plugging 72166 into the same SMART Brick unlocks the full experience. If you do not own one yet, you are looking at $89.99 plus $69.99, or $159.98 total, before the interactive layer turns on.
| Component | Standalone value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 782 LEGO pieces | ~$0.115/piece | Within the typical licensed-LEGO range of $0.10–$0.13/piece |
| Buildable Cubone figure | No standalone equivalent | Cubone (Ground-type, Gen 1) has very limited LEGO representation |
| Buildable Gengar figure | No standalone equivalent | Only Ghost-type Pokémon in the 2026 LEGO SMART Play lineup |
| SMART Tags (Cubone and Gengar) | No retail standalone | Activates interactive play when connected to any SMART Brick from an All-in-One set |
| Spooky diorama environment | Build-and-display functional | Displayable without the SMART Brick; the scene element pieces add to diorama value |
At MSRP and at today's prices
Multiple sellers list 72166 at its $89.99 MSRP as of October 5, 2026. One seller (Yachew) lists it at $108.00.
The set launched in August 2026, so it is still at or near launch pricing. The Training House with Pikachu (72164), the most available All-in-One entry point, lists at $69.99 at the same date.
| Seller | Price (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble | $89.99 | MSRP |
| The Brick Show Shop | $89.99 | MSRP |
| BAM Good Bricks | $89.99 | MSRP |
| Yachew | $108.00 | Above MSRP; check the listing before buying |
The SMART compatibility question
This is the only question that determines whether 72166 represents good value for your specific situation.
If you already own any LEGO Pokémon SMART Play All-in-One set, 72166 is a strong add-on. The SMART Brick in the All-in-One set recognizes the included Cubone and Gengar SMART Tags and triggers interactive sounds and motion responses. You get 782 pieces, two iconic Pokémon, and the full SMART experience for $89.99.
If you do not own an All-in-One set yet, the Training House with Pikachu (72164, $69.99) is the most accessible entry point currently in stock. Combined with 72166, that is $159.98 for the full interactive setup. Weigh that against your build-versus-display goal and whether you plan to expand the SMART Play collection further.
One thing worth noting: 72166 is the only set in the current LEGO Pokémon SMART Play range that features Ghost-type Pokémon. Every other set in the lineup pairs different character types. For a Halloween gift or a Ghost-type fan, there is no direct substitute in the LEGO Pokémon world right now.
Cheaper ways to the same thing
If budget is the primary concern, the SMART Play lineup includes smaller sets starting at $14.99. Those do not give you Gengar or Cubone, but they let you test the system without committing $89.99 first.
The Training House with Pikachu (72164) at $69.99 is an All-in-One set that works standalone and also unlocks compatible sets like 72166. It is the lower-cost entry point to the system if you want interactive features before adding the Spooky Showdown.
For collectors looking at other LEGO Pokémon sets across the 2026 lineup, the adult display sets (Eevee 72151 at $59.99, Arcanine 72160 at $109.99, and Rayquaza 72168 at $129.99) offer no interactive features but are higher piece-count static display builds aimed at an older audience.
Who should buy it
Buy 72166 if you are a Gengar fan with no substitute option in the LEGO Pokémon range. It is the only current way to get a LEGO-built Gengar, and the Halloween window (through October 31) makes timing clear.
Buy it if you are expanding an existing SMART Play collection. The system rewards owners who add sets over time, and 72166 unlocks more character variety without buying a new SMART Brick.
Skip it if your goal is pure display. The adult display-tier sets (Eevee, Arcanine, Rayquaza) are designed from the ground up as shelf-display pieces with higher piece counts for the same or only slightly higher price. The Spooky Showdown is a play set that displays nicely, not a display set that plays.
This is also a solid Halloween gift pick for a child ages 8 and up who is into Pokémon. Gengar is one of the original 151 Pokémon and has a near-universal recognition factor.
The spooky diorama format matches the season, and the build keeps kids engaged for a few hours. Check current pricing before buying: some listings sit above the $89.99 MSRP observed on October 5, 2026.
For the Q4 gift window, compare it with options across the full LEGO Pokémon building-set range on DexHaul, which includes the complete SMART Play lineup from multiple independent shops. You can also find seasonal gift ideas across all budgets in the Pokémon 2026 holiday gift guide.
FAQ
Does LEGO Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown 72166 include the SMART Brick?
No. Set 72166 is a SMART Play Compatible set: it includes SMART Tags for Cubone and Gengar but not the SMART Brick hub. You need the SMART Brick from a SMART Play All-in-One set, such as the Training House with Pikachu (72164, $69.99), to use the interactive features.
How many pieces are in LEGO Pokémon set 72166?
Set 72166 contains 782 pieces. At its $89.99 MSRP, that works out to approximately $0.115 per piece, within the normal range for licensed LEGO sets.
What ages is the Spooky Showdown set designed for?
LEGO recommends set 72166 for ages 8 and up. The SMART Play interactive features add a digital play layer on top of the standard LEGO build, making it suitable for both building fans and kids interested in the light-and-sound features.
Is there a cheaper entry point to the LEGO Pokémon SMART Play system?
Yes. The SMART Play lineup includes sets starting at $14.99, though those feature different Pokémon. The Training House with Pikachu (72164) is the lowest-priced All-in-One set confirmed in stock at $69.99, and it doubles as the SMART Brick source for compatible sets like 72166.
Is set 72166 worth it as a display piece without the SMART features?
Yes, with caveats. The 782-piece set builds a complete spooky diorama featuring Cubone and Gengar, and it displays well on a shelf. If interactive play is not a goal, it competes on piece count and character selection: Gengar has no other current LEGO representation in the Pokémon range.
Find the full LEGO Pokémon SMART Play lineup alongside every other Pokémon building set in stock right now at DexHaul's building sets collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, searching products from independent shops so you can compare before you buy.