LEGO Pokémon Training House with Pikachu vs Mewtwo's Lab Break (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 22, 2026 · 6 min read
Two of the best-value sets in the LEGO Pokémon SMART Play line cost exactly the same: $69.99 each, for both Training House with Pikachu (72164) and Mewtwo's Lab Break (72163).
Buy Training House with Pikachu if this is your first LEGO SMART Play set. Buy Mewtwo's Lab Break if you already own an All-In-One set and want more pieces and a Legendary Pokémon centerpiece.
That verdict comes down to one critical difference: 72164 includes the SMART Brick hub that powers every interactive feature, while 72163 does not. Read on to understand exactly what that means before you check out.
On this page 5 sections
At a glance
| Training House with Pikachu (72164) | Mewtwo's Lab Break (72163) | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $69.99 (observed Oct 22, 2026) | $69.99 (observed Oct 22, 2026) |
| Piece count | 400 pieces | 605 pieces |
| Age rating | 10+ | 10+ |
| SMART Play type | All-In-One Set | Compatible Set |
| SMART Brick included | Yes | No |
| SMART Charger included | Yes | No |
| SMART Tags included | 4 | 1 |
| Best for | First SMART Play purchase | Expanding an existing set |
The LEGO SMART Play system builds around a SMART Brick: a rechargeable hub that reads SMART Tags embedded in the build and responds with sounds and lights. All-In-One sets ship with the hub and charger. Compatible sets ship with only one SMART Tag.
Without a SMART Brick from an All-In-One set, a Compatible Set's interactive features stay silent. For a full overview of the range, see the LEGO Pokémon sets buying guide.
Where Training House with Pikachu wins
It includes the SMART Brick hub
This is the single most important factor in the comparison. The SMART Brick is what turns a LEGO build into an interactive experience: it detects SMART Tags, triggers sound effects, and responds to how you move the set. Without it, a SMART Play set is a standard static build.
Training House with Pikachu (72164) is classified as an All-In-One Set. It ships with one SMART Brick, one SMART Charger, and four SMART Tags already integrated into the build. That means four interaction points: Pikachu reacts differently as you move it through each tagged zone of the training house.
It is the only fully self-contained option at this price point
The other All-In-One set close to this price is Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt (72162) at $59.99. Training House with Pikachu costs $10 more but includes more SMART Tags, giving it a slight play-density edge. Everything above it in the line costs more: the Umbreon vs Garchomp Championship Battle (72165) is $79.99, and the Charizard vs Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167) reaches $119.99.
If budget or gift practicality is the deciding factor, 72164 is the best self-contained choice in its tier.
Where Mewtwo's Lab Break wins
More pieces at the same price
At 605 pieces versus 400, Mewtwo's Lab Break gives you 50 percent more building material for the same $69.99. That gap matters for builders who value complexity and construction time over interactive play.
The piece count advantage also shows in the build's visual weight. The finished set depicts Mewtwo in the moment it psychically destroys its containment tank and escapes the lab, as seen in the original Pokémon movie. It includes a dial mechanism that physically breaks open the chamber to free the Mewtwo figure, a separately included Master Ball, and a lab monitor as set dressing.
The most iconic Legendary Pokémon in the line
Mewtwo's Lab Break is the only set in the current SMART Play range built around Mewtwo. The figure is fully articulated: posable head, arms, legs, hands, and tail. As a static display piece it reads as a complete scene, not just a character on a platform.
The set's single SMART Tag is placed on the Mewtwo figure itself. When read by a SMART Brick (from an All-In-One set, sold separately), the figure triggers psychic battle sound effects. That interaction point is fewer than the four in Training House with Pikachu, but it is focused: every interaction happens on Mewtwo, which keeps the play experience coherent.
The deciding question
Your SMART Play situation determines the right answer here.
Buying your first SMART Play set
Start with 72164. It is the only path to a fully functional SMART Play experience at the $69.99 tier without purchasing an additional product. The four SMART Tags give you a varied play session from the first build.
Once you own the hub, any Compatible Set in the line becomes a full experience. That means 72163 Mewtwo's Lab Break, once added to your collection, is completely unlocked by the SMART Brick you already own.
You already own an All-In-One set
Buy 72163 without hesitation. At the same price, it delivers 205 more pieces, a harder build, and a stronger display piece than Training House with Pikachu. Your existing SMART Brick pairs with the Mewtwo SMART Tag automatically.
Gifting for someone whose collection status you don't know
Default to 72164 every time. A recipient who already owns an All-In-One set gets a second hub, which is usable but not essential.
A recipient who owns nothing gets a complete, functional experience. That asymmetry favors 72164 as the safer gift.
If you want the flagship experience, the Charizard and Jolteon Ultimate Battle (72167) at $119.99 is the highest-tier All-In-One in the current lineup, with two SMART Bricks for head-to-head battles.
Both 72165 and 72167 are All-In-One sets, so either can serve as your starting hub if you prefer a different character pair over Pikachu.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an All-In-One Set and a Compatible Set in LEGO Pokémon SMART Play?
All-In-One Sets include the SMART Brick hub, charger, and SMART Tags. Compatible Sets include only SMART Tags and the physical build. Without a SMART Brick from an All-In-One, a Compatible Set functions as a standard static LEGO build with no interactive features.
Can one SMART Brick work with multiple LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets?
Yes. The SMART Brick from any All-In-One Set pairs with any Compatible Set in the LEGO Pokémon SMART Play line. You do not need to buy a second hub when adding 72163 to your collection.
Does 72163 Mewtwo's Lab Break have any interactive features out of the box?
No. The set includes one SMART Tag on the Mewtwo figure, but the SMART Brick that reads it is sold separately as part of an All-In-One Set. Without a SMART Brick, 72163 is a fully buildable static set with no lights or sounds.
Which set is better for an older fan who wants a display piece?
Mewtwo's Lab Break (72163). Its 605-piece count, articulated Mewtwo figure, and cinematic lab-escape scene make it the stronger static display. The dial mechanism that breaks the chamber is also an interesting mechanical detail even without the SMART Brick active.
Are these LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets different from other LEGO "Smart" products?
Yes. The SMART Brick and SMART Tags in the Pokémon SMART Play line are specific to this collaboration and are not compatible with LEGO Technic, LEGO City, or other LEGO product lines that use the word "Smart" in their branding.
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