Lego's Poké Ball only impresses when opened
2.10.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Ramon Schneider
Lego packs Professor Oak's lab, a battle scene, and two cute Pokémon into a large Poké Ball. The build hardly challenges me, but I like the mechanics all the more. The biggest problem is on the price tag.
A Poké Ball usually contains a Pokémon. Lego has added Professor Oak's lab and a small battle scene inside. This explains why this particular model no longer fits in your pocket. Including the base, the Poké Ball measures 22 centimeters in height, 24 centimeters in width, and 22 centimeters in depth.
The red top, white bottom, and black ring make the sphere instantly recognizable as a Poké Ball. On the green base, it looks as if it has landed in the grass. Even when closed, I like it as a display piece for Pokémon fans. I like it even better when I open the red half and the interior unfolds.
Five hours without much head-scratching
Lego markets this set to adults and describes the build as challenging. As an old hand at the Lego game, however, I put the Poké Ball together in a relaxed five hours. I would therefore also recommend this set to people who have built few or no Lego sets before.
Standard Lego bricks and Technic elements form an angular frame beneath the round shell. They support the shell, the lab, and the moving construction underneath. Designing this interior was probably more difficult than assembling it according to the instructions. Anyone who enjoys tinkering while building might feel unchallenged here.
As with other Lego sets, the stickers bother me here too. However, the sticker sheet remains small. I only have to apply stickers to a few details of the lab equipment. In my eyes, this is already an improvement for Lego.
The sphere becomes a small stage
The finished Poké Ball shows what the construction inside is for. When I lift the red half, the meadow in the bottom half moves upward. At the same time, the two platforms for the trainer figures fold outward to the sides. One movement turns the closed sphere into a small stage for a Pokémon battle.
Above that is Professor Oak's lab. In the background are computers and books, while in the front, three small Poké Balls wait on a table. There are also two printed Pokédex tiles. In this way, Lego combines the start of a Pokémon adventure with a battle scene. The figures look appropriately tiny in the large shell. That is exactly what makes the appeal of this small diorama for me.
The mechanics impress me. I don't have to align the individual platforms by hand to set up the scene. Everything moves together when opening. When closing, the scene disappears back into the ball. This way, the display model can do more than just sit there looking pretty.
During construction, the mechanism jammed slightly once. I corrected the spot. After that, the ball opens and closes smoothly. The small mishap therefore does not dampen my enjoyment of the mechanism.
Super cute, but a rival is missing
I particularly like Pikachu and Eevee. Custom molded parts give them their characteristic shape even at the minifigure scale. Pikachu pulls its arms to its body and has slightly differently tilted ears. Eevee has large eyes and even pink printed paw pads on its hind legs. There is an astonishing amount of character in such a small space. Above all, the two are super cute.
Lego also includes Red, Professor Oak, and a Picnicker as minifigures. The selection is causing discussion because Red's rival, Blue, is missing.
The Picnicker is reminiscent of the everyday trainer encounters from the games. I can understand this choice. Just as I understand the fans' wish that both rivals should have been included in an expensive collector's model.
Four parts are a bit loose
On the underside of my model, four side parts are loose and can fall off during play. However, I use the Poké Ball as a display piece and can therefore overlook this flaw.
Brickset criticizes color variations between individual red and white parts. I do not see any disturbing color differences on my copy.
I would wait on the price
The biggest problem is on the price tag. In the Swiss Lego shop, the Poké Ball currently costs 289 francs; it is slightly cheaper at Galaxus. But for this sphere, that is still too much for me. I would wait to buy it. The price could drop in the coming months.
For once, Lego has kept the sticker sheet pleasantly small. I wish for the same restraint when it comes to the price.
In a nutshell
Nice for the display case, expensive to buy
I like Lego's Poké Ball as a display model. When opened, it reveals a small diorama, and Pikachu and Eevee are super cute. As an old Lego hand, I hardly feel challenged by the build. I would also recommend this set to people with little Lego experience. I can overlook the four loose pieces on the underside for a display piece. The fact that blue is missing might bother die-hard fans more than me. Regarding the price, I would wait: currently, this ball is too expensive for me.
Pro
- successful and smooth opening mechanism
- beautiful display model, open and closed
- cute Pikachu and Eevee figures
- easy to build even with little Lego experience
- few stickers
Contra
- high price
- four parts on the underside are loose
- Rival Blue is missing as a minifigure
Header image: Ramon Schneider
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