LEGO Pokémon's biggest set comes with a lofty $649.99 price tag, and we're checking how that stacks up next to models with similar prices and contents.
Of all the LEGO Pokémon models available to pre-order now, 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise is by far the biggest and most expensive of the range. At £579.99 / $649.99 / €649.99, it's a hefty build to afford, featuring three posable Pokémon figures on a display base.
Pre-orders for the 6,838-piece build will also net you the exclusive 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection, while stocks last, but once that gift is gone, the starter trio model will need to stand on its own for that price tag.
Compared to other sets within this price range and piece count, which all just so happen to be based on popular licenses, we can get a closer look at the inherent value of 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise, not just taking into account the piece count compared to the price, but the volume of the final model as well.
The piece counts, and prices for each of these builds are mostly what you would expect, but with 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell and 71043 Hogwarts Castle coming in at a considerably lower price tag, but with several smaller elements to capture specific details. 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise has similar small pieces, though not quite as numerous. Despite this, 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise is notably smaller than these two location-based builds overall.
At 50cm high, 54cm wide, 36cm deep, 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise is only 10cm taller than 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell, but isn't nearly as deep, or as wide. 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell also costs £429.99 / $499.99 / €499.99 for just 800 fewer pieces. A similar comparison can be made with 71043 Hogwarts Castle.
These two sets seem to be the exception, rather than the rule. 75331 The Razor Crest retired last year but has 6,187 pieces for £519.99 / $599.99 / €599.99. That's 700 fewer pieces for £60 / $50 / €50 less than 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. 75192 Millennium Falcon is then at 7,541 pieces for £734.99 / $849.99 / €849.99, or 703 more elements for an additional £155 / $200 / €200, making 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise seem like good value.
There's also the appeal of the Pokémon license to keep in mind. Pokémon is one of the biggest franchises in history, arguably as, if not more, recognisable than the likes of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. That high-value profile means that it can make such expensive merchandise, and it is likely to sell.
The current range of statues on the official Pokémon Center website includes a £349.99 statue of a trio of ghost-type Pokémon, measuring 30cm wide and around 32cm tall. It has sold out at least twice, according to reviews, but it is around half the size of the LEGO model.
With this additional context, while 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise is undoubtedly expensive, The Pokémon Company has evidence to support pricing display-driven merchandise this high, and the LEGO Group has a history of similarly-priced models that appeal to fans.
Ultimately, 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise is £579.99 / $649.99 / €649.99, and whether this cost is worthwhile is up to personal preference. You can at least secure the exclusive 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection by pre-ordering it now, while stocks last, to help the sense of value. There are also two much more affordable LEGO Pokémon sets available to pre-order ahead of launch next month, in the form of 72151 Eevee and 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball.
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