The New LEGO Kanto Starter Set Is Already a Contender for Set of the Year
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
A hands-on review from IGN South Africa explores the massive new LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set, highlighting its clever forced perspective, printed bricks, and status as an early contender for set of the year.
For anyone who has spent decades catching them all across handhelds, consoles, and mobile apps, physical merchandise often hits a distinct nostalgic nerve. According to a hands-on feature by IGN South Africa, the new LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set delivers on that exact feeling. Available exclusively at the LEGO Store alongside separate Pikachu and Eevee builds, this Kanto Starter bundle stands as the most ambitious release in the lineup, arriving in three distinct boxes that each house a fully realized starter alongside its native biome.
What makes the set genuinely stand out for collectors is the clever design work hidden in the presentation. The model uses smart scaling and positioning to balance out Venusaur's massive frame, Blastoise riding a brick-built wave, and Charizard hovering above a volcanic base. The build process itself avoids repetition by alternating between the environments and the figures, giving builders a steady rhythm of creation that culminates in attaching the recognizable heads of each iconic creature.
Best of all, LEGO skipped the sticker sheets entirely for this release. Every single graphic is printed directly onto the bricks or integrated into fabric wing elements for Charizard, a massive win for collectors investing in premium display pieces. Each build even hides a clever internal Easter egg inside the chest cavity, celebrating the classic elemental types in a subtle nod to physical merchandising done right. You can read the full breakdown over at IGN South Africa.
Tags: LEGO, Pokemon, Merchandise, Collectibles, Gaming Culture
Original article: IGN South Africa