On March 1st, 2026, The Lego Group will begin selling the most ambitious brick it’s ever made: a tiny computer that fits entirely inside a classic 2x4 Lego brick. When it detects NFC-equipped smart tags nearby, embedded inside new Lego tiles and new Lego minifigures, or when it sees other Smart Bricks, the company claims it will make entire Lego sets come to life — starting with the humming lightsabers, roaring engines, light-up blasters, and the music of Lego Star Wars.
These “Smart Bricks” and “Smart Play” initiatives, just announced at CES 2026, aren’t like the huge Lego Mario toys that required two AAA batteries and mostly only activated when their bottom-mounted cameras detected color or barcodes. They’re wirelessly charged, with a pad that can charge multiple bricks at a time and a battery that “will still perform after years of inactivity.”
I don’t think I’d want this. The fun of Legos is in part from using your imaginary. You imagine the light saber doing stuff. If it actually lights up and hums that feels like it detracts from the experience.
For playing, sure. But for old farts that just want display pieces, this is pretty neat.
No, this is for kids. Static displays won’t gain any benefit from this that Lego light bricks or 3rd party light and sound kits already provide. The only thing new here is $100 for a small 7+ set that has NFC functionality like the Mario ones