Kids. And grown-ups who still play with LEGO. This one’s for you. You know how every LEGO space battle eventually turns into you supplying the sound effects yourself? The pew-pew, the engine roar, the dramatic swoosh as Red Five dives past Lord Vader’s TIE Fighter, even though technically sound does not travel through space. Well, LEGO has decided you can finally retire from that role. LEGO SMART Play is here to handle the sound effects for you when you “fly” your builds.
That said, it will still take a bit of practice and self-restraint to stop yourself from involuntarily humming when Luke and Vader start swinging their lightsabers.
Billed as the biggest evolution since the Minifigure (that was in 1978, btw), LEGO SMART Play is a new interactive play system that makes LEGO creations responsive without screens or an app. At the core is the LEGO SMART Brick, which contains a tiny chip smaller than a LEGO stud but packed with sensors (accelerometer, light, sound), a miniature speaker, and wait for it… wireless charging.
When paired with SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures, builds can react in real time, producing sounds, lights, and behaviors based on how kids play with them. And get this: it is fully compatible with the existing LEGO System-in-Play. This means you can integrate SMART elements into traditional builds, too. Damn. Why am I so excited?
The SMART Brick is no mean feat. It has over 20 patented world-first technologies embedded, all in the name of inspiring open-ended storytelling and imaginative play.
Along with the reveal of LEGO SMART Play at CES 2026 are the first SMART Play sets, all of which are from the Star Wars franchise. Details of the sets are as follows:
LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter (75421)
- Age: 8+
- Number of pieces: 473
- Dimensions: over 4 in. (10 cm) high, 4 in. (11 cm) long, and 5.5 in. (15 cm) wide
- Price: US$69.99
- Availability: March 01, 2026
- Include: 1x LEGO SMART Brick, 1x LEGO SMART Minifigure (Darth Vader), 1x SMART TAG (TIE Fighter), 1x Rebel Fleet Trooper.
- SMART features: SMART Brick brings the roar of twin ion engines and battle sounds to life.
LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-wing (75423)
- Age: 6+
- Number of pieces: 584
- Dimensions: over 2 in. (6 cm) high, 8.5 in. (22 cm) long, and 7.5 in. (19 cm) wide
- Price: US$89.99
- Availability: March 01, 2026
- Include: 1x LEGO SMART Brick, 2x LEGO SMART Minifigures (Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia), 5x SMART TAGS (X-Wing, Imperial turret, transporter, command center, R2-D2), 1x Rebel Crew, 1x Stormtrooper.
- SMART features: laser sounds, engine hums, and repair/refueling sounds.
LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-wing (75427)
- Age: 9+
- Number of pieces: 962
- Dimensions: over 5.5 in. (14 cm) high, 11.5 in. (29 cm) long, and 19 in. (49 cm) wide
- Price: US$159.99
- Availability: March 01, 2026
- Include: 2x LEGO SMART Bricks, 3x LEGO SMART Minifigures (Luke Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader), 5x SMART TAGS (A-Wing, throne, Death Star turret, Lightsaber duels—2x tags), 2x Royal Guards, 1x A‑Wing Pilot.
- SMART features: lightsaber hums, A‑Wing engine roar, and even The Imperial March when Palpatine sits on his throne.
The products haven’t been listed yet. Meanwhile, you can learn more about this single most important toy innovation from the Danish toymaker HERE.
Images: LEGO.
