Is LEGO’s $200 Pokémon Pikachu really worth it? Fans say Mega Bloks did it better for $50

LEGO’s long-awaited Pokémon collaboration was supposed to be a moment of celebration for fans. Instead, one of its headline releases has sparked a fierce debate.

The new LEGO Pikachu set, which launches on February 27, carries a hefty $200 price tag. Almost immediately, fans began comparing it to an older Mega Bloks version that retailed for just $50. The result has been widespread scepticism about what that extra $150 actually buys.

For years, Mega Bloks held the Pokémon licence, releasing more than 100 officially licensed sets. Among the most comparable was its Jumbo Pikachu, released in 2022.

The 12-inch-tall build featured 806 pieces, posable arms, legs, ears and a movable head. Many fans also appreciated its chunkier design, which resembled Pikachu’s original, rounder look.

Now, LEGO’s Pikachu has entered the picture, priced at four times the cost.

The new set includes more than 2,000 pieces and measures roughly 13 inches tall, though much of that height comes from its brick-built display stand. The Pikachu itself appears closer in size to the older Mega Bloks version.

While LEGO’s build looks sleeker, with fewer visible studs, some fans see this as a downside rather than an upgrade. Others have pointed out that the LEGO Pikachu appears less posable, with fewer movable joints.

There are some improvements. LEGO’s version gives Pikachu softer, paw-like hands instead of the more blocky design seen on the Mega Bloks set. It also includes a brick-built Poké Ball, though critics argue those pieces could have been used to improve articulation instead.

By contrast, the comparison between Eevee sets has been far less controversial.

Mega Bloks released its Jumbo Eevee in 2020 for $50. LEGO’s version will retail for $60, offering a more refined look and a higher piece count. For many fans, that $10 increase feels reasonable.

Pikachu, however, is where frustration is boiling over.

Some collectors say the LEGO version looks cleaner but less playful. Others argue that for a $200 price point, the figure should offer more movement and flexibility.

For fans who simply want a brick-built Pikachu for their desk or shelf, many now believe the older Mega Bloks version remains the better deal. It offers similar size, more poseability and a far lower cost.

As LEGO’s Pokémon line prepares to launch, the debate highlights a growing tension in the toy and collectibles market: bigger brands often mean higher prices, but not always better value.

And for fans, that raises a simple question.

Is LEGO’s Pikachu really worth $200?