LEGO's New SMART Play System Launches with Star Wars Sets This March

Well, this is interesting. LEGO has just announced their new SMART Play system, and they're kicking things off with Star Wars sets hitting pre-order on January 9th. The first wave includes Darth Vader's TIE Fighter (75241) - a 473-piece set for around £55 that comes with some intriguing new tech.

The set includes what LEGO calls a "SMART Brick," a "SMART MINIFIGURE" featuring Darth Vader, and a "SMART TAG" for the TIE Fighter itself. Now, the press release is a bit light on exactly what these smart components actually do, but it's clearly LEGO's attempt to bridge physical building with digital interaction - something they've been experimenting with for years.

At roughly 12p per piece, the TIE Fighter represents decent value for a licensed Star Wars set, especially if you're getting some new tech thrown in. The question is whether that tech adds meaningful play value or just complexity. We've seen LEGO try various digital integrations before - some brilliant, others forgettable.

This feels like it's aimed squarely at kids who've grown up expecting their toys to connect to apps and devices. As much as I appreciate the tactile, analogue nature of traditional LEGO building, I can see the appeal for younger builders who want their creations to do more than just sit on a shelf.

Launching with Star Wars means instant recognition and appeal. Parents who might be hesitant about new technology will likely be swayed by the familiar brand.

We'll have to wait until March 1st for the actual release to see how well this SMART Play concept works in practice. But it's definitely worth keeping an eye on, especially if you've got tech-savvy kids who love their LEGO.