LEGO recently released its first-ever Pokémon theme set, and it did not take long for the pre-orders to start rolling in before the scalpers made their move.
The collection set features the first-generation final evolutions of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, with US and UK prices of $649.99 and £579.99, respectively.
“As a lifelong Pokémon fan, it’s been an incredible honour to help bring these Pokémon to life in LEGO brick form for the first time,” said Siddharth Muthyala, Design Director on LEGO Pokémon.
“Pokémon has inspired generations of fans around the world, so our team approached the design of these sets with immense care and passion, ensuring every detail and pose truly celebrates what makes these characters so beloved. I hope fans will love building them, as much as we did designing them.”
According to Business Insider.com, the collector’s item sold out in both the US and the UK within a day and was sold on eBay for double the retail price, with an age rating of 18+. It is scheduled to be officially released on March 1st of this year, and it has already sold out twice.
Per Roguemocs, “I think this set is already a contender for best set of 2026, boasting a fantastic, striking, and colorful display centerpiece that will for sure stand out in your collection.
New parts, prints, and recolors can only boost the set’s points towards a perfect 10/10 score for me. The price, although not for everyone, seems expensive but reasonable in 2026 with the Lego Pokémon IP tax.”
The Collector Item is a Reseller’s Dream
Last month, the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise LEGO set appeared on eBay, and the most expensive set, according to Business Insider, is around $1,300, while others resell for prices averaging $690 to $1,150.
Another popular item on eBay is the free bonus item that came with the set: the Kanto Badges collection.
Scalpers have listed the Kanto Badges promotional item on eBay for around $200, which other collectors have missed out on with the original bundle.
Former Lego model designer and content creator, Tiago Catarino, spoke about the limited-edition collection and how Lego typically doesn’t make more once it is sold out.
“Historically, GWP sets have a very limited production run, so when they’re sold out, Lego will usually not make any more.”
“This is the perfect type of product for resellers and people trying to make some of their money back on their purchases.”
Nostalgia Meets Scarcity
The excitement surrounding LEGO’s Pokémon debut reflects a larger trend in collectibles: nostalgia and scarcity drive instant aftermarket inflation.
Adult fans who grew up fighting through Kanto will find the opportunity to build premium display versions of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise to be different.
When you add a limited production window, exclusive bonus content, and a high-end price point, you create a playground for resellers.
Whether LEGO will restock the set in larger quantities is still a mystery. For now, the Pokémon theme set has already become one of the most talked-about collectibles of 2026
It’s not only for its craftsmanship, but also for the resale chaos it caused almost immediately. With the official launch still underway, demand may not cool anytime soon.