Lego Pokémon $650 Set Sells Out Amid Reseller Frenzy

The Lego Group has released its first-ever official Pokémon collaboration, a highly anticipated collection aimed squarely at adult fans. The centerpiece of the release is a $649.99 set featuring the iconic Kanto starters: Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise.

Within hours of preorders opening, the initial allocation sold out in both the UK and US. The rapid sell-out immediately triggered a surge in the secondary market, with resellers moving in to capitalize on the intense demand.

The collection is designed specifically for an 18+ audience, featuring references that go back to the franchise's first generation. The main set contains 6,838 pieces and is described as a "perfect marriage of two beloved brands at the peak of their respective popularities."

According to Jay Ong, author of the Lego news hub Jay's Brick Blog, the release hits a specific demographic perfectly.

"This collection hits the sweet spot for adults who have a voracious appetite for toys and experiences that feed into their childhood nostalgia. Fans have been waiting decades for official Lego Pokémon sets."

The set was restocked by Lego but is now sold out again, cementing its status as a must-have item for collectors.

Scalpers moved in almost immediately. The set began appearing on eBay hours after the sell-out, with prices quickly climbing. Listings show sets reselling for between $690 and $1,150, with the most expensive unit selling for $1,289.99.

However, the main set wasn't the only target. A free gift with purchase (GWP)—the Kanto Region Badge Collection—became a popular item for resellers.

• The badge collection is a 312-piece video game collectible.
• Scalpers are reselling the GWP for over $200.
• Lego confirmed the badge will be available again from February 27 to March 3.

Tiago Catarino, a former Lego model designer, noted that GWPs are "the perfect type of product for resellers" due to their limited production runs.

Not all resellers are large entities. Jesus Rosado, a 32-year-old Pokémon collector, listed the full set—including the badge collection and a Pokémon Center item—for $1,499.00 on eBay. He originally purchased the set for himself but decided to resell after seeing the high demand for the GWP.

Reselling is often frowned upon in the Lego community, with Rosado receiving messages calling him a "pathetic scalper." He defends the practice as a side gig.

"Yes, I am a scalper in that sense of the word, where I'm buying the product to resell. But I'm not a large entity—I'm just an individual. It is just a side gig."

Lego has an established secondary market where discontinued and rare products can fetch thousands of dollars.

While Lego has seen an increase in resellers, speculators, and investors, the market intensity differs from that of Pokémon cards. Jay Ong explained that as Lego achieves mainstream popularity, it attracts those looking to exploit supply and demand imbalances.

However, the Pokémon market operates on a different scale entirely. Tiago Catarino highlighted the difference between the two communities.

"From my understanding, if the Lego community is big on the scalper/reselling side of things, the Pokémon community matches that by tenfold."

This disparity is evident in high-profile transactions, such as influencer Logan Paul planning to auction a rare Pokémon card he purchased for $5.3 million.

The rapid sell-out of the Lego Pokémon set demonstrates the powerful intersection of nostalgia and collector culture. With the Kanto Region Badge Collection set to be available again in late February, the secondary market may see another surge in activity.

As the collaboration continues, the balance between official retail availability and the secondary resale market will likely remain a focal point for both Lego and Pokémon enthusiasts.