Lego's Smart Play Bricks: A Sound Disaster?
Are the sounds really that bad?
Since their debut at CES earlier this year, Lego's new "Smart Play" system has faced an uphill battle to convince skeptics that its electronic bricks and tiles are the future of playtime. With high prices and compromised set designs, it's been a challenge to showcase the value of the added lights and sounds. And now, ahead of their release next week, it seems the sound quality might be the deal-breaker.
The initial wave of Star Wars Smart Play sets has revealed that the smart bricks can recreate talking sounds, special effects, and iconic music. But the reality is, it's not exactly what you'd expect. While there are fun moments, like the Force theme playing when Luke, Vader, and the Emperor are nearby, or the Dewback purring when you pet it, the engine sounds are generic and the "talking" sounds are warbling and similar across characters. It's like the synthesizer is stuck in a time warp, missing the mumbles of classic Lego Star Wars games.
The price tag: a steep hurdle?
The high cost of entry is another issue. With a minimum price of $70 for a set that includes a smart brick, it's hard to justify the expense, especially when other Lego sets offer more for less. And if you want multiple bricks to fully utilize their interactivity, it's an additional $160 or $140 for the same set, doubled. This is a tough ask, especially when Lego prices are already under scrutiny.
The Star Wars factor: a double-edged sword?
Perhaps the expectations wouldn't be so high if Smart Play wasn't introduced with the iconic Star Wars franchise, filled with recognizable sounds and music. But the price hurdle remains, and the value seems lacking. It's a tough situation for Lego, as the high expectations set by Star Wars might be difficult to meet, leaving customers feeling underwhelmed.
The verdict: a work in progress?
Time will tell if Smart Play can evolve beyond this initial wave of Star Wars sets. But for now, the sound quality and high price tag make it a tough sell. Will Lego be able to turn this around and make Smart Play a truly innovative play experience? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this controversial feature!
