What’s Exciting at CES 2026? The Rise of LEGO Smart Play, AI Toys, and Nerd Bait

CES 2026 is a wrap, but a handful of reveals still feel aimed straight at geek culture. From LEGO’s Smart Play tech and its Star Wars debut to AI “character” pedestals and retro-friendly gaming gear, here’s what looked most tempting, and what still needs a healthy dose of skepticism.

CES 2026 and Pop CultureNot every tech event needs reporting on, and with the CES 2026 show being debated on, it’s time to decide! Not everything is worth needing and the big talk is certainly on one thing: LEGO’s new Smart Play tech is shaping up to be a dream come true for TRON enthusiasts, especially when you think about how some past interactive concepts could be resurrected. That said, with Star Wars carrying far more mainstream momentum, it’s no surprise the first sets using this technology will land there before anywhere else.

These bricks are getting embedded microchips designed to trigger sound effects and blinking lights when placed near one another. At the show, the company staged a massive Death Star trench run experience in front of The Sphere, where visitors could “fly” a LEGO X-Wing in an attempt to destroy it. One can only imagine the sound, and the chaos, if crashing into the structure had been allowed. The cleanup alone would have been legendary. But only time will tell which other licensed properties will get smarter.

It’s an exciting prospect, but it also raises the question: what other electronic releases are out there to whet a geek’s appetite?

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LEGO Avengers Strange Tails Offers A Whisker of Truth

LEGO Avengers Strange Tails uses cheeky satire and cat-fuelled chaos to explore social media obsession, influence, and attention economics, all while giving Hawkeye a rare moment in the spotlight.

LEGO Avengers Strange TailsOn Disney Plus

When LEGO Avengers Strange Tails is being cheeky in its satire of social media culture, nudging viewers to not be so engrossed, I’m all in. Even I’ll admit I’ve been far too hooked on being on a soapbox far too much. But once people strip away the medium, the core idea works just as well in any age when these platforms evolved. This latest animated LEGO adventure walks a careful line between teaching and entertaining, showing both the appeal and the dangers of attention-driven obsession. 

Eugene Son is a veteran of this ongoing subset of adventures, and he’s in good company when teamed with Henry Gilroy (best known for his work on Star Wars: Rebels) to write the story, and adapt it to screenplay. And they know the subject well. The spotlight falls on Meryet Karim (Alia Shawkat), an overzealous social media influencer who believes the world should revolve around her. She loves cats, craves control, and has her sights set on making Hawkeye become yesterday’s news.

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Ninjago Dragons Rising Season Three – A Year of Change and Challenge

Ninjago: Dragons Rising delivers its most emotional and action-packed season yet, ending with a powerful cliffhanger and hints of what’s to come.

Ninjago Dragons Rising PosterAvailable to view on Netflix
Spoiler Alert

With the latest season of Dragons Rising wrapped and a monumental cliffhanger setting up what’s next, Ninjago fans like me are already eager for more. Despite rumours of an October release, many were pleasantly surprised when the new episodes dropped in early September. Now that I’m caught up, I can only hope Season Four follows the darker, more mature tone of Ninjago Legends: Monstrosity (2025) and its sequel, Kai’s Monstrous Journey.

Both YouTube exclusives carry the torch of old-school Ninjago storytelling—gritty wuxia flair, elemental mysticism, and the personal struggle that defined the early years. Of the two, the first stands out with its blend of feudal drama and fiery survival. Kai, alone in a hostile wildland, must rediscover magic without Nya’s guiding presence—a refreshing focus on inner strength and resilience.

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LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past is Due To Blast Off!

The LEGO galaxy is about to get scrambled again! The new four-part special LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past promises brick-built chaos, fan-favourite cameos, and maybe even a crossover or two. Here’s our early take before it premieres on Disney+.

Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the PastAnyone who’s been following the LEGO Star Wars brand will be thrilled for chapter two, Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past  due out soon! While it may not carry the same heartfelt and canonical style weight as The Freemaker Adventures, this new four-part special looks set to deliver a chaotic ride through the galaxy and remake everything all over again! I just want to see it because of Lando and that cliffhanger from last year! (review link)

I had to get these early thoughts out before its debut because the trailer makes this continuation look like a blast. But is the expansion teased in the trailer wrong? If remixing canon in the wildest ways is the goal, then that’s a resounding hell yes.

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Breaking Down the Bricks That Made Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy Great

Although the animation style is a step backward, Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy forward thinking attitude suggests all’s not Back to the Future.

Lego Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy PosterSpoiler Alert

The LEGO Star Wars universe is one of my guilty pleasures because of how The Force is used to build things to help the heroes (and sometimes villains) win the day. The latest release, subtitled Rebuild the Galaxy has concepts to like, and that’s because those concepts regarding the Force Builders get a story expansion I’m sure even George Lucas would approve of without getting too woke. In what I truly appreciate is that this entry builds upon what’s said before regarding this group. The last time they were referred to was in The Freemaker Adventures.

Although the visual style is straight out of LEGO Batman movies with a lower frame rate and simplified tales, I can get behind the ideas being offered. That’s because the cliffhanger style reveal at season one’s end got me cackling. I always wondered when Lando’s conversion would happen. He’s neither good nor bad, and I won’t ruin what faction he’s involved with. And I’m glad this world is catching up with the live action series material!

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Summer Nights at Otaku no Culture; A Best of and Going on Vacation This Week

Who’s ready for Summer? There’s plenty of past entertainment to enjoy as we take a break to recharge.

One Piece Summer VacationWith July now here, even we need to relax in preperation in what we expect to be a busy month! Fantasia Film Festival is coming up and we plan on covering it. We’re awaiting a response to our application and until then, we are still working on a list of top picks on what to see. Until then, we will be out enjoying the sun and try not to get a sunburn. Nobody wants that. We will resume posts next week. In the meantime, please enjoy this selection of best of past summer themed articles.

And we even have a Summertime Mixtape on YouTube too!