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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Tron Ares and the Digital Prometheus — Where Power, Instinct, and Life Converge.

Beneath the neon hum of TRON Ares, a digital weapon awakens to consciousness and compassion. This essay traces Ares’s journey from code to empathy, blending film lore, philosophy, and speculative science to ask who has the right to play god—and what a “soul” means in a wired world.

Tron Ares Teaser PosterBeneath the neon hum of The Grid, TRON Ares pulses with something ancient—the spark of creation itself. What begins as a digital showdown becomes a parable about consciousness and compassion. There’s a self-awareness that develops as the cold, mechanical Ares slowly becomes more human while learning about the physical world. From purpose to the meaning of life, these are the same questions explored in Frankenstein and Terminator 2.

This film is not merely a story of machines rebelling against their creators—it’s a meditation on what happens when human-made creations begin to question existence itself. Julian Dillinger’s reference to Pinocchio when Ares changes sides should not be dismissed.

Parallel Code: TRON Meets Terminator

Ares’s humanity doesn’t emerge until he enters the Encom servers and glimpses Eve’s life unfold. The data he retrieves has an unintended effect on the Master Control program. When advanced AIs are coded to learn from their environments—maliciously or not—who’s to say a glitch won’t form? Even the recent games, Tron: Identity and Catalyst, consider problems occuring within the Grid. They are not essential for the franchise, but for enthusiasts wanting to embrace every bit of lore offered, they are worth checking out.

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TRON Ares. Is It An Epic Return to the Grid in Disney’s Long Delayed Revival?

After years in development, TRON Ares finally hits the Grid. This third film doesn’t reboot the system, but honours the legacy of the original with stunning visuals, a soulful digital antihero, and echoes of Frankenstein in a world learning how to dream.

Poster for TRON AresSpoiler Alert

Despite the long wait and troubled production history, TRON Ares is finally here. What this third film (fifth in the narrative timeline) honours is the franchise’s beginings through some fun Easter Eggs. As this tale continues more from of the 1982 original, rather than the second film, TRON Legacy, some fans will be disappointed. However, as long as this side story does well in the box office, the chances to explore where Sam and Quorra went might get answered!

Although this entry trades philosophy for spectacle ala Terminator 2 through much of its runtime, what it offers is still respectful in what the franchise is about. At its core, it still invites us to imagine what life might be like inside the Grid—or, if you prefer, The Matrix, since the parallels are undeniable.

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TRON Ares Collectibles – Unveiling What’s Hot and Exciting This Season

TRON Ares is powering up more than the Grid—exclusive collectibles from sneakers to Funko Pops and deluxe vinyl are hitting shelves this season.

TRON Ares movie logoThe TRON universe is glowing brighter than ever, with a wave of collectibles hitting shelves and park shops this season. From custom action figures to deluxe vinyl, here’s a look at what fans can expect. Like the marketing blitz of the 80s, these TRON Ares exclusives may appear fast—and derezz even faster than you can say “Flynn!”

Quick Merch Highlights

  • Adidas TRON: Lightblaze Sneakers – Reflective designs, retro-arcade packaging, and detachable identity discs.
  • Funko POP! TRON Ares – Ares, Kevin Flynn, and Athena on her Lightcycle headline this collectible wave.
  • TRON: Ares Soundtrack Vinyl – Deluxe and 2XLP editions with striking visual packaging.
  • Books Behind the GridThe Collision of Code and Flesh and Inside TRON: Ares expand the lore in print.

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Before TRON Ares and Beyond: A Complete Guide with 6 Must-Read Features

Step back into the neon world of TRON before TRON Ares arrives. From classic films to iconic games and key news, this guide covers everything fans need to know. Get ready to relive the Grid and all the highlights that made the franchise legendary.

Before TRON Ares, There Was TRONBefore TRON Ares arrives, it’s worth remembering how this franchise first lit up the silver screen in 1982. The neon-soaked world of the Grid has long been a playground for dreamers, gamers, and tech-heads. Whether you came for the lightcycle battles, the philosophical undertones, or the Daft Punk beats, TRON has left a lasting mark on pop culture.

Here at Otakunoculture, we’ve been chasing that beam of light for years—from deep dives into the films, to retro gaming retrospectives, to speculation on where the series is headed next. Think of this article as your personal I/O Tower for all things TRON.


The Films & Reviews

Tron Original Movie Poster

The Games

TRON 2.0 Videogame Xbox

News & Features


Keep Your Identity Disc Spinning Before TRON Ares

We’ll keep updating this hub as The Grid evolves — whether that means new games, park news, or the long-awaited arrival of TRON Ares. Before that next chapter begins, there’s plenty of history to revisit, from classic arcade battles to the philosophical sparks that made this franchise unique. If you’ve got your own theories or TRON trivia to share, drop them in the comments on any of these articles.

After all… the Game Grid is always more fun with players. In the future, we have more to discuss.

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TRON 3 is Happening! Thoughts on the Latest News.

What fans can expect from TRON 3 is a different story direction than what’s implied from the last film, and that’s okay given the time that’s elapsed since that release.

Tron Legacy IMAX PosterWhatever the reasons were for delaying the making of Tron 3, I’m simply glad it’s happening! News has been dropping fast and furious concerning what’s been changed since Joseph Kosinski’s original plans back in 2015.

Although we’re not getting the continuation with what he fashioned after Tron Legacy, the concept is still there. According to JustJared.com, the film is due to begin shooting in Vancouver come August, and on Variety.com, Jodie Turner-Smith is the latest star announced to appear in this film. She will be joining Jared Leto, Evan Peters and Greta Lee.

Joachim Rønning (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) is the director this time round. He’s a very competant director to handle this property after having more than a few films made for Disney under his belt. And the talents tapped to pen this instalment add Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne to the mix. Series creator Steven Lisberger is no doubt the lead of this writing team.

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