Nintendo Labo - A New Toy From Nintendo

By: Max Cannon

Rumors were rumbling around for weeks that Nintendo had a sizable secret waiting to be revealed. While gamers could take pride in predicting much of the Nintendo Direct Mini from earlier in the month, odds are pretty high that nobody could've predicted Nintendo's latest creation.

Gaming and Crafting with Cardboard

Nintendo Labo is a combination of AR gaming and cardboard, you'll need to see it for yourself to really understand, but by building different apparatuses from cardboard and plugging in your handy Nintendo Switch you'll be able to actually get some use out of the creations you've assembled. For example, making a piano out of your available cardboard means that you could actually play the piano when using your Switch and Joy-Con. It's probably easier to see it for yourself, so I really recommend checking out the video below.

First Look at Nintendo Labo

So you've checked out the above video? Maybe you'll understand a bit better now. No, still confused? Well here's how Nintendo describes the product themselves.

"With each Nintendo Labo kit, kids can transform modular sheets of cardboard – specially designed to interact with the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers – into creations called Toy-Con. From a piano to a motorbike, a robot and more, each Toy-Con comes to life when combined with Nintendo Switch in different ways. As you build, you will have fun discovering how the technology works, and might even invent new ways to play with each Toy-Con!"

"You can even take control of your very own motorbike by constructing a functioning set of handlebars, with a Joy-Con inserted in each side and the Nintendo Switch console cradled in the middle. Simply hit the ignition button, turn the right handle to engage the accelerator and watch your adventure unfold on the Nintendo Switch screen, as you race to new destinations."

A New Way to Play

There are a couple different packs you can purchase if you pick up the game when it releases on April 20th, the Robot Kit and the Variety Kit. Here's what's in each one:

Variety Kit

• Toy-Con RC Car: Insert the Left and Right Joy-Con into your newly built RC Car and control its movement using touch screen controls on the Nintendo Switch console. The HD Rumble feature in the Joy-Con controllers will cause vibrations that move the car in the direction you choose. Materials to construct two RC Cars are included.
• Toy-Con Fishing Rod: Construct the Fishing Rod with an active, rotating reel that is attached by string to a cradle holding the Nintendo Switch console. Catch one of many exotic fish shown swimming on the Nintendo Switch screen by casting your Fishing Rod and unwinding the reel to lower the hook. Once you feel a vibration from the Joy-Con inserted in the reel, you must tug the Fishing Rod upward and crank the reel quickly to try and complete the catch!

• Toy-Con House: By inserting various assembled blocks into openings in the sides and bottom of the House, you can interact with, play games with and feed a cute creature on the front-facing Nintendo Switch screen. Each differently shaped block is detected by the IR Motion Camera on the Right Joy-Con inserted on top of the House.  
• Toy-Con Motorbike: Insert each Joy-Con into an assembled set of handlebars to drive a motorbike on the Nintendo Switch screen. Pressing the ignition button starts the engine, while twisting the right handle activates the throttle. Leaning your body or turning the handlebars left and right controls the motorbike.

• Toy-Con Piano: After assembling a beautifully crafted 13-key piano and inserting the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con, you can experiment with your own musical creations by pressing different keys. You can even insert different assembled knobs to create new sound effects and tones!

Robot Kit

• Toy-Con Robot: Create a wearable Robot suit, and insert the Left and Right Joy-Con into the designated slots on the backpack and visor to assume control of the robot, which is shown on the TV when the Nintendo Switch console is docked. Enjoy a variety of fun game-play experiences, including Robot mode, in which you can destroy in-game buildings and UFOs.

The Robot Kit will set United States purchasers back around $80 and the Variety Kit is 10 bucks cheaper, no word yet on Canadian pricing but I'd imagine it'd be a smidge higher in price when it releases on April 20^th.

Have Your Say!

What do you think of Nintendo's new toy? Will you be picking one up or passing? Share your thoughts below!