Nintendo Labo

Do you like videogames? Do you like DIY? Do you like DIY-ing videogame consoles and more? Then the new Nintendo Labo might be just the thing for you! The Nintendo Labo!

Hey Nerds!

In case you didn’t hear or missed it, late yesterday Nintendo announced a brand new addition to their Nintendo Switch consoles; Cardboard!

Wait, what?

Cardboard? Really Nintendo?

Yes that’s right apparently, although it may seem very odd to some that a recyclable resource like cardboard is going to be sold as toys and additional pieces for a gaming console Nintendo did provided some truly intriguing examples.

One of Nintendo’s statements on the new Nintendo Labo will give you a little more insight towards the new product line:

“The Nintendo Labo is aimed for kids, allowing them to transform modular sheets of cardboard – specially designed to interact with the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers — into creations called Toy-Con…

…As you build, you will have fun discovering how the technology works, and might even invent new ways to play with each Toy-Con!”

Personally, I am already IN LOVE with this concept and hope to see this more from not only Nintendo but other big companies as well. You can see below the reveal video posted to Nintendo website and Youtube Channel showcasing the possibilities already.

 

As you can see here in the video Nintendo released,  the modular cardboard pieces will be manufactured and pre-cut for customers to take apart, put together and create whatever they need or desire to play with their games.

So far there appears to be a small number of things already planned from a 13-key mini-piano and a house to a mini-bike and a fighting robot suit. These pieces appear to use the built-in sensors from both the joy cons and the screen itself to create a variety of tools, props, and other accessories.

On top of all of this you can even customize your creations however you want or purchase various sets full of stencils, stickers, tape, and more to bring your creativity and playtime to a whole new level.

The examples from the reveal video are certainly interesting and prove that Nintendo Labo has great possibilities but it begs to question just what kind of games does Nintendo have planned to utilize these new accessories? Will the Labo line of accessories be usable for games like Animal crossing or Mario Kart?

There’s also the question of how much Nintendo will charge for these sheets of printed cardboard.

Luckily, we do have a few answers for these, though you may not like them all.

The product line will release April 20th, 2018 and will start at $69.99. Currently this includes a Variety Kit (which includes the modular designs of a house, RC cars, a fishing rod, a motorbike and a piano) as well as a Robot Kit which will cost $79.99 and comes with a “cool robot suit.” Each of these kits comes with its own software.

Some gamers have already taken to social media, bashing the idea of paying $70-80 for cardboard but fail to take in the software and other included pieces for these sets.

It should be noted however, despite some complaints, the Nintendo Labo actually helps deal with the nasty issue of plastic accessories. Cardboard is not only less harmful to the environment but it IS much easier to recycle than plastics.

And while cardboard may not be as durable as plastic,  The Guardian has reported that Nintendo will be selling replacement Toy-Con kits, including templates and cardboard pieces. Don’t want to buy replacements? Tape the pieces back together as you need to, it’s cardboard guys. It’s not that difficult.

 

What possibilities do you foresee with this new line of products, Nerds? Like I said earlier, I LOVE the concept and possibilities it holds so i’d love to hear your thoughts!

Make sure to tweet your thoughts to @NerdMake on Twitter, tell us on our new forums, or even just leave a comment down below on this article and stick around for more nerdy news!

Stay Nerdy!