Nintendo has announced their latest product: Nintendo Labo.
Nintendo Labo is the "new interactive experience" that was recently teased by the Japanese-based video game hardware & software developer. It consists of shaped pieces of cardboard and other simple mechanical tools like strings or rubber bands that can be assembled into a variety of real-world objects. These objects can then have the Nintendo Switch and/or its Joy-Cons slotted into them, allowing for a sort of budget augmented reality experience. Take a look at the First Look At Nintendo Labo video to get a feel for the idea in practice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Bd3HUMkyU
Some of the potential options showcased are building a piano, motorcycle handlebars, and a fishing rod. Of course, these are interactive elements for games; there also seem to be creations that work the other way around. For example, you can build toys that are powered by Joy-Con controllers.
Two Labo sets have been revealed so far: the Toy-Con 01 "Variety Kit" and Toy-Con 02 "Robot Kit". The Toy-Con Variety Kit includes 2 RC Cars, a fishing rod, a house, a motorbike, and a piano. The Toy-Con Robot Kit allows you to build a sort of robot harness that you can strap on to your back. You can gussy up your creations with the Customization Set which includes stickers, stencils, and tape to allow you to change the look of the projects that you'll build with Nintendo Labo.
Parents with kids ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to attend a 3-hour hands-on Nintendo Labo event in either San Francisco or New York City. Simply head on over to this page and sign up. Nintendo Labo will start at $69.99 or your regional equivalent. You can learn more about this new product by heading over to its official website. Nintendo Labo will launch on April 20, 2018.
What do you think of Nintendo Labo? Do you think it will be popular or is it a silly idea? Let us know in the comments below!
