New to Nintendo
First came the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1983. In 2017 we saw the exciting release of the Nintendo Switch, the seventh major game console released from Nintendo. The Switch initially appears to the user to be a purely handheld device, but after further investigation, the user will discover the possible customization of the device. The two side joy sticks come apart to create the Joy-Con Grip Controller and a separate screen. Nintendo released alongside the device a more ergonomic Pro Controller and the Nintendo Switch Dock, which holds the detached screen.
Come one year later and we have the Nintendo Labo, a gaming and construction toy that pairs with the Nintendo Switch.
“Nintendo Labo is a set of interactive, build-and-play experiences,” noted Marc Franklin, senior PR director for Nintendo of America.
The Nintendo Labo is released as two separate kits. There are two kits, each come with branded cardboard, and easy-to-follow interactive instructions that are downloaded onto the Switch. The Variety Kit comes with materials to create five toys: the fishing rod, a mini house, an eight key piano, an RC car, and a motorbike. The Robot Kit includes materials for constructing a DIY mecha suit, that puts the user in a virtual world. Each kit is priced at $69.99 and $79.99 respectively, with Nintendo intending for parents to probably first purchase the larger bundle for their kids to try out. The release date for the new product is set for April 20th, 2018 in North America, Australia, and Japan and on April 27, 2018 in Europe.
Each toy interacts with the Joy-Con sticks as follows:
Remote controlled car: where the vibrations from the Joy-Con serve to provide momentum and steering to the car. The game software allows the player to control the car like a normal remote-controlled vehicle using the console itself as the controller.
Fishing rod: where the Joy-Con sit in the reel and the handle of the rod. The game receives motion input from the Joy-Con to simulate a fishing game.
Mini piano: with a full octave of keys; the console sits atop this to serve as a music stand.
Motorbike: with Joy-Con inserted into the handlebars on either side of the Console for steering.
A house: containing a slot to insert different components that can interact with the game software on the Console’s display.
Building time varies by toy, with some projects taking up to two and a half hours (fishing rod). Patience will be extremely necessary for children and parents alike, as these construction toys will take longer to build than your normal DIY projects. However, the end result will be extremely rewarding, and will hopefully teach and reinforce patience in children.
Nintendo will release alongside the Labo, a bundle that includes stencils and stickers, for ultimate customization of the toys for $9.99. However, all of the cardboard included in the kits is safe for crayon, colored pencil, and even markers, so children will be able to turn the dull and brown cardboard into a colorful creation without the cost of separate kits. The only downside to this customization is that over decorating of the toy house, according to one parent reviewer, prevents the house from functioning fully.
“Some of the stickers blocked the chimney where the controller rests, as well as the slots on the side where the various interactive bits fit in. It was a simple repair — I removed the stickers — but it does illustrate the limitations of Labo customization.”
Nintendo has implemented pre-testing dates for the Nintendo Labo, available to the public. In order to participate, parents must have a child or children aged 6–12, live near New York City or San Francisco, and be able to participate in a three hour long hands-on Nintendo Labo Studio session. Entrees for both events are currently closed. The New York City event occurs February 2nd-3rd, 2018, while the San Francisco event will occur March 2nd-4th, 2018. Hopefully these events will help Nintendo work out any existing kinks in the products before shelf release.
Some concerns have been raised about the fragility and longevity of the product. Cardboard, even the trademarked kind, can only hand so much bending and handling, so we can definitely predict some ripping and wear to be put onto the cardboard in the solely the building process. Hopefully Nintendo will include multiple templates in each kit, or will offer some sort of warranty for the products, as not many parents will want to rebuy these expensive construction toys over and over for their children. Quickly broken toys will not only result in heartbroken kids, but also empty wallets.
Some time after release, I decided to look into reviews surrounding this very issue of fragility. Parents have been saying that RC car, piano and toy house have proven to be flimsy after weeks of banging around from their children. However, there was a point made that, “It wasn’t anything that couldn’t be fixed with a bit of tape.”
“I’ve needed to do some fixes, sure, but this never felt like a chore.”
The invention of these DIY projects that interact with the digital world offers new potential for possible future educational games and activities for children. Maybe in the future we will see Nintendo creating kits and mini games for young children that will help them learn, read, or write all while having the fun and satisfaction of building and coloring their cardboard creations.
In the future I also hope to see not just more kits released by Nintendo, but also more games by Nintendo and other developers that work with these buildable kits. The Nintendo Labo not only creates an environment of learning and creativity, but also offers a step into the virtual reality world for children, and will maybe even send some adults back to their childhood.
The Labo kits can be purchased from their websites here: https://labo.nintendo.com/
Here is a more detailed look on the product:
Reviewer referenced from: https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/3/17311010/nitendo-labo-cardboard-test
