Nintendo Labo is Nintendo at Its Best
Nintendo dropped a bombshell with the introduction of Nintendo Labo,
the latest creation to come out of a company known for trying what
might be considered zanier ideas in video games. Zany is the correct
word too, because Nintendo Labo looks like something out of Willie
Wonka’s Chocolate Factory if it was a Toy Shop. The idea is simple,
using corrugated cardboard so kids along with parents or even the
child-at-heart adult can create things from a fishing rod to a robot
suit all with Nintendo Labo and an accompanying Switch. While the
initial response might be “Why?” that’s thinking liking a boring adult
and might I recommend reading The Little Prince? Nintendo Labo at its
heart is capturing something kids love to do — using ones’ imagination
to create countless worlds — Nintendo Labo is the possibility for
imagination and much more.
The most obvious sentiment for Nintendo Labo is if you’re an adult not happy with this announcement, well, good news, Nintendo Labo is for kids! Nintendo clearly stated this before announcing Labo, and yet, this still needs to be said. Let it not be forgotten, Nintendo is the family name in video games, they’ve been making games for all ages for a literal century with a specific focus leaning towards family friendly with the Nintendo we know today. Unfortunately, this sense of entitlement will come up, because of the sense of this belongs to us mentality. Good news, ignore those voices and get ready for fun.
Nintendo has always been that rogue company to try out any idea they think might succeed, maybe not everything, but they have continuously gone places others dare not tread. Looking back through the history things like the Power Glove or Virtual Boy are easy to riff on, but when Nintendo succeeds others soon follow. Just look at what the Wii did for PlayStation and Xbox, with motion controls quickly being introduced by Sony and Microsoft. Look at the Switch, it would not be surprising to see the portability be implemented later down the line for both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, maybe it’s a stretch, but then again there’s that magic of Nintendo striking gold. Nintendo Labo looks to be one of those nuggets.
Video game companies are always looking for ways to immerse the player fully in the game and as technology advances whether AR, VR or something else, Nintendo Labo shows what can be done with the basics. Cardboard construction is nothing new, chances are as a kid or if you have kids, cardboard constructs have made their way through the home. Nintendo latching onto the idea of physical creation with implementation of video games is ingenious. The Nintendo Labo will get kids interested in Nintendo Switch (even more), it will teach them basic engineering and it’s something kids and parents can bond over. Nintendo Labo might look like a bunch of useless cardboard, but it’s firing on all cylinders for having fun.
The price point is nothing to scoff at either. Seriously, don’t scoff. The Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, which includes the Piano, Motorbike, Fishing Pole and more is $69.99. The Nintendo Labo Robot Kit which looks a bit more complex in construction is $79.99. Thinking about the price of a game which comes in at $59.99 the Labo kits are priced just fine. Not only do kids get several games to play, but the simple fact that Nintendo Labo revolves around physically interacting with materials provided makes it more than worth it. Kids will spend time creating while learning and then get to play a sweet game on top, making those price points sound fair.
At the end of the day Nintendo Labo is a wonderful reminder of just what Nintendo is about, capturing the magic of playing together in the most interesting of ways. Nintendo has never been afraid to try new things, even if they fail, which is exactly how you knock it out of the park. Failure is the only way to succeed and those who are successful have probably failed far more than they’ve succeeded because of this willingness to go where others won’t.
Nintendo Labo is set to release on April 20 this year and whether it succeeds or falls flat remains to be seen, but the feeling it will be a success far outweighs it failing. Even if it does fail, at least Nintendo tried! If looking for more information on Nintendo Labo check out the site and maybe get some of that creativity brew stewing.
The most obvious sentiment for Nintendo Labo is if you’re an adult not happy with this announcement, well, good news, Nintendo Labo is for kids! Nintendo clearly stated this before announcing Labo, and yet, this still needs to be said. Let it not be forgotten, Nintendo is the family name in video games, they’ve been making games for all ages for a literal century with a specific focus leaning towards family friendly with the Nintendo we know today. Unfortunately, this sense of entitlement will come up, because of the sense of this belongs to us mentality. Good news, ignore those voices and get ready for fun.
Nintendo has always been that rogue company to try out any idea they think might succeed, maybe not everything, but they have continuously gone places others dare not tread. Looking back through the history things like the Power Glove or Virtual Boy are easy to riff on, but when Nintendo succeeds others soon follow. Just look at what the Wii did for PlayStation and Xbox, with motion controls quickly being introduced by Sony and Microsoft. Look at the Switch, it would not be surprising to see the portability be implemented later down the line for both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, maybe it’s a stretch, but then again there’s that magic of Nintendo striking gold. Nintendo Labo looks to be one of those nuggets.
Video game companies are always looking for ways to immerse the player fully in the game and as technology advances whether AR, VR or something else, Nintendo Labo shows what can be done with the basics. Cardboard construction is nothing new, chances are as a kid or if you have kids, cardboard constructs have made their way through the home. Nintendo latching onto the idea of physical creation with implementation of video games is ingenious. The Nintendo Labo will get kids interested in Nintendo Switch (even more), it will teach them basic engineering and it’s something kids and parents can bond over. Nintendo Labo might look like a bunch of useless cardboard, but it’s firing on all cylinders for having fun.
The price point is nothing to scoff at either. Seriously, don’t scoff. The Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, which includes the Piano, Motorbike, Fishing Pole and more is $69.99. The Nintendo Labo Robot Kit which looks a bit more complex in construction is $79.99. Thinking about the price of a game which comes in at $59.99 the Labo kits are priced just fine. Not only do kids get several games to play, but the simple fact that Nintendo Labo revolves around physically interacting with materials provided makes it more than worth it. Kids will spend time creating while learning and then get to play a sweet game on top, making those price points sound fair.
At the end of the day Nintendo Labo is a wonderful reminder of just what Nintendo is about, capturing the magic of playing together in the most interesting of ways. Nintendo has never been afraid to try new things, even if they fail, which is exactly how you knock it out of the park. Failure is the only way to succeed and those who are successful have probably failed far more than they’ve succeeded because of this willingness to go where others won’t.
Nintendo Labo is set to release on April 20 this year and whether it succeeds or falls flat remains to be seen, but the feeling it will be a success far outweighs it failing. Even if it does fail, at least Nintendo tried! If looking for more information on Nintendo Labo check out the site and maybe get some of that creativity brew stewing.
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