Introducing Nintendo Labo, Combining Physical and Digital Play

January 18, 2018

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UPDATE (18/01/18) – Added Australian pricing details and more information on each Labo pack straight from the official press release.

Nintendo have today announced a new line of products called Nintendo Labo that will provide all sorts of new ways to interact with your Nintendo Switch. You’ll be able to purchase various sets (adorable called “ToyCons”) that include Nintendo Switch software, as well as physical DIY kits that allow you to assemble toys and controllers that will interact with the software in different ways. You might build a fishing rod to insert your JoyCons into to play a fishing game, or a remote control car you control with your Switch. It looks so fun and it’s the kind of thing that only Nintendo would try out. Words don’t do it justice, just watch the reveal video below.

On April 20th you’ll be able to purchase the following three packs (information is directly from the official press release):

Variety Kit – AUD$99.95

Nintendo Labo - Variety Kit - Nintendo Switch

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. 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 crank the reel quickly and tug the Fishing Rod upwards 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, feed and play games with 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, twisting the right handle activates the throttle, and 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 create your own music by pressing different keys. You can even insert different assembled knobs to create new sound effects and tones.

Robot Kit – AUD$119.95

Nintendo Labo - Robot Kit - Nintendo Switch

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, where you can destroy in-game buildings and UFOs.