It's called the "Nintendo Labo," and the pioneer gaming company is looking to change the way video games are played with this latest invention.
Nintendo recently announced that they are about to give players a new line of "build-it-yourself experience" that will be compatible for the Switch and will soon be available in April.
So what makes it special? Compared to many of today's console and handheld accessories which are designed to enhance the users' gameplay experience with their devices such as headsets and motion controllers, the Labo is surprisingly as low-tech as they come. It has no wires, no lenses or screws or any electronic parts. In fact, the entirety of the accessory is simply made out of cardboard.
Yes, the same material from the boxes that store all of that old junk in the garage.
These cardboard kits, which are pre-cut and come in various modular designs, can be put together to form miniature objects that can be used to interact with specific Nintendo Switch titles in ways that the games are supposed to be played.
An example of this is published in Nintendo's official website where the announcement of the Labo was made, it reads:
"For example, you can make a functioning 13-key piano that brings your musical arrangements to life once the Nintendo Switch console and Right Joy-Con controller are inserted. As you play, the IR Motion Camera in the Right Joy-Con detects which keys are pressed and plays each note through the console's built-in speakers. Budding musicians can also experiment with their own musical creations."
Several different Labo patterns allow the users to construct other functional objects for interactive gameplay such as a working steering wheel with a pedal for driving cars, a handlebar and accelerator for motorcycles, and even a fishing rod for players who love to catch fish in the virtual world. All of these objects use the Switch's controllers and motion camera to provide a realistic gaming experience for players.
Nintendo America's President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime, says that the product is part of the company's long standing mission to make people smile by surprising them with new experiences.
"It is an exciting evolution of the Nintendo Switch platform – one designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and imagination in people of all ages." He said.
The Nintendo Labo launches the Variety Kit, which can be assembled to form various objects, and the Robot Kit, which becomes an interactive robot suit complete with a visor. The prices come at $69.99 and $79.99 and are already available for pre order through Amazon.
