Nintendo recently revealed Nintendo Labo, their first line of DIY crafts, that interact with your Nintendo Switch console. They’re great for growing children and adults who want to do something hands-on. But is it truly worth the money?
I recently wrote an article regarding the details that Nintendo Labo entails. Nintendo Labo has kits consisting of cardboard, rubber bands, and other simple materials, as well as the Nintendo Labo software for the Switch. With these kits, you step-by-step learn how to craft things such as a 13-key piano, or a fishing rod, that can be used in games on your Switch. Overall, Nintendo Labo is a unique concept that nobody expected to see today. It’s almost like simpler, cardboard version of Legos… almost.
But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the concept of a hands-on building experience that can be used with one of the coolest video game consoles I own. And if I were a parent, I would absolutely love it if my kids were building interactive crafts like these.
Earlier today, Nintendo released a teaser photo saying that Nintendo Labo is “specially crafted for kids and those who are kids-at-heart.” I am aware that these projects are aimed at children. And to be perfectly honest: that’s okay. I commend Nintendo for thinking outside of the box with Nintendo Switch software. I wholeheartedly support the idea of using Nintendo as an educational outlet for growing kids.
A closer look at the Nintendo Labo software on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Labo’s step-by-step program allows children to experience the process of building and designing; they hands-on construct creative crafts that are associated with a video game console, a console widely-accepted as entertainment rather than something that can promote cognitive skills. Obviously, video games can strengthen things like creativity and imagination, quick-thinking skills, and the ability to work with others, but we all know how video games are perceived by the majority. Nintendo Labo introduces children to the basics of applied science, which is not only entertaining but highly beneficial to child development.
I have to give some props to Nintendo for this. Nintendo Labo is without a doubt innovative and unique. It is creative; a perfect entertainment outlet for people to enjoy, adults and children alike. It is truly ingenious.
A finished Fishing Rod project from the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit.
However, I am skeptical of many aspects of Nintendo Labo. I’m skeptical not because I was expecting Animal Crossing or Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Switch. Let me clarify that I do not mean to sound whiny when I raise criticism. I have concerns as to how the projects in Nintendo Labo will hold up over long periods of use or long periods of time. I am also concerned with the high price for projects with low-budget materials.
The Toy-Con 01, the Variety Kit, comes with five different projects. These projects include two RC cars, a fishing rod, a house, a motorbike, and a piano. The Variety Kit has a retail price of $69.99. Including tax, people will be spending over $70 for 28 sheets of cardboard, stickers, and string. The kit obviously comes with other small materials, as well as the software you follow while building, but still. The durability of Nintendo Labo projects is extremely questionable. No, cardboard isn’t the most short-lived material, but it certainly isn’t worth seventy to eighty dollars. Seriously, have any of you seen children when they get their hands on cardboard boxes?
The contents of the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, minus the software.
Whether they’re in the hands of children or adults, I am worried that these projects won’t last long. I don’t exactly enjoy the thought of investing over $70 into a project I made with my bare hands just so it can bend, break, and snap all over the place.
Anyways, let’s shift away from the durability concerns and back to the pricing. When you break down the price of the Variety Kit, it costs roughly $14 per project. In all honesty, that isn’t bad pricing, especially since you get the software too. But the only way people can purchase these projects is if they buy them all or none at all. There is currently no option to buy them individually. According to IGN France, the kits are not necessary, but the cartridge will be needed “since Nintendo plans to offer the cardboard design pattern for free for aspiring builders.” This means that the design patterns will eventually be free. Whether or not that refers to the cardboard itself, or a pattern you can digitally download and print, is unclear, though I’d assume it is the latter.
Some personal talk here: I actively explore open-source projects, particularly for 3D printers, and open-source software is a huge reason why I support the 3D-printing community. Designs and patterns are more often than not free to download and used not just for 3D-printers, but all sorts of DIY projects. There are countless free outlets on the internet to explore. One does not need to invest a lot of money into innovative, hands-on projects that improve cognitive skills for children.
Another look at the 13-key piano project in the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit.
Let’s consider the other side of the price spectrum. Lego Mindstorms’ projects, although pricey, have programs where people build actual robots. These robots are customizable, beneficial to people of all ages (especially budding engineers), and have countless possibilities in terms of what they can do. So, although someone might drop over $300 on Lego Mindstorms kits, the number of things the technology can do is worth the money. But $70 or more for cardboard projects? $80 for a not-so-robotic Robot Suit? Not so much.
Considering the durability of Nintendo Labo’s materials, I feel the pricing is inconvenient for many people, especially when there are similar creative outlets out there. These outlets can be free and as simple as Nintendo Labo’s, or more intricate, allowing you to customize robots. Thankfully, the Nintendo Labo project patterns will eventually be free, so as long as people have the materials, they won’t have to purchase the whole package.
A closer look at the House project in the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit.
Nintendo Labo doesn’t release until roughly three months from today. I’m not entirely sure how well mixing DIY crafts and video games will do, we will have to wait and see. I am hoping that the Nintendo Labo projects will be sturdy enough to last a relatively long time. If not, it is what it is. But I ultimately hope Nintendo learns from Nintendo Labo and how hands-on, out-of-the-box programs like this can benefit future video games.
What are your thoughts on Nintendo Labo? Do you feel it is more ingenious or inconvenient? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear.
