New Nintendo Labo Kit Introduces VR Gaming On Switch This April

Cool.

I’ll try it.

Haha good joke, guys.

I'd always expected Nintendo to return to VR...but not like this.
...
Then again, knowing Nintendo, I should have known all along. I'll be interested to see how this turns out.

I like the idea of the starter kit at a lower price and the expansion packs. I might give this a shot.

I'm all for Nintendo getting into VR but... Not with this. Switch is just so big.

/ANGRY NOISES AT SOMETHING NOT AIMED AT ME

Huh. Maybe I’ll actually be buying my first Labo kit next month then...

Time for Pokemon Snap!?

@Rika_Yoshitake
LOL! So true. With Link's Awakening, Mario Maker 2, Astral Chain, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Yoshi's Crafted World, Animal Crossing, Luigi's Mansion 3, and so much more, we adults are getting more than enough content this year. Even though I'm not going to buy it, I'm still impressed by the ingenuity involved.

Well this is unexpected. If it continues to have expansion packs this is definitely worth a buy. For now I’ll just stay in my endless indecision of buying the Vehicle Kit.

Add a "VR mode" in Mario Kart and it'll get my attention

For $40 it night be worth it.

I'm not expecting Rift stuff, but it night be neat.

Then again, I see a lot of broken switches with this.

This might be the first Labo kit that actually makes sense.

Still dont' think the Switch is capable of actual VR - I have the PSVR headset and that's impressive and it still has severe limitations at $200 plus a PS4 - but it should be as good as an iPod strapped to your face in Google Cardboard.

Maybe Google will sue over the cardboard patent?

https://vr.google.com/cardboard/

I'm very interested...

This sounds about as appealing as taping a cardboard box to my face.

Yea this'll be a blast with my kids. Sure Labo's not mindmeltingly beyond awesome but it's a lot of fun building it. I get why some people could care less. I'm thoroughly enjoying them so far. Course they eventually collect dust but oh well. It's really all about the kiddos anyway.

VR camera, you say? Could there be an, i dunno.... Pokemon snap game made for that?

Is it just my imagination, or is it 3 cents cheaper to buy everything separately than together? Nintendo has bundle pricing issues.

Well it looks like I'll finally be picking up a Labo Kit! This sounds so cool! The Garage mode thing sounds exciting with this kit also.

See ?
I told ya.
LABO is still continued.

@GyroZeppeli If you can snag the Vehicle Kit on a sale, I’d say that should seal it for you. It’s my favorite so far.
I’m intrigued by this one, but will wait for details before getting too excited.
Yes, I like the Labo line. I find it fun to do the builds and improve on them.

....Make Pokemon Snap 2 and then I'll buy.

add first person to Mario kart 8 then we will be good

@kukabuksilaks
Because there are some gamers don't even care with typical AAA 3rd party games.
LABO is perfect for them who like different kind of games as a gap filler.
More different games genre, merrier.

Thought of one issue with this though how does that stay on.

@Marth_is_cool
All the photos show the kids holding the labo kit to their head, no straps at all are shown.

I’m getting Virtual Boy flashbacks. Don’t get me wrong, the Switch is fantastic but I can’t help but think of how this Labo attachment being a bit flimsy like the aforementioned VB.... (shudders)

Ok. I am one of the few who actually enjoy Labo for what it is. Other people criticize it like its just a piece of cardboard and don't get me wrong it still is, but putting everything together and actually using it as a functional piece of hardware is one of the most satisfying things you will accomplish. So for the record, I am all in for Nintendo Labo VR.

......I don't like the idea of putting my Switch in that

Seems like this article was created just to attempt to validate the rumor articles that are plastered everywhere here.

@MyNameIsRandy Exactly that is the issue you need a strap on this so you can get a better experience holding this up to your head sounds like a bad idea why it takes the focus out and it not as enjoyable this headset needs a strap.

$5 - $15 at Google - Even cardboard has Nintendo Tax 😂

Welcome to 2014

I said I’d never get Labo.

Guess I may have lied.

They have to have software to sell me on it though. No generic minigames. If there’s a cool use of their IPs, like Zelda or Metroid, then I might cave and get this. Though as it stands, I don’t see that as super likely, other than maybe tacked on features. I hoped we’d get a higher end piece of hardware targeted at core gamers, and I feel this will be as deep as the other Labo games.

@Joeynator3000 this. Put me IN a Pokémon Snap. I’d buy this in a heartbeat.

I think they should add a strap to keep this to your head and replace the blaster with samus's arm cannon. And like i said first person mode in mario kart 8 and this would sell fast.

@rjejr it’s your imagination. It’s actually 2 cents cheaper.

@Anti-Matter But don't you hate VR?

Labo V.R. might become the new (new) 3DS or the new Virtual Boy depending on its sales.

I'll try to be there day one once it rolls out.

If the experiences are solid then I will get this as a project for my kid's and I.

@Agramonte What software does it come with?

Lets wait for more info about this, it looks neat so far.

Nice, then release an update for Breath of the Wild to support this, then have a seizure due to frame lag.

Looks like a neat idea that will get people some affordable VR fun.

I remain wholly uninterested in VR, though, so I hope Nintendo doesn't divert a lot of funds to make this work.

@Heavyarms55 google cardboard did it first!

@Trajan
If VR PS4, I really don't like it from price factor, games choices and it looked heavy + have a lot of issues.

But for LABO VR, i think it looked not heavy, interesting mini games and cheaper price. And i saw from the LABO VR box, the VR didn't have a strap so i can put it on my face just for a while.

Well, i got some good impression from LABO VR so far. Still waiting for gameplay of LABO VR review.

I love Nintendo, but sometimes I just don’t understand them. Out of all of the Labo Kits that could use a trailer, this is the one that needs it the most. They give the announcement, put up a single page, and that’s it.

We have no idea what to expect. What will the games look like? What will it be compatible with? I don’t get them. There’s a disconnect somewhere in the marketing department.

Let's see...
I don't like paying for overpriced cardboard.
I don't enjoy VR gaming because it puts you out of the real world too much and you may accidently break stuff.
Put the two together and what do you get?

..an interesting concept but really not my kind of thing. I'm mostly just surprised Nintendo is doing this though.

@Anti-Matter I imagine this will weigh around the same. What's worse is that since its cardboard attached to your head, the balence and security will be worse, leading to it feeling heavier with an increased risk of falling off your face. (EDIT: I didn't look super closely, it doesn't have a strap, which is eh but we'll see how it is.)

This won't be anywhere in the same league as dedicated VR. But it looks neat and for $40 why not?

With this direction I do bet the next Nintendo will be a Rift level console.

There were rumors of something like this. But I still wasn't ready for how lame this looks. But I guess seven-year-old me would have loved this.

I didn't buy any of the previous Labo stuff. Think that's gonna change. I'm looking forward to this.

I love it. Got the vehicle kit for my 4 yr old son and he plays that religiously. I'm sure he will enjoy this.

This is not going to be great

Mmm I just might have to give this a try with the starter kit.

This seems so obvious in retrospect.

Me in the bathroom yelling to my wife after seeing this article:

"It's still March, right?"

I can see how kids would have a lot of fun with this but just not as much fun as they would with a good video game.

@Yosher You're not going to accidentally break stuff with this type of VR.

Time to ruin your kid's eyesight.

But are those Labo kits as secure as Solid Snake's box?

@Blitzenexx they’re surprisingly sturdy. Snake would be proud

This looks awesome. Haha, this’ll be the first VR product I ever buy...

I’m definitely interested in the $40 option, which will be a lot easier to budget. An incredibly smart move on Nintendo’s part.

I hope the Robot Kit gets a VR update that works with this kit, and I hope other games are compatible (Mario Kart, for example).

@ShadJV aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh math

Thanks though, that was pretty funny. I'd fix it, but I just can't be bothered anymore. 😎

@Agramonte "Welcome to 2014"

I had one of these $5 Hasbro My3D headsets for my iPod Touch about 7 years ago in 2012. I'm guessing the 3D will be similar.

Funny all these comments saying "where's the strap?" like they haven't seen a myriad of these devices in $1 stores.

You know I haven’t tried any of the Labo kits but this looks really neat. It looks like a creative way to give a VR experience and the modes of play are interesting. I’m surprised about the amount of naysaying about this in the comments- out of all the Labo kits this is the most interesting since the others don’t include surprising uses of the joy con capabilities. Labo vehicle = cardboard Mario Kart, Labo robot= cardboard Arms, and Labo variety= cardboard 1-2 switch ( or other mini game collection).

@MH4

Snake: Rushes out to buy Labo kits, leaves walkie

Walkie: Snake? Snake? Snaaaaaaake?

May try it out once I see a few reviews out there. Looks like it could be fun with my kid and family.

Pokemon snap? 007? ..... I wonder what they can do!

So what about the gameplay included? What is a kid going to be seeing? Isn’t VR bad for a kid’s eyes? I have so many questions.

Finally something LABO related that I could get into.

I'll wait for a review. 720p screen plus the low horse power of the Switch,seems like a recipe for a puke sandwich to me.

@Blitzenexx “Hrrrng, Colonel... I’m wearing a cardboard robot backpack. I’m a robot now.”

It's good that Nintendo is offering a $40 SKU. The $70/$80 price tag of the first 3 Labo kits did them no favors at all.

Anyways, I really need to see some footage for this, which Nintendo has strangely not provided.

@MH4: And watch him become as talented as Ganondorf with that piano from the variety kit.... 😂

I plan on getting it for my kiddos and me.

So this will provide a 3D image? So a 360p resolution? I'm excited to try this, but I've felt like PSVR was too low resolution... I really hope this runs at 60 fps and has fun games. The elephant and bird look like very cool toys. What the heck is the elephant game? I can imagine you fly in the bird toy con games, but do you walk around the savanna with the elephant toy con? I hope there is a 5th labo kit and it has crazy cardboard creations with crazy never seen before games!

Well it is the cheapest VR ever now. Hopefully it sold better than PS VR.

This, even more than the other Labo, seems like something that you try once and shelve. The low resolution and framerate means this will either make you sick, or give you a mean headache, if you use it for longer than a few minutes.

I mean, I'm excited for Nintendo to try VR. But this isn't how they should go about it, I think.

"Toycon Blaster"
Bring me that delicious Yoshi's Safari and Metal Combat goodn--
"Toycon Camera"
It can't be...! Pokémon Snap 2?!

**checks date** nope, not April 1st. Right.

@rjejr all in good fun, I just wanted to make a joke and was hoping it wouldn’t go over poorly. I agree though, it’s silly to bundle and technically have a higher cost. If I do get it, I have no motivation to purchase them together, if at all.

This looks like the best Labo so far, and honestly, the pricing seems to hit a sweet spot for people looking to play just a couple games at $40 + expansions. That being said, PSVR is pretty satisfying for me right now. I can’t imagine getting this Labo VR system, knowing it can’t likely run very high quality of games on it, nor can I imagine it getting much or frequent support after these sets. It won’t be running Resident Evil 7 VR or Astrobot type games. Because of this, I’ll likely avoid this unless the reviews are 9 or 10/10.

My eye just exploded in agony. I’ll be skipping this one.

For the price I think this could be worth it. Thus would have been a good save for a Direct though. Honestly.

I might buy the most basic kit if they will add VR mode to some of the big games

This thing release date is pretty good, it will fill a little bit of the void of games in Aril-June

@MrDisappointed Doesn't involve that much ingenuity though. Google cardboard VR headsets have been on the market for years

@Yosher lol “puts you out of the real world too much” sounds like something a soccer mom would say about video games after Oprah said they were bad.

Also you’re going to be so immersed and Gesturing so wildly playing cardboard elephant that you’re going to break stuff? Come on,dude,how old are you?

@DK-Fan Or port that VR arcade Mario Kart

@Whalehome Yeah, I’d imagine the VR here is very underwhelming, but I never count out the results of Nintendo’s fantastic research division. They might have discovered design loopholes to ease the experience

VR with 720p resolution ?

Don't they realize how horrendous is it ?

They'll slap the VR label onto anything won't they?

We definitely need on rails arcade shooters like House of the Dead on the Switch

@Anti-Matter you think this looks promising but PSVR has a lot of issues and it's games aren't appealing? How good do you think these games are going to be when your hands are going to be physically holding the Switch to your face? Which will feel much heavier than a device which basically sits on your head as if it were a hat and feels light as a result. You're right about it being cheaper though.

I do find it funny that even after 30 years Nintendo still haven't realised that VR headsets need some way of attaching to your head to be useful. That aside this does make me curious about what if any VR potential the Switch does have. I doubt it's much as even PSVR is probably at the base minimum resolution that it needs to be and even then you really need the PRO to clear it up

@IceEarthGuard OMG Pokémon Snap would be so awesome. I hope this comes to be:)

@rjejr Oh wow... I never saw that. I think I still had a ZUNE in 2012 🙄🙃

I had the regular first gen google cardboard. My brother got it for me. I played a flight simulator and that was about it. The phone made it front heavy and was uncomfortable all around.

My nephew got the PSVR for Christmas. Played Eve: Valkyrie for 10 min and got sick. I'll stick with Devil may Cry 5 😅

@KingBowser86 a new Pokémon Snap in VR would be so cool! I would buy this just for that

@SeanDS89 Same! I think a lot of people would!

@DK-Fan ”Add a "VR mode" in Mario Kart and it'll get my attention”

It’s not altogether impossible, since MK8 on Switch can already handle two-player splitscreen, so it’s already optimized to render two viewports at high framerates.

Get an overpriced box, pretend it's a game.

Nintendo have already done cardboard virtual reality.

Sure could use a trailer, but between the general Switch/Labo capabilities and a ln amusingly literal case of "early bird cameo" in last year's promo materials, we may already know what to expect. Feels like Virtual Boy is coming back with a vengeance and might actually shine this time - even if this incarnation ends up having fewer than 22 games. XD Unless third parties get interested like they did with the Labo wheel.

And I do expect them all to be another testimony to what modern "VR" largely is - a cool headmounted first person gyro camera.

@Mrtoad this classic and its many brethren on GP: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tulip.safari.tours.adventure.vr

Looks cool, good you can get an affordable version. Honestly I would rather have £80 VR than £300 VR.

How will Nintendo stop the motion sickness aspect?

Simple. In almost all the pictures the kids are sitting down, which suggests there son’t Be any moving in the games.

I hope this is true! But why is there no link to an official source? This isn't an april's fool joke since it will be released in april, right?

@MrGawain Movement with your body can't cause sickness in the first place. This is actually worse because now you literally can't move which feels unnatural.

Well...... hmmm what to say, wil Childeren like this?

@Anti-Matter

I'm one of those gamers who doesn't really care about AAA or not.. But I also wouldn't smear butter on my tv before I play a game.. AAA or not..
This will look worse than the first Google cardboard (but hopefully it'll have less drifting). at best it'll be awful with interesting game mechanics, at worst it'll be unplayable for more than 3 minutes at a time.

@DartBuzzer

But I’m betting you won’t be moving in game. The only movement registered will be like for like how you move your head using the Switch gyro controls. If you look there’s no way to use a controller to control in game movement.

Mario Kart support would be good.

@Anti-Matter are you serious? I paid €150 for a PSVR on Black Friday, this cardboard toy is more than half of that and the tracking will be horrible. Only three degrees of freedom instead of six. The resolution will also hurt your eyes. And it's hella uncomfortable.

I'm also pretty sure kids would prefer to play games like Job Simulator on the PSVR

I wonder what ideas they have come p with for VR. Nintendo are so good at thinking outside the box. Or inside it in this case.

@MrGawain The point is that you can't move even on a micro-scale with this. That's unnatural.

@DK-Fan exactly! While on one hand this sounds like Nintendo just doing in 2019 what Google did in 2014, but with a heavier and lower-res screen... On the other hand, the Nintendo difference has always been its software. And software has always been mobile VR's achilles heel. If they can patch in a way to play Mario Kart on this thing, or (lord help us) Zelda BOTW... I'll be there with bells on.

We better get some sort of Virtual Boy stuff through this or I will go insane.

This looks great not expecting PSVR quality. But Nintendo always bring fun experiences so i think i will buy this for sure.

@Agramonte and there it is, there's the dumb comment that completely ignores the fact that Labo contains a whole software package as well as the Toy-Cons.

It is an option for people who want to try it, I may be tempted.

For anyone yapping about it....shut up you miserable gits.

@Rika_Yoshitake bang on the money.

Really thought this was an april fools, but wrong date. Then noticed it on social media, oh god

Duck Hunt VR anyone? Or the 2019 PETA safe version Clay Pigeon Chase VR.

For those of you moaning about this not being proper VR, well it’s not proper gaming VR so stop moaning. This is Nintendo’s family friendly slightly gimmicky and very cheap alternative. Hopefully the software will be fun and challenging. I’m in for at least the starter pack. I can’t imagine this being used for proper games such as BoTW or MK8D due to the likely motion sickness problems.

fancy announcing it with no trailer

I bought all three kits this past Christmas for my nephews and niece and we’ve had a blast with them. The Piano has gotten the most use and I like to use the wheel for Mario Kart. I looked to see if I could preorder this immediately. Also, this is my first post here ever.

@beazlen1 i was thinking the same! The blaster has got to be used for something like Duck Hunt

@SBandy reading through here you get the usuals who think this is Nintendo’s big entry into VR, blabbing on about specs etc like it’s going to be used for big high powered “AAA” shooters or something. It’s for kids and the games will be a short burst affair. I don’t get what’s so hard to grasp about that? Some of these people are so sheltered.

@Anti-Matter
You should try Astro Bot on PSVR, one of the best 3d platformers in recent years.

Insta-buy for me. I think this is going to be really good and sell out fast.

@ReaderRagfihs well it won't "fall off", as there is no head strap or anything - you have to hold it up with your hands the entire time.

This appears to be all the remaining toys from the original Labo adverts.

Nintendo should just kill off this Labo stuff. It's embarrassing.

@HumanDog I don’t see what wrong with this. I have no interest, but it gives the Switch an even bigger variety of gameplay experiences, without interfering with the release of the types of games that have made the Switch so popular. And if it takes off, it might encourage Nintendo to explore virtual reality on a grander level with future consoles. The idea of Nintendo’s expertises in game development, coupled with HD virtual reality, sounds very intriguing.

@VHSGLITCH As soon as I saw the part you look in I thought of the Virtual Boy.

Can 720p be enough for VR? Divide that by two, and you get only 360p each eye. I will be a blurry mess unless they utilize it with finesse, the way Breath of the Wild did. Then again, don't ever underestimate Nintendo...

@outsider83 Labo is just off. It doesn't have that Nintendo magic and it also pretty much flopped after the initial hype. The value for money aspect is also really bad. Some minigames and cardboard, c'mon son.

I bought a Virtual Boy for less than this package.

I think this is neat for those who have yet to experience VR, but I have Rift and PSVR. I'll just use those if I want VR.

@MyNameIsRandy
There are no straps to secure it to your face, you have to hold it there

Once again Emily Rogers was right; "but but but she has no sources". Some people out there really have it with her, they should apologize.

... So not a single video about it?

The best part is that all of these things were part of the initial reveal and none of us thought about VR as the application.

I'd be interested in VR games on switch but this is clearly aimed at Kids so I doubt this would be something I would get. Hopefully the fact that VR is possible on switch will then mean we get VR games on the eshop. I will then look into buying it ( if the VR is any good of course)

weird that there is no strap to use it hands-free

@outsider83 haha. indeed.

@techdude 360p is a fourth of 720p. The resolution of a Switch is 1280×720; so it would be 640x720 per eye. 360p widescreen is 640x360; so it would be twice as much as 360p actually. Still not a lot. But it's Labo, you're not going to play BOTW or Odyssey on this.

@Octane Thanks for the clarification. Having used a 1080p Android phone for Carboard VR, I find the resolution lacking. Now the Labo VR is even less, then as I stated, maybe Nintendo could conjure up magic once again. I'll be among the early adopters if only because of my faith in the big N, and that I want to support their off-the-beaten-path endeavors.

I've had fun with all of the other Labo kits so far, so this is something I will definitely pick up (though perhaps around a Black Friday sale, when it's 1/2 off). I've always wanted to be an elephant.

@Luffymcduck absolutely. It’s the best Nintendo game made last year.

@MrDisappointed "We Adults", huh?
Us "teens" are also excited about the upcoming games. Don't assume that Labo is just for kids. I personally know older people who own Labo.

@HumanDog how do you know it would hurt your eyes? Its not even released yet!

@Moshugan remember Mario Kart 7 on 3ds? There was a mode where if you tapped the bottom screen while racing, you'd enter a first person mode.
You could also use motion controls too!
Its entirely possible for an MK VR.

Hopefully this will open up a re-release of some of the better Virtual Boy games that no one played back in the day. I still enjoyed the Virtual Boy, but I know I'm in the minority on that.

Seems an odd thing to omit from the recent Direct.

I hope this isn't the reason Reggie is leaving. He saw this, and thought, "how the hell am I gonna sell this?" haha. Actually, it might be kinda fun.

The cheaper starter set is a great idea.

If Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or other games support it, then I'm sold. If BotW supports it, then I may as well get buried and spend the rest of my existence nestled in my coffin with Switch VR latched to my head until I inevitably cark it.

Goodbye stupid non-virtual reality!

I mean... it looks fun, but "play it 3 times and then never touch it again" fun.

I literally spent hours playing on a Tomytronic back in the 80's so would expect this to be fun.

If you think of the progression in technology from 1983 to now, the tech has not improved that much in comparison to other things.

@Dethmunk Maybe they were hoping it would be aimed at them, then turns out it wasn't. Kind of disappointing. Just as continual moaning can be irritating, so can the constant contentment with sub-par "creative innovation". Also, asking people to grow up in a Nintendo forum....eh?

Splitting up the kits is a good idea. I still haven't built all the Labo I have, but I'd like to eventually. One toy takes hours to build and plenty of space, so buying six at once isn't very appealing to me.

If you read the description carefully there is no headband meanig you have to actually hold it with your hands , it's meant to play short session and pass the thing to others around you so forget hardcore gaming like BOTW or Metroid or mario kart. For 40$ I will surely buy the starter kit and share the fun with my family

@dew12333 That's because there was a VR push in 1995 that ended in about a year. After that, there was no real backing, and even during that there was basically no actual funding going on.

Which means there has been a 15+ year gap with no serious R&D going on. Now that it's here, the advancements are extremely fast in comparison to other technologies.

Its good that they don't give up but Labo is a failure.

I would prefer a stand alone 70$ polaroid-style camera.

Good for Nintendo! My family has not purchased a LABO kit yet. I kind of doubt we will. However, I love that Nintendo has created the LABO kits.

The one thing I don't understand is all the people that say it should die, or go away, or ask why??. Here are the answers: What has LABO done to you that it should die? Don't buy it if it angers you that much, and seek help from a psychiatrist. Why should it go away? It's not stopping Nintendo from developing anything else. They're releasing a ton of great games this year. Why?, why not? If they're making money and people are having fun with the kits, why not?

People are saying it would be hilarious if this outsold PSVR.

@Leuke You make a great point. I don't own a LABO kit but if I were to buy this one, I think I will buy the camera kit @ $40 and buy the expansions separately.

@Dethmunk Well said!!!!!

Is this a joke? What might very well be the future of videogaming and Nintendo turn it into a crafting toy for 9 year olds!?!?

The pricing structure of this one is the best out of the 3 kits. Of course it makes it to where there are 4 skus but the price is better suited for what the experience is.

I own the other 3 kits but haven't put them together (don't know that I will) and will probably get the big kit and then buy the starter set and put it together.

@Folkloner And like every LABO before - "software" that is 2 steps away from an interactive Mobile APP. 1-That was a free download at the AppStore with the $5 Google version, and 2- you could buy more for .99c. So get 3 and you at $8!

Make a StarFox VR game and toss this as a Pre-order Bonus or a $15 DLC extra pack.

So that's what the camera in the reveal trailer one year ago was all about. And they solve both the issues of weight and one controller needing to be stuck to the system, by making you hold the kit like it was a heavy SLR camera. ... or one of these other contraptions.

Smart move, not strapping it to people's face, but generally, this whole thing ultimately seems like a step back to me, compared to the other LABO offerings. Less clever, less inclusive for anyone watching. And it's bound to be billed as "Nintendo's miserable attempt at VR for children." Unless it's like, really good. Who knows. We may be surprised yet.

A good thing will be the inevitable cheap 3rd party shells that assist the other inevitability: a "compatible with LABO VR kit" notice for smartphone VR apps that are ported to Switch.

@rxchrisg I'm just saying this based on my previous experience with VR. On top of giving me a bloody headache, I just don't find it a pleasant experience due to only being able to see the screen and not your actual surroundings. Especially when combined with headphones. I can understand the appeal, but it's just not for me.

This is the first LABO kit I'd be interested in. I probably won't get it, but this is miles above the Robot kit.

@Mountain_Man
It really wouldn't take much for it to do so.

@SmaggTheSmug
Personally, I always found the robot more interesting than the promise of VR on Switch, and I'm a little bummed out the accompanying game is as shallow as it is, and weren't ever fleshed out.

@Kirby-in-Kirkby
You're speaking as if the past and the present of video games isn't already crafting toys for 9-year-olds.

The Sims and Minecraft were phenomenons for a reason.

Woah! Now you have my attention! I'm gonna get this for sure. However, I don't think any of them have a head strap though. I'll just make one myself if that's really the case.

Is this supposed to be "comfortable and fun for long periods of time?"?

Is anyone else getting pissed about Nintendo's poor choices lately?

It's kinda strange to me that there's not a single version where you can just properly strap on the headset and then use the two JoyCons as 3DoF motion controllers. What we are getting here should be fun but it's definitely more of a once-and-your-done short-time gimmick than I was hoping. At the very least I was hoping it could be used like a really cheap and chearful VR headset you properly strap on and can play some genuinely cool Nintendo-themed games with using the JoyCons as 3DoF controllers. This, however, really does seem like it's gonna now be a bunch of generic VR mini-games that people will enjoy for a few mins and likely never really touch again. Still, it's cool to see the Switch getting any kind of VR though as far as I'm concerned. I guess we'll see if it's done well enough to show VR off in a decent albeit shallow way rather than just poisoning the well for the sake of cashing in on the genuine paradigm-shifting awesomeness that real VR actually offers.

But, eh, where's some footage of it in action, especially some of the games and stuff that are gonna be on it. Even though it's hard to show off VR properly in simple 2D videos, I still think there should be some gameplay footage to check out at the same time it's announced.

Early Aprils Fools!

@Old-Red I think it's just the way Nintendo Life has laid it out in the article: You can either buy the basic Labo VR Kit that comes with one peripheral/attachment included and then choose from a couple of additional peripheral/attachment Kits to buy at a later date if you want, or you purchase a single kit with everything included out the box. Not particularly complicated.

The one thing this does do, however, is correct everyone that claimed the basic Switch simply couldn't be used for VR. Well, you fold up some cardboard, insert the lenses, insert your Switch, boot up the games, and you have Switch VR running at split-720p and 60fps. Job done. Yes, it's definitely not high-end VR, but it's VR running on a standard Switch, which any informed person knew fine well it was capable of. It's basically Nintendo's version of and on par with the original Google Cardboard (a little bit cooler actually because of all the additional peripherals/attachments). I'm just happy Nintendo's doing anything at all with VR at this point to be honest.

@Astrolorange I mean this is Nintendo. They said that online gaming was a fad.

Cool, this is what I was hoping for. Well, this is a day one for me, and for the first time in ages this will be a Nintendo 1st party game I buy that I won't be showing any of it on my channel. I can't wait!

@Astrolorange Not quite what was said, but there is a little bit of hypocrisy going on. But, at least it was true to its general stance of, to paraphrase, 'not doing VR unless it could do so without making you sick, and in a way that would be "fun"'. But, obviously this is a huge ways away from the VR most people would actually want to see Nintendo jumping into. It's one toe in the water--for now.

It's heavier Google Cardboard.

Now, I've never used VR myself, but from what I understand, VR requires a very high resolution screen, because otherwise the pixels are visible when your face is that close to the screen.

VIRTUAL BOY AND GOOGLE CARDBOARD TOGETHER AT LAST!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!! Ain't nothin' gonna' stop THIS hype train!! CHOO CHOO!!!1

@VHSGLITCH The Virtual boy actually had a really good stand you could buy for it. Amazingly enough I had the Virtual Boy, though it got stolen at some point which sucks because they are kind of collectors items, but I got a stand with it that made it decent to play on. The biggest problem with VB was that red light, it was pretty eye straining so you'd only want to play for so long before you had to stop otherwise your eyes would feel like they were going to bleed lol, overall I enjoyed the 5 games I had for it which was like 1/4 of the library in the US lol.

@dougphisig Somewhere in this world, is a really, really bad thief.... It's like stealing cubic zirconia instead of the Hope diamond because it was newer....

1/4? Weren't there only like 9 games in the US total? I had Wario and Tennis, and that was about it. I wanted Water World (why...why...WHY did I want this??) but it was already discontinued

@DarkKirby The pixels will be visible, but most people using Labo VR Kit won't really be bothered by that technical aspect so long as the games/experiences are fun--and I really hope they are at least that.

PSVR is only passable at 1080p... I don't see how this is going to be usable at all.

@DartBuzzer
I personally think they were right to not bother for this many years as technology wasn't ready. Not even sure it's ready now.

@Agramonte I can't compete w. a Zune reference.

PSVR does make me sick after about 20 minutes - it's too freaking hot and stuffy in there - but some quick lateral movements make me sick almost immediately. But some of the experiences are truly worth it, just need to find the proper balance. Labo VR will be used for only 2 to 3 minutes at a time b/c of the weight so kids should get a kick out of it w/o the pain and suffering.

Played the DmC5 demo the other day, kinda had been ignoring the game up until then. Looks like the game is back after I didn't like 4. I'll probably rent it once we get a date for Bayonetta 3 to help pass the time. 😎

@ShadJV All they need to do is make the bundle $74.99 instead of $79.99. It isn't that hard. Says the man who couldn't do the maths.

Having the two $19.99 sets only available online, where shipping will probably be ridiculously expensive, is probably all they think they'll need, but $39.99 is a much better starting point for me than $79.99. We put the variety pack together, mostly, but haven't touched it since building it, except Thanksgiving when we had people over, but that was it.

Plus, I'm not sticking my face up a birds butt and I don't know what a wind pedal is, so we'd probably only need the camera and elephant bundle anyway, so even w/ shipping that 1 kit it's probably cheaper than $79.99.

Not pre-ordering at any rate, videos and reviews first.

@rjejr oh I even missed the online only bit. That’s even worse, because instead of rewarding people who buy the bundle, this makes it more feel like it’s punishing the people who buy them individually. It’s a very backwards way of doing it.

This is a pretty clean solution though. Nintendo has no faith in VR. Investors want to see the VR bandwagon followed. It's an almost Iwata level solution. Take the disappointing Labo, make a disposable VR gimmick toy with it, and appease everyone. No big R&D or VR, no failed product launch beyond the one they already had, then they can get rid of both with only one can of kerosene.

@dougphisig pfft I was about 7-8 years old when I played it for the first time. Those dreaded reds and blacks were nauseating and the games weren’t the best. I do recall a Wario game I liked but I only played it briefly, however. I remember reading an article somewhere about a Japanese only horror game inspired by HP Lovecraft and I’ve been curious about that one. Wish there was a way to port some of these oldies and see if they hold up to scrutiny..

@Reigestugatensho I can't tell if you're actually offended or not. I never said anything about teens one way or the other. Honestly, a lot of the games coming out this year are just as much for kids as anyone else anyway. All I was doing was mentioning that any adults complaining about it have plenty of content to look forward to this year, so there wasn't any reason to be annoyed. So, sorry if I offended you, I guess, but there's really no reason why you should have been. :/

@Abeedo: Yes, but nothing else Labo related has been. Even then, there are various models of this one for specific tasks and games, hence it is something a little different than we've seen before.

@ShadJV "It’s a very backwards way of doing it."

I've always though tit backwards that Nintendo UK had what seems to be a decent online store but no physical store where the US has an actual physical store, the Nintendo store in Manhattan, but that store has no online.

90% of Nintendo fans in the US probably don't even realize Nitneod has an online store b/c their online store isn't advertised in the least and it's basically just there for used products.

This labo crap is ridiculous it needs to stop. We need more 3rd party games on the way not more shovelware.

@rjejr yeah I usually forget about the online store. And considering there’s one store in the whole country, not like it’s someplace most people can go to. I’ve been there precisely once.

@NEStalgia The game I really wanted, but finding games for this was impossible was Jack Bros which I didn't know until later had characters from persona series basically. I think Tennis and the boxing game were really good, that boxing game definitely could have been a precursor to wii sports boxing it had that same feel i think. I had those 2 plus wario world, pinball, and another game i can't remember lol.

@Reigestugatensho Because of the 720p screen of the Switch

@dougphisig The Japanese version of Jack Bros is quite common. I think I paid $50 for it in Japan. Wasn't that good though.

Sold all my VB stuff though, was just collecting dust.

All of the Labos have impressed me with their ingenuity, but this has really shown me an impressive and more practical use for it. If course, the initial "games" are tech demo-y, but there's at least now a viable opportunity for a proper usage of VR now. Labor is not something I will likely invest hard in, but I'm interested all the same.

Sounds fun! Might give it a try.

I will be pre ordering this.

@MrDisappointed Thank you for your apology.

@HumanDog They probably have a way to negate the effects of a 720p screen via the Labo accessories or something.

Lol, they won't let it die it seems.