While it may not have been quite as convincing as other VR offerings in the market, Nintendo's Labo VR kit was a likeable experiment which proved that even on tech as humble as Switch, a decent virtual reality experience could be achieved.
VR modes have since been added to several key releases, and it would seem that Nintendo is keen to leverage interest in VR further as it has recently filed a patent for a revised Switch VR headset, made of plastic rather than cardboard.
Applied for by Nintendo in February 2018 at the Japanese Patent Office, the application details a '3D image display system and 3D image display device' and was published on 22nd August 2019. The design is a close match to the Labo VR headset, right down to the fact that there's no head strap and the console has to be held by the Joy-Con controllers.
However, there are some key differences. The interior of the headset is lined with foam for increased comfort, and the lenses are shielded so less light will be able to enter the device.
This would be a great way of allowing players to experience VR-based titles on Switch without having to full their houses with cardboard, assuming the price point is reasonable. Of course, not all patents make it into finished products, but we'd like to think this one has a good chance of getting to market – especially as it seems there is demand for more VR on Nintendo's console.
[source nl.letsgodigital.org]
Comments 37
Looks like it slides over the console and with that curve, it's going to be made out of plastic.
While LABO VR was a cool gimmick, I would think twice, or even thrice, before buying this, unless there's some performance upgrade incoming. Playing BOTW for few minutes with LABO made me wonder when will I see my most recent meal again...
@YessMasster Not all eyes is made for VR and 3D.
I can watch 3D all day, and same for VR. To my eyes afterwards, it's like i watched 2D all day.
I planned on getting Labo VR, but now i have to wait to see if a new revision comes first.
The best would be with plastic, and a head strap to free up both hands to make it better.
@Ventilator I can survive few hours of Oculus, so I believe I am 3D compatibile, but Labo VR makes me nauseaus. But still, if I were younger, I could probably take it better.
I'd love to see Nintendo go all in with VR. A headstrap, first of all, would be great. If they don't want to make the consumer invest much, 3dof can still be fun. We need a higher resolution screen with the next Switch, though.
If Nintendo wanted to go 6dof, they could release a headset with cameras for inside out tracking and infrared Joycon clips so the headset could keep their position. It would be a bit pricier, but would produce a much better result.
As much as I would love all of that, I'm not expecting it. Luckily, my Oculus Quest fills my VR desires quite nicely.
Looks like Nintendo is keen on wearing out the player's arms. There's a reason other VR sets have a headstrap, stop trying to be different!
The Labo still looked somewhat normal, this just looks weird
But... why?
Why not giving a proper headset?!
Looks like virtualboy 2
I'm glad this doesn't seem to offer any real upgrade on the Labo goggles, as I'm perfectly happy with that purchase.
But it's a good sign that Nintendo are considering more VR releases. Mario Kart VR incoming...
Sure looks comfy!!
@YessMasster BotW made me sick too, but Labo VR in general is fine. I’ve really enjoyed all of my other experiences with it!
I think they should have applied for this about a year earlier than they did b/c as soon as they showed off NX as Switch people on here were discussing the possibility of using it as a VR headset. And while most people were against the idea for valid reasons, well, Labo did it anyway.
Even if they didn't make it themselves they could farm it out to the usual 3rd party accessory makers. I think there's a market for this as long as they keep it fairly priced. Which it wouldn't be if Nitneod sold it, but might be if Hori did.
Just b/c the patent doesn't have straps I'm pretty sure they could still add them on to the actual product if they wanted to. And they should. I feel like 3rd parties are better at judging what people want than Ntinedo is, Nintnedo just sells what they want and tries to convince people they want it. Just look at the actual Switch dock vs. all of the smaller 3rd party docks. Nobody wants that huge thing.
No headstrap, no buy!
Yup, still not interested in what we call VR. Come talk to me when the tech reaches something like .Hack or Sword Art Online. When it's, you know, actual virtual reality. (some time around 2198 perhaps?)
Just wearing a screen with a motion sensor on my head still doesn't impress me.
@YessMasster Agreed! The Switch resolution is too low, and the frame rates are also too low, unfortunately, for me to consider this new device.
Switch VR is a cool idea, and I'm glad I tried it, but, not until the next generation device for me!
@rjejr Interesting points, and I tend to agree to most of them (especially on the dock). Also this kind of a VR headset absolutely needs straps, no doubt about that. The best solution would be to place the Switch tablet into the VR adapter/headset and having the Joycons in wireless mode - just think how real games like Arms could feel. But one thing puzzles me in your comment; I believe I have seen this in your earlier comments too - you just can't spell Nintendo correctly. Is that a deliberate running gag?
So Nintendo finally calling the cardboard thing a failure, and moving on.
Waiting for PS5 to jump on PSVR, because feel my launch PS4 will not give me a decent experience. VR on Switch is not even a viable plan B. Using it at home anyway.
Nope, unless it's a headset you can wear without having to hold it up to your face, then I can't see why this is any better than the Labo VR one I already have.
I didn't want to deal with all the Labo stuff, but I might potentially get this depending on the price. I'm not a huge fan of VR, but I'm kind of interested to see what it's like on the Switch.
That thing is huge. Like what the heck? I would like to see a Labo VR set with a strap. Cause I don’t want to wear out my arms from holding it.
I regret buying labo VR. Won't be buying this.
@flarocque Agreed.
No head strap, again? Not a good idea, if you ask me.
One of their claims with the Virtual Boy was that it was a portable console, but without a head strap, it was anything but portable.
That was just one of many poor design choices that led to the demise of the Virtual Boy.
So why Nintendo, even to this day, is so hesitant to make a VR headset with a head strap, is beyond me.
@Ventilator I feel like, for me, once my eyes have adjusted to the 3D, it looks like I'm back to watching something in 2D, again...
I wonder if the Labo VR was literally just a proof of concept before they bothered with a full version. IIRC, it didn't have much content beyond the little Labo games (ready made demos), and Mario and Zelda support to prove they could integrate it with game design they know (yes, I KNOW that's not the best way to VR, but Nintendo's very... sheltered about new things).
This is so much a VirtuaBoy that it's not even funny..
Labo VR = no thanks
Nintendo VR = oh yes please!
This is to coincide with the switch pro version. The new Joy-Con design is to aid comfortability for V.R usage. You know why Metroid prime was delayed and re-started??? because it will be in V.R.
Looks like a decent way for Nintendo to get into VR without being tied to Labo.
Lol, the drawings make it look like a patent for Virtual Boy 2. They need to just make it like a Gear VR, with a headstrap.
@flarocque I've got to agree - no headstrap, no buy.
I don't regret buying labo VR at all - I loved it, but no headstrap keeps it at a very short lived experience. With a strap I'd love to play stuff like Superhot and the old-school Doom's with a patch for support.
@San_D "you just can't spell Nintendo correctly. Is that a deliberate running gag?"
Well, for me it's just typos that I can't be bothered to fix, heck, it's not like somebody is going to miss-read whatever I mistype it as as Sony or MS, but for a lot of the people on this site over the past 11 years it did kind of take on a life of it's own as a running gag. I think that gag chocked to death about 2 or 3 years ago now though.
Hey, a more dedicated platform for Switch VR!...
But still no headstrap built in. Yay.
NEW NINTENDO SWITCH LABO VR
See? Switch Lite truly is a home console, because it's not a handheld, because Virtual Boy wasn't a handheld. This device is for a home console, not a handheld.
This is a microscope for Switch, it lets you see the pixels clearly.
This patent defines how Labo VR was more like an experimental kickstart to VR. An aspect that Nintendo would finally take off completely with this, just like Alexander Mejia said!
Who knows, maybe Nintendo could be really betting on VR soon, similar to Playstation right now.
That said, it will likely be suited for the next Switch.
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