Labo
Image: Nintendo

[Update #2: 21/04/2021]: Nintendo of America has responded to reports that it has removed the Labo website, stating that the line is still available for purchase.

Speaking to Games Radar, NoA said:

"Nintendo Labo is available at retail locations. We routinely conduct product website maintenance and reorganization. Information on Nintendo Labo can be found at Nintendo.com."


[Update #1: 16/04/2021]: Nintendo insider Emily Rogers seemingly confirms that Labo is about to "ride off into the sunset", but says that we'll get "one more tiny announcement" first. Labo in New Pokémon Snap? Cardboard kazoos to match the piano? We'll just have to wait and see.

https://twitter.com/ArcadeGirl64/status/1382808175221542913


[Original Story: 15/04/2021]: Following a tip from Twitter user @Akfamilyhome, it seems like the North American Nintendo Labo website - formerly labo.nintendo.com - has been taken down, redirecting instead to the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.

It's a shame, but perhaps not a surprising one. Although Labo sold over one million units in its first year, it doesn't look like that number grew substantially afterwards, despite multiple kits being released onto the market.

Although the taking down of a website is by no means confirmation that a product is being discontinued, it's not a positive outlook for Nintendo's cardboard-based toys. Much like Nintendo experiments of the past (remember Project Giant Robot? The HD rumble promises of 1-2-Switch?), the Labo seems to have failed to launch any significant excitement for the technology beyond what it had at launch.

For now, it looks like it's time to pour one out for the cardboard, and then chuck it in the recycling bin.

Have you touched your Labo sets since you played with them for the first time? Do you still have unfinished sets tucked away in a bookcase somewhere? Let us know in the comments.

[source twitter.com]