Nintendo Labo has many charms, though the range may be on the way out, but one legacy of its software seems to be surviving in a new game announcement from Nintendo - it's unveiled Game Builder Garage, which arrives on 11th June with a price tag of $29.99USD.
It's a set of tools to allow anyone to learn how to make games, and expands on a similar idea seen in the Labo series and its 'Garage' functionality. It'll feature guided lessons to make specific games, or a Free Programming mode where you can take what you've learned to the next level.
In terms of sharing creations, the official website says you'll be able to exchange codes to download games created by others. It even says you'll be able to look at the programming behind downloaded games and 'use this feature to work with friends'.
Oh, and some small print confirms you can use a compatible USB mouse with the software, which could be very useful for docked play.
Check out the reveal trailer below.
It looks like another fun - and surprising - Switch release from Nintendo; are you excited about this?
Comments 97
LETS GOOOOOOOO CAN'T WAIT!!
If the community made games are anything like the average Mario maker level, I’m good.
Pretty cool, I think my kids would love this.
Looks interesting, shame it'll be mostly trash uploaded like with SMM.
Ah, so its just basically Dreams but for Nintendo.
I was like:"that announcement is way too soon" but I guess I'm not American.
Looks cool though!
This looks so cool! And surprisingly broad in terms of what you can do with it. Really looking forward to this!
That said, no idea why this got stealth-announced via Twitter 5 weeks before launch when we just had a Direct?
As a person that wants to make a game but doesn’t enjoy coding (I code enough in my daily life thanks) I adore these fun gui approaches to game development. Maybe one day I will finish that passion project.
Will get this eventually. Kicking around in RPG maker currently.
This kind of games always tempt me...then I remember I already use Unity in my free time and there is such thing as too much game making >.>;;;
Still looks like a great tool for anyone wanting to learn and try game making! The only one thing off seems to be the code sharing system, feels like it will really restrict the potential of the title on the long run.
Definitely going to see how the reviews are. Looks promising.
"expands on a similar idea seen in the Labo series"
That was my first reaction - Labo minus the cardboard.
And since Nintendo never made a way to share Labo creations online - b/c well, Nintendo - I'll say it's a fair trade, giving up the cardboard for the sharing. Even if, as usual, Nintendo has to make sharing as complicated as possible, b/c well, Nintendo.
I do like the price tag. Kind of weird they didn't do a stealth drop fo this at some virtual E3 or Gamescon even tin June - announced and then released that date - but I'm sure they have their reasons. Which would make absolutely no sense to me even if I knew what they were, so why bother trying to figure it out?
New game. Hurrah?
Nintendo:"You guys want new games? Make them yourself!"
Jokes aside, looks interesting
Was going to make the joke that they may screw this up and still not let us share are creations, ah well. lol
Anyways never messed with the original since I didn't have Labo VR, so MAYBE I'll look at this. Most game creating engine things don't last long for me, I tried getting into Dreams but, not only was it not my PS4, but I didn't even look at the creator itself. >.<
Maybe this game will help me ease into this sort of stuff. lol
I’m looking forward to mess around with this!
This is really cool. I’m a software engineer, well, actually picking up a new position in more of a DevOps engineering role currently... but man I’ve always wanted to make games but never really found the time to make something substantial. Like I’ve put a lot of hours into Unity and made a few fun little projects but nothing I’d rave about or promote someone to play.
As such, this seems really intriguing. This seems like a very intuitive game engine to make quirky little games. I’m totally for this and if reviews are solid upon release, I’ll definitely pick it up. It could have a really awesome community attached to it if the tools are featured enough.
Also, does anyone know if there is a physical release announced? I can’t find anything so my assumption is no. Regardless, really cool and surprising announcement!
Honestly though, as someone who's messed with their fair share of node-based programming environments, this is the way to go, and a really intuitive method to teach young ones about the concepts of programming. With that fair price tag I my get this as well!
So this is Labo Garage, without the Labo.
Definitely compelled to try this out now that the cardboard and low-quality VR experience have been taken out of the equation. The price is quite good too - unless I'm forgetting something, I think this may be the cheapest 1st party Switch game.
Watched the trailer: @Sakaixx Less Dreams, more the first Little Big Planet, seems very 2D oriented. Like Mario Maker but you can see where some of the coding comes in.
Doesn't look bad, doesn't look like $30. Looks like they are selling the software from Labo w/o the cardboard. Which I thought before even watching the video. 🤷♂️
Looks cool. I thought that EPD4 would be working on Ring Fit Adventure 2, but I'll gladly take this instead.
@pinta_vodki : The stuff that HD rumble was made for.
Honestly, this looks awesome and I can't wait. Im also so glad this comes out a week before Mario Golf because once that comes out, game over for me LOL
@Joeynator3000 @mariomaster96 With your comments side by side, I love watching your profile pics dance together, haha.
Glad to see Tuna Cube Factory got a sequel.
$30? that is too much for this
@DeathByLasagna Nintendo have already shown off a picture off a physical release:
https://www.gematsu.com/gallery/game-builder-garage/may-5-2021/game-builder-garage_2021_05-05-21_013#gallery
I think I'll stick with SmileBasic.
Nice but this is one of those product where Nintendo will let you create but at any time can also take away that creation at a moments notice. If you love creation just to have fun for a while then get it but if you want to do anything creative with your work without it getting flag just stick to Unity or Dreams.
we can make our own Animal Crossing and Smash Bros games!
we've have the technology!
It makes sense, the Labo garage tools were surprisingly good, and this looks to expand on that...too bad owners of the VR set can't get an update with sharing features, but I can get the reasons to entice with this new product.
And perhaps this is the "last tiny announcement" Labo related that the rumor mentioned last month ( https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/nintendo_explains_why_it_took_down_the_labo_website ) but I hope not, a Pokemon Snap update with labor VR camera support would be sweet.
@HIGHscores85 I don't think it's meant for us keyboard coders. I tried the Labo Garage stuff, and .. it worked. But I can code much quicker with keys!
This looks like a cute little game. Hopefully there's a way to play other's user-generated games without a code, more like a search bar or a page with all the trending and highest rated games, kinda like Mario Maker and Roblox.
YO this looks really good, day one
If I had children, I would definitely buy it for them! I might grab it for myself to play around a little bit, as I quite enjoy programming. I'll check how open the possibilities will be
I enjoy making things, but like Mario Maker, I look forward to what others create. The quality games will rise to the top.
Probably getting this for my kids.
@Mattolsen96 That is my one hesitation. A bit too close to Mario Golf’s release. Either way, both will make good summer games.
@Aozz101x are we even actually allowed to do that.
This looks very interesting imo and I would wait and see.
There is also Smile Basic as well
Why complain about the lack of Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 when you can make your own Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3?
Reminds me a little bit of the programming mechanics in Human Resource Machine.
I have a passing interest of game making.
Price is surprisingly cheap.
Count me in.
@westman98 so true.
in fact, why don't you make your own Mother 3
This basically confirms that Labo itself is dead, as they're reusing the assets made for Labo.
Gosh dang it, I hate it when nintendo announces an amazing game on such short notice 😂 I was already planning on getting Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 in June! Not to mention all of the amazing RPGs coming out in July....my wallet is never ready 😂
@KBuckley27 Then you'll hate RPG maker, since that's 100 bucks. Development software's not cheap.
Warioware DIY is this you!?
Finally. I can break into the exciting world of shovelware.🤪😉
Seriously, Nintendo should have released something like this a long time ago.
They’ll implement the same hot and popular tabs and all you’ll be able to find is music and effect spam games.
Looks neat but it looks like it'll get old fast. And not worth the $30 imo
@VoidofLight yeah that stuff ain't cheap. It isn't bad but expensive.
Use Smile Basic or this one from Nintendo instead. It is cheaper and also good
@rjejr Except it does show some 3D games being able to be played. But I do agree that Dreams is much more robust.
I am kind of curious about this. I am especially interested in what people can come up with. Hopefully it has a very Mario Maker-esque way of sharing game creations
YES! I can’t wait! I’m all in on this!
My kids are gonna go nuts with this!! Can't wait to see what they can come up with!!
I’ll wait to see what sorta stuff’s possible! Dreams is great though so hopefully this is too.
I think I'll stick with UE 4. The flow chart style of coding this uses definitely takes a cue from UE4.
I'm very excited to try this out. I love when Nintendo releases unique stuff like this!
Oh wow, this is a cool announcement. Hopefully they can get the bright balance of having lots of freedom in terms of designs, without being too complex to use.
I just watched the trailer and I'm even more excited for this to come out! I've been really, really liking Smilebasic on Switch. I don't even try to program anything, but I love downloading all the free games, music apps, paint apps, and demos. There are at least 5 excellent shoot em ups available for free via Smilebasic on Switch. This Nintendo Garage game looks like it could end up having Super Mario Maker amounts of good levels/games. Can't wait!
@HotGoomba You wish. Nintendo's being Nintendo again, so I doubt anything besides sharing codes will be included. Otherwise your children might find a Jiggly Boobs Game on that trending games page, omigosh!
(yet a simple moderation staff could solve that problem in a second, without costing that much for Nintendo, I'm sure)
Excited for this? No. But this is the ‘new’ Nintendo we’re talking about, producing software for a different generation.
People like me who want a new Wave Race and F-Zero are not the market Nintendo wants anymore. Perhaps we just don’t give them the money they want?
@pinta_vodki Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't notice how cute that was.
Good to see the Labo garage become this.
Also everyone mentioning Dreams, how hyped was that game before it came out and for how long? Very and years.
Nintendo announced this a month before release, do not go in expecting something of the depth of Dreams. This is a cool little game to let people experiment making games and reasonably priced it seems too.
@Jamie_R
Expand your horizons. I love F Zero, Wave Race, Star Fox etc but I also love a lot of what Nintendo is doing on Switch too, along with third party developers.
There is lots of great games out there you should try.
Welp....there's nintendos big news for the month. @hobbitgamer amirite?!
How long do we think it will take for someone to port DOOM to this? I'll go for 3 months.
Not exactly a must-buy but this is interesting!
An expanded labo garage? Count me in! I did really enjoy making a few things in the vr garage, but stopped because of the limitations. Seeing that you can make your own graphics is wonderful, and honestly a necessity. I'll have to see what people can make before I buy it though. It may still have the annoying limit on objects and logic sadly.
Dreams was $30 too and could produce actual games. Controls were terrible though.
I don't expect this to be very good unfortunately.
Whoa...its like mixing the Toy Con garage with Dreams. I'm intrigued!
@GamingFan4Lyf Hopefully they make it easier to share games than this sounds, b/c in my head at least, the easier it is to share games, the more people will invest in making them.
Mario had, well, Mario to promote it. I saw it on one of the US morning tv shows and possibly even the nighttime talk shows. This has "Labo without the expensive cardboard" as it's biggest marketing push. But 100m Switch is still better than 13m Wii U. So we'll see. Hopefully it does well. Though not so well Nintendo stops making $60 games and goes all in on Pushmo 3.😉
@mariomaster96
AH-HA~! The same joke was said when they released Super Mario Maker 1 & 2 😃
But seriously though I agree with you that they desperately need to step it up and this does at least look interesting.
@Kanbolara Awesome!!!!
Nintendo answer to playstations dreams lol
@Sakaixx Can't tell if this is a response to Dreams by Playstation or Nintendo got the idea to do something after Mario Maker 2?
By the looks of the game based off the trailer, it looks pretty limited on what types of games you could make. Most of it being 2.5D games and 8-bit style games that are popular in Japan. I was expecting a bit more if this is how Nintendo sees how to traditionally make games by their own standards.
Great to get kids into programming.
I bet they dropped mario maker 2 for this...... and I'm all for it. I'm going to have learn it, Hopefully I do, and they have full on tutorials so.
Looks great along with the price tag!
@Sakaixx Yeah, but it'll probably be more limited.
This could be fun, and the price is fair. I'll be watching the reviews, going to call 7/10.
Bargain bin material.
I was hoping Nintendo would release something like this. I'd like to be able to use Nintendo's IPs with this though, which they don't seem to allow you to do. Would be a nice for fans to create their own content that Nintendo is unwilling to make without being slapped with a C&D.
cool, but ive made a game for free for the gameboy.
This looks neat.
Will get the physical version of this! Always wanted to try making a game, but with no skill in programming, this seems like a good beginner spot.
A very strange-looking release date there... Looks like they're making room for the big stuff at E3.
@DeathByLasagna yes a physical was announced.
Incredible im so glad they did not abandon labo engine..really seems like a next part of warioware d.i.y.
@Ryu_Niiyama I believe Unity has a visual programming add on called Bolt that has a similar functionality to what Nintendo is offering.
Very excited
Physical is only for America, I'm afraid.
Europe seems to be digital only.
Pretty cool! Looks like a big improvement from the Labo stuff which was very similar but not as visually appealing. Would make a good entry level before moving on to something like Dreams later.
And, of course, Twitter's reaction to this is "where BOTW2" and "imma go break my switch if all im getting is childish sh*t". Seriously, with something like DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, I kinda understand, it was shovelware being advertised on a Direct, but this, what's so wrong with a little game maker? If you want, YOU can go and make BOTW2 in this game. You have the tools, stop whining!
Seems like the LABO VR garage sold as a standalone.
Which is great!
Because I don't want to plug in that cartridge and mess about with the LABO VR menus every time I want to toy around with a project.
That’s nice, I’ll check it out
Weekly themed game jams, anyone? Please, @Nintendolife. Make this happen.
Hurrah, Nintendo doesn't need to make games themselves anymore!
Joking aside, this might be lots of fun for creative people.
Great now hopefully everyone will stop whining about new IPs not being made since winter of 2019 anymore and be appreciative for once.
shut up sakaixx
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...