Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Nintendo LABO

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

The Nintendo Labo is one of the most innovative ways to enhance gameplay I’ve seen in a long time. While I am an adult, I love building, decorating, and designing things so Labo seemed like the perfect game for me.

The kit comes with five toy-cons you can build: two RC cars, a fishing rod, a house, a motorbike (handle), and a piano. Each one has small parts to go with it as well, like strings, rubber bands, and marker stickers. It also comes with the cartridge for the game.

Most people are apprehensive about Nintendo’s use of cardboard but I think it’s actually better than making plastic add-ons. For one, it is easier and cheaper to replace. More importantly, it is better for the environment and it can be disposed of when children outgrow it, rather than sitting around collecting dust. The cardboard is actually quite sturdy and high quality. As long as it is not outright mishandled, I think it will do a good job holding up. Additionally, I love the ability to customize your toy-con to suit your tastes and make it unique to you.

Making the cardboard structures is incredibly fun--reminiscent of putting Lego together. For anyone worried about the strength of the toy-con, there are actually a lot of reinforcing pieces that help make certain otherwise flimsier parts more sturdy. Cute, witty comments pop up while you make your toy-cons, guiding you through the process while occasionally cracking jokes, making it feel very human.

The Discover section is a fantastic place to learn more about the engineering behind the toy-cons. Three characters converse and guide you through the science behind the genius of Labo. You can view cutaways of the toy-con and test the IR camera in a particular mode. There are also sections on easily repairing broken toy-con, troubleshooting, and creative ways to customize. There is even basic physics learning involved with certain joy-con--no doubt a good way to get children into physics.

Toy-con garage is the best part about the kit. It works through very simple input-output coding. You put in an input (pressing a button for example), select an output from a list, and connect the two to make the switch create the output. I love that this gives kids the ability to make their own toys, which will no doubt spark a love for engineering and design within the next generation.

There are a ton of different things to explore and secrets to find within the game. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves to use their hands and be creative!

15 people found this helpful

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Sean G

A new paradigm in toys

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

I was surprised to find out that building the toys is such a main attraction. Somehow, I pictured that being a quick, straightforward process! But building the motorcycle (so my very excited son could play with it right away this morning) took me like 3 hours. Following the directions is actually fun in itself. Building one of the toys is akin to sitting down with a big Lego set.

The motorcycle works very well. The HD Rumble feature really does add something to the game. Starting up the motorcycle and revving the engine really does feel a bit like doing it in real life. If you’re familiar with the ‘numbing’-like vibration on your hands on a real motorbike, that is replicated faithfully here.

The Switch is very responsive and satisfying while driving the motorcycle. You’ll have fun.

Don’t forget about the Discover mode, though. Going into it for the motorcycle deepens your appreciation for the technology at work — and just a fun mode on its own. You’ll even learn tricks about driving the motorcycle. And it’s all presented in an enjoyable, texting-like conversation interface that will ask you things periodically.

I haven’t built all of the kits, but my review is meant to be about “the thing itself” — what the Labo means and how effective it is. We’re going to this local surplus store today, and we’ve been coming up with ideas for things to build with the Toy-Con Garage. This is a mode where you can dream up anything you want and build it. I’m thinking that we may build some space exploration toys, and the surplus store will give us the cardboard and accessories we need to do that 👍

Nintendo could go anywhere with the Labo. They could endlessly build novel kits and have them all be fun.

5/5 — This is a very cool new way to play, especially if you have kids. Highly recommended.

47 people found this helpful

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Sami_nykole

So fun!

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

This is the coolest thing ever! My kids love love love it!!!! And it all WORKED!!!
Long story but - my son had a birthday in January and he got 70.00 - he then saw a commercial for this and saved his money - do you know how hard it was for an 8 year old to do that. I was so worried it would not be worth the wait. We had the day it debuted on the calendar and counted down. His anticipation was so fun to watch. Then we ordered it and he asked every day is it here - finally the knock came. The fed ex man showed us that the package was damaged and asked if we wanted it returned. My eight year old son was so excited and didn’t want me to. I just couldn’t deny him he had waited long enough. Thought I would replace it if it was broken. The components were okay! Luckily. So he got to building. I only had to help with the bike. He did it all on his own and I am relieved to say it was worth his money and the wait. He adores it. Everything worked and was so fun! I would recommend packaging it better because that was almost a total Heartbreak!

5 people found this helpful

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Veronica M.

So much Fun ! Totally worth every penny

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2019

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

Purchased after Christmas 2018 it is now May 2019
I have to be honest I was worried about it being Cardboard. Especially since My Boys [ages 9 & 7-1/2 when purchased] can be a handful at times and the price at the time. Well, mostly the Little Man or them with each other. With that said. I have no regrets about my purchase. Totally Looking forward to purchasing the other kits for Christmas 2019 if I can afford them. Not that they cost a lot of anything. Just finances are always very tight or not there. I totally see these kits being TOTALLY worth every penny and then some. The price is dropped as of right now and I paid just a little under the retail price :(
But I wanted to get my boys something nice that they both can use. It did come with the game and in the past, with My now Adult College son some of his games would cost around $50 +. So I figured it was a good deal since they get a few games and also a 3D hands-on Creative experience.
Ok, so the box the kit comes in is very sturdy. (I know cause my Boys haven't torn it up yet....hehehe) They keep the other peices very nicely until they are ready to use them.
I suggested to the Boys not to do them all at once so that they can enjoy them for a while. And they have done just that. They 1st made the bike looking one. They played that one alot and then they just recently [about 1-1/2 weeks ago] made the Fishing one. I didn't get to try out the Motorcycle one but I did get to play the fishing one. And I Freaking LOVE it! My Little Guy keeps wanting to do a fishing tournament with the 3 of us. But I just want to Fish for fun. hehehe We will have a tournament maybe this weekend. :0) I do catch the Boys Playing the just the cardboard part of the Fishing Pole as well with not even the game hooked up to it. They are practicing I guess. Now there is a part of the Fishing Pole that they have taken out and don't even use. They say it is just for show and they think it is easier to use without it. It is this round cylinder part that has the rubber band with it that goes in the box thingy. [sorry I don't' know the parts' names] But if you find an issue with it the game still works without it. And they have found it fun to spin and twist it up and let it spin separate by its self when waiting for their turn to play. Which I think helps a little so little hands are kept busy and not touching the screen every chance they get while the other Brother is taking his turn.
Now even if My Boys have not used all of them up yet nor more of them "does not" mean it is not an amzing kit nor that they don't like them. They just have very busy full pack schedules as well as other things and games to entertain their minds with. There is only so much time in a day as well as they want the New fun to last as well and well really enjoy what they have already in use. Like just a couple other Switch games and tablets and also I asked them not to do them all at once. Enjoy one at a time. And then when they want or get bored with that one then move on to the next. So 5 months now and they have only felt the need to use 2 of them. Now little man Loves pianos. So this will totally be the next one they will build after they are bored with the Fishing or maybe a little sooner. :0)
Besides the part on the fishing build the Boys have removed; there was something on the motorcycle one they didn't know what it was for a little hole. But I asked the Boys and they said they really didn't need to know and it worked perfectly fine. Which they got alot of use out of and still have and can go back and use it again later if they want to play it.
-Totally worth every Penny [no matter if you pay full price or not]
- Hours and Hours and Hours of Enjoyment [even with the 2 Boys and only using 2 of the builds so far]
- Great Quality [100% Fact with My very active Boys]
*** Suggestion is to have a place to put the builds after they are made so that they can reuse them later on. I gave them another Amazon shipping box to put everything in and decorate for when they complete each build. So everything is kept together.
I hope this review helps someone else. It is totally worth it <3

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great Nintendo Switch experience

Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

Very thought out product and great for those who have a great deal of patience. My 8 year old son is big into STEM projects and loves seeing results in his work. This product gives him some fun and amazing results!

Absolutely love that the instructions are video based and super detailed too. It makes it less likely to mess up the projects, with Labo’s approach to show you how to build each project.

The only thing I would have like to seen different are extra pieces on some of projects. The unique stickers should have been a no brainer for Nintendo to either pack extra of these or offer up as a small separate package to purchase, if needed. And some of the pieces of cardboard would have been great to either send extra of, or be offered to purchase again. Not sure if it’s Labo that’s trying to show confidence in its product, by not offering these things? But when working with cardboard and tape.....I would think it’s common knowledge that those things don’t hold up forever??

Overall, it’s one of my favorite purchases for our Switch. Would seriously recommend it to parents who have kids who love to build! The experience is nothing like rest of the Nintendo Switch games out there and games that are in place for each Labo project are well thought out and rewarding!

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Jennifer lw

Nintendoes it again, with innovative educational toy!

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

When I first saw the preview Demo for Labo months ago I immediately went on Amazon and pre-ordered it. I have a 5 year old son who is very interested in science experiments, and building things (Legos, magnatiles, etc...)
We received the Labo just last night, and immediately dove right in. We worked as a team and decided to build the house. It was a lengthy process as we carefully followed the instructions, but it was a lot of fun. My son was able to do a lot of the building himself but definitely needed some help. The process was very straight forward but it did require almost 2 hours to complete...
We've oinly had Labo for one day but here is my initial impression. It's amazing! If you have a small child our maybe even an older one, you should get this. It's a fun educational experience best shared within a group. Building the project was fun, playing with the final product is also a blast. There is even a discover mode which explain the science behind how the projects work. There is even a science lab sandbox mode where you can invent your own projects! I highly recommend Labo with 5 stars, my son gives it 6...

37 people found this helpful

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Ashley Sammons

If you or your child love to build!

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

I bought this game based on the reviews and I’m so glad I did. At first I thought it would be a waste becaus it’s just cardboard and not an actual game with a story line; a “one-and-done” so to speak.
I’m very please with the quality of the cardboard pieces and if handled with care they will last long after the games become “overplayed”.
It really does give the same amount of “game play” as a regular video game except it’s better. You are engaged physically and cognitively. (While not true physical exhersion there is SO much to be said for cognitive skills development when engaging in hands on building activities.) It employees engineering, problem solving, organization, patients, step by step instruction following and game play fun.
We got this for our 10 year old and she has spent days putting it together and playing the games. She is high functioning autistic and will sometimes give up on things she finds to be “too difficult” motorally or cognitively. She was very into this game and only need help when having to attach stickers to the house game.

3 people found this helpful

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Discerning Mama

Creative Kit for Budding Engineers

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

My just turned 10-year-old daughter went to town with this kit! I sat with her at the very beginning, but she was able to continue on by herself. Her 7-year-old brother sat next to her most of the time, but wasn't as interested in participating. He preferred to watch. The instructions are very clear, with catchy sayings that kids like - for example, calling the three telescopic pieces of the fishing rod "Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear" and things like "Guess What? We are going to make an ocean now. Did we just blow your mind?!" She was very careful and often wanted me to pop the pieces out, though I know she could have done it herself. For the record, I do not play with the Nintendo Switch, so I watched a video about the Labo after I bought it, to give me a better idea how it worked and what would be made. I am glad I did, because we might have missed that you can use the RC car (which we call a bug) to "spy" using the little video window. It wasn't obvious to my kids, so I looked at the screen and found the button that opens to the other control window. Anyway, great kit, especially for hard to buy tweens who love the Switch.

3 people found this helpful

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Benjamin Mills

Not the best start to Labo, but still has some intriguing concepts

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2021

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

The first kit of the Nintendo Labo series, the Variety kit has find different accessories to assemble, an RC car, a fishing rod, a motorbike, a piano, and a house, all made out of cardboard, and having their own unique games and novelties.

The RC car isn't exactly how you would expect to control, it moves by the vibrations of the two Joy-Cons, and you can adjust the vibrations for faster or slower movement. A neat work of science, but I could see it getting boring in a matter of minutes.

The fishing rod has you putting together a cardboard rod with string attached and an additional attachment to insert your Nintendo Switch to, acting as a fishing game with the Switch's handheld screen to act as a visual of where your hook is in a virtual sea of fish. You can find many varieties to catch and add to a collection, and the harder fish to catch are at the bottom. This one probably had to be the second best favorite of mine in the collection.

As for the motorbike, you simply build some handlebars as well as a little holder for it that you put up against your chest while steering. There's an extension to add to the holder for a longer reach, but I ran into a bit of a problem, there's a little flap that's supposed to block the extension from going too far into the holder, but I got a little too invested in a race, pushing the extension too hard against my chest, and the flap broke. Thankfully, the extension is optional but I think there could have been a better way to hold the extension in place.

The piano is certainly an interesting novelty of the kit, though I'm not into music there are a variety of different musical sounds you can use for notes, and you can scan your own waveforms for unique note sounds, which I thought was a nice touch. This was the least favorite for me, but it's still nice to have.

Lastly we have the house, in which you take care of a virtual pet/alien thing, and there are knobs that you can insert and remove to give different effects to the home, like flooding it with water, or changing day to night. There's some minigames included as well, like a minecart ride and bowling. This was my other favorite of the kit if for bringing back memories of owning a Tamagotchi pet many years ago.

While this was a great way for Nintendo to go back to their roots in making innovating products, using cardboard for building can lead to deterioration or breaking, and sadly the Labo kits may not last many years because of it. But, take it for what it's worth and you may find your own fun out of it.

2 people found this helpful

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MzkThpy1

So Much Educational Value Here!

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2018

Edition: Variety KitVerified Purchase

I just watched my husband help my 6 year old with his first project (the RC car, which took about 30 minutes.) As an elementary school teacher, I'm hoping parents see the value of the work skills that are being so expertly taught here. This toy's developers clearly knew what they were doing when programming the directions in a simple, clear format, regularly encouraging kids to stay organized and to check their work. Obviously the fun quotient and STEM value are sky-high with this toy, too! If you purchase this product, plan to sit down with your child for the first few projects, pointing out the importance of reading, understanding, and following the directions as you go. Then, gradually release the work to your child so that he or she can do the last ones as independently as possible.
As for the price, even if you purchased 6 of the cheapest Switch games available you'd be paying almost double the price. To get more bang for your buck, if your little engineer stops playing with the toys after building them and trying them out once or twice, take advantage of the opportunity to build imagination. My son tends to want to sit and stare at screens too much, for example, so before he moves to his next project, I'm going to have him find 3 fun new ways to play with his RC car, maybe racing it against other toys, or walking it down the street to his friend's house. I wonder if he could even build a tray that fits on top of it to carry small items across the room. :)

6 people found this helpful

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