Nintendo is moving into VR, in a way that’s probably a little bit different than expected. Late yesterday, the company revealed the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit for the Nintendo Switch that allows gamers to jump into VR in a pretty simple way using their Switch and a kit which includes Toy-Con VR Goggles. (think their own version of Google Cardboard) We’re not sold on holding the Switch up to our face for extended periods of time, but it seems like a neat idea.
Thankfully the full $79.99 kit comes with other fun things to build and experiment with as well including Toy-Con Blaster, Toy-Con Camera, Toy-Con Bird, Toy-Con Wind Pedal and Toy-Con Elephant. Players can also pick up the Starter Kit with just the Toy-Con VR Goggles and Toy-Con Blaster for $39.99.
See some product shots and the official announcement below for more details.
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit product shots:
Experience a new dimension of Nintendo Labowith the launch of the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit on April 12, which combines the innovative physical and digital gameplay of Nintendo Labo with basic VR technology* to create a simple and shareable virtual reality experience for kids and families. Nintendo Labo: VR Kit is the fourth kit in the Nintendo Labo series, providing the tools to make DIY cardboard creations called Toy-Con; play a variety of games with these creations; and discover how Nintendo Switch technology brings it all to life.
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit offers six new Toy-Con creations to build, including the Toy-Con VR Goggles, which combine with the other creations to allow players to interact with the virtual world through imaginative real-world actions. Fend off an alien invasion with the Toy-Con Blaster, visit a colorful in-game ocean and snap photos of the sea life with the Toy-Con Camera and so much more.
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit encourages passing around the Toy-Con creations among a group of people so everyone in the room can easily join in on the fun. To help encourage this social gameplay, players simply slip the Nintendo Switch console into the Toy-Con VR Goggles and hold it up to their eyes to explore numerous games and experiences ? no head strap needed.
?This new kit builds on the core tenets of Nintendo Labo ? Make, Play and Discover ? to introduce virtual reality in a way that?s fun and approachable for both kids and kids at heart,? said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America?s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. ?We wanted to design an experience that encourages both virtual and real-world interactions among players through passing around Toy-Con creations.?
Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will launch in retail stores with two primary configurations, one that includes all Toy-Con creations and one that includes a smaller selection of projects to get started:
- Nintendo Labo: VR Kit: Available at a suggested retail price of $79.99, the complete Nintendo Labo: VR Kit includes the Nintendo Switch software and materials to build all six Toy-Con projects ? the Toy-Con VR Goggles, Toy-Con Blaster, Toy-Con Camera, Toy-Con Bird, Toy-Con Wind Pedal and Toy-Con Elephant ? as well as a Screen Holder and Safety Cap. It?s a good option for kids and families who want to dive in to the full experience.
- Nintendo Labo: VR Kit ? Starter Set + Blaster: Available at a suggested retail price of only $39.99, the Starter Set includes the Nintendo Switch software, plus all the components to build the Toy-Con VR Goggles and Toy-Con Blaster, as well as the Screen Holder and Safety Cap. The Starter Set is a great entry point into the world of Nintendo Labo VR.
Players that own the Starter Set can purchase the following optional expansion sets to expand their experience:
- Nintendo Labo: VR Kit ? Expansion Set 1**: Available at a suggested retail price of $19.99, Expansion Set 1 includes the Toy-Con Elephant and Toy-Con Camera.
- Nintendo Labo: VR Kit ? Expansion Set 2**: Available at a suggested retail price of $19.99, Expansion Set 2 includes the Toy-Con Wind Pedal and Toy-Con Bird.
The inventive Toy-Con Garage mode ? included as part of all Nintendo Labo software ? returns with Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, offering basic programming tools for players to experiment with. More information about the experiences offered by Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will be revealed in the future.
The Nintendo Labo: VR Kit ? Starter Set + Blaster and complete Nintendo Labo: VR Kit will be available in stores on April 12. The two expansion sets will be available exclusively online at https://store.nintendo.com/. For more information about Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, visit https://labo.nintendo.com/kits/vr-kit.