Yesterday was a big day for Nintendo enthusiasts as the company pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2. Now, while they showed off this new console—which, honestly, looks like a larger and ostensibly improved version of the original Switch—they weren’t exactly forthcoming about its capabilities. What did catch my attention, though, was a rather concerning line in their press release. It mentioned, quite bluntly, that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” My first thought? They’re probably talking about Labo.
If you’re not familiar with Nintendo Labo, it might not have set the sales charts ablaze, but let me tell you, it was one of those whimsical, out-of-the-box ideas only Nintendo could pull off. Picture this: a do-it-yourself kit that transforms cardboard sheets into interactive toys. You’d follow a step-by-step guide, not unlike assembling an IKEA bookshelf, to create what they called “Toy-Cons.” These creations included everything from pianos to steering wheels and even a quirky little camera. Slip your Switch Joy-Cons into these cardboard masterpieces, and they’d spring to life, offering an interactive experience that was as unique as it was engaging. It was truly inventive stuff, right up there with Nintendo’s later release, Game Builder Garage.
Back in 2018, I even called Labo one of the most “Nintendo” things the company had ever created, on our game of the year list. Looking back, four years after Labo was quietly shelved, I still feel a twinge of nostalgia. The absence of those crucial IR sensors in the new Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 feels like another nail in the coffin for Labo.
Allow me to take you on a brief stroll down memory lane to when Labo was the talk of the town. There was this delightful creation within the Variety Kit, affectionately dubbed “Monster Cat” by my then-four-year-old son. The Toy-Con House allowed the right Joy-Con to slot into the chimney while the screen graced the front, with various adapters that plugged into its sides. This combination brought to life a host of scenarios—simple, yet surprisingly delightful.
Honestly, watching my son interact with his Monster Cat, which held a special place in our living room, remains a cherished memory. Even though the Toy-Con House and its adapters took a bit of a beating over the years, with fixes involving tape, glue, and other household staples, the spirit of play it fostered was truly remarkable. Sadly, my younger son, who came along in 2018, never got to fully experience it.
When 2021 rolled around, the news that Labo was being quietly phased out didn’t really hit me at first. It wasn’t until Nintendo practically scrubbed it from existence, yanking any mention of it off their website, that reality sank in. Retailers weren’t thrilled about hoarding bulky boxes that weren’t flying off the shelves, especially when Nintendo wasn’t even bothering to keep up appearances.
By the time it dawned on me, I swiftly played stock tracker detective, racing from store to store, only to find that Labo kits had already been swept away. I managed to snag a VR Kit, but what I truly needed was a fresh Variety Kit—Monster Cat needed a new abode! Sure, Nintendo did release blueprints so that crafty fans could recreate the kits, which was a kind gesture for preserving its legacy. But let’s be real—finding anything truly duplicable has been a challenge. (If you happen to have a lead, feel free to shoot me an email!)
People are a tad let down that the Nintendo Switch 2 seems to be treading familiar ground, without a hint of daring innovation. The original Switch was a hit! And we all have fingers crossed that the Switch 2 will follow suit. Still, one can hope that some of that innovative, think-outside-the-cardboard-box spirit, like what Labo brought us, hasn’t been completely tossed aside. Who knows? Maybe that fancy new optical mouse sensor might open the door to new adventures. Perhaps a futuristic Monster Cat could use a trusty mouse companion?
(Here’s looking at you, Monster Cat!)
