Yesterday, Nintendo pulled back the curtain on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, introducing us to a device that’s essentially a larger and presumably enhanced version of the original console. Yet, while they unveiled the hardware, details about its capabilities were sparse. However, there was one nugget of information in the press release that caught my attention—not with worry, but perhaps a touch of disappointment. Nintendo stated, “Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” My first suspicion? They’re probably referring to Labo.
Now, Nintendo Labo, while not a massive commercial success, remains one of Nintendo’s most imaginative and delightful ventures. It’s this peculiar blend of creativity and playfulness that sets it apart, and yes, I’m a staunch defender of its charm. For those who never had the joy of constructing a Labo kit, let me paint a picture for you.
Each Labo kit was like a magical box of potential, filled with sheets of flat-packed cardboard ready to be transformed into “Toy-Cons.” Guided by detailed, interactive instructions reminiscent of assembling IKEA furniture, players would breathe life into these sheets. Once constructed, the Switch Joy-Cons would find their place within these cardboard wonders. Through a blend of motion sensors and the integral IR sensor on the right Joy-Con, accompanied by innovative software, these creations would spring to life. Whether it was a makeshift piano, a steering wheel, or a camera, these Toy-Cons provided a platform for both pre-designed and user-created gaming experiences—a bit like the Game Builder Garage that followed.
In a word, Labo was phenomenal.
When our 2018 game of the year list rolled out, I proudly labeled Labo as “one of the most ‘Nintendo’ projects ever made.” Fast forward four years after it quietly exited the stage, I can’t help but reminisce about the unique joy it brought, now gone too soon. Nintendo’s complete silence on Labo over the years, coupled with the removal of IR sensors in the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, feels like the final nail in its cardboard coffin.
But allow me a moment to recall those lively days when Labo was still part of our lives. I fondly remember the “Monster Cat,” as my then four-year-old son called it. The Monster Cat lived in the Toy-Con House from the Variety Kit, a structure that accepted the right Joy-Con into its chimney and sported the Switch display at the front. With different adapters sliding into the house’s sides and bottom, it conjured up various on-screen scenarios—ingeniously simple, laugh-out-loud funny, and refreshingly novel.
Our Monster Cat lived on long after, becoming a beloved part of our living room landscape. The Toy-Con House saw several repairs, and its adapters bore the brunt of wear and tear, glued and taped together like a testament to imaginative play. It’s a journey I never shared with our second son, born in 2018.
I didn’t fully grasp Labo’s end in 2021—Nintendo, true to form, was tight-lipped about its discontinuation, even scrubbing its site before ambiguously suggesting it was still available. Retailers, predictably, weren’t thrilled about sitting on large, unsold boxes for a product that had quietly vanished from marketing channels.
Once I realized what was happening, I scoured stock trackers and combed through store shelves, only to find that stock had predictably dwindled. I did manage to grab an extra VR Kit… though what we really needed was another Variety Kit. Our Monster Cat was on the lookout for a new abode. Nintendo thankfully released the blueprints, allowing enthusiasts to recreate these kits—a commendable step towards preserving this unique experience. Yet, my searches haven’t turned up a practical way to recreate our beloved kit. Anyone with leads, feel free to get in touch!
Many are disappointed that the Switch 2 seems to be on the conservative side, and the initial reveal hasn’t put those concerns to rest. The original Switch was a massive success, and we’re all rooting for the sequel to follow suit. However, I dearly hope that Nintendo hasn’t discarded that breakthrough mindset—the same innovative spark that brought Labo to life—in the process. Maybe, just maybe, that optical mouse sensor could lead to another quirky adventure. Perhaps, a new-gen Monster Cat would enjoy chasing a mouse.
(Oh, Monster Cat, you have my heart.)
