Yesterday, Nintendo pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2. From what I can gather, it’s essentially a larger and likely improved version of the Switch we know. However, Nintendo was rather tight-lipped about what new features the Switch 2 brings to the table. There is, however, one detail in the press release that caught my eye, leaving me feeling a bit disheartened. It mentioned that some games from the original Switch might not work or be fully compatible with the Switch 2. My mind immediately went to Nintendo Labo.
Labo might not have revolutionized gaming, but it’s one of those quirky, fun, and uniquely creative endeavors that only Nintendo could pull off. I absolutely loved it, cardboard and all. For those who didn’t get a chance to mess around with a Labo kit, let me break it down for you.
Each kit contained parts for “Toy-Cons,” cleverly DIY creations made from cardboard, accompanied by instructions that were as friendly and straightforward as an IKEA manual. Once you pieced it together, you’d slot in the Switch’s Joy-Cons. With a mix of motion sensors, the trusty IR sensor on the right Joy-Con, and some software magic, these cardboard widgets transformed into delightful, tactile playthings like a piano or a camera. They worked with simple games, and there was even the opportunity to create your own experiences, much like in Nintendo’s later offering, Game Builder Garage.
It was, quite simply, brilliant.
Back in 2018, I hailed it as one of the most quintessential Nintendo projects. Four years after its quiet exit, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. Nintendo has largely ignored Labo since, and the absence of IR sensors in the new Switch 2 Joy-Cons serves as a stark reminder of its burial.
But let’s take a moment to remember it when it was still around. I fondly think of the “Monster Cat,” as my then four-year-old son called it, which lived in the Toy-Con House from the Variety Kit. This house accepted the right Joy-Con in its chimney, with the Switch display acting as its facade. Different adapters slotted into its sides, providing varied on-screen scenarios. It was simple, amusing, and wonderfully unique.
While building these paper creations was half the fun, Monster Cat was special. He became a regular guest in our playtime, with his House maintaining a permanent spot in our living room. The structure was repaired countless times, with adapters patched up using tape, glue, popsicle sticks, and stickers—a tangible testament to Labo’s imaginative play. Sadly, it’s an experience I didn’t get to share with my younger son, born in 2018.
I didn’t quite grasp what was happening when Labo started disappearing in 2021. True to form, Nintendo was elusive about its fate, even taking down the website before addressing its discontinuation. Retailers detest holding onto hefty boxes that don’t sell, especially when the manufacturer isn’t promoting them.
By the time the reality hit me, I was frantically tracking down stocks at local stores, most of which had already sold out. I did manage to snag a VR Kit, though what I truly needed was another Variety Kit. Our Monster Cat needed a new home. Nintendo did release instructions for folks to recreate the kits—an admirable step in preserving this unique gaming experience—but my search for replacements hasn’t yielded much. (If any fellow enthusiasts want to help me out, my email is open!)
I know there’s some disappointment that the Switch 2 seems set on maintaining the status quo. The reveal video didn’t exactly shake off those concerns. The Switch has been a blockbuster success, and we all hope its successor follows suit. Yet, it would be great if Nintendo still entertained some of that unconventional creativity that birthed Labo. Who knows, the future might hold more surprises. Maybe next-gen Monster Cat will fancy a mouse to play with.
(Thanks for the memories, Monster Cat.)
