Nintendo Labo Explained: 9 Things You Need To Know

Nintendo's barmiest idea is also one of the most fascinating.

By Scott Tailford /

Nintendo

The word of the day is "cardboard", as with two minutes and fifty-two seconds of tantalising looks at a half-physical, half-software setup for the Nintendo Switch, nothing will ever be the same again. Showcased using a mix of in-game footage and real-world moving parts, we now know that coming on April 20th 2018 is Nintendo Labo: A variety of minigames and experiences all controlled by cardboard models you assemble yourself.

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There's everything from a fully working piano to remote control bugs, a tiny stick figure who moves with the vibrations of a single Joy-Con and even a fishing game where an extend-o controller lets you dangle string into the Switch's screen, simulating the catching of a fish.

Craziest/most genius of all is a full mech suit, sold in a separate pack, comprising a whopping great backpack, head-tracking and multi-limb control, letting you embody a robot tearing through a cityscape. Hilariously, the fact that this thing actually tracks feet movement puts it one step ahead of the PS VR - a realisation made all the more hilarious by noting that Nintendo have one-upped the competition with some cardboard and a few pieces of string.

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You couldn't make this stuff up, but I can easily break down how it's going to work.