Nintendo Labo Robot Kit
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Nintendo Labo Robot Kit
The main mode is undeniably fun and gives a sense of immersion that is impressive for something fashioned out of cardboard. On the downside, it takes an age to assemble and the core 'game' isn't robust enough to keep you playing for long; you then have to decide if you're going to store that bulky backpack away somewhere or spend a considerable amount of time taking it carefully apart, knowing full well that another four-odd hours of construction time is required to make it again – if the parts are in good enough condition to do so, of course.
Taken on its own it's a feat of cardboard engineering tethered to a technically impressive, but ultimately shallow game.
If I was going to recommend one LABO product, I'd definitely pick the Variety Kit, there's just more to do there. But if you've completed the Variety Kit and are desperate for more cardboard fun, than the Robot Kit is your only other option – just don't expect any long-lasting enjoyment.
The Nintendo Labo Robot Kit walks you through building a very clever cardboard robot suit for stomping around in the included Switch game. There isn't much meat to it, though.
The Nintendo Labo Robot Kit is disappointing. While I absolutely adored the in-depth build and the creativity behind the Toy-Con Garage, the actual gameplay included in this $100 package simply isn't worth the price of admission.
What Nintendo Labo achieves is, at its core, exactly what Wii Sports achieved for the Wii in 2006. It encourages non-video gamers the chance to get involved with something their children love. It brings family to the fore, allows for natural teamwork to evolve and both nurtures and inspires creativity. And quite frankly, that’s hard to put a price on.
As for myself, I had a lot of fun building the Robot Kit, but I question whether it felt like $79.99 worth of fun. With only one project the Robot Kit might be best saved for Labo enthusiasts.
There's potential for more mini-games beyond what's included, but the game does - for now - lack that longevity to hold interest beyond the initial wow moment.
