Them are a little overpriced, but I think that I could have killed for something like this back in my days... I was creating EVERYTHING out of carboards.
My first PC and my first gaming console were just made out of cardboard and markers... well... the arcade console was interactive too, I was able to turn left and right the spaceship, so while scrolling the roll of paper with the asteroids I was able to avoid them !!!!
(Also the PC was portable and had an integrated joystick... I was able to control everything with it, even my personal invisible spaceship, that was also able to go underwater).
Growing up in southern California, we had a place called Old Towne Mall in Torrance, rather close to Del Amo Mall. OTM was better than Disneyland to me as a kid, as they had rides in the mall, as well as all these "creative" shops. It was like going to an amusement park, county fair, and crafts festival all rolled in to one. Every time I would go there, I would see stuff that inspired me to come home and create stuff. Sadly, I sucked, so most of my creations never made it to your levels, but for those kids who have that spark, the sky's the limit with something like Labo.
I think Ninitendo did a poor job in it's marketing not to make it clear it includes a game/SW cartridge and thats why it's priced as it is. Now you have a lot of people claiming Nintendo are charging $70 for cardboard
Yeah, I think most around the web know that software is included, but knowing "N" past, most games for something like this is going to be rather basic, and not include much. Of course they haven't shown much of the Robot package, so it's not known how much of a game will be there, or how much there will be to do. For me, it appears to be a $20 software, which then makes the cardboard $50. Of course, anyone can split the cost how they like, but either way, I'm not seeing the value. The software is either more costly, which is fine if there's a lot included, but if it's a basic package, then the cardboard becomes most of the cost, which is insane. Now in their defense, not all cardboard's are create equal, and of course what they offer will need to be as durable as possible, and still be able to be crafted, and I'm sure its not gonna be cheap. So it may not be that bad, but it sure looks that way on the surface. LOL
When this was first announced, most fans where up in arms, but before it was shown, "N" made very clear it was a product for kids. So they did their best to keep hopes in check. I thought it was cool, and one of the more creative things I've seen from them in years, that may serve a long term purpose(hopefully it's not done with and buried within 12 months). And I knew my son would love it, and of course once he saw the video, he hasn't stop talking about it.
I've actually said how I would like to see this in a more adult form, where they offer BT controlled actuators, gears, etc., Then have more durable building materials like plastic, metal or wood to make more detailed models("N" themed stuff of course). Mario Karts, Pilot Wings type stuff that can drive and fly, and aren't limited to the actual joy-cons. As I see the JC as being limited in what can be offered, as it's all in what levels of rumble they can use, along with the sensor. Of course if they are charging $70 for cardboard, and more than likely a basic program. What I'm asking for would be in to the hundreds easily, so maybe not feasible, but if Labo does well, it's something to look in to.
"N" was a successful toy company before entering video games, so this just looks like a return to that. And if it can help bring in funds for more creative games to be offered over the life of the NS, I'm all for it.
Chris
