Why Nintendo’s Unique Invention Labo Failed to Impress the Fans?

Published 10/30/2022, 2:50 PM EDT

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Nintendo is one of the most successful video game companies. They have developed many interesting consoles. Not to ignore, their latest console Nintendo Switch is among the best-selling consoles. Further, they have also made successful video game series like Super Mario and Pokemon.

However, Nintendo has also never shied away from experimenting. They have come up with many revolutionary items, but they failed to make an impression on the audience and were lost in time. One such unique invention was 2018 released Labo for the Nintendo Switch.

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Why did Nintendo Labo fail?

Nintendo came up with Labo soon after the release of the Switch console. The developers were looking for various ways to bring the best out of the Joy-Cons. During one of such sessions, the idea struck while playing around with cardboard. It opened the doors of creativity and various uses of cardboard and Joy-Con.

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Then the Nintendo developers finally came up with Labo, which used the Joy-Con and the IR technology in the console. The Labo kit included kits like a remote-control car, fishing rod, piano, and motorbike handle. With these, fans could enjoy the experience of playing with an RC car, fishing, biking and even playing a full Octave piano.

Undoubtedly, it was an ambitious project and seems fun too. But still, it failed and the most possible reason behind the failure was the target audience. From day one, Nintendo developed Labo targeting the younger audience. They wanted young kids to enjoy the Switch console. However, most users were teenagers and adults, who didn’t connect with the accessory.

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Moreover, the price tag also paid a key role in the failure. The Labo kits ranged from $70 and $60. Although some fans were content with the price tag, there were also some skeptical ones who were not impressed by the price and claimed it was too much for pieces of cardboard. Because of these reasons, the product failed to impress the Nintendo fans and became a relic of the past.

Could Labo have survived with a better approach?

As mentioned, Labo was an ambitious product, and those who used claimed it to be a fun gadget to use. So maybe a better marketing campaign and if they targeted a wider range of audience instead of just kids. Then the Labo could have survived and even become a Nintendo accessory that everyone would have loved.

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What are your thoughts about Nintendo Labo? Do you think this ambitious project had the potential to be a good Switch accessory? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by:

Ripan Majumdar

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Ripan Majumdar is an esports and F1 writer at Essentially Sports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Science from West Bengal State University, Kolkata. Ripan is a massive Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez fan.
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Edited by:

Jito Tenson