Nintendo Is Getting Into Virtual Reality With Cardboard DIY Kits

Nintendo Is Getting Into Virtual Reality With Cardboard DIY Kits
Credit: Common Wikimedia - Nintendo

It seems like you can’t go anywhere in the gaming community without hearing something about VR. It has taken over this industry, and for good reason. The immersive environments it lets users explore are downright breathtaking. Some VR headsets truly make you feel like you’re actually in the game.

Since VR has become a massive hit, many wondered if Nintendo would ever venture into the market. According to recent reports, it appears they have plans to. Now, they’re not unveiling a traditional VR headset like PlayStation and Google have done. Instead, they’re planning to sell a kit that families can put together on their own.

These kits will be from the Labo line, which can turn the ever-popular Nintendo Switch into a VR console. In theory, this seems like a brilliant idea. We have yet to see this take on virtual reality. The customization possibilities are enticing to think about, as not every gamer wants the same thing. Nintendo knows this. They’re actively trying to do something that no VR headset manufacturer has done before.

These VR cardboard kits will include several different components, including a camera, blaster, safety cap, screen holder, and VR goggles. Everything needed to transform the Nintendo Switch’s portable screen into a virtual reality headset is included. The starting price of the kit will be $79. That’s not bad considering most VR headsets today range into the hundreds.

Nintendo is also offering a basic starter kit, which is much more affordable and comes with only the blaster and the VR goggles. Putting these cardboard pieces together shouldn’t prove difficult, either. That’s because each kit comes with a set of directions, which are concise and easy to follow.

This is a home run for Nintendo. They’ve always been a gaming company highlighting the importance of family-fun experiences. This VR venture seems to be family-friendly as well. Families who don’t want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on VR equipment can purchase these cardboard kits stress-free.

The only pause for concern is the durability of these cardboard kits. Hopefully, they’re structured to where they can take some wear and tear. Still, Nintendo’s entry into the VR sector is showing a lot of promise. There are many gamers who forgo these gaming experiences because there is such a price barrier to entry associated with modern VR headsets.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with Nintendo. The kits are expected to hit the market on April 12th.