Nintendo managed to really create something special with the Nintendo Labo kits. The cardboard designs may have seemed like something kind of odd and off-center, but, in reality, the setup afforded gamers the opportunity to create all sorts of unique new devices, gadgets, and even a solar-powered accordion. During one of Nintendo's contests for the Nintendo Labo creation kit, there was actually someone who designed a working accordion using the Switch, some cardboard, paper, and the built-in creation suite that comes with the Labo.
Over on the official Nintendo website, there's a winner's page for the first set of the Nintendo Labo Creators Contest, highlighting the different winners from the various categories for the Toy-Con kit. This includes the highly impressive solar-powered accordion kit from Momoka, which was designed to work through being triggered by sunlight. Nintendo linked to the video that was posted on Momoka's YouTube channel so you can see how it operates.
The white tape within the cardboard allows each of the holes in the cardboard keyboard to play a sound, similar to what was designed for the Jimmy Fallon and Ariana Grande segment. Momoka programmed the software so that the keys represent three octaves when specific buttons on the Switch's touchscreen are pressed.
The volume for the device is affected by the light that shines through the cardboard key holes, making it so that when you play the device outside you get better volume.
It's just one of the many different kits that were celebrated in the creators contest that Nintendo held. Some of the other winners included a cardboard dinosaur that moves around thanks to the Joy-Con's HD Rumble effect; it's named after the Jurassic Park movie series.
There's also a really cool analog alarm clock that actually works. The cardboard is designed around the Switch's touchscreen, which has the Roman numeral time slots on it. The three knobs can alter the different hands on the clock by rotating them when placed inside the slot. You can also set the alarm clock so that it rings when it hits the appropriate time. It's an expert use of the ToyCon Garage software that comes with the Nintendo Labo kit.
Another neat little game is the Fix-It Game, which is a little bit like Simon Says but using the Labo kit's cardboard contraptions to play the game. The creator of the entry, Rich, made a custom overlay and designed a number of light-up cues on the Nintendo Switch's touchscreen so that when they flash you have a short amount of time to physically turn a knob, twist a dial, or press a button to fix the issue. It's a neat little concept.
One of the most outrageous designs, though, is the Labo Tea Time, which features a number of cardboard teapots that must be used to fill up the tea slots on the Nintendo Switch. It's a weird zen game based around tea arrangement.
The Toy-Con Garage contests are designed to help spotlight some of the creative ventures within the Nintendo Labo community, as well as inspire other creators to come up with wholly original designs as well. And, as you can see, it's certainly working out well.
