Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 04 - VR Kit for Nintendo Switch

I picked this up after my kid saw someone at the park building a cardboard robot with a Switch. Honestly, I was skeptical - cardboard and VR? But it turned out to be way more satisfying than I expected. The whole thing’s about building physical toys from cardboard templates, then using them as controllers in simple VR games. It’s not high-res or flashy, but there’s something genuinely cool about holding a paper airplane controller and flying through a virtual canyon.

The good stuff

What really clicked was how much the act of building the Toy-Cons felt like play itself. I spent a solid hour folding and taping the VR goggles - they’re surprisingly sturdy for cardboard. Then there’s the actual gameplay: racing on a cardboard rollercoaster, poking giant floating eyes in the air, even playing a mini-game where you swing a cardboard bat to hit targets. The motion controls work surprisingly well when you’re actually moving your body. It’s not the most polished VR experience, but it’s honest. And the best part? You can make your own Toy-Cons using the included tools. I made a dumb little cardboard wand just to wave around and see what happened. It wasn’t useful, but it was hilarious.

The not-so-good

It’s definitely not for everyone. If you’re looking for deep storytelling or complex mechanics, this isn’t it. The games are short, basic, and mostly designed for younger kids. Also, the VR effect relies heavily on the Switch’s screen and the cardboard visor - it’s not immersive like Meta Quest or PSVR. And yeah, you do have to build everything by hand. That’s part of the charm, but it’s also kind of a pain if you’re impatient or don’t like crafting. Plus, the software only works with the Switch, so no cross-platform play or updates beyond what’s already in the kit.

Bottom line

If you’ve got kids who love making things, or you’re just into weird, tactile tech experiments, this is worth trying. It’s not a game in the traditional sense, but it’s a solid pick for family fun and creative play. No downloads needed - it comes on a cartridge. For Nintendo-switch owners with young ones, it’s a low-stakes way to dip into VR without spending a fortune. Skip it if you want serious gaming, but if you’re down for silly, hands-on fun, give it a shot. Worth every penny if you’re into that vibe.