Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 03 - Vehicle Kit (2018)

I don't think most Nintendo fans realize that EPD developed an open world collectathon, which also happens to be a vehicle sim, and that it's really great! The adventure mode has so many magic moments, both when you're putting together the hardware, and in the simple yet brilliant design of the world. And as expected you're getting fluid performance, tons of charm, and an all ages experience.

I understand that Labo might have been a bit overpriced at launch, and I don't have experience with the other kits, but this one's definitely worth a go if you can still find one on the shelf. Who knows if history will be able to preserve this game too well...

My Review of Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit

My Review of Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit

When I look back on the man I was yesterday, I see a fool. But the only wisdom I am certain I hold today is that I will feel the same tomorrow.

So this was the Labo set I was least excited about. Toy-Con 01 and 02 were both a part of the original Labo pitch and Toy-Con 04 is VR which I hadn't tried before. The vehicle kit just isn't as appealing to an adult who has been driving for half their life. I think I purchased this kit out of some need to "complete" my set. I saved building it for last as I feared this would be the build time of the robot kit with even less pay off.

I was wrong.

What is so amazing about this kit is there is so much to do that works together. The steering wheel steers, has a lever for reverse, a turbo rope for yanking, two rotating levers that control your radio/windshield wipers/bombs/chainsaw/gas extractor, and oh your key turns into a horn for honking. Speaking of that key, it allows you to activate the sub and plane which are also stacked to the brim with features. And absolutely everything I just mentioned works in conjunction with the pedal. The amount of features that work with your tiny joy-cons is downright staggering.

But all of this is just cardboard crafting. Is there a solid game to support it? While the Toy-Con 03 definitely elevates the gameplay, I had an absolute blast driving around Nintendo's little Labo world. For the briefest moment when I started, I missed Nintendo's Wuhu Island from the Wii/Wii U days, but I think Labo island quickly surpasses Wuhu in scope and scale. There is a city, a desert, a mountain, a lake, a canyon, and the list goes on. And each area is large with interesting things to do. Deliver passengers, find secrets, fill up on gas. Yea, that's right. You have to get gas in this game, and it's fun!

I've found that gaming has radically changed since I became a parent. Now every game exists in one of two worlds. It is either the kind of game you play with your kids or the kind of game you play after they go to bed. I bought this game to exclusively exist in the first group. But I was shocked when after I finished story time, kissed my little ones on their foreheads, and gingerly closed their doors- I was shocked to find myself heading down to the dark basement to fly my cardboard plane under the glow of my TV.

It is no longer shocking to me. I plan to do it again tonight.