VR on Nintendo Switch? Labo Returns with a VR upgrade
VR on Nintendo Switch? Labo Returns with a VR upgrade
As a handheld console with an integrated screen, Nintendo’s Switch is uniquely positioned to offer VR support at a low overall cost, with the company’s basic VR Labo starter kit costings $39.99, while their larger full kit will cost $79.99. The full kit will include six Labo Toy-Con Projects, which includes a set of VR goggles, a rocket-launcher-style blaster controller, a camera mode, a bird module a wind pedal device and an elephant. The starter kit will only include the blaster controller and the VR screen holder.  Â
When compared to PlayStation VR and its minimum price tag of $199, Nintendo’s offering is extremely affordable, though, given the power gap between the PlayStation and the Switch, Nintendo’s VR experiences should be considered basic, though Nintendo’s unique controllers should add an extra layer of immersion to the mix.Â
Nintendo will allow Switch users to experiment with VR using their Toy-Con Garage software suite, which will include “basic programming tools”. At this time it is unknown what is possible within this software, or how it will work with Nintendo’s cardboard Labo kits.Â
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While the Switch console sits on the low-end of the console performance charts, the affordability of Nintendo’s VR Labo starter kit and the portability of their console will enable a large number of gamers to experience VR for the first time, perhaps acting as a new entry point into the VR ecosystem.Â
The examples showcased by Nintendo have their Switch console in portable mode, which means that the console is in its low power state, making the power gap between the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo’s Switch even wider. We shouldn’t expect the Nintendo Switch to become a high-end VR machine, but Nintendo is sure to create some fun VR experiences and mini-games with their hardware.Â
You can join the discussion on Nintendo adding VR support to their Switch through cardboard Labo add-ons on the OC3D Forums.Â