Nintendo is a little late to the party when it comes to VR. However, what they’ve come up with is definitely something unique and worth trying out.
The Nintendo Labo VR Kit is designed to cover the Nintendo Switch’s screen for an immersive VR experience.
In this post, we will discuss whether or not the Nintendo Labo VR Kit is worth the hype or not. We’ll also mention some alternatives that you can go for.
Nintendo Labo VR Kit
The Nintendo Labo VR Kit is a great experimental approach to VR that works with the Nintendo Switch. It’s an incredibly unique way to experience VR and definitely something you can consider buying if you already own a Nintendo Switch.
Alternate #1
Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles
With its more traditional design, the Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles fit perfectly on both the regular Switch as well as the OLED models. It’s very easy to adjust according to your head shape and the lens positioning inside it can be adjusted as well for the perfect VR experience.
Alternate #2
Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset
The Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset also works with both the regular and OLED Nintendo Switch models. It has a great battery life and you can even watch Youtube videos on it while the headset is charging. It provides great visuals along with a comfortable VR experience.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
The Nintendo Labo VR Kit is something that is definitely aimed at children rather than adults. That being said, adults can still have a great time assembling it with their children and marvel at the wonders of VR that the Nintendo Switch has to offer.
The cardboard design is very reminiscent of Google Cardboard. That being said, it’s a lot sturdier and definitely has a lot of thought put into it.
The gyros and sensors inside the Nintendo Switch itself are used to take your head movements as inputs. This enables you to realistically traverse the VR worlds that the Nintendo Switch offers you.
Features and Benefits
Cardboard Can be Used to Make a Variety of Shapes
When it comes to the Nintendo Labo VR Kit, you can use the cardboard and the instructions provided to turn it into a variety of shapes. These different shapes work with different apps inside the Switch, and you can manipulate the environment with them in different ways.
The variety of shapes you can make with the Nintendo Labo VR Kit includes:
- A camera
- An elephant
- A blaster
- A bird
- A pedal
- VR goggles
This gives the Labo VR Kit a unique type of variety that you really can’t get with any other VR product out in the market currently.
Screen Cap
The Labo VR Kit comes with a screen cap that you can use to cover it up when it’s not in use to protect it from dust and the environment.
Child-Friendly Project
This is definitely something that would be a lot more fun if you do it with children. Shaping cardboard into different shapes may seem a bit tedious when you do it by yourself.
However, if you do it with your kids, it can turn into a fun and rewarding afternoon.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Nintendo Switch VR
Price
While the price of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit is not as cheap as mobile VR headsets, it’s still not as expensive as high-end console headsets or PC VR headsets.
It comfortably sits in the middle and we definitely feel that the amount of value you get with it definitely justifies its price. After all, it’s not just a regular VR headset but a unique experience you can have with your kids and other loved ones.
User-Friendliness
The process of cutting up cardboard and shaping it into the different shapes required to play the different VR apps can seem tedious. However, you do get clear instructions on how to shape them and if you follow them properly, it’s definitely easy.
Compatibility
The Nintendo Labo VR Kit is designed to work with both the regular Nintendo Switch model as well as the OLED model.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Clear instructions
- Relatively cheap
- Different shapes offer a variety of unique VR experiences
- Fun cardboard-building project for children
- Unique approach to VR
- You have to hold the Nintendo Switch with your hands as you experience VR
Social Proof
Normally, an experimental approach like this can be a hit or miss with mass audiences. It’s all about execution and whether or not the experience you provide is enjoyable or not.
That’s why we were curious about what other users thought of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. We took to Amazon to find user reviews to see what others had to say.
Here’s what we found:
Similar to Nintendo Switch VR (Recommendations)
#1: Best Affordable Alternative - Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles Review
The Nintendo Labo VR Kit is great but it definitely isn’t cheap. If you don’t have a big budget to spend on VR goggles for your Nintendo Switch, then this option is definitely worth considering.
You can get it for less than half the price of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit and it’s a high-quality product despite its price.
The material is sturdy but lightweight and flexible at the same time. This ensures you don’t get fatigued as you enjoy VR on your Nintendo Switch.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles
Price: We categorized this product as a budget-friendly alternative. It should go without saying then, that it’s incredibly cheap and well within the reach of most consumers out there.
User-friendliness: The Oibo Nintendo VR Switch Goggles are super easy to configure and they latch onto the Nintendo Switch with ease. It’ll take you a maximum of 10 minutes to configure it and then, you’ll be good to go.
Compatibility: The Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles are designed to work with both, the regular Nintendo Switch model as well as the OLED Nintendo Switch model.
- Well-constructed
- Adjustable
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to configure and use
- Budget-friendly
- May not fit people with larger heads
Best Affordable Alternative
The best affordable alternative is the Oibo Nintendo Switch VR Goggles, thanks to their cheap price, ease of use, and sleek design.
#2: Best User-Friendly Alternative - Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset Review
Coming with an adjustable lens as well as an adjustable head strap, this VR headset is designed to ensure it will fit most, if not all, head sizes out there.
It fits both the regular Nintendo Switch as well as the OLED model. Furthermore, you can use it to watch Youtube videos in VR while you wait for it to charge.
It’s also equipped with a focus dial to make minute changes to the focus. This ensures that the visuals are as clear as possible, so you don’t have any nausea or eye strain issues.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset
Price: While it’s not as cheap as the Oibo, the Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset is still quite competitively priced. It’s another option that you can consider if you don’t have the money for the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
User-friendliness: The headset is super simple to use and even people who aren’t very tech-savvy will be able to configure it with relative ease.
Compatibility: As mentioned earlier, the Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset is designed to work with both the regular Nintendo Switch model as well as the OLED model.
- Affordable
- Adjustable head strap
- Lightweight and flexible
- Easy to configure
- Sturdy
- Cushioning near the nose could be better
Best User-Friendly Alternative
The best user-friendly alternative is the Orzly Nintendo Switch VR Headset thanks to its simple design, ease of use and affordable price.
Buyer’s Guide
In this section, we will discuss the different factors you must take into account in order to make an informed decision. Many consumers are confused when they enter the market for any new product that they’re not too informed about. It’s only natural.
However, what you can do in this situation is assess your needs and look at how a certain VR headset can fulfill those needs. The key is to figure out what you want from your VR headset and then find an option that suits it.
To do this effectively, there are certain factors that you must absolutely take into account. These factors are:
Price
The price is something that you must consider first of all. Have a look at what your budget is and whether or not you have any wiggle room. Naturally, the higher your budget can be, the more freedom you’ll have to choose.
However, if you have a small budget, that still leaves you with a decent amount of options since there are many cheap VR headsets you can opt for too. Although, you must be careful when you opt for cheap VR headsets.
This is because while some cheap VR headsets are genuinely great and provide good value, others are just poorly cobbled together products that are not worth it.
You don’t want to save money by buying a cheap but poorly constructed VR headset that breaks down within a few weeks.
It’s important to shop smart when it comes to VR headsets so that they last you a fairly long time and you get your money’s worth. Hence, if you want to opt for a cheap VR headset, it’s important that you do some research on the product before you make the purchase.
Go to the manufacturer’s website and see what they’re all about, check out past user reviews, and also check out what the general opinion on the brand is.
It’s important to buy from a reputable brand if you’re opting for a cheaper VR headset. That way, you’ll have a much smaller chance of ending up with a poorly constructed headset.
User-Friendliness
User-friendliness is paramount in VR. This is because a poor user experience when you’re in VR can be one of the most frustrating things a person can experience.
You have this headset on your head, you’re feeling slightly nauseous and at the same time, you can’t even get your VR game to run properly. Does that sound like a good time? It surely does not.
Definitely look up user reviews and keep an eye out for any red flags. Do you see many reviews that say that the VR headset was difficult to set up? Or maybe they say that the VR headset requires extra configuration for just about every title you run.
Most well-constructed VR headsets have internal memory so that they can store your settings and configurations. This ensures that you only need to set up your VR headset the first time you run it. After that, you can pick it up and play it without spending time on configuration.
However, cheaper VR headsets may not have internal memory. This results in an incredibly tedious and frustrating experience every time you pick up the VR headset. Nobody wants to spend 20 minutes configuring their device before they can actually jump into VR.
It’s something that will hurt your experience and maybe even discourage you from spending more time in VR. Hence, always opt for a VR headset that provides you with the most streamlined and user-friendly experience.
Design and Comfort
The design of a VR headset is extremely important because VR activity can be extremely physically strenuous. In such an environment, you want a device that’s comfortable to wear and doesn’t get intrusive after it’s been on your head for an extended period of time.
Many cheaper VR headsets have poor cushioning, and some of them don’t even have any cushioning at all. As you can probably imagine, the experience with such VR headsets can be very unpleasant as they dig into your face and cause discomfort.
You want to look for a VR headset that is well-ventilated and comes with high-quality cushioning that sits on your head comfortably.
When it comes to comfort, adjustability is key.
Not every human head is shaped the same. Hence, you want a VR headset that has a decent number of adjustability options.
An adjustable head strap, adjustable lens positioning, and adjustable cushions are all examples of adjustability options that a good VR headset should have. IPD adjustment is another key option that some VR headsets have, and others don’t.
The more adjustable a VR headset is, the more the chances that it can be worn by pretty much anyone. This is important to consider if you’re not going to be the sole person that will be using the VR headset.
An adjustable VR headset allows all members of your household, as well as your friends and peers, to join in on the fun as well.
Compatibility
The compatibility of your VR headset is important to consider since you want to look at what you have and what you want to play.
If you have a smartphone, you can use it to run VR titles available on the App Store or Play Store. In this case, you’d have to opt for a mobile-based VR headset. They’re the cheapest on the market and use smartphones to display a virtual reality.
If you have a powerful PC rig, you can opt for a PC-based VR headset. These headsets connect to your PC in order to run properly. Most of them feature SteamVR tracking that is used to run all the VR titles available in the Steam library.
If you have a gaming console, you can check the market to see if that console has a VR component or not. For example, the Sony Playstation 4 and 5 have the Playstation VR headset that can be used to run VR titles on them.
If you don’t have any external device, you can go for a standalone VR headset. An example of this type of VR headset is the Oculus Quest 2. As the name suggests, these headsets don’t require any other external device in order to run VR titles.
Hence, you must look at what type of device you have, what types of VR titles you want to run, and what platforms you want access to. This will enable you to make an informed decision on which type of VR headset would be best for your needs.
Build Quality
It’s very important that the VR headset you get is well-constructed and made from high-quality materials.
The thing about high-quality materials is that they can be lightweight while being durable at the same time. This provides the VR headset with that balance that it needs: Lightweight enough to not be annoying to the user but still sturdy at the same time.
If your VR headset is made from sub-par materials, it will either be too heavy or too fragile. As you can probably imagine, neither of these aspects is desirable.
Hence, it’s a good idea to look up user reviews to check how well a VR headset is constructed. You can also go to a shop in person and check out the VR headset you’re considering buying for yourself.
Be sure to inspect it thoroughly to get an idea of whether or not it’s a product that will last you a while or not.
Wrapping Things Up
That’s it for our Nintendo Switch VR review.
In the end, it’s definitely something that you should experience if you have the cash for it and have a Nintendo Switch on hand. If you’re someone that’s not into the building and just wants a plug-and-play VR experience, then this product may not be for you.
However, if you have children or other loved ones that would enjoy an experience like this, it’s definitely a fun time that you should invest in.
What do you think of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit? Let us know in the comments below.
