Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 01 – Variety Kit is a collection of five small projects built around a single Switch Joy-Con controller. Each project turns cardboard, tape and a few simple parts into a toy that connects back to the console through the Joy-Con itself. The kit asks players to build first, then play. That sequence is the whole point, and it works better in some cases than others.
The Five Projects
The kit includes five separate builds:
- The Fishing Rod, a simple rod that bends and moves when you press buttons on the controller.
- The Piano, a full-size piano keyboard built out of cardboard pieces that trigger sounds on screen.
- The Drum Set, a set of drum pads that hit real surfaces and make noise.
- The House, a small model house that opens and closes like a dollhouse.
- The Motorbike, a vehicle that moves forward when you push the controller’s stick.
Each project takes about an hour to build from start to finish. The instructions are clear, though some steps require patience. The finished toys look rough next to store-bought models, but they hold together well enough to play with afterward.
Building First
The best moments in Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 01 – Variety Kit come during construction. Cutting cardboard, folding pieces and attaching tape gives the project a sense of ownership that a store-bought toy never offers. Once the building is done, the fun drops off in some cases. The Fishing Rod and the Motorbike are quick to put together but offer limited replay value once the novelty wears off.
The Piano stands out as the standout project. Its full-size keyboard layout turns a simple piece of cardboard into a working instrument, and playing it feels genuinely satisfying. The Drum Set follows a similar pattern, with physical drum pads attached to the controller that respond to your hands. Both projects reward patience in building with real pleasure in playing.
The House and the Motorbike
The House and the Motorbike are the weakest entries in the collection. The House is a small model that opens and closes, but it doesn’t do much beyond that. The Motorbike moves forward when you push the controller’s stick, but the motion feels more mechanical than fun. Neither holds attention for long after the first few minutes.
Replay Value
Replay value varies across the kit. The Piano and the Drum Set reward repeated use, while the House and the Motorbike feel like one-and-done projects. The Fishing Rod falls somewhere in between — it’s a nice idea, but the act of fishing itself gets dull quickly.
Final Word
Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 01 – Variety Kit is a clever idea executed unevenly. The building process is engaging, and the Piano and the Drum Set stand out as genuinely fun to play. But the House and the Motorbike feel like filler, and the overall package lacks the depth of a full game. As a creative starter set, it succeeds. As a complete experience, it falls short.
The kit is best suited to players who enjoy hands-on craft projects and don’t mind that the finished toys are more charming than deep. For anyone looking for a long-term gaming investment, the replay value simply isn’t there.
Nintendo Labo: Toy-Con 01 – Variety Kit scores 7.2 of 10.
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