In early 2018, Nintendo introduced their model-building/video game hybrid product Labo to the public. Now, three years later, the company has yet another peculiar piece of software aimed towards fledging game designers–Game Builder Garage.
Learn to make games from the minds at Nintendo! Build your own games from the ground up with the colorful and quirky Nodon when #GameBuilderGarage comes to #NintendoSwitch on June 11!https://t.co/OLw5XSTAMs pic.twitter.com/1A5ovEc5ZM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 5, 2021
Game Builder Garage looks to build off of the block-based programming tools found in many of the Labo software. This time around, it looks like the company has ditched the barebones presentation of rudimentary tools found in Labo and has introduced a new set of playful characters called Nodons. From the official Game Builder Garage page:
Flex your creative muscles
Ready to take the lead? Let your imagination—and curiosity—run wild in Free Programming, where the sky is the limit!
Add Nodon to your programming screen and decide how they interact to bring your game to life. You can even choose the music or an exciting theme.
Even if you’re not quite sure what to make, playing around with Nodon might just give you a great idea or two.
Game Builder Garage looks to be another new, weird Nintendo project but unlike Labo, this programming software seems robust enough to create genuinely engaging games while still being relatively easy to learn.
The most important tidbit of information from the software’s announcement is the ability to share games online with friends via codes which was impossible with the programming tools in Labo. Interestingly enough, Nintendo states that you’ll be able to use this feature to “work with friends” which insinuates that you may be able to collaborate on games simultaneously ala Super Mario Maker 2.
Game Builder Garage is releasing on June 11 2021 for $29.99. The title is releasing exclusively on the Nintendo Switch and is being developed and published by Nintendo.
