Nintendo Open to Third-Party Opportunities if Labo is a Success

Nintendo surprised folks with the announcement of Labo yesterday, but we're still a few months out from the April 20, 2018 launch. With the Variety Kit and Robot Kit, Nintendo is offering a new way to play and a proof of concept. The Labo Toy-Cons only work with specific Labo software, but Nintendo is open to expanding that idea in the future.

"Can [the Toy-Cons] be incorporated into other forms of gameplay? Certainly," Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime told Time. "But right now we think if we effectively communicate the power of the idea with Nintendo Labo [and] really enable players to make their creations, personalize them, and enjoy the [inherent] gameplay experiences . . . We think that's going to be a great way to start and then progress down the path."

More importantly, if Labo takes off, Nintendo is up for the idea of allowing third-party partners into the platform.

"While there's nothing to announce today, certainly if we're successful with Labo, it can create future opportunities," said Reggie.

Labo will meet its intended audience for the first time next month, when Nintendo Labo Studio kicks off. The event will happen on February 2-3, 2018 in New York City and March 2-4, 2018 in San Francisco. Interested folks can sign up for either event on the official site until January 21, 2018 at 11:59 pm PT, or until all spots are filled. There is no cost to attend.