Nintendo Labo And Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Integration Delivers Toy-Con Controls

Nintendo has been peddling the slick Labo cardboard builders set since early this year and it has proven to be popular. Labo allows gamers young and old to build very cool cardboard creations that can be used as interactive controllers for video games played on the Switch.

Nintendo is now announcing that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is getting a free update that will allow gamers to use the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Labo: Variety Kit to control their kart. The controller will support every game mode and vehicle type in the game. Nintendo promises it makes players feel as if they are in the driver's seat.

After downloading and installing the update, the player will select the Nintendo Labo icon on the title screen of the game to access the menu where the Toy-Con can be selected as the controller type. When using the Toy-Con Motorbike, a twist of the right handlebar acts as the accelerator and buttons on the Joy-Con are used for items, brakes, and drifting. Up to four players can play the game using Toy-Cons at one time.

Along with the Labo Mario Kart 8 announcement, Nintendo is also hosting a contest to see what gamers can dream up for Labo concoctions. The contest will have two categories including "Best Gaming Experience using Toy-Con Garage" and "Best Toy-Con Musical Instrument." The contest is open to residents of Canada and the U.S. 13-years or older. Canadian residents in Quebec aren’t allowed to enter the contest. Among the cool prizes available in the contest are limited edition cardboard-inspired Switch consoles.