*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Short answer: no, Nintendo Labo is not just cardboard. It is a cardboard construction system that also depends on Nintendo Switch software, Joy-Con input, and a handful of small non-cardboard parts.
The biggest exception is compatibility: if you are checking Labo today, make sure your console and controllers match the kit. Nintendo’s current Nintendo Labo FAQ says Switch 2 and Joy-Con 2 do not work directly with Toy-Con because of size differences, and the VR Kit cannot be played on Switch 2. If you’re still getting familiar with the hardware, the Nintendo Switch beginner guide is a good place to start.
So if you were picturing a plain sheet of craft board, that’s only part of the story. What makes Labo interesting is how the software interprets each build and turns folded cardboard into something that actually responds on screen.
What Nintendo Labo actually includes
The visible part of Labo is cardboard, but the full kit is a mix of materials and software. Nintendo’s own product pages show that the Robot Kit, for example, includes 19 cardboard sheets, 4 cardstock sheets, a reflective sheet, strings, straps, and eyelets or grommets. No glue or scissors are required because the box includes everything needed for the build.
| What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cardboard sheets | These form the structure of each Toy-Con build. |
| Cardstock and printed sheets | These add reinforcement or shaped parts for specific builds. |
| Reflective sheets or stickers | These help the system read movement or position in certain Toy-Con. |
| Strings, straps, and grommets | These make moving parts, tension points, and wearable pieces work correctly. |
| Game card or software | This is the part that teaches, calibrates, and runs the Toy-Con. |
That is the important distinction: the cardboard is the shell, but the software is what gives the build a function. Without the game, the pieces are just craft parts.
Why people call it cardboard anyway
People usually shorten Labo to “cardboard” because that is the part you see first. You fold it, slot it together, decorate it, and hold it in your hands. Compared with a traditional plastic accessory, that makes it easy to dismiss.
But that misses the point. Labo is closer to a hands-on construction kit than a normal game accessory. The cardboard is designed around the software, and the software is designed around the cardboard. The two pieces only make sense together.
That is also why DIY replacements are trickier than they look. Community reports suggest home-made substitutes can sometimes work, but material thickness, rigidity, and sensor alignment matter a lot more than people expect. A random cereal box usually will not behave like Nintendo’s own sheets.
How durable is Nintendo Labo?
Labo is sturdier than the joke suggests, but it is still cardboard. It is meant for folding, assembling, and repeated play, not rough handling or being tossed into a backpack loose.
Nintendo also gives practical repair advice. If a piece is bent, the leftover cardboard sheets can be used to reinforce it. If a piece is torn, Nintendo says adhesive tape can be used to mend it. That is useful because most Labo damage is not catastrophic; it is usually a crease, tear, or worn hinge point.
- Common wear points: fold lines, tabs, corners, and any section that moves back and forth a lot.
- What usually matters most: whether the piece still lines up and fits tightly enough to function.
- What to be careful with: moisture, crushing, and repeated bending in the wrong direction.
If you want to keep a set in decent shape, storing the folded parts flat and keeping the Joy-Con safe matters just as much as the cardboard itself. A protective case from the Nintendo Switch accessories roundup can help keep the controllers and loose parts from getting wrecked in transit.
Switch 2 and model compatibility caveats
If you are buying Labo now, the console you own matters more than the cardboard. Nintendo’s support page says Switch 2 and Joy-Con 2 cannot be used directly with Toy-Con because of size differences. Nintendo also says some Labo titles can still work on Switch 2 using original Switch Joy-Con wirelessly, but compatibility is kit-specific, and the VR Kit cannot be played on Switch 2.
That means the original Switch family still matters. If you are choosing between models and care about Labo, the Switch vs Switch OLED breakdown is mostly about screen size and docked play, while the Switch Lite comparison matters because Labo depends heavily on detachable Joy-Con.
In plain English: if you want the full Labo experience, original Switch hardware with original Joy-Con is the safest bet.
Buying used: what to check before you pay
Used Labo sets can be fine, but only if the important pieces are still there. Missing cardboard is sometimes fixable. Missing small parts usually is not.
- Make sure the software or game card is included.
- Check that the cardboard sheets are present and not crushed beyond use.
- Look for reflective sheets or stickers, strings, straps, and grommets or eyelets.
- Confirm that any reusable accessory parts are included.
- Verify that you still have the required original Joy-Con if the kit needs them.
- Inspect fold lines, tabs, and corners for heavy wear or water damage.
Nintendo also notes that replacement cardboard can be used to build another Toy-Con, replace a section, or design a new one, and some accessories from the original build can be reused. That makes partial sets more salvageable than they first appear, but only if the missing pieces are the cardboard and not the small functional parts.
So, is Nintendo Labo worth it?
If you want a clever weekend project, a hands-on family activity, or a novelty Nintendo experience that is more than a normal game, then yes, Labo can make sense. If you are judging it only as a pile of cardboard, it will look overpriced and a little strange.
The real value is the combination of materials, software, and interaction. Cardboard is part of the product, but it is not the whole product.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use Nintendo Labo on Switch 2?
Not in the same way as the original system. Nintendo says Switch 2 and Joy-Con 2 cannot be used directly with Toy-Con because of size differences. Some titles may work with original Switch Joy-Con wirelessly, but the VR Kit cannot be played on Switch 2.
Do you need the software for Nintendo Labo?
Yes. The cardboard pieces are only part of the system. The software is what teaches the build, calibrates it, and turns it into a Toy-Con.
What should I do if a Labo piece breaks?
Check whether it is bent, torn, or missing a small part. Nintendo says bent cardboard can be reinforced with leftover sheets, and torn cardboard can be repaired with tape. If a reflective part, strap, or grommet is missing, that is often more of a problem than a simple crease.
Is Labo good to buy used?
Yes, if the box is complete enough and the important non-cardboard parts are present. Used sets are best when the software, Joy-Con, reflective pieces, strings, straps, and grommets are all still there.