Nintendo Adds Labo Functionality for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Nintendo’s Labo, a LEGO-like cardboard building set that works with Labo-centric videogames, is set to become more interesting and useful than it has ever been. As of today, Tuesday, June 26, a free software update is available for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that makes the Toy-Con Motorbike Labo controller compatible with Nintendo’s ever-popular kart racer. The Toy-Con Motorbike is available in the Nintendo Labo: Variety Kit, and the interactive, immersive controller will be usable in every game mode and with every type of vehicle in the videogame.

Once the update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is downloaded, simply click on the Labo icon at the game’s title screen and choose the Toy-Con as the preferred controller type. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the first game outside of the software that comes packaged with the Nintendo Labo to receive Toy-Con support, with more videogames to be compatible with Labo in the future.

Nintendo has also announced a new contest for Labo owners with numerous prizes available, the standout being a Labo-themed Nintendo Switch that looks as if it is made out of cardboard (it is not, obviously). The contest is split into two categories: “Best Gaming Experience Using Toy-Con Garage” and “Best Toy-Con Musical Instrument”—find out more about the contest and how to enter here. And speaking of musical instruments, Paste Games Editor Garrett Martin recently used the Labo as a synthesizer.

Check out footage of the Toy-Con Motorbike functionality for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in action below.