LABO VR ODYSSEY AND ZELDA IMPRESSIONS
Odyssey Labo VR **Spoilers**
So, Super Mario Odyssey’s free VR bonus update is a complete joy. The gameplay only lasts about fifteen minutes, but it’s pure fun and leads up to a special interactive VR performance of “Jump Up, Superstar.” The option to watch the opening and closing cinemas on a field-of-vision-filling screen is a kick, too-- Bowser looks super intimidating!
Note that you can experience all the content without the VR goggles, using motion controls in place of head-tracking.
While the Odyssey Labo content is specifically designed--visually and gameplay-wise--as a unique VR experience, the VR feature for Breath of the Wild is the simple-but-huge option to play the entire game in VR.
I have to say, despite the incredibly low resolution of BotW’s VR mode, the 3D effect is quite impressive.
And, unfortunately for me, I was only able to play BotW in VR mode for about a minute before motion sickness kicked in, and I had to quit. Of all the Labo VR experiences, BotW is the only one not specifically designed for VR, and it is the only one that’s given me any kind of motion sickness trouble (aside from a brief moment with the Blaster alien invasion game’s sideways section.)
I absolutely think Labo VR is worth the money (especially the starter kit) for the included Labo games and the VR Garage programming feature. The Odyssey and BotW VR features are nice free bonus modes, but I would not recommend them as the main reason to buy Labo VR. One thing is certain, though; Nintendo has proven they can design amazingly fun VR games. I hope they continue this through any future upgrades to Nintendo Switch as well as future hardware! Sooner or later, VR is going to make a huge impact on the entertainment industry. In the name of great, intelligent, imaginative family entertainment, Nintendo needs to be a part of it all.