Game Builder Garage

Last updated
Game Builder Garage
Game Builder Garage Icon.png
Developer(s) Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Naoki Masuda
Programmer(s) Naoki Masuda
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
ReleaseJune 11, 2021
Genre(s) Programming game
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Game Builder Garage [lower-alpha 1] is a programming game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was announced on May 5, 2021, and released on June 11, 2021.

Contents

In this game you can place Nodon and connections.They are two types of modes: Interactive Lessons with Bob, free programming on your own, and a sub Alice's Guide to teach you about different nodon.

Gameplay

In Game Builder Garage, the player uses a visual programming language centralized on the concept of creatures called Nodon. The Nodon represent various facets of input, game output, logic, and on-screen objects, such as a Stick Nodon that reports input from the Joy-Con analog stick or a Person Nodon that represents an on-screen character. The player builds a program by adding Nodon and making connections between the various nodes on Nodon, such as connecting the Stick Nodon to the Person Nodon as to tie the analog stick to movement of the character on-screen. [1] Nodon are available to interface nearly all features of the Switch and Joy-Con, including the infrared sensors and motion controls.

The game features a lesson mode to guide the player through using the Nodon language and to help them understand some of the principles of game development through a series of seven built-in games that the player can create. [1] [2]

Games built within Game Builder Garage can support up to eight different Joy-Con, effectively allowing up to eight-player local multiplayer games to be built. [2]

Game Builder Garage has a share function, that allows creators to upload their games and share them with other people. However, it does not feature a game browser, but rather a code has to be shared by the creator for other people to access it. Fans of the game have been creating their own platforms for sharing their games; the most popular one being MyGarage Games. [3]

The game also allows for the use of commercial USB computer mice. [4]

Development

The game was announced on May 5, 2021, being released on June 11, 2021. Game Builder Garage was developed specifically by Nintendo EPD 4, the division behind games like Nintendo Labo , Ring Fit Adventure , 1-2-Switch , Miitopia and many more. [5] The game was directed by Naoki Masuda, a programmer at Nintendo who had previously worked on Nintendo Labo and the Pikmin series. [5] [6]

In a developer interview, Masuda and programmer Kosuke Teshima described the Nintendo Labo series, particularly the VR Kit, as a key inspiration for Game Builder Garage. After seeing non-programmer Nintendo employees using the Toy-Con Garage to create their own games, Masuda described that he wanted to "find a way to make it easier for people to have the fun of creating games through trial and error." [5] The developers tested the game on elementary school students interested in programming to ensure the lessons were accessible to beginners. [5]

Reception

Game Builder Garage received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. [7] Nintendo Life 's Alex Olney praised the game's tutorials, but criticized the lack of visual options given to players. [12] IGN 's Seth Macy enjoyed the amount of options and tools the game gives to players. [11] Game Builder Garage was described by Polygon as a followup to Nintendo Labo. [1] It was also the bestselling retail game during its first week of release in Japan, with 71,241 physical copies being sold across the country. [17] As of December 31, 2022, Game Builder Garage had sold 1.15 million units in total worldwide. [18]

Creators have recreated several notable games using the software, including recreations of Super Mario Kart , F-Zero , and Sonic the Hedgehog . [19]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ナビつき! つくってわかる はじめてゲームプログラミング, Hepburn: Nabi-tsuki! Tsukutte Wakaru Hajimete Gēmu Puroguramingu

Related Research Articles

<i>Mario Kart 8</i> 2014 video game

Mario Kart 8 is a 2014 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. It retains the gameplay of previous games in the Mario Kart series, with players controlling a Mario franchise character in races around tracks. Tracks are themed around locales from the Super Mario platform series and are populated with power-ups that help players gain advantages in races. Different difficulties are selectable prior to a race; harder difficulties make gameplay faster. In the new anti-gravity sequences, players drive on walls and ceilings. Mario Kart 8 contains a variety of single-player and local and online multiplayer games modes, including Grand Prix racing and arena-based battle modes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Switch</span> Hybrid video game console

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the Wii U and competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4; it also competes with the ninth-generation consoles, Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S and Sony's PlayStation 5.

<i>Lego Worlds</i> 2017 Lego-themed sandbox game

Lego Worlds is a Lego-themed sandbox game developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game allows players to build constructions in a 3D procedurally generated world. A beta version of the game was released on 1 June 2015 on Steam Early Access. It was released on 7 March 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A version for Nintendo Switch was released on 5 September 2017 in North America and 8 September 2017 in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development</span> Division of Nintendo

Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development Division, commonly abbreviated as Nintendo EPD, is the largest division within the Japanese video game company Nintendo. The division focuses on developing and producing video games, mobile apps, and other related entertainment software for the company. EPD was created after merging their Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD) and Software Planning & Development (SPD) divisions in September 2015.

<i>Pokémon Sun</i> and <i>Moon</i> 2016 video games

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are 2016 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They are the first installments in the seventh generation of the Pokémon video game series. First announced in February 2016, Sun and Moon were released worldwide on 18 November 2016, commemorating the franchise's 20th anniversary. A pair of enhanced versions, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, were released for the same consoles on 17 November 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joy-Con</span> Nintendo Switch game controller

Joy-Con are the primary game controllers for the Nintendo Switch video game console. They consist of two individual units, each containing an analog stick and an array of buttons. They can be used while attached to the main Nintendo Switch console unit, or detached and used wirelessly; when detached, a pair of Joy-Con can be used by a single player, or divided between two as individual controllers. The controllers have been criticized for the tendency of the analog sticks to register inputs when not being touched, which is commonly referred to as Joy-Con drift.

<i>1-2-Switch</i> Party video game

1-2-Switch is a 2017 party video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was originally released as a launch title for the system. The game uses the system's Joy-Con controllers, with players facing each other performing various minigames. By the end of 2022, it sold over 3.74 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games on the platform.

<i>Arms</i> (video game) 2017 video game

Arms is a 2017 fighting game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game differentiates itself from standard fighting games with its unconventional fighting system where every playable character fights with long range attacks and up to four players can choose a fighter and battle using a variety of extendable, weaponized arms to knock out opponents in a three-dimensional arena. Arms received generally favorable reviews from critics and sold over two million copies by July 2018.

<i>Super Mario Odyssey</i> 2017 video game

Super Mario Odyssey is a 2017 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. An entry in the Super Mario series, it follows Mario and his new ally Cappy—a sentient hat that allows Mario to control other characters and objects—as they journey across various kingdoms to save Princess Peach from Mario's nemesis Bowser's plans of forced marriage. In contrast to the linear gameplay of prior entries, the game returns to the primarily open-ended, 3D platform gameplay featured in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Switch Pro Controller</span> Alternative controller for the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a video game controller developed by Nintendo and produced by various manufacturers for use with the Nintendo Switch console. It serves as an alternative to the Joy-Con controllers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Labo</span> Toys-to-life concept by Nintendo

Nintendo Labo is a toys-to-life concept developed by Nintendo and released in April 2018. Labo consists of 2 parts, where one part is a game and one part is multiple sheets of cardboard. The games come as kits that include cardboard cut-outs and other materials that are to be assembled in combination with the Nintendo Switch console display and Joy-Con controllers to create a "Toy-Con" that can interact with the included game software and vice versa. Nintendo designed Labo as a way to teach principles of engineering and basic programming.

<i>Pokémon: Lets Go, Pikachu!</i> and <i>Lets Go, Eevee!</i> 2018 video games

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are 2018 remakes of the 1998 Game Boy role-playing video game Pokémon Yellow. They were developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Announced in May 2018, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! were released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on 16 November 2018. The games are part of the seventh generation of the Pokémon video game series and are the first main series installments to be released for a home game console. They feature connectivity with the mobile game Pokémon Go and support an optional controller, the Poké Ball Plus.

<i>Super Mario Party</i> 2018 video game

Super Mario Party is a party video game developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The eleventh main entry in the Mario Party series, the game was described as a "complete refresh" of the franchise, bringing back and revitalizing gameplay elements from older titles while also introducing new ones to go along with them. It was released worldwide on 5 October 2018 and sold 1.5 million copies by the end of the month. As of December 31, 2023, the game has sold more than 20.34 million copies worldwide, making it one of the top ten best-selling games on the system. Mario Party Superstars, a game featuring maps remastered from earlier entries and a return to the original formula, was released in 2021.

<i>Super Smash Bros. Ultimate</i> 2018 crossover fighting game

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a 2018 crossover fighting game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, succeeding Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014). The game follows the series' traditional style of gameplay, in which players control one of the various characters and use attacks to weaken their opponents and knock them out of an arena. It features a wide variety of game modes, including a single-player campaign and multiplayer versus modes. Ultimate features 89 playable fighters, including all characters from previous Super Smash Bros. games as well as newcomers. The roster ranges from Nintendo characters to those from third-party franchises.

<i>Pokémon Sword</i> and <i>Shield</i> 2019 role-playing games

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are 2019 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console. They are the first instalments in the eighth generation of the Pokémon video game series. First teased at E3 2017 and announced in February 2019, the games were released in November 2019. The games were accompanied by a downloadable content (DLC) expansion pass consisting of Part 1—The Isle of Armor and Part 2—The Crown Tundra ; its launch marked the first ever DLC released as part of the Pokémon video game series.

<i>Ring Fit Adventure</i> 2019 video game

Ring Fit Adventure is an exercising action role-playing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game comes with two physical components: the Ring-Con, a Pilates ring that the user holds and one Joy-Con slots into, and a Leg Strap, a piece of fabric affixed to the user's leg that holds the other Joy-Con.

<i>Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics</i> 2020 video game

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, known as 51 Worldwide Games in Europe and Australia, is a 2020 party video game developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. This game is a successor to Clubhouse Games (2005) for the Nintendo DS and is a compilation of board, card, tabletop, and toy sports games from around the world. Clubhouse Games sold more than four million copies by April 2022.

<i>Mario Party Superstars</i> 2021 video game

Mario Party Superstars is a 2021 party video game developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the twelfth home console installment in the Mario Party series, and the second for the Nintendo Switch following Super Mario Party (2018). It was released on October 29, 2021.

<i>Nintendo Switch Sports</i> 2022 video game

Nintendo Switch Sports is a sports simulation video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the latest entry in the Wii series of games and the fourth game of the Wii Sports sub-series, as well as the first to replace the "Wii" title. The game was released on April 29, 2022, and received generally mixed reviews from critics. Nintendo Switch Sports has sold over 12.48 million copies as of December 31, 2023, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games.

<i>Mario Strikers: Battle League</i> 2022 video game

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a 2022 sports video game developed by Next Level Games and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released worldwide on June 10, 2022. It is the third game in the Mario Strikers series. The game received mixed reviews, with critics praising its gameplay mechanics, multiplayer, and presentation, though it received criticism for its scarce launch character roster as well as lack of single player content.

References

  1. 1 2 3 McWhertor, Michael (May 5, 2021). "Nintendo's next Switch game will let you develop your own games". Polygon . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Liao, Shannon (May 6, 2021). "Nintendo's new game teaches people how to make video games". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  3. ↑ Donaldson, Alex (May 27, 2021). "Nintendo's Game Builder Garage won't have an online creation browser – it's all about word of mouth". VG247 . Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. ↑ Bailey, Kat (May 5, 2021). "Nintendo Announces Game Builder Garage, A Cross Between Labo and Dreams". IGN . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Ask the Developer Vol 1 Game Builder Garage - Nintendo - Official Site".
  6. ↑ "Naoki Masuda - Kyoto Report". kyoto-report.wikidot.com. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  7. 1 2 "Game Builder Garage for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (June 20, 2021). "Review: Game Builder Garage". Destructoid . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ Robinson, Martin (June 18, 2021). "Game Builder Garage review: entertainment and education blend together". Eurogamer . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ Knezevic, Kevin (June 21, 2021). "Game Builder Garage Review - Building Blocks". GameSpot . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Macy, Seth (June 10, 2021). "Game Builder Garage Review". IGN . Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Olney, Alex (June 10, 2021). "Game Builder Garage Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life . Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ Jordan, Minor (June 10, 2021). "Game Builder Garage (for Nintendo Switch) Review". PCMag . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  14. ↑ Mejia, Ozzie (June 21, 2022). "Game Builder Garage review: Build your own adventure". Shacknews . Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  15. ↑ Stuart, Keith (June 16, 2021). "Game Builder Garage review – Nintendo lets you loose on its building blocks". The Guardian . Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  16. ↑ Donaldson, Alex (June 21, 2021). "Game Builder Garage review: a deft, classically Nintendo blend of gaming fun, creation tools, and education". VG247 . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  17. ↑ Romano, Sal (June 17, 2021). "Famitsu Sales: 6/7/21 – 6/13/21 [Update]". Gematsu. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  18. ↑ 2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2023. ISBN   978-4-902346-47-3.
  19. ↑ Diaz, Ana (June 23, 2021). "Game Builder Garage players are rebuilding retro classics". Polygon. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.