Game Builder Garage
{{Short description|2021 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Game Builder Garage
| image = Game Builder Garage Icon.png
| caption = Home menu icon
| developer = Nintendo EPD
| publisher = Nintendo
| director = Naoki Masuda
| programmer = Naoki Masuda
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
| released = June 11, 2021
| genre = Programming
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
{{nihongo foot|Game Builder Garage|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|Nabi-tsuki! Tsukutte Wakaru Hajimete Gēmu Puroguramingu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2021 programming video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released on June 11, 2021, it is a spin-off of the Nintendo Labo series, which included a mode with similar gameplay titled Toy-Con Garage.
Gameplay involves placing Nodons, which are representations of code, and connect them. There are 3 different gamemodes: interactive lessons where players build themed games, a free programming mode where players build what they want, and a set of tutorials, called "Alice's Guide" by the game, to teach players about the 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.{{cite web| url = https://www.polygon.com/22421870/nintendo-switch-game-builder-garage-release-date-price-labo | title = Nintendo's next Switch game will let you develop your own games | first= Michael | last =McWhertor | date = May 5, 2021 | accessdate = May 5, 2021 | work =Polygon }} 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.{{cite news|last=Liao|first=Shannon|date=May 6, 2021|title=Nintendo's new game teaches people how to make video games|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/05/nintendo-game-builder-garag/|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=May 6, 2021}}
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.
Game Builder Garage has a share function, that allows creators to upload their games and share them with other people. Unlike other Nintendo titles with similar features (e.g Super Mario Maker), which have user interfaces for shared games, a game's code has to be shared by the creator for other people to access it. Game codes are formatted in the format of a G, followed by 9 random letters or numbers, for example, G 004 WXX 5ND. Fans of the game have been creating their own platforms for sharing their games; the most popular one is MyGarage Games.{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2021/05/27/nintendos-game-builder-garage-wont-have-an-online-creation-browser-instead-its-all-about-word-of-mouth/ | title = Nintendo's Game Builder Garage won't have an online creation browser – it's all about word of mouth | first= Alex | last =Donaldson | date = May 27, 2021 | accessdate = May 27, 2021 | work = VG247 }}
The game also allows for the use of commercial USB computer mice.{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Kat|date=May 5, 2021|title=Nintendo Announces Game Builder Garage, A Cross Between Labo and Dreams|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-s-game-builder-garage-looks-like-labo-meets-dreams|work=IGN|accessdate=May 5, 2021}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/2021/ask-the-developer-vol-1-game-builder-garage/|title=Ask the Developer Vol 1 Game Builder Garage - Nintendo - Official Site}} The game was directed by Naoki Masuda, a programmer at Nintendo who had previously worked on Nintendo Labo and the Pikmin series.{{Cite web|title=Naoki Masuda - Kyoto Report|url=http://kyoto-report.wikidot.com/naoki-masuda|access-date=2021-07-05|website=kyoto-report.wikidot.com}}
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." The developers tested the game on elementary school students interested in programming to ensure the lessons were accessible to beginners.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 77/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-builder-garage/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Game Builder Garage for Nintendo Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=June 10, 2021}}
| Destruct = 6.5/10{{cite web|last=Andriessen|first=CJ|date=June 20, 2021|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-game-builder-garage/|title=Review: Game Builder Garage|website=Destructoid|access-date=June 24, 2021}}
| EuroG = Recommended{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=June 18, 2021|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-18-game-builder-garage-review-entertainment-and-education-blend-together|title=Game Builder Garage review: entertainment and education blend together|website=Eurogamer|access-date=June 24, 2021}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|date=June 21, 2021|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/game-builder-garage-review-building-blocks/1900-6417690/|title=Game Builder Garage Review - Building Blocks|website=GameSpot|access-date=June 24, 2021}}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web|last=Macy|first=Seth|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-builder-garage-review|title=Game Builder Garage Review|website=IGN|access-date=June 10, 2021}}
| NLife = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web|last=Olney|first=Alex|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/game_builder_garage|title=Game Builder Garage Review (Switch)|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=June 10, 2021}}
| PCM = 4.5/5{{cite web|last=Jordan|first=Minor|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/game-builder-garage-for-nintendo-switch|title=Game Builder Garage (for Nintendo Switch) Review|website=PCMag|access-date=June 24, 2021}}
| SN = 7/10{{Cite web|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/125217/game-builder-garage-review-build-your-own-adventure|title=Game Builder Garage review: Build your own adventure|work=Shacknews|date=June 21, 2022|access-date=March 1, 2022}}
| TG = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|last=Stuart|first=Keith|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/jun/16/game-builder-garage-review-nintendo-lets-you-loose-on-its-building-blocks|title=Game Builder Garage review – Nintendo lets you loose on its building blocks|work=The Guardian|date=June 16, 2021|access-date=March 1, 2022}}
| VG247 = 4/5{{cite web|last=Donaldson|first=Alex|date=June 21, 2021|url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/06/21/game-builder-garage-review/|title=Game Builder Garage review: a deft, classically Nintendo blend of gaming fun, creation tools, and education|website=VG247|access-date=June 24, 2021}}
}}
Game Builder Garage received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator website Metacritic. Nintendo Life{{'s}} Alex Olney praised the game's tutorials, but criticized the lack of visual options given to players. IGN{{'s}} Seth Macy enjoyed the amount of options and tools the game gives to players. Game Builder Garage was described by Polygon as a followup to Nintendo Labo. 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.{{cite web |last=Romano|first=Sal|date=June 17, 2021 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/famitsu-sales-6-7-21-6-13-21|title=Famitsu Sales: 6/7/21 – 6/13/21 [Update]|publisher=Gematsu |accessdate=June 24, 2021}} As of December 31, 2022, Game Builder Garage had sold 1.15 million units in total worldwide.{{cite book |title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2023 |isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}
Creators have recreated several notable games using the software, including recreations of Super Mario Kart, F-Zero, and Sonic the Hedgehog.{{Cite web|last=Diaz|first=Ana|date=June 23, 2021|title=Game Builder Garage players are rebuilding retro classics|url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/22547368/game-builder-garage-players-sonic-mario-toad-f-zero-pac-man-nintendo-switch|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=Polygon}}
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Notes
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