Nintendo Switch VR: Everything you need to know about the upcoming Labo kit

The Nintendo Switch is on the cusp of receiving virtual reality powers, with the Japanese gaming giant recently announcing a Labo kit designed for the console.

Since launching the Switch two years ago, patents have consistently led to speculation that Ninty held plans for the platform – and now we know exactly how it will make its first leap back into the realm since 1995's Virtual Boy.

Read this: What it's like to play Mario Kart VR

But what's it all about, how much will it cost and when is it released? Read on for all you need to know about turning your Nintendo Switch into a VR headset.

Nintendo Switch Labo VR: What is it?

Essentially, the company will use its DIY cardboard accessories, called Labo, to help turn the Switch into a makeshift VR headset, akin to how Google was able to turn the smartphone into a VR portal through its Cardboard creations.

As owners of the previous three Labo Toy-Con sets will be used to, there's a number of different options to choose from within the new package. The base kit comes with six cardboard models to build: the VR goggles, a blaster, a camera, a screen holder, a bird, and, best of all, an elephant. Yes, an elephant.

If you're looking to get in on the ground floor of Nintendo's VR action, there's also a starter kit that comes with just the goggles and blaster – but, crucially, no elephant. The bonus of this cheaper set does, however, mean that you can pick up the additional accessories in expansion packs.

(Nintendo Switch Labo VR users can develop their own mini-games)

Currently, there are two expansion packs to buy. One comes with the fabled elephant and the camera, while another comes with just the bird and wind pedal.

Now, since this is a Labo-based set, it does mean that Nintendo is developing games specifically around the cardboard kit; you're not suddenly going to playing Mario Kart 8 or The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild if you pick up the cardboard kit. Nintendo says there'll be a VR Plaza that features 64 mini-games to explore, and even scope to create your own games through Toy-Con Garage VR.

How much does it cost?

There's multiple ways to get involved with Nintendo's Labo VR kit. The base kit will cost , and come with six cardboard kits to build, which we outlined in the section above. However, the other more basic starter kit – with just the blaster and goggles – costs . The two expansion sets, meanwhile, will cost .

You can pre-order the entire kit from Amazon or Nintendo now.

When does it launch?

The Nintendo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit will launch in the US and UK on 12 April, though there's currently no word on when or if the set will come to other territories.