Nintendo Announces New Device, But It’s Not What You Think

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Nintendo Announces New Device, But It's Not What You Think

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has unveiled the Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo, an alarm clock that plays music and sounds from popular Nintendo games.
  • The device uses a motion sensor to detect when the user has gotten out of bed, which will cause the alarm to stop.
  • At launch, users can choose from alarms inspired by Super Mario Bros. Odyssey, Splatoon 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and more.

As a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast who grew up playing Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and countless other iconic games from the legendary Japanese developer, I must say that the latest announcement from Nintendo has me absolutely thrilled! The Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo is an ingenious idea that combines my love for gaming with my need for a reliable alarm clock.

As anticipation builds for the unveiling of Nintendo’s next-gen console (Switch successor), the gaming giant has surprised everyone by announcing a unique new device: an alarm clock that features sounds from popular Nintendo games. While fans have been left hanging on rumors and leaks since Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa hinted at it earlier this year, they’ve eagerly awaited official confirmation of the company’s next major console release. Officially, the tentatively named Switch 2 is expected to be unveiled sometime before March 2025, though some reports suggest that Nintendo may showcase it as early as this year itself.

For now, Nintendo has a wealth of fresh games and other items scheduled for 2024 and beyond. Among these upcoming releases are “Mario & Luigi: Brothership” and “Super Mario Party Jamboree”. In the past few years, Nintendo has expanded its offerings to include lifestyle products such as “Pokemon Sleep”, a mobile application that tracks a player’s sleep duration and rewards them with new Pokemon. Now, Nintendo is revealing a novel device intended to make waking up in the morning more enjoyable too.

This morning, Nintendo of America shared a video introducing their new device – the Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo. Just as its title suggests, Alarmo is an alarm clock that broadcasts music and sounds from famous Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros. Odyssey, Splatoon 3, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Similar to regular alarm clocks, tunes play at a specified time; however, Alarmo takes it a step further by synchronizing sound effects with the user’s movements to gently rouse them from sleep. Once the user is upright, a victorious melody plays to mark the end of the alarm.

Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo Starts a Player’s Day in Style

The Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo operates using a motion sensor, which detects when you move around in bed. This means that once you’re up and about, the alarm sounds will automatically stop without requiring any manual button presses, unlike traditional alarms. Moreover, the longer it takes for you to wake up, the more intense the alarm sounds become. For instance, it might play a foreboding theme from Super Mario Odyssey by Bower.

Initially, gamers will have the opportunity to establish alarms based on five Nintendo titles, such as those previously mentioned along with Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure. Each theme offers a range of “scenes,” or unique alarm types, each with its own music and sound effects. By linking Alarmo to the internet, users can download additional alarms via free updates that will be released later, with Mario Kart 8 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons among them.

Alarmo offers various additional features such as soothing bedtime sounds, sleep tracking capabilities, and an hourly chime that marks the beginning of each new hour. Although it’s not the highly-anticipated Nintendo announcement many fans have been eagerly awaiting, it appears to be a fun and creative way for gaming enthusiasts to kick off their day. At present, the newly unveiled alarm clock from Nintendo is accessible in early access for members of Nintendo Switch Online based in the US and Canada, as well as at the Nintendo New York Store. A full-scale retail launch is planned for early 2025.

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2024-10-09 18:35