Game Builder Garage

This is not your usual computer game, it’s more of a learning platform for aspiring game developers. It will actually teach you something and be fun at the same time.

Overall, this is not your typical “game”, but it is still a lot of fun one to play. Game Builder Garage is also a game that is uniquely important and necessary for people to understand how games work. While all of this may sound like a chore, it really isn’t, as Nintendo is probably the only company that could make visual scripting actually fun. That alone is a huge achievement and one I am excited as well as relieved to champion.

Game Builder Garage is typically brilliant Nintendo, offering a way of creating levels that is only stymied by the lack of online community and curation options.

The thing that often stops people short with game development is that the programming side of things can be intimidating. To this day the logic and process of software development throws me into a spin every time I look at it... and I do create games. They might be visual novels, sure, but they're games. I've always felt like I should know more about programming, but I just can't do it. Game Builder Garage might be pitched at a younger audience - and I can genuinely see Nintendo selling a bunch of Switches to schools for use in the younger grades as an introduction to the all-important education space - but the systematic clarity with which the tutorials of Game Builder Garage are arranged, and then the ease of use and accessibility of the software to play around with afterwards, makes it the best introduction to programming that I've come across, for anyone of any age.

Game Builder Garage is a tremendously powerful and accessible piece of game development software that gives you the tools and guidance to make video games with ease.

A quite satisfactory experience that immerses us fully in the world of programming without requiring hundreds of lines of code. It adapts perfectly to object-oriented programming, although with much simpler concepts achieved thanks to 'nodon'. Without a doubt, a great stimulant for your imagination.

Game Garage Builder is wonderful. Nintendo has come up with a new programming language made up of hilarious characters, tasking the player with having them interact with each other to code their games. A real video game laboratory, where you can experiment and learn with a smile on your face.

Game Builder Garage is an excellent gateway to the complex world of video game programming. The customization of the code blocks works perfectly, the increasingly complicated interactive lessons will require you to learn the function of each nodon, and the interface as a whole is a model of clarity. It's a shame, however, that Nintendo's edutainment software doesn't go further by providing more elaborate asset customization, or by pushing the limits of its work plan and settings further.

A courageous experiment that deserves the attention of those who are not satisfied with remaining on the surface of the videogame medium. The experience appears at first as less captivating than titles like Super Mario Maker, but the satisfaction you get by entering the rabbit hole and discovering the secrets of programming is priceless. We are curious to find out how the Video Game Lab community will evolve, and we will try with interest the creations of budding developers from all over the world.

Nintendo has created a fun and accessible product that is a great introduction to programming. Through the perfectly paced interactive lessons, anyone can start making games in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, the omission of in-game community creations does hinder what could have been a complete creative suite, however, this won’t stop enthusiasts from creating and sharing their games in other ways.

Game Builder Garage is not a tool for creating games, but for learning how to create games. With this clear premise, you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Game Builder Garage is great at teaching and can be hilarious to mess about with. Perfect for creative types, not so much for those who just want to play video games. [Issue #4, p.59]

As a first step into game development, Game Builder Garage represents a fun and engaging way of dipping your toes. It is not overly convoluted, and is approachable when it comes to creating polished experiences with a little bit of work. The software educates, guides, and makes the creator’s enjoyment a key part of the process. If only Nintendo would fix the online and community gaps, then it will truly be a playground of creativity.

Like Toy-Con Garage, Game Builder feels like it was made to be used by schools IT departments to help younger audiences learn how to program in a way which is easy to understand. It's encouraging to see Nintendo is sticking with finding ways to make programming accessible, hopefully even inspiring future game makers. Game Builder Garage makes programming more understandable as well as enjoyable. It can still be overwhelming, but they put the tools in your hands to try it out. I'll still miss Labo and its creative builds, but Game Builder Garage is an excellent follow-up.

Game Builder Garage is meant as a simple, easy to understand, and visual introduction to coding, and for that purpose it works very well.

A game making software for the Nintendo Switch. It offers an easy to learn programming language, Nintendo style tutorials and lots of capabilities to make simple, but also complex games in any genre.

GameStudio offers an excellent platform for playfully learning the intricacies of creating your own games with an extensive tutorial and plenty of tools to transform your creative ideas into reality. While the lessons are mainly focused on children, they might get overwhelmed by the vast possibilities Gamestudio offers, but this platform is an excellent introduction to both the difficulties and possibilities of game development.

Game Builder Garage seems to want to showcase just what it’s like to make a game, albeit in a simpler way. It’s sometimes challenging to the point of being headache-inducing. It is unrelentingly complicated. When it clicks, however, it’s fun, magical, and incredibly rewarding.

As a creative suite for kids with game design ambitions, Game Builder Garage is top class. Sure, It has a few technical drawbacks, and it’s not a replacement for industry-standard game engine experience. But regardless of its faults, this is a fantastic visual scripting on-ramp for budding designers without coding experience. The engine is also incredibly versatile in the right hands, offering serious scope to help gamers of all ages realise their visions.

Game Builder Garage is an excellent introduction to the world of game programming. While it might not be the most comprehensive example out there, it’s certainly the most accessible and charming one I’ve had the joys of experiencing.

Filled with lovely details, perfectly constructed and often genuinely funny, Game Builder Garage is another excellent Nintendo creative tool, which quietly teaches you why its games are so good. It’s a totally closed experience, so you only have access to the materials it provides, but that makes it safe for families, and forces you to be imaginative in how you employ (and break) the rules. You won’t learn how to code in C from playing this game, but you will begin to understand how games are designed and how the logic of a game program works. If these are things you want to know about, there is no better teacher than Nintendo.

If you're new to programming and want to see what it takes to make a game, this is a wonderful and humorous introduction. It does have limitations, though, and mastering its intricacies can take a long time.

Nintendo’s best development toolkit to date, with a gamified process that makes creating enjoyable, even if the curation tools are sub-par.

Hayabusa is back with a correct remaster that could have been so much better, but at least allows us to enjoy this great series once again on modern hardware.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed learning as much as I did during my time with Game Builder Garage. Game Builder Garage is a powerful game design tool overflowing with charm and personality. Anyone with a little patience and desire to learn can start creating games with its robust system of Nodons. No coding knowledge is required, but you'll learn concepts like evaluations and conditional statements without even realizing it. I do wish it allowed you to look under the hood and see the actual code, but not being able to see all those lines of boring text don't detract at all from the fun of making games. The tremendous variety of Nodons available make it possible to pull off some really complex stuff and I'm really looking forward to seeing what creations the Game Builder Garage community cooks up.

Behind the humorous, colorful atmosphere, Game Builder Garage proves a real creation environment, with a phenomenally intuitive interface and a clever didactic approach to such a huge amount of possibilities, using almost every function of the system. But Nintendo also made delicate compromises between simplicity and ambition through technical or sharing limitations, hence production will heavily rely on Nodon game designers' efforts.

An interesting game making tool, easy to learn and powerful enough to create and share our own minigames. Still we miss some utilities such as importing assets or composing music.

Game Builder Garage is a great way to learn the basics of game programming through an easy to use visual language. The tutorials may be overbearing for some, holding your hand through each step, but the engine is surprisingly robust and will let you create whatever you want. However, there is no active sharing or receiving interface in the game itself which is incredibly frustrating and limits learning opportunities.

Game Builder Garage manages to explain the logic of making games in a fun way with its simple interface and Nodon system.

Create your own video games accompanied by the Nodon in this creative tool for Nintendo Switch. Share your creations and discover how a video game is created. Fun and very instructive although somewhat lacking in tools, Nodon and greater creative freedom both to create and to share.

Despite a few glaring oversights, like insufficient tutorials and no easy way to locate other people's levels, Game Builder Garage on Nintendo Switch can provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to programming. However, not just anyone is going to instantly click with and love this game. It takes time, determination, and raw passion to get the most out of Game Builder Garage. But maybe that’s a good thing.

Game Builder Garage is a very solid creation tool at its core, with very helpful tutorials to help creators make the most of what they have. This game is what you make of it. Whether you are a creative yourself or someone who likes to peruse the many creations of other players, there is definitely fun to be had. There are some lacking features that would definitely benefit the game in the long run if they were present. What we have is just a mostly complete package. If you have ever played games like Minecraft, Little Big Planet, or even Media Molecule’s Dreams, there are loads of fun to be had.

If you want to offer your children software that will teach them the basics of professional video game creation, or if you want to discover this funny universe yourself with wacky characters rather than a cranky boss who sets up the "crunch ”, The Video Game Workshop is made for you. The lack of an integrated game browser still remains a huge limit to the community dimension.

If you would like to create your own video games, this is key that may open that door.