Game Builder Garage
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Puzzle, sandbox, educational, arcade elements, programming, social networking, Nintendo exclusive, game creation systems, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
A platform for designing and creating simple games. Game Builder Garage teaches you the basics of programming, as well as gameplay planning and level design, in an accessible way. You can share your creations with the community.
Game Builder Garage is a platform that allows you to design and create simple video games. It was developed and published by Nintendo.
Mechanics
In Game Builder Garage we create our own small games. The creator allows us to design both simple platform games, as well as shoot'em ups, racing games or even variations on the cult retro games.
The whole creation process takes place in an accessible and intuitive way, with the help of colourful creatures called Nodons. Each of them has a specific function, activated by combining it with another Nodon. For example, combining a Nodon symbolizing a character with one representing an analog knob allows us to control the hero with it, and combining the Nodon corresponding to a button with the Nodon associated with a specific function (such as jumping) will make pressing a specific button activate the selected action. Apart from that, game creation requires setting up various objects on the board (such as obstacles that the hero of our platform game will have to overcome). After mastering the basics, we can use more advanced tools; the game allows us, among other things, to apply textures to objects ourselves, and even allows us to design and animate simple characters.
All this takes place on the programming screen, from which we can switch to the gameplay screen at any time to see how our ideas work in practice.
Game modes
Game Builder Garage can be played solo or with up to eight players. The first steps in this game should be made in the Lesson Mode. It is made up of lessons, during which the game step by step introduces us to its capabilities. After we learn a topic, the game allows us to test our newly acquired skills by performing special tasks and solving clever puzzles. Then, there's nothing left to do but to enter the Free Programming Mode, where the game doesn't set any limitations for us, allowing us to fully exploit our potential.
Moreover, the game allows us to share our creations with the whole community. We can also try out the creations of others, and even look behind the scenes to see what tricks have been used by their authors (and then use them in their games).
Technical aspects
Game Builder Garage has colourful and clear graphics in a cartoon style. The game can be played using both the game pad, Joy-Cons and the console's touch screen, as well as a mouse connected to the dock set.
Videos and Screens
[1:55] Game Builder Garage trailer #1
VG247: 4 / 5 by Alex Donaldson
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.
Destructoid: 6.5 / 10 by CJ Andriessen
If you have aspirations of making your own video game but haven’t taken that first step, Game Builder Garage is for you. Just keep your expectations in check. You probably won’t be able to make your perfect game with just this software, but it could provide the creative spark that pushes you to turn your game developer dreams into a reality.
TheGamer: 3 / 5 by Dave Aubrey
In reality, Game Builder Garage feels like the perfect place to build a game prototype. You can create a basic idea, see if it works and is fun, and then maybe take that concept into a real game engine development kit - but not much more. It can truly pique the curiosities of kids, and I hope it does, but it's launched in a world where it has big competition, and the depth and charm of those tutorials which only Nintendo could pull off so well can't carry the rest of the experience.
Game Builder Garage Summary
Platforms:
Switch
