Yes indeed…what is going on with Nintendo? Not that they have done anything particularly wrong (we MAY get to that a little later), but lets see what possible dents could exist…a high-tech Gaming-based Alarm Clock? Creation of a Music App thats basically Spotify for Nintendo game tracks from various franchises? This is going to be kind of 2-in-1 article so its going to be a long one. Lets-a GO!
Nintendo Sound Clock: ALARMO
Introduce a little play to your wake-up routine with Alarmo, the interactive alarm clock from Nintendo! “
If your phone or current clock alarm isn’t charming enough for you, you might want to give this device the old [ -> + (A) ] try. Now bear in mind that this is a Nintendo piece of hardware. That may probably make more sense as we move along. The idea behind this gadget is basically to have a clock that is Nintendo themed in look with a mini LCD screen that displays themed time. It uses Nintendo franchise sounds combined with a radio wave that senses movement in your bed and plays sounds accordingly. When its time to get to bed, you get ambient sounds playing from game theme sets and when its time to wake up, you will be efficiently and possibly powerfully awakened by louder more “GET OUT OF THE BED!!!”-ish sounds. The clock WILL do its best, but like most things, people will find a way around this too. For now, Snooze me and take a look at the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo Announcement Trailer in case you missed it!
The idea behind this product is nice and the nostalgia is certainly welcome. But…remember when I mentioned there may be possible dents in what Nintendo is trying to do…well, lets take look at what I’ve gathered: After the alarm is activated, if you stay REEEEEEEAAAAAALLY still in your bed…Alarmo will not be able to detect that you’re still there (TOLD you people will find a way around that!). While this may not be of much consequence, here is dent number two below…
This CLOCK is going to run your wallet $100! Thats about GHS 1,600 for Ghanaian conversion. Why…? We don’t know. It doesn’t have an AM/FM radio function. Doesn’t even come with a charging brick out the box (nope, sold separately) and, as at the time of the announcement, is only available early to paid Nintendo Switch Online users in the US and Canada through the My Nintendo Store website or the physical Nintendo New York Store.
It does come with some cool features but I personally do not think the product justifies the $100 price tag. Maybe there is something more to come? Some of the features of Nintendo’s Alarmo include:
- Alarm Sounds, Ambient Sounds, Hourly Chimes and Visual Themes from 5 games: Super Mario Odyssey, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, Ring Fit Adventure and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, each with 7 alarm varieties.
- Is WiFi compatible, allowing users to connect to the internet and download new alarms as free updates as more become available.
- Keeps Records of your sleep and movement while you sleep
Nintendo Music App
The App is currently available in both the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store with No Desktop Version currently available (I really don’t think they will make one though). And even if there were a desktop version, it would likely still suffer from the region effect: you can’t have it depending on where you and your devices find yourselves.
This Item isn’t available in your country.” ~ Google Play Store, 2024 * sigh *
This seems to somewhat explain why Nintendo has been hacking and slashing at Music-based YouTube channels that are dedicated to gaming music, Nintendo games included. While this app will be adored and bring excitement globally, one other dent I had to painfully find out the hard way the fact that a number of people won’t be able to join in the excitement globally. Yes people, the App is not available in my country Ghana. Despite the fact that there are a good number of Nintendo Switch owners with active Nintendo Switch Online accounts, for as long as they are here in Ghana, they will not have access to this app unless…you know…* laughs in Jack Sparrow *.
Some of the features that come with our “Nintenify” app include:
- Stream or Download Nintendo soundtracks from some of your favorite Nintendo game franchises.
- Create and Share music playlists
- Browse through ready-made playlists based on certain generic preferences or get playlist recommendations based on your listening history
- Hide Spoilers by choosing to hide soundtracks that may giveaway certain info on the game you’re playing
- Extend the playtime of a track you like for a maximum of 60 minutes or loop it to keep playing
- The App is for exclusive use of Nintendo Switch Online members
- Currently has Music from about 22 games for now.
Thoughts…
If the Nintendo Switch Online subscription is going to become a basis for access (as seen with Nintendo Music, for example), should Nintendo not consider a more streamline approach to making the subscription feel meatier? Integrating the Nintendo Music app with the Nintendo Online app of which you have no full access unless you’re a paid Nintendo Switch Online member. The region issue should be handled because if the aim is basically to have a “Spotify for Nintendo games”, Spotify is global. I therefore see no reason why an app for listening to music should be restricted seeing as other means to listen to said tracks are slowly being hacked away. Current Available Regions list.
With the Switch 2 (or Switch Pro/Mega/Ultimate/Alpha/Omega/…whatever Nintendo will baptize it as) around the corner, having to shell out $100 for a clock is really not adding up. I’m thinking there should be some kind of deluxe edition or combo pack of the new console that comes with the Nintendo Sound Clock instead. OR…just lower the price. I’m quite certain that most Nintendo fans across the globe are putting their savings and coins together earnestly waiting to get the new main console Day 1 , perhaps with a game or two in addition.
Well…for $100, that clock better be able to transform or stand up, identify my head, walk over to wherever my head is at and punch me in the face to wake me up! Perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye. At this point only time…will tell.
Yes, pun intended, and this is me Clocking Out!
