Nintendo Alarmo Alarm Clock Releases Before GTA 6

Nintendo's Surprise: An Interactive Alarm Clock and a Mysterious Switch Online Playtest

Forget your 2024 predictions – Nintendo just launched the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, an interactive alarm clock priced at $99. This isn't your average alarm; it uses game sounds to rouse you, making you feel like you're waking up inside a Nintendo game.

Alarmo: Game-Inspired Wake-Up Calls

Featuring sounds from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon, with more free updates promised, Alarmo only silences when you fully leave your bed. Think of it as a daily victory fanfare! The setup is simple: choose a game, select a scene, set your alarm, and let the interactive fun begin. Waving your hand quiets the alarm, but lingering in bed will only make it louder.

Powered by a radio wave sensor, Alarmo measures distance and movement speed without using video, prioritizing user privacy. This technology allows for detection even in dark rooms or with obstacles. "It can recognise very subtle movements," explains developer Tetsuya Akama, highlighting its privacy advantages over camera-based systems.

Exclusive Early Access and Retail Availability

Nintendo Switch Online members in the US and Canada get a limited-time head start, purchasing Alarmo via the My Nintendo Store. The Nintendo New York store also offers in-person purchases.

A Top-Secret Switch Online Playtest

Beyond the Alarmo, Nintendo announced a Switch Online playtest. Applications open October 10th (8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET) and close October 15th (7:59 AM PT / 10:59 AM ET), or sooner if 10,000 participants are reached. The playtest, focusing on a new Switch Online feature, runs from October 23rd to November 5th. Eligibility requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, being at least 18 years old, and having a Nintendo Account registered in Japan, the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.