Nintendo Labo is released as individual Labo Kits, each containing a set of pre-made cardboard cut-outs and other materials, used to make "Toy-Cons", and a Nintendo Switch game card, which contains interactive instructions on how to assemble the Toy-Cons and software that the Toy-Cons can interact with. Once each Toy-Con is constructed, players insert the main Nintendo Switch display and/or one or both of the Joy-Con controllers according to the instructions. Each Toy-Con functions differently in the ways it interacts with either the Joy-Cons or the main display. For example, a piano Toy-Con can read the Right Joy-Con controller's infrared sensor to identify notes being played, while robotic Toy-Cons move using HD Rumble from the Joy-Con controllers, which are controlled via the touchscreen. Players may freely decorate the cardboard parts using coloring pens, tape, and other materials, while more experienced users can invent new ways to play with each Toy-Con.