Nintendo is releasing a talking flower-shaped device on March 12th, priced at $35. This peculiar gadget, inspired by the chatty flora from Super Mario Wonder, is designed to randomly comment on your surroundings – from the time and temperature to simply repeating itself. Unlike Nintendo’s earlier Alarmo clock, which focused on sleep, this flower is meant to be a general-purpose (and unpredictable) home companion.
Functionality and Quirks
The Talking Flower operates with a single button: a short press triggers more random remarks, while a two-second hold silences it. It can announce the time (though Nintendo admits it’s not always accurate), suggest bedtimes, and even react to room temperature, though it doesn’t display specific readings. The device also features a “music mode” that plays a track from Mario Wonder, with the flower interjecting additional comments over the music.
Why This Matters
This product is a significant departure from typical smart home devices. It doesn’t offer practical functionality like voice control or a screen; instead, it provides a deliberately unpredictable and somewhat unsettling experience. Nintendo is leaning into novelty over utility, selling a collectible item that exists more for its strangeness than its usefulness. This highlights a broader trend of companies experimenting with bizarre, low-stakes hardware to engage consumers in unconventional ways.
The Alarmo Connection
The Talking Flower’s existence raises questions about its relationship to Nintendo’s Alarmo, a sleep-focused product. While Alarmo had a clear purpose, the flower seems designed for any location and purpose. This suggests Nintendo is exploring a wider range of home products that don’t necessarily solve problems but instead create conversation starters or collectible oddities.
The Talking Flower is unlikely to replace reliable alarm clocks or smart home assistants. Instead, it’s a quirky, somewhat unsettling addition to Nintendo’s growing lineup of unconventional home gadgets. Its appeal lies in its randomness, making it a collectible item for those who enjoy the unexpected.
