Unleash the Coziness: Nintendo’s Alarmo Alarm Clock Review
The Adversarial World of Alarm Clocks: A Review of Nintendo’s Alarmo
As an individual with a long-standing aversion to alarm clocks, I was intrigued by Nintendo’s surprise reveal of Alarmo, a clock that promised to revolutionize the way I wake up. In a world where alarm clocks are often seen as the enemy, can Alarmo truly deliver?
A Unique Take on the Classic Alarm Clock
Alarmo is a red, cylindrical device with a round white button on top and a 2.8-inch rectangular LCD display that features a bezel to give it a circular appearance, at least in the dark. You can choose from five different game-themed designs – including Breath of the Wild, Ring Fit Adventure, Super Mario Odyssey, Pikmin 4, and Splatoon 3 – to customize the clockface and sounds to wake you up, making the experience more playful and engaging. The top button can be used to turn off the alarm, and the device even tracks your daily sleep patterns and wake-up times.
Motion-Controlled Snooze
One of the most innovative features of Alarmo is its millimeter wave motion sensor, which allows you to interact with the device simply by moving around. When the alarm goes off, rolling out of bed can shut it off. Waving your hand around can snooze the alarm for a few minutes. In my experience, it works well, but there’s a catch: the sensor can’t distinguish between multiple people, so if you have a partner who sleeps in later, the alarm won’t shut off.
A Quirky Afterthought: White Noise
Alarmo also allows you to use it as a white noise machine, playing soothing sounds from the chosen game to help you fall back asleep. I found this feature to be a game-changer, especially with the crackling fire and soft piano in the Zelda theme. However, there’s a catch: the sounds only play for under 10 minutes before going silent, making it less effective for those seeking white noise.
A Mixed Bag
While Alarmo is a charming, nostalgia-tinged clock that looks and sounds like a dream, it’s ultimately still an alarm clock. It won’t revolutionize the way you wake up or track your sleep patterns. For those looking for a reliable alarm that won’t disturb others, an app on their phone is still the best bet. Even adorable Pikmin and Inklings can’t change my mind about alarm clocks.
Getting Your Hands on Alarmo
Alarmo is now available for purchase for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers and will be released early in 2025 for everyone else. For a limited time, you can pre-order and receive an exclusive Animal Crossing design.
