Since its release, Nintendo’s alarm clock “Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo” has become a big hit among many video game fans and “people who hate mornings”. In this article, we will objectively review the real comfort of using it, its specifications, and even its surprising disadvantages, which we found out after two months of careful use.
Product Overview: Features and Basic Structure
Alarmo is a completely new concept alarm clock that recreates the world of Nintendo games through “sound” and “movement. The most distinctive feature is the high-precision “motion sensor (millimeter wave radar)” hidden in the front of the main unit. This allows the clock to detect the motion of turning over or waking up and return interactive reactions without touching any buttons or the screen.
For example, if the user selects the Mario world, a “coin chirping sound” will be heard every time the user turns over in bed, and a “stage-clearing fanfare” will play as soon as the user gets out of bed, creating a unique structure that links the game experience and waking up. The device is not just a clock, but also a device that keeps providing a fresh wake-up experience by enabling the sequential addition of new game scenes (background music and direction) via Wi-Fi.
Summary of key points
What is Alarmo?
- A new generation of non-contact responsive watches: Sensors detect minute movements of the user and change the sound according to the situation.
- Unparalleled immersion in the Nintendo formula: wake up to high-quality background music and SEs from Mario, Zelda, Splatoon, and more.
- Visualized sleep data: The number of times the user turns over and sleeping and waking times are automatically recorded and can be viewed on a graph on the LCD screen of the main unit.
good point
- The “morning agony” is transformed into a “game-clear” experience: limbs are moved as if to defeat the enemy, and at the end, the user is sent off with victory music, which greatly reduces the psychological burden of the morning.
- Professionally supervised acoustic design and volume control: High-quality speakers with resonant bass. The volume increases or decreases in accordance with movements to promote natural arousal without causing undue stress to the brain.
- Ultimate hands-free experience: Once set, there is no need to touch the physical buttons, preventing second sleep and ensuring a smooth wake-up.
points of concern
- Severe installation conditions: Due to the characteristics of the sensor, there are restrictions on bed height (within ±20 cm) and distance, and a dedicated side table or stand is almost mandatory.
- Assuming a private space: If multiple people are sleeping in the same bed, the sensor may not be able to determine which one is moving, and the alarm may terminate at an unintended time.
- Stationary-only power supply: No built-in battery, always requires USB power from an outlet. Cannot be used during power outages or in locations without a power outlet.
Users who may be suitable for
- I’m not good at mornings, the type of person who sprawls out under the covers for 30 minutes or more after turning off the alarm.
- Fans of Nintendo’s works who want to start their day surrounded by the world of the games.
- Minimalists who find the alarm controls on their phones cumbersome and seek a more intuitive digital life.
rough conclusion
The device turns getting out of bed itself into a reward for “completing the game” and converts morning despair into excitement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Price: 12,980 yen including tax. Value: “High-precision sensor + high-quality sound source + cost of experience”.
- Functions: more than 35 different scenes, dynamic sound changes, sleep recording, and positive time signal.
- Connection: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) required. Operates independently of the main unit, not in conjunction with a smartphone app.
- Note: AC adapter sold separately, no holiday detection function, may react to pet movement.
- Update: New titles (Mario Kart, etc.) added for free via the Internet.
What is the price?
The price is 12,980 yen including tax. Although it may seem expensive for an ordinary alarm clock, considering the advanced technology of millimeter wave radar, Nintendo’s rich sound source assets, and the added value of “updating the experience of getting up itself,” it can be said that the gadget is very cost-effective. However, the AC adapter for USB power supply is sold separately (the genuine Nintendo product costs 1,500 yen including tax).
What exactly can you do?
At the set time, the game’s background music begins to play. When you move under the covers, the BGM is temporarily silenced by the sound of the SE associated with that title (e.g., the sound of ink if it is Splatoon). As this is repeated, arousal is encouraged, and when you leave the bed completely, the alarm stops with a fanfare. It also has a function that detects movement during sleep and graphs how well you slept.
Do I need Wi-Fi or a smartphone?
Basic settings, such as a clock and daily alarm operation, can be completed only by operating the large dial on the top of the unit, so you do not need to have a smartphone to use it. However, a Wi-Fi connection is essential for system updates and free additional downloads of new game scenes such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and “Atsumare Animal Crossing.
What are the disadvantages?
The most important consideration is the difficulty of installation. In order for the sensor to accurately capture sleep turns, it must be placed directly next to the bed and at the proper height. Also, although the day of the week can be specified, there is no function to automatically avoid “holidays,” so if you want to sleep in on a holiday according to the calendar, you will have to manually turn off the alarm the night before.
Are there any software updates or additional elements?
Yes, this is done on a regular basis. As long as you are connected to the Internet, new features are added, operation is improved, and sound data for new game titles is added free of charge. Even after purchase, “What game is coming next?” is an attraction not found in conventional watches.
Specifications Summary
| (data) item | Details |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo (video game company) |
| Size | Height 100 mm × Width 109 mm × Depth 91 mm (size that fits comfortably on a desk) |
| weight | Approx. 215g (lightweight but stable with non-slip bottom) |
| power (button on TV, etc.) | USB power supply 5V/1.5A or more recommended (AC adapter sold separately) |
| sensor | Motion sensor (high-precision millimeter wave radar), illumination sensor |
| display | 2.8″ LCD with automatic brightness adjustment |
| communication | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz band) |
| Titles | Mario, Zelda, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4, Ring Fit (+ free additions) |
Review (word of mouth): Actual record of 2 months of use
We will delve deeply into the impact on daily life and detailed usage that we have been able to see only through actual long-term use of the system.
Good reviews/experiences: a “process of awakening” that keeps the brain occupied.
I bought this for a new alarm clock and I am very happy with it. The playful Nintendo-like design and sounds make waking up in the morning a little more fun. The controls are also easy to understand and use.
It is simple, yet has solid functions, and I felt it was perfect for daily use. Thank you so much for delivering such a wonderful product that makes me feel good about starting each day.”(Source: Amazon review )
I wanted something like the Karakuri clock and I love it.”
It’s perfect for interior decoration.
There were cheaper, very similar products, but I still enjoy watching the old familiar Mario in action and I never get tired of it.
It’s cute how the characters move around in time with people’s movements. w”(Source: Amazon review )
Why did I buy it?
I bought it half out of spite for not winning the lottery for the Switch 2.
I started using it thinking, “If it doesn’t suit me, I’ll just sell it,” but now, six months later, I’m surprisingly hooked.
I’ve been using it for half a year.
I use it almost exclusively for “Zelda (Brawley).
Unlike the alarm on my phone, the sound gets louder and louder. It’s like being able to say, “Oh, it’s Zelda… (Wow, Alamo is sounding…)” as I drift off to sleep and gradually become aware of morning, and so far it has been 100% successful in terms of “waking me up.
This is a good point.
– The ability to wake me up is real: It wakes me up more reliably than my phone, and it has the perfect line of waking me up just before I start to hate the background music.
– The sound of Zelda’s heart recovering is very useful when I am working.
– Physical button to stop: Moving to stop is the main selling point, but if you want to play with your phone on the bed, you can also turn the dial to “turn off from the root”. This is surprisingly convenient.
[Areas of concern
– Cord is a nuisance: The cord is always powered, so there are only a few places to put it.
– Troublesome to set up: To be honest, it is quite tedious to set up the Wi-Fi and alarm using the dial on the main unit.
– Logging is not very good: It counts all the time you are in bed as sleep, so don’t expect accurate sleep measurement.
Summary.
To be honest, this is definitely a product that depends on the person.
It is not cheap, so you should check the location of the outlet and the place to put it before you buy it.
But if you can get past that, I think it would be a pretty reassuring ally for someone like me who is a terrible sleeper.”(Source: Amazon review )
Neutral and Dissatisfied Reviews: Adaptability to Environment
I have a shift job, so if I want to turn the alarm on and off every day of the week, I have to go through the “set for each day of the week” section every time I want to turn the alarm on, even though it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is.
I want to be able to turn the alarm on and off with one button, just like a normal alarm. I don’t need a mail button. Put ON/OFF here.
I also want the left/right reversal function of twisting the switch.
The placement of the unit is also very difficult, so please put an angle adjustment on the main unit.(Source: Amazon review )
I have a desk near the futon, and the snooze malfunctions and activates when I am working within an hour of waking up. I try to keep my eyes off Alamo as much as possible, but the sensor range is too wide to react. I wish I could turn off the snooze, but I can’t do that either. I end up having to take the initiative and turn off the snooze every day, which is very time consuming.”
(Source: Amazon review )
I bought three of them with my children.
Thanks to them, my high school students who used to not get up in the morning are now getting up (laughs).
My children can see, but I, as someone who is close to presbyopia, don’t want the screen to be too dark to see when I sleep at night. Is there any table clock that is totally invisible? How about a Daiso digital clock that is brighter? Nintendo.”(Source: Amazon review )
Comprehensive evaluation
Alarmo has evolved from a mere clock into an “entertainment device that produces the event of waking up. In particular, the cycle of “evoking images through sound, interrupting them through movement, and giving a sense of accomplishment through detachment” supports a pleasant awakening that makes sense from a neuroscientific perspective. No other gadget can enrich every morning as much as this one, as long as the installation environment is prepared.
Comparison with “Mia,” a talking cat-shaped robot
We compared it to the much-talked-about cat-shaped robot “Mia” as a partner to support our daily life.
| Comparison items | Nintendo Alarmo | Mia, a cat-shaped robot |
| Appearance and Design | Clock-shaped like a digital gadget | Stuffed cat style with warmth |
| Price | 12,980 yen (official store sales) | From 9,800 yen (tax included) |
| Main Objective | Improve quality of waking and sleep management | Relief of loneliness and daily healing |
| interaction | Non-contact operation that reacts to movement | Empathy through conversation and facial expressions in dialect |
| Continuity of experience | Changes due to additional game scenes | Depth due to personality changes and seasonal topics |
Objective Comparison Summary: Alarmo is a highly functional tool that performs best at a specific time of the day, the “morning start”. Mia, on the other hand, plays a stronger role as an emotional partner, cuddling up to you in dialect at a moment’s notice during the day or before bedtime. If you want to “start your morning efficiently and happily,” Alarmo is for you; if you want to make your time at home less lonely and more heartwarming, Mia is for you.
👇 Talking cat-shaped robot “Mia” that speaks 47 dialects nationwide
summary
The “Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo” is a product that makes the “end” of sleep, which accounts for one-third of our lives, the best part.
- The joy of waking up in the morning turns into “play” instead of “fight”.
- The latest technology provides a sense of security that gently watches over you.
- Cleverly designed to make sure you don’t hate the game sounds you love.
If these appeal to you, Alarmo will become an indispensable part of your bedroom. We hope you will experience the new “wisdom of life” proposed by Nintendo.
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