When it comes to alarm clocks, I’ve never been a fan. These gadgets exist solely to shatter our most precious moments of sleep, and let’s face it, to be effective, they need to be annoyingly persistent. So, when Nintendo introduced the Alarmo, I was admittedly intrigued (and mildly disappointed it wasn’t the long-awaited Switch 2). Could this cute little device make waking up feel more playful? After all, who wouldn’t want to be awakened by Zelda’s soothing voice or the charming chirps of Pikmin?
After a week with Alarmo, I have to confess—it hasn’t revolutionized my mornings. Sure, it’s packed with some fun features and looks fantastic on a shelf, but at the end of the day, it’s still just an alarm clock.
First Impressions: The Charm Is Real
Let’s start with the obvious: Alarmo is undeniably cute. The device is shaped like a red cylinder, crowned with a plump white button/knob on top. Its 2.8-inch rectangular LCD display has a thick bezel that almost gives it a circular look, especially in dim lighting. As for customization, there are five different games you can choose from—Breath of the Wild, Ring Fit Adventure, Super Mario Odyssey, Pikmin 4, and Splatoon 3. The characters from these games can wander around on the screen, and even follow you when you move in front of it, giving Alarmo an interactive flair that’s sure to delight any Nintendo fan.
Game-Infused Alarm Features: A Wake-Up Call with Style
Alarmo isn’t just about looks; it has plenty of Nintendo-themed alarm settings to play with. You can wake up to any of 35 different “scenes,” ranging from Zelda calmly saying “wake up” to—why not?—the sound of a Pikmin drowning. Each alarm starts out subtly and becomes progressively more insistent the longer you stay in bed. The button on top even flashes colors to grab your attention.
Setting up your schedule is easy—you can customize the alarm settings by the day of the week, and the clock even tracks your sleep duration, as well as how long it takes you to get out of bed. All of this data is available on the clock itself, but there’s a catch: Alarmo doesn’t sync with other devices or apps. That’s right, in a world full of interconnected gadgets, this little clock stands alone.
How It Works: Motion Sensors and Big Buttons
Navigating the device is mostly straightforward: smacking the big button on top does the trick for most tasks, from turning off a blaring alarm to opening the settings menu. You can also twist the button to adjust things, like setting the alarm time, and there are back and notification buttons for extra options.
The main selling point here is Alarmo’s millimeter wave motion sensor, which lets you interact with it simply by moving around. When the alarm goes off, rolling out of bed can shut it off, and waving your hand around will snooze it for a few more minutes. It’s a clever idea, but here’s the rub: the sensor doesn’t distinguish between different people. So, if you get up but your partner stays in bed, the alarm keeps blaring. This problem is noted on the packaging (apparently pets can also trigger the sensor), but it’s a bummer for anyone who shares a bed.
The FTC’s New ‘Click-to-Cancel’ Rule: A Win for Consumers Tired of Subscription Hassles
The Bedtime Experience: Almost Perfect… Almost
Alarmo isn’t just about waking you up; it’s also designed to help you wind down. If you’ve set a bedtime, it will play soothing sounds from one of the five supported games as soon as you lie down—no button-pressing required. The Zelda nighttime theme, with its crackling fire and gentle piano, has quickly become a personal favorite. It’s like drifting off to sleep in Hyrule Field. However, there’s one glaring issue: the sounds only play for about 10 minutes before fading away. If you’re hoping for a Nintendo-themed white noise machine, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
The Drawbacks: Not Quite a Game Changer
Ultimately, Alarmo feels like a $100 Nintendo-branded clock first and an alarm second. It nails the nostalgic charm of Nintendo with its aesthetics and sounds, but the sleep and wake features fall short compared to other options on the market. The lack of integration with apps or other devices limits its functionality, and the motion sensor’s inability to distinguish between multiple people is a significant flaw.
For kids—or nostalgic adults who simply want a cute addition to their bedside—Alarmo might be a fun pick. But if you’re in the market for a serious sleep aid or an advanced alarm, it’s not going to replace your smartphone or sleep-tracking wearable.
Final Thoughts: A Cute Addition, But Not a Necessity
Nintendo’s Alarmo is charming, playful, and brings a dash of fun to the mundane task of waking up. It looks great, offers an interactive experience with beloved game characters, and adds a bit of personality to your mornings. But when it comes down to functionality, it doesn’t go much further than any other alarm clock.
Thinking about buying one? Just know that you’re investing in a piece of Nintendo nostalgia, not an advanced sleep solution. If that’s all you’re looking for, Alarmo will definitely bring a smile to your face—even if it’s at 6:30 AM.
Curious about Nintendo’s latest quirky gadget? Love a bit of nostalgia to start your day? Grab the Alarmo now and bring some Mario magic to your mornings! But remember, no gadget can substitute for a good night’s sleep—so don’t forget to turn in early.
