I don’t usually get excited about novelty gadgets, but the Nintendo Talking Flower has me curious, and a little conflicted. Nintendo finally spilled the details on this quirky little desktop buddy it teased last September, and it’s every bit as ridiculous—and charming—as you’d expect. Inspired by a talking flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, it talks throughout the day, sometimes offering encouragement, sometimes spouting nonsense.
Related: Nintendo Switch 2 launch games: what I’m planning to play first
At $34.99, it’s an affordable slice of whimsy that’s hard not to love—if you’re okay with occasional interruptions and a small dose of chaos. But is it worth buying, or should you hedge your bets on the Captain Toad amiibo, due for release on March 26?
Let’s take a closer look at this new talking toy from Nintendo.
What This Little Flower Actually Does All Day
The Nintendo Talking Flower looks just like its on-screen counterpart—a flower that’s shaped like a Vitrola record player with 2 cute eyes. Hit the Talk Button, and you’ll hear silly quips, helpful tips, or sometimes just complete baloney. And then, just when you think you’ve figured it out, it might randomly chime in on its own, because, why not? It’s like having a tiny, multilingual roommate…who doesn’t pay rent.
It also doubles as a wonky, miniature alarm clock. The Talking Flower announces the time (mostly accurately—don’t rely on it to catch your early Zoom meeting), comments on the weather, and can even play little bits of background music.
What’s more, this thing is impressively global. You can choose from 11 different languages: English, Spanish (Latin America or Spain), French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean—though sometimes it likes to mix things up for fun. One minute it’s speaking French, the next it’s shouting “Hello!” in Japanese. For me, that’s part of the appeal!
Nintendo Talking Flower: Price, Value & Practicality
For its price, the Nintendo Talking Flower is affordable enough to impulse-buy—whether it becomes your favorite desk accessory or ends up in another room depends on how you feel about random interruptions. What you definitely get is a fun, high-quality toy with plenty of Nintendo personality. And, let’s be honest, that’s what this gadget’s about.
Is it practical? Nope. Don’t count on it for companionship, or even for telling the correct time. Its main purpose is entertainment—and it’s great at that. It’s a tiny, cheerful machine designed to make you chuckle. You might be annoyed when it randomly interrupts your workflow, but you’ll also catch yourself smiling at one of its silly one-liners.
Compared to other novelty electronics—like Alarmo or Furby—the Talking Flower hits the right balance of fun and silliness without a full-blown investment. And if you’re a Nintendo fan, well…you probably won’t care about practicality anyway. It’s fun, affordable, and entirely unnecessary in the best possible way.
Who it’s really for
So, who actually needs a Nintendo Talking Flower in their life? Probably nobody—but somehow, that’s exactly the point. This little gadget is tailor-made for Nintendo fans, kids, collectors of weird or whimsical electronics, and anyone who secretly enjoys a touch of weirdness on their desk.
Parents, children learning a foreign language, and gamers will likely appreciate this Nintendo desk toy. That said, don’t expect it to help you focus. It exists mostly to brighten your day…most days. And honestly, that’s enough.
So, would I buy it?
At the end of the day, the Nintendo Talking Flower is cute, a little nutty, and completely impractical. As a Nintendo fan, I’d enjoy having it on my desk, but I wouldn’t expect it to make me more productive or organized. I could count on it, though, to brighten my mood—when I least expect it!
For Nintendo fans and collectors of quirky gadgets, this is a tiny, wonky companion worth having. If you get distracted easily or can’t tolerate interruptions, look for a quieter desk accessory. Either way, the Talking Flower is a reminder that sometimes, it’s fun to embrace ridiculousness—and for that, I kind of love it.
You can preorder the Nintendo Talking Flower for $34.99 on the brand’s official website. Orders ship on March 12, 2026.
Lauren has been writing and editing since 2008. She loves working with text and helping writers find their voice. When she’s not typing away at her computer, she cooks and travels with her husband and two daughters.