No, I’m not making this up. The Nintendo Virtual Boy is back thanks to Nintendo Switch Online and an expensive accessory.
Nintendo is bringing Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. This collection will allow players to enjoy Virtual Boy games in stereoscopic 3D on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Here’s the announcement trailer:
Nintendo Virtual Boy: The dirty secret
It’s fair to say that Nintendo has spent years quietly ignoring the Virtual Boy. Released as a monochrome stereoscopic desk mounted gaming system using Game Boy related hardware in mid-1995, it didn’t meet Nintendo’s expectations and was ditched within a year, having failed to manage even 1 million sales.
Many in the west don’t know about the Virtual Boy, and those that do either own one, want one, or are still laughing about it (I’m in the last group).
One of the main criticisms levelled at the Virtual Boy was how it made gamers feel nauseous, so it will be interesting to see how this new Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack exclusive will improve on that.
When’s it coming out?
To play these games, a dedicated accessory is required. Yes, it’s a modern recreation of the original Virtual Boy goggles, complete with stand, and will set you back around $100.
I’ve already told you, I’m not joking.
Despite the Switch being relatively lightweight, no head mounted Virtual Boy visor has been announced.
(A cardboard model of this accessory will also be available, costing $25.)
The initial line up of games includes Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer. A total of 14 classic monochrome stereoscopic games are planned to be released over time.
Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics is scheduled to launch on February 17th, and the dedicated accessories will be available for pre-purchase at a later date.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
