The Nintendo Virtual Boy Brings Back the Console Everyone Forgot About

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Reviving the Virtual Boy might be Nintendo’s most unusual move yet. The original, launched in 1995, was a commercial failure. High prices, expensive manufacturing, and reports of headaches and discomfort led to its quick demise after just one year on the market.

Nintendo successfully revived 3D gaming with the Nintendo 3DS, but the Virtual Boy was largely forgotten. It’s surprising – and intriguing – to see the Virtual Boy return. After a month of testing, the new version is better than the original, but it still appeals to a very specific audience.

The Virtual Boy Is Stable Except for One Feature

The Virtual Boy accessory looks just like the original from 1995, but now it connects to a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. To play the classic Virtual Boy games, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

Using the Switch’s screen significantly improves the display quality, which is a big step up from older technology. We didn’t experience any eye strain during testing – something that was a common issue with the Virtual Boy back in 1995. While everyone’s experience varies, the graphics appear much clearer. The only downside is the design of the Virtual Boy’s stand.

I had the same issue when I first used the Virtual Boy. It’s just not very comfortable to use. Because your face is so close to the screen, even slight movements can shake the device and mess up the image. It’s a fundamental problem with the design that’s hard to ignore.

Games for the Virtual Boy Library Are A Lot of Fun But Very Limited

It’s fantastic to have the Virtual Boy games available again! For two decades, most players could only experience them through historical articles or videos. Now, thankfully, everyone can enjoy these classic titles.

Many of the games were designed to highlight the 3D visuals. Some might consider this a simple trick, but it’s surprisingly effective on the Virtual Boy. Despite the limited red and black colors, the 3D effect still creates a sense of depth.

Out of all the games, Virtual Boy Wario Land stands out as the best. It’s the only platformer available, and it cleverly uses the 3D effects to enhance the gameplay, making objects appear to come directly at you.

A key drawback of the Virtual Boy is its limited game library. Because the system wasn’t around for very long, relatively few games were created for it. While the available games are enjoyable, players may not find them engaging for a sustained period. Many will likely play through the games once and then lose interest.

The Virtual Boy Is Only for Diehard Nintendo Fans

Okay, so the Virtual Boy… it’s definitely for us hardcore Nintendo fans, the ones who love everything Nintendo, even the stuff they’d probably rather forget. Honestly, before it got re-released, getting a Virtual Boy would have cost a fortune. But now? At around a hundred bucks, it’s a total bargain! I snagged one and I’m having a blast with it, despite its… quirks.

Nintendo really polished the game’s look and feel, and it’s great to revisit these classic titles. However, if you’re not interested in those specific older games, this release doesn’t offer much new.

While the Virtual Boy has a few surprisingly good games, none are essential. Unless Nintendo releases more titles for it, that won’t change. If you’re not a dedicated gamer, it’s probably not worth the effort. But for serious Nintendo fans, it might be worth checking out.

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This review was written with a review unit of the Virtual Boy provided by Nintendo.

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2026-04-01 22:19