Prepare to dive into the fascinating world of Nintendo's Virtual Boy, a console that, despite its commercial and critical shortcomings, has left an indelible mark on gaming history. The Virtual Boy, a relic of the past, continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts, with original units fetching impressive prices on auction sites. But here's where it gets controversial: Nintendo, once seemingly eager to forget this failed venture, has now embraced it, making subtle references in popular games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Luigi's Mansion 3.
Fast forward to today, and we see Nintendo revisiting its past with the new Virtual Boy, designed as a Switch peripheral. This move is a bold statement, showcasing the company's confidence in transforming one of its biggest failures into a unique accessory for its most successful console.
However, my recent experience with the new Virtual Boy left me with mixed feelings. While the retro-inspired design and comfortable headset were impressive, the gameplay itself felt outdated and lacked the immersive experience one might expect. The device's major selling point is its ability to recreate the original console's strengths while smoothing out its rough edges, but for those not steeped in retro nostalgia, it might not be worth the investment.
As someone new to the Virtual Boy experience, I found the peripheral's fit and finish impressive, especially compared to my previous VR attempts. The darkness created by the plastic model immersed me in a way my Labo headset couldn't, showcasing the limited library of 3D titles in a vibrant red (or customizable color).
Nintendo plans to release 14 Virtual Boy games by the end of the year through its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, offering a glimpse into its experimental past. While the games ran smoothly, they failed to fully convince my eyes of the 3D illusion, with simpler vector-based titles like 3-D Tetris and Red Alarm offering a more captivating experience.
The new peripheral might not spark a resurgence in Virtual Boy game preservation, but it will undoubtedly make these games more accessible, especially for those who missed out on the original console's brief existence. While I didn't get hands-on time with the cardboard version, I'm intrigued by the idea of experiencing these games through a Labo. The plastic model is a cool collector's item, but for the average gamer in 2026, the dated nature of these 3D games might not justify the cost, especially if you're not already an NSO subscriber.
