Virtual Boy Hero
Source: geekingout.ca

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The "new" Nintendo console in 2026 is actually a remake of a botched release from the mid 1990s.

The Virtual Boy was released in 1995 and brought a VR experience to a Nintendo system.

When the Virtual Boy first hit stores it struggled to find its footing. It cost $199 in Canada and didn't have nearly as big of a game library as the Super Nintendo (which was only $179 at the time) and lacked the portability of the Game Boy (which was only $99).

Nintendo abandoned the console a year after launch; but now they've resurrected it for Switch and Switch 2 gamers to enjoy!

How does the Virtual Boy work?

Nintendo sells two accessories to allow gamers to relive Virtual Boy titles on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. A cardboard handheld cover and a more sophisticated plastic stand.

I opted for the (slightly overpriced) $109 version which is faithful to the design of the original (but uses the Switch Joy Cons / Joy Con 2 instead of the boomerang-looking original controller.

Virtual Boy Dk Play
Source: geekingout.ca

This accessory flips open allowing you to slide your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 console inside.

It rests on a stand which has an angling pivot point so you can be relatively comfortably seated behind the console with the stand propped on a table and game away through a lost era of Nintendo titles.

Virtual Boy Insert
Source: geekingout.ca
Inserting Switch 2 into the Virtual Boy accessory.

Which games are available for the Virtual Boy on Nintendo Switch?

The launch titles for Virtual Boy (in Canada at least) are:

  • 3-D Tetris: Stack Tetris blocks in a 3D world in 5x5 squares
  • Galactic Pinball: A virtual pinball game set in space
  • Golf: 18 holes in stereoscopic 3D
  • The Mansion of Innsmouth: An adventure/horror game originally only available in Japan
  • Red Alarm: Fly a Tech-Wing Fighter in through 3D space as you dodge attacking creatures and ships
  • Teleroboxer: Robots boxing each other in the future!
  • Virtual Boy Wario Land: Wario found a cave of treasure, then falls through a trap - help him get back!

In my quick playthrough, Virtual Boy Wario Land is the early standout highlight. The stereoscopic 3D graphics are genuinely great and the way the game uses depth-based obstacles for Wario to dodge is very innovative!

Virtual Boy Wario Land Large
Source: geekingout.ca

Game on - in Stereoscopic 3D

The Virtual Boy takes a vintage piece of gaming history and adds some modern conveniences.

  • Save and load from suspend points
  • Custom map buttons
  • Digitally adjust the "focus" for those who wear glasses
  • No power plugin required (it runs off the Switch console battery)

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Virtual Boy Switch

Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics

You'll See Red...And Like It

Go back to the future and relive the, at the time, groundbreaking 3D world of the Virtual Boy! With more games planned for future release, games such as Virtual Boy Wario Land, 3-D TETRIS and Galactic Pinball will be available on launch. There is no cost to download the games, though a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and a Virtual Boy peripheral are required (choose from the $109.99 Virtual Boy replica or the $29.99 cardboard version)

In order to play these games you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion membership, but the fact that they're available to Switch 2 and original Switch owners is a nice touch.

Is this a must-have accessory for the Nintendo Switch? Not at all. But for anyone who loves their gamine history and missed out on this the first time around, the new Virtual Boy accessory is going to bring a lot of nostalgia to your game library.

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