Switch and Switch 2 are getting official Virtual Boy accessories that Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers can slot their consoles into to play classic 3D games like Mario's Tennis.
Released in 1995, Nintendo's Virtual Boy was the first standalone home stereoscopic 3D gaming system, providing a 384×224 red-only image to each eye via its two lenses. While often described as a "VR headset", Virtual Boy lacked any kind of head tracking, not even rotational, and had a tiny field of view of around 20 degrees. That's not to say it wasn't an interesting 3D device - it just wasn't really VR.
Virtual Boy was a market failure, selling very few units, and was discontinued after just one year. But it had a lasting cultural impact in the gaming world, and is looked back on fondly by many in the VR industry.
Nintendo Switch & Switch 2 official Virtual Boy accessory.
Now, 30 years later, Nintendo just announced a $100 Virtual Boy accessory for Switch and Switch 2, featuring a similar design to the original but lacking screens and compute.
Instead, you'll slot your Switch console into the front, as you might have done with your phone for a Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream a decade ago. The Switch console will run and display the games, while the accessory provides the lenses and housing.
A cheaper cardboard model will also be available for $25, which looks to be somewhat reminiscent of Labo VR, Nintendo's 2019 cardboard headset that supported the original Switch but not Switch 2.
For both accessories, Switch Lite is not supported.
The plastic version with stand ($100).
The handheld cardboard version ($25).
The Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy accessories will launch on February 17, and the games will be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers, with the first arriving that day.
A total of 14 Virtual Boy games will be available "over time", Nintendo says:
- Virtual Boy Wario Land
- Galactic Pinball
- Red Alarm
- Teleroboxer
- Mario’s Tennis
- Jack Bros.
- Vertical Force
- Mario Clash
- Golf
- Virtual Bowling
- Innsmouth no Yakata
- Space Invaders: Virtual Collection
- V-Tetris
- 3D Tetris
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is priced at $50/year, and also offers online multiplayer, cloud saves, voice chat, and other Nintendo Classics.
You can preorder the Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch & Switch 2 on the online Nintendo Store.
