At a Glance
- Nintendo is reintroducing its 1995 Virtual Boy as a $100 Switch 2 accessory.
- The new version will use the Switch 2 as stereoscopic screens and add modern features.
- Nintendo plans to release unreleased titles and new games through 2026.
- Why it matters: Fans can finally experience the original 3D concept with updated controls and color options.
Nintendo is bringing its 1995 Virtual Boy back to life, this time as a Switch 2 accessory that promises to honor the original while adding a host of new features.
Reviving a 1995 Classic
The original Virtual Boy debuted in 1995 and was known for its single LED strip and rotating mirrors that created a faux-3D experience. Nintendo’s new recreation, priced at $100, will replace those old optics with the Switch 2’s stereoscopic screens, allowing players to sit down in a pair of goggles built into a kickstand.
Nintendo’s marketing video shows the device alongside a lineup of games that will launch with the peripheral. The collection includes classic titles that were only ever available on the original console:
- Galactic Pinball
- Golf
- 3D Tetris
- Teleroboxer (a Punch-Out-style game featuring a robot opponent)
- The Mansion of Innsmouth (a Japan-only 3D maze adventure)
- Red Alarm
- Wario Land (which uses stereoscopic 3D to alternate foreground and background platforming)
How the New Virtual Boy Works
Unlike the 30-year-old device, the new version asks you to slot the Switch 2 in to act as its stereoscopic screens. The Switch 2’s hardware provides the depth perception that the original LED strip could never match.
Nintendo says the peripheral will also bring extra features similar to those found in the Nintendo Classics collection:
- Suspend the game to drop a save point
- Change your control scheme
- Rewind a few frames if you miss a difficult shot in Golf
Additionally, Nintendo plans to give players the ability to change the screen color from red to yellow, green, and white. This requires removing the built-in red filter that the original console used.
Game Lineup and Upcoming Titles
Nintendo promises that more games will arrive throughout 2026, including:
- Mario Tennis
- Space Invaders Virtual Collection
- Virtual Bowling
- Vertical Force
- V-Tetris
The biggest draw is the release of several titles that were never released on the original console. These include:
- Zero Racers
- D-Hopper
These games were previewed in early video-game magazines and shown at trade shows, but the original Virtual Boy’s commercial failure prevented them from seeing the light of day.
Extra Features and User Experience
Nintendo’s new Virtual Boy will offer more than a simple emulation. The device will let users:
- Adjust the color palette for a less eye-straining experience
- Rewind frames to correct mistakes in real time
- Suspend gameplay to save progress at any point
One reviewer who has played emulations of the Virtual Boy in VR noted that the experience is far more engrossing than many players realize today. The goggles, built on a kickstand, can cause eye and neck strain, and the novelty may wear off quickly for some. However, for others, it remains a mode to explore the untapped potential of 3D displays.
Looking Ahead
Nintendo’s announcement signals a renewed interest in the early days of 3D gaming. By combining the original concept with modern hardware, the company hopes to showcase what a medium like stereoscopic 3D can offer.
The $100 accessory will be available for Switch 2 owners and will bring a nostalgic yet fresh experience to both long-time fans and new players.
© Nintendo; Screenshot by News Of Austin
