The Legacy of the Virtual Boy
Despite its reputation as a commercial and critical failure, the Virtual Boy remains an intriguing element of Nintendo’s history. Original units still fetch high prices on auction sites, and enthusiasts have worked tirelessly to keep the Virtual Boy alive with emulated and homemade games. For years, it seemed Nintendo wished to erase any memory of the Virtual Boy, but eventually, the company eased into acknowledging its past mistakes, even incorporating playful references to the console in titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tomodachi Life, and Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Reviving a Classic
In light of Nintendo’s recent endeavors with the Nintendo 3DS, the Nintendo Switch, and projects like Labo, it wasn’t surprising to find the Virtual Boy reimagined as a Switch accessory for playing classic games on Nintendo Switch Online. There’s a certain poetic irony in transforming Nintendo’s worst-selling console into a sophisticated add-on for its most successful system.
A Mixed Experience
However, after spending some time with this new version of the Virtual Boy, I felt that Nintendo’s confidence in this $100 accessory might have been a bit misplaced. The headset-and-stand combination is an attractive piece of retro technology, comfortable for extended use. Though I hoped for some disorienting visual surprises, the device’s stereoscopic lenses managed to avoid causing headaches. Yet, the gameplay felt clunky, making the device feel more like an aging novelty than an engaging gaming system.
Staying True to Nostalgia
This new peripheral aims to faithfully recreate the functionalities that worked in the original while smoothing over the flaws that contributed to its failure in the ‘90s. However, if you’re not particularly nostalgic, you might be better off dusting off an old Labo kit rather than investing in the plastic model.
Surprisingly Comfortable
As someone who never owned the original Virtual Boy, I was pleasantly surprised by the fit of the new accessory. It’s designed to sit on a table and used with a controller after inserting your Nintendo Switch. Unlike my cardboard Labo headset, which struggled against external light, the plastic Virtual Boy effectively shut me off from the surrounding environment.
A Nostalgic Yet Limited Game Library
This darkness emphasized the vibrancy of the Virtual Boy’s monochromatic game selection screen as I navigated the small library of 3D titles. Nintendo plans to offer 14 different Virtual Boy games through its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, launching on February 17 along with the accessories.
Final Impressions
While playing titles like Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, and a new port of The Mansion of Innsmouth, I felt a mix of charm and disappointment. The games performed well, but the experience didn’t quite match the advancements in immersive gaming that Nintendo later achieved with the 3DS. Aesthetically simpler games, such as 3-D Tetris, seemed better at presenting their 3D spaces. Ultimately, while the new peripheral enhances accessibility to these vintage games, it might not spark a major revival in interest for the original Virtual Boy content.
