In a bizarre move that screams of 1990s nostalgia, Nintendo is set to release an updated Virtual Boy add-on for the Switch 2, bringing back one of the most infamous gaming consoles in history. The original Virtual Boy was released in 1995 and was met with widespread criticism due to its monochrome red display, awkward design, and lackluster games.
Thirty years on, Nintendo has managed to breathe new life into this antiquated technology by swapping out the internal hardware for a standard Switch 2 screen. This change brings several welcome improvements, including the ability to download software directly from the Nintendo eShop without the need for individual game cartridges or cords.
However, it's clear that not everything was improved during this overhaul process. The games themselves remain largely unchanged, with titles like Galactic Pinball and Red Alarm still feeling as frustratingly slow and awkward as they did in their original form. The only exception is Virtual Boy Wario Land, which still holds up surprisingly well despite its retro nature.
One of the most jarring aspects of using the Virtual Boy, even with its updated design, is the necessity to lean into it like a makeshift VR headset. This might sound strange, but there's something undeniably awkward about propping the thing onto your face and straining to see through the red monochrome display.
Despite all this, there's an undeniable charm to revisiting a piece of gaming history that was so thoroughly maligned at its release. The Virtual Boy remains an unapologetic relic of a bygone era, full of quirks and design choices that are as inexplicable as they are fascinating.
So if you're looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane or simply want to experience what people thought the future of gaming would be like 30 years ago, the Virtual Boy add-on for Switch 2 is set to go on sale in February for $100.
Thirty years on, Nintendo has managed to breathe new life into this antiquated technology by swapping out the internal hardware for a standard Switch 2 screen. This change brings several welcome improvements, including the ability to download software directly from the Nintendo eShop without the need for individual game cartridges or cords.
However, it's clear that not everything was improved during this overhaul process. The games themselves remain largely unchanged, with titles like Galactic Pinball and Red Alarm still feeling as frustratingly slow and awkward as they did in their original form. The only exception is Virtual Boy Wario Land, which still holds up surprisingly well despite its retro nature.
One of the most jarring aspects of using the Virtual Boy, even with its updated design, is the necessity to lean into it like a makeshift VR headset. This might sound strange, but there's something undeniably awkward about propping the thing onto your face and straining to see through the red monochrome display.
Despite all this, there's an undeniable charm to revisiting a piece of gaming history that was so thoroughly maligned at its release. The Virtual Boy remains an unapologetic relic of a bygone era, full of quirks and design choices that are as inexplicable as they are fascinating.
So if you're looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane or simply want to experience what people thought the future of gaming would be like 30 years ago, the Virtual Boy add-on for Switch 2 is set to go on sale in February for $100.
I'm soooo excited about this! It's like they're taking a piece of gaming history and serving it with a side of nostalgia 
. The fact that you can still play those super slow games (Galactic Pinball, ugh!) is wild. And the weird headset thingy? Yeah, I gotta agree, that's just plain awkward 
.
. Anyone else gonna give it a try? 
! 30 yrs on and it still got that weird charm lol. I remember playing with the original Virtual Boy as a kid, it was like trying to play games through a red filter 
. But at least they've fixed some of the issues, like the download thingy 
.
. It's always cool to see how games hold up (or not) over time. And, I mean, it's a solid nostalgic trip down memory lane 
. $100 might be a bit steep tho 
, but if you're all about retro gaming vibes, it's worth it 
.
its like, u get to experience whats basically a relic of a bygone era that was SO thoroughly roasted back in the day 
. im def gonna cop it for my nostalgic vibes lol $100 might be a lil steep tho
. and yeah, the games are still gonna be super slow and awkward... i mean who needs fast-paced action when you can play galactic pinball on an outdated console 
. but hey, if you're into that kinda thing, go for it 
. just don't say i didn't warn you 
.
. idk man, its like they took something that was basically a joke and made it kinda cool. i dunno if ill actually get one tho, $100 is pretty steep for something thats just nostalgia, but idc lol
i mean who wouldn't wanna try out virtual boy wario land again? 
but i gotta say, it's kinda cool that they're revisiting their mistakes...like, who thought a monochrome red screen was a good idea? 
. But hey, if you're feelin' nostalgic for some cringeworthy 90s gaming, be my guest and drop $100 on this retro abomination 
. I'm not sure what kind of nostalgia trip people are looking for here, but Galactic Pinball and Red Alarm still feel like a chore to play 
. But $100 for this thing? That's just a bit steep, even for a nostalgic weirdo 
it's crazy how they managed to take an old console and turn it into something new & exciting! 
️ and the fact that you can download games directly from the eshop is a total game changer (pun intended)! 
. I remember my friends and me thinking it was the future of gaming back in '95, but really we were just being nostalgic weirdos 
! that being said, if i'm feeling nostalgic i might actually cop this thing...anyway, $100 is a pretty steep price tho