When Nintendo revealed it was bringing back the Virtual Boy during the huge September Direct, gamers had one question: why now? The original Virtual Boy came out in 1995 and became a commercial failure for Nintendo. Only a handful of games came out for the system, and it’s been largely forgotten until now.
Gamers can buy the new Virtual Boy for $100 or a cardboard box model for $25. Both versions work with either the Switch or Switch 2, as gamers can access the Virtual Boy library via the Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Recently, CBR attended Nintendo’s Preview Showcase of their upcoming Switch 2 games for 2026. During the event, we had the chance to play the Virtual Boy and had access to a handful of games. We only had the chance to play the hardware model, and not the cardboard version, but the experience was still mixed on the whole.
The Virtual Boy Visuals Are Actually Pretty Good
Image via Nintendo
The Virtual Boy has a rough reputation, and back in the day, players complained about the visuals and the headaches it could cause. On the new Virtual Boy, the graphics feel cleaner than expected, and it seems clear they got a bit of a remaster. Everything looks crisp, even with its red-and-black visuals.
The 3D aspect of things coming out at players still holds up. You get the feeling that the 3D visuals were probably revolutionary back in 1995. Out of all the games, Virtual Boy Wario Land is the best game I played. It features great platforming, with objects appearing at the player in all its 3D glory. If I had the Virtual Boy, that would be one of the few games I would 100%.
The 3D effect that pops out at the player still works surprisingly well. It’s easy to imagine how revolutionary that must have felt in 1995. Out of all the games I tried, Virtual Boy Wario Land stands out the most. The platforming is great, and the way objects move in and out of the foreground really shows off the system’s depth.
After hopping between several games, it was honestly surprising not to feel a headache or eye strain. Like VR, it seems best enjoyed in short sessions. Maybe Nintendo tweaked something in the newer models, but the new Virtual Boy doesn’t live up to its bad reputation.
The Virtual Boy’s library is pretty substantial and will even include unreleased games. While Wario Land is the best of the bunch, there are definitely enough offerings here to keep Virtual Boy owners busy for quite a while.
The Virtual Boy Stand Has Some Glaring Issues
The Virtual BoyImage via Nintendo
Everything about the Virtual Boy felt solid except for one big issue: the stand. Those thin legs are doing all the work of holding up the system and supporting your face while you lean in. Since you have to press your face up to the visor to see the effect properly, that setup matters a lot.
The problem is that the stand shifts almost every time you lean forward. It never feels fully stable, and there’s this constant worry that you’ll tip it over or snap something. A head strap or more secure mount probably would’ve helped a ton. As it is, the stand is easily the weakest part of the Virtual Boy’s design.
Even though the Virtual Boy has become infamous, it’s actually not that bad. It’s hard to say if it’s worth the investment, but it’s awesome that players will have access to the Virtual Boy library, and some of its games seem like they’re worth experiencing.
Virtual Boy Wario Land
Released
December 1, 1995
ESRB
E for Everyone
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
