I was really surprised to learn Nintendo was revisiting the Virtual Boy! I have fond memories of playing it at relatives’ homes back in 1995, and I eventually purchased one for myself years later.
I’m really excited to see these classic games making a comeback, but it’s not perfect. You actually have to buy them to play, which is a bummer, and honestly, some of them haven’t aged well – they don’t even hold up compared to what was new when they first came out!
The Hard Shell Visor Is Expensive, But Collector Grade
Many Games Are Worth Experiencing
The best way to relive classic Virtual Boy games is with the new accessory, currently available for $99.99 exclusively at the Nintendo Store. We tested both this hard-shell version and a cardboard one (we’ll talk about that later), and we highly recommend the hard-shell version if you’re a fan. It perfectly recreates the original Virtual Boy experience and comes with useful extras like a stand, attachments for both Switch models, an eye shade, and a lens cover.
Even using the stand, it’s important to set things up comfortably. If you’re hunched over or looking up or down too much, you’ll probably start to feel pain after just a short time. This setup can actually feel a bit awkward, which is one reason the original design wasn’t popular years ago. However, with the right height adjustments and a good chair and desk, you can create a really comfortable workspace.
To use your Nintendo Switch (either model is compatible), you slide it into the headset, which has panels that lift up on either side. It took some getting used to, and I was worried about breaking the plastic, though you don’t need any tools unless you switch between holders for the original and newer Switch models. The Switch doesn’t quite fit perfectly – it feels both too tight and a little loose – but once everything is set up with the stand, it works great for playing Virtual Boy games.
All The Games On The Switch Virtual Boy Library
Here’s the full breakdown of games that are live right now:
- Virtual Boy Wario Land
- Galactic Pinball
- RED ALARM
- Teleroboxer
- GOLF
- The Mansion of Innsmouth
- 3-D TETRIS
And a rundown of the games coming to the service
- Mario’s Tennis
- Jack Bros.
- VERTICAL FORCE
- Mario Clash
- V-TETRIS
- VIRTUAL BOWLING
- SPACE INVADERS VIRTUAL COLLECTION
- D-HOPPER
- ZERO RACERS
Right now, Teleroboxer and Virtual Boy Wario Land are the most impressive games. I’ve played through Wario Land a lot over the years, and it still took about two hours to complete – I even want to play it again! It’s a really enjoyable platformer with clever use of perspective and the unique Virtual Boy hardware.
As a fan, I always thought the Virtual Boy really shined with games like Teleroboxer. It’s basically a Punch-Out style game, but with robots, and the way the VB puts you right in the ring with your opponent is perfect. If you’re into pinball, Galactic Pinball is a solid choice – it’s a pretty faithful recreation of a regular table, but with a cool sci-fi look. And Red Alarm? That one’s amazing! It’s a *Star Foxlike game with a lot of 3D space to fly around in, and it’s really captivating.
Jack Bros is a fantastic game, but it was very difficult to find outside of Japan. Copies sold in Western regions can now cost over $1,000 on sites like eBay. Mario Clash is worth checking out, although it might not appeal to everyone, and Mario Tennis is a fun experience on the Virtual Boy.
Paying $100 for 16 games can be expensive, particularly because you need to purchase them all together as a package to fully utilize the device they’re designed for.
Can You Play Virtual Boy Games Without The Accessories?
When Nintendo announced the Virtual Boy’s visor accessory, they stated that one of the two available types – a hard shell or cardboard version – was necessary for use. But how did they make sure players used one? Without the visor, Virtual Boy games display two separate images, one for each eye, creating a 3D effect similar to what you see in Labo VR.
To play the game, you’ll need a VR headset or similar device. While you can use a simple, inexpensive VR viewer like a cardboard headset (including the Nintendo Labo VR Kit) with the original Switch, it won’t work with the newer Switch model without some adjustments due to its larger size.
You can try playing the game without any extra tools, just by figuring out the two boxes on the screen. However, it might be difficult because the playable area is small and restricted to those two central boxes.
Can You Play Docked Virtual Boy Games On Switch?
Definitely not. If you connect the device to a dock, a message will show up on the screen asking you to “remove the console from the dock.”
The Cardboard Element Is Clunkier
Both Have Their Drawbacks
We also tried the cardboard version, which costs just $24.99. It’s a very basic setup – essentially a pre-shaped piece of cardboard with a visor. It doesn’t include any extra features or a stand, so how comfortable it is will depend on the user. It’s quite similar to the Labo VR accessory, but Nintendo now sells it directly and has confirmed it will work with the Switch 2.
Interestingly, both of these VR accessories allow you to play older VR games on your Switch, like the special camera mode in Zelda: Breath of the Wild and certain VR levels added to Mario Odyssey. If you’re a big Nintendo fan, the hard-shell version is worth the investment, as it offers more than just access to Virtual Boy games.
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2026-02-23 20:13