It’s been 31 years since Nintendo’s much maligned Virtual Boy came to the market. Much has been written about the console’s massive failure just as there has been considerable conjecture about what Nintendo was thinking. Between the allegations of it potentially damaging children’s eyes, being a horribly non-portable portable system, and the red and black LED display, people didn’t have a lot of good things to say about it. Now, with Nintendo resurrecting the console via the Nintendo Switch Online and separately purchasable peripheral, it’s back. And after the time I’ve spent with it, I feel like we were way too hard on the Virtual Boy in some ways.
Why the Original Virtual Boy Failed
The actual VIrtual Boy had its problems. Nintendo was essentially marketing it as a new kind of Game Boy, hence the name; Virtual Boy vs. Game Boy. It was also the brain child of the late Gunpei Yokoi who was also the mastermind behind the Game Boy. But the two systems only share two things in common, the casual nature of the games and the limited color display. The Virtual Boy could not be used as a headset because of its weight. It had to be set on a stand and that was limiting unto itself.
What Nintendo has done here is provide two different Virtual Boy models you could buy. There’s the $25.00 cardboard headset that you hold up to your face, and a $100 replica of the original. I opted for the more expensive replica and I’m glad that I did. People may balk at the fact that you need to buy an accessory to play these games, but that’s how the 3D effect of the Virtual Boy works.
How Virtual Boy 3D Technology Works
The Virtual Boy games display two simultaneous images, one for each eye, that when viewed together create the 3D effect. The accessories have lenses built in that allow you to see the two displays as intended and give that feeling of depth to various degrees. That is to say, it’s more impactful on some games than on others. Also, let’s face it, these games are really being put out for the diehard fans and if you are a diehard, this is something you’re probably happy to buy.
The build quality on this thing is fantastic. It feels weighty but not in the way the original did. This is more build quality weight than components creating heft. The only real issue is trying to find a good place to put the stand so that you can look into the headset comfortably. The stand that Nintendo provides with the headset is sturdy and allows you to angle the Virtual Boy, but it’s not really capable of height adjustment. It does look absolutely fantastic though and the attention to detail shows a lot of love and care with all the dials and ports being replicated, although they’re fake now.
Was it worth the $100? For me, yes. I imagine for collectors and enthusiasts it’s worth it too. Emulation for Virtual Boy games has been around for years but playing the games in that fashion just isn’t the same.
Virtual Boy Games Currently Available
Speaking of the games, I’ll go into a detailed ranking of them in another article, but for now, here’s what you should know. There are seven titles currently available and you might be surprised at how strong some of these titles are.
In alphabetical order
3-D Tetris
Surprisingly a good pick up and play title. It’s not the best display of 3D but it does a good job of being able to illustrate what having multiple layers of blocks look like. Just like regular Tetris, once you get into a groove, it’s hard to put down. Also just like regular Tetris, getting a clear of multiple lines (floors in this case) at once feels extremely satisfying.
Galactic Pinball
Looks great and sounds even better. The music is surprisingly strong. The four tables are all space themed and the quality can vary between them. The biggest issue is getting grips on how you’re not using a ball here but a puck. This does alter the physics and expectations of how this thing moves. Quite a bit of fun though.
Golf
It’s golf. It plays a bit slow and is going to require time to figure out the mechanics like any golf game. Comparing it to Mario Golf, Everybody’s Golf, or PGA titles, the swing and positioning mechanics feel lackluster. Maybe it’ll feel better with time but the jury is still out on this one.
The Mansion of Innsmouth
Formerly a Japanese exclusive, it’s a first person maze crawling game with monsters and a gun. It plays very well and is much different than any other title on the console. The time limit to complete each floor feels excessively restrictive but the game has a very forgiving password system. Definitely something worthy of sinking time into.
Red Alarm
Wire frame piloting game that can be a bit disorienting because of the limited graphical abilities on display. Sometimes it can be hard to know what hit you or where shots are coming from. Aside from that, piloting is fun and a generous auto aim helps you take down enemies while you’re navigating the 3D space.
Teleroboxer
This game looks and plays amazingly. This is effectively a lost Punch-Out game but with more mechanics thrown in for controlling the left and right fist. It’s fast, strategic, challenging, fun, and is an absolute gem of a title. The enemy boxers have distinct visual personalities and getting hits in on them feels rewarding and visceral.
Wario Land
Often regarded as the best game on the Virtual Boy, it pretty much lives up to its reputation. It carries Nintendo’s penchant for outstanding platform games and in this case, Wario’s taste for treasure hunting. The depth perception is put into play with Wario being able to jump back and forth into and out of the background/foreground. There’s also the sense of exploration to find hidden treasures and maximize Wario’s haul. Great title.
We look forward to going more indepth with these titles and exploring more releases as they come to Nintendo Switch Online.
