Nintendo's Biggest Flop Coming to Nintendo Switch & Switch 2
84A Nostalgic Return: The Virtual Boy on Switch
Before the colossal successes of the 3DS, Wii, and Switch, Nintendo faced a challenging period. Many speculated if they would abandon hardware entirely and follow Sega's lead. This struggle was largely due to one of Nintendo's biggest commercial failures: the **Virtual Boy
Designed as a 32-bit successor to the original Game Boy, the Virtual Boy was a unique take on virtual reality. It was a tabletop console with a red and black display that lacked color and portability—two of the key features that made the Game Boy so popular. The system also notoriously drained batteries and was prone to display failures. For these reasons and more, the Virtual Boy failed at retail, and most people have never had the chance to experience it.
The Virtual Boy Is Coming to Nintendo Switch
That's all about to change. Nintendo has announced that a collection of Virtual Boy games is coming to the Nintendo Switch and the recently released Switch 2. Launching in February 2026 as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, this will finally give a new generation of players the chance to try out the system's cult classic games.
To play, you'll need the Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription and one of two new accessories. These accessories are designed to recreate the original Virtual Boy's form factor.
A$100 plastic accessory that you can mount your Switch or Switch 2 into.
A $25 cardboard version that looks similar to the old Nintendo Labo VR kits.
Nintendo has confirmed that the games will only be playable with one of these accessories. You won't be able to play them on your TV, as they're designed to replicate the stereoscopic 3D effects of the original hardware.
While some games like Mario Clash and Virtual Boy Wario Land were praised for being ahead of their time, the Virtual Boy's limited library and unique design have made it a niche collector's item. Hopefully, Nintendo will make the entire Virtual Boy library available at launch, giving players a comprehensive look at the system's short but memorable history.
What do you think of Nintendo's decision to bring the Virtual Boy back? Have you ever played one? Let us know in the comments below!
#nintendo
#switch2 #virtualboy
#switchclassics