Nintendo has a habit of pushing out extremely bold and, frankly, bizarre hardware and games that fans either love or hate. Some of these have proven to be huge successes, such as the Nintendo Wii, and end up defining an entire generation of video game history. Others, well, they fail spectacularly and end up in a landfill somewhere never to be heard of again. At least, that’s how it used to be.
However, now we are in the era of comebacks, and it looks like Nintendo is making the most of it. This time, it isn’t an unnecessary remaster of a decade old game, nor even a repackaging of old games with little effort put into it. Rather, Nintendo has decided to bring back its biggest mistake, something that proved to be so disastrous it is frequently made fun of. Yet, this time, this huge Nintendo mistake may actually have a chance to succeed.
Virtual Boy Is Coming Back On Switch 1 and 2
It Was Announced During The Nintendo Direct
Nintendo’s failed console, the Virtual Boy, is making a comeback on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. It isn’t just that Virtual Boy games are being added to the Switch’s extensive library. No, that simply wouldn’t have been enough for Nintendo. Instead, it has re-created the Virtual Boy in its entirety, flaws and all, and has made it available for purchase, as well as its collection of cult classic games.
The reveal of the Virtual Boy’s surprise return was just one of the many amazing recent Nintendo Direct announcements. It was sandwiched between the likes of Monster Hunter Stories 3, a brand-new Fire Emblem game, and so much more. Indeed, the return of this infamous console frankly got such little fanfare, that you’d be forgiven for having forgotten it even happened in the first place. It’s rather mind-boggling, to say the least.
However, it is real. Nintendo’s biggest disaster, which was discontinued after just a year of being publicly available, is going to be sold in 2026 alongside its extremely small 22-game collection. You’ll be able to access each of the games digitally on the Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 if you have Nintendo Switch Online. However, in order to actually play them, you’ll need to pay a small fortune to get the actual console itself.
Nintendo Is Making A Virtual Boy Accessory
You Can Buy A Physical Virtual Boy In 2026
If you want to play the once inaccessible Virtual Boy games, then you’ll need to fork over $100 for the physical accessory. Nintendo hasn’t changed the console at all either. It still has a little stand, meaning you either need to carry it by hand and press it to your face, or rest it on a table and then squat to look through it. You’ll place the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 into the visor to see the games on screen in 3D.
It is pretty impressive to see Nintendo so dedicated to the bit, even if it is priced a little ludicrously – although the latter aspect should come as no surprise considering Nintendo’s terrible pricing habits. However, if you don’t fancy splurging on the more expensive model, you can get a cardboard version for just $25. That’s still very expensive for a bit of cardboard, but at least the option is there for the truly dedicated fans.
However, no matter which version you buy, you’ll still need NSO, and that’s an extra $20 to $50 a year. If you don’t have Nintendo Switch Online, then you’ll lose access to the games, meaning your Virtual Boy will be nothing more than a fun decorative item. All of this brings into question whether this infamous console will work a second time around, especially in an era where VR has proven to be a relatively unsuccessful and unsupported medium.
I’m Not Convinced The Virtual Boy Will Finally Be A Success
It’s Simply Too Expensive
While the cult classic status of the Virtual Boy and the general gimmicky nature of this re-release could give Nintendo some initial success, I’m extremely doubtful this will last any longer than the original console did. The need to spend $100 to get the console – let’s be honest, a cardboard version doesn’t really seem worth it – and then to have NSO just to play 22 games that are, at best, okay, doesn’t seem worthwhile.
Absolutely dedicated Nintendo fans will see the value, of course. However, the regular consumer or casual Nintendo fan likely won’t see this as any more than a cashgrab. It’s a strange move, especially when Nintendo could have done so much more with it or even brought back an older console, much like the PlayStation Classic that came bundled with a bunch of games.
The Virtual Boy died for a good reason, and it doesn’t feel like it has a chance of surviving in 2026. However, if you’re really keen to try it out, then you can pick it up when it launches on February 17, 2026. There isn’t long to wait to see if Nintendo’s gambit pays off and whether the Virtual Boy was actually just a misunderstood gem. I’m somewhat doubtful, but you never know. Nintendo has done a lot of bizarre things in the past, and every so often it works, so maybe the Virtual Boy has a shot.
9/10
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- Operating System
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Proprietary
