Nintendo’s Virtual Boy is arguably one of the strangest-looking gaming contraptions ever created. It sits on a desk like a miniature grill, but is viewed like a microscope, enveloping the user’s eyes in a ruby-red interface for retro 3D gaming. Now, Nintendo is bringing back the experience with a new accessory for the Switch 2 – and the original Switch – though acquiring one proved surprisingly difficult, with initial pre-orders selling out quickly.
The Virtual Boy accessory, available for pre-purchase as of a few months ago, is required to play the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection, which launches on , as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The accessory recreates the original Virtual Boy’s distinctive red-and-black design, allowing users to insert their Switch 2 (or Switch with an adapter) and experience select Virtual Boy games in 3D. However, the console is inserted without Joy-Cons, and users must lean over the device to view the stereoscopic 3D visuals through red-tinted lenses.
A Nostalgic, and Sometimes Uncomfortable, Experience
Nintendo offers two versions of the accessory: a plastic model priced at $100, and a more affordable cardboard alternative for $25. Despite the original Virtual Boy’s commercial failure in 1995, demand for the new accessories appears strong. As of , both the plastic and cardboard models were sold out through Nintendo’s online store. Nintendo has stated that additional units may become available beginning on , but supply will be limited.
Early impressions suggest the accessory successfully captures the original Virtual Boy’s unique 3D effect. The Switch 2’s 1080p screen likely displays upscaled versions of the games, which originally rendered at a resolution of 384×224 pixels per eye. While modern controllers are used, the peripheral retains non-functional buttons and sliders for aesthetic authenticity. However, the experience remains physically demanding, requiring users to hunch over a desk with their faces close to the goggles – a posture that replicates the neck strain experienced by players of the original console. Soft plush sides improve comfort compared to the original’s plastic construction, but the fundamental awkwardness is intentional, preserving the historical experience.
A Limited, But Growing, Game Library
Seven launch titles will be available on , including Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, Red Alarm, Virtual Boy Wario Land, 3D Tetris, Golf, and The Mansion of Innsmouth. Nine additional games are planned for release later in 2026, including previously unreleased titles Zero Racers and D-Hopper, which were canceled during the original console’s brief lifespan.
Virtual Boy Wario Land is highlighted as a standout title, utilizing 3D effects for foreground-background platforming mechanics. The software also allows users to adjust their inter-pupillary distance (IPD) digitally, though the physical dials on the accessory itself are purely cosmetic.
Subscription Required, Limited Availability
Access to the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This membership also provides access to collections of games for Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, and SEGA Genesis. Notably, Switch 2 owners with the Expansion Pack also gain access to a collection of Nintendo GameCube games and exclusive upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at no additional cost.
The revival of the Virtual Boy as a Switch accessory is a curious move for Nintendo, known for both innovation and occasional unconventional choices. While the appeal may be niche, the sold-out pre-orders suggest a surprising level of interest in revisiting this piece of gaming history. However, potential buyers will need to act quickly when (and if) additional units become available, and will need to factor in the cost of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to fully experience the retro 3D gaming experience.
