Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy Games Need Subscription and Accessory to Play

Playing old Virtual Boy games on your Nintendo Switch now costs more than just a subscription. You also need a special accessory to see the 3D effect.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Technology |

Nintendo's decision to reintroduce Virtual Boy games via its Nintendo Switch Online service has sparked a debate about accessibility and value. While offering a way to experience this unique piece of gaming history, the model requires both a service subscription and the purchase of a specific accessory. This setup presents a significant hurdle for many, raising questions about how Nintendo is balancing preservation with user-friendly access to its past.

A Buried Relic Resurfaces

The Virtual Boy, Nintendo's most notable commercial misstep, is once again playable. Originally released in 1995, the system offered a stereoscopic 3D effect but was largely met with disinterest and physical discomfort by players. Despite its short lifespan and limited game library, Nintendo has chosen to revive it for its current platforms.

Nintendo's Virtual Boy for Switch is a wonderful way to experience a buried relic, but I'm not keen on its need for both a subscription and a purchase - 1

The Virtual Boy, once considered Nintendo's most embarrassing failure, is now accessible on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, but this revival comes with layered requirements.

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  • The Virtual Boy games are part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.

  • Accessing these games necessitates a paid subscription to this tier.

  • Furthermore, players must acquire a dedicated Virtual Boy accessory, either a plastic model or a cardboard version, to enable the 3D viewing on their Switch console.

  • The original Virtual Boy hardware is not required for this revival.

Requirements for Play

To experience the Virtual Boy on modern Nintendo consoles, specific conditions must be met.

Nintendo's Virtual Boy for Switch is a wonderful way to experience a buried relic, but I'm not keen on its need for both a subscription and a purchase - 2

  • Subscription: A Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership is mandatory. This membership tier provides access to libraries of games from various retro consoles.

  • Accessory: A physical Virtual Boy accessory is required. This accessory functions as a viewer for the 3D effect. Two models are available:

  • A dedicated plastic Virtual Boy accessory.

  • A Virtual Boy (Cardboard Model) that functions similarly.

  • Console Compatibility: The accessories are compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. However, the Nintendo Switch Lite is explicitly excluded from this functionality.

  • Game Access: The Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection of games is accessible only to those who meet the subscription and accessory requirements.

Game Availability and Content

The Virtual Boy's library was notably small. Nintendo plans to bring a selection of these games to the Switch Online service.

  • Launch Titles: The initial release includes a curated list of games. Examples mentioned are:

  • Virtual Boy Wario Land

  • Tetris

  • Galactic Pinball

  • Golf

  • Red Alarm

  • Teleroboxer

  • The Mansion of Innsmouth

  • Total Games: While 22 games were originally released for the Virtual Boy, Nintendo's plans suggest around 16 to 17 titles will be available on the Switch and Switch 2 initially.

  • Future Releases: Nintendo has indicated a strategy of releasing games over time, similar to their approach with other retro game libraries. Unreleased titles and other potential additions are expected.

  • Absence of Titles: The Pokémon Mini is mentioned as being absent from these collections.

User Experience and Reception

Early impressions of the Virtual Boy revival highlight both its faithfulness to the original and its inherent drawbacks.

Nintendo's Virtual Boy for Switch is a wonderful way to experience a buried relic, but I'm not keen on its need for both a subscription and a purchase - 3

  • Visual Experience: The games are presented in stereoscopic 3D, replicating the original Virtual Boy's intended effect. Without the accessory, the games appear as two small squares on the Switch screen.

  • Physical Discomfort: Several reports note that playing the Virtual Boy on Switch can lead to physical discomfort.

  • Headaches and eye strain are common complaints, mirroring the original hardware's reception.

  • The need to equip a tripod and insert the Switch console into the accessory means losing direct access to the console itself during play.

  • Nostalgia Factor: For those familiar with the original Virtual Boy, the experience can be a "nostalgic pain," yet it's also described as "strangely good" and not "entirely devoid of value."

  • Lack of Modern Polish: The experience is noted as not offering modern refinements, focusing instead on a direct emulation of the retro system.

A Dual Financial Requirement

The reintroduction of the Virtual Boy is tied to a two-tiered financial commitment for consumers.

  • Subscription Cost: Access to the Virtual Boy games requires the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which is a recurring cost.

  • Accessory Purchase: An additional purchase is necessary for the Virtual Boy accessory itself, available through the Nintendo Store.

  • Exclusivity: Pre-ordering the accessory is exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online members.

This structure means that even for existing Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, there is an added financial barrier to engage with this specific retro content.

Nintendo's Virtual Boy for Switch is a wonderful way to experience a buried relic, but I'm not keen on its need for both a subscription and a purchase - 4

Expert Analysis and Perspectives

The approach taken by Nintendo has drawn commentary from various outlets.

  • One perspective frames the revival as a "wonderful way to experience a buried relic" but questions the necessity of both a subscription and a purchase.

  • Another review suggests that the accessory, particularly the optional lenses, might be worth waiting for, indicating potential future enhancements or comfort improvements.

  • The fundamental design of the original Virtual Boy, envisioned by Gunpei Yokoi, is noted as having aimed for a more mobile experience, contrasting with the tabletop-bound nature of the original hardware and its current revival.

  • Some evaluations suggest that the "spectacle" of the Virtual Boy wasn't its only feature, implying the games themselves had some merit, though this is a subjective assessment.

Conclusion and Implications

Nintendo's re-release of the Virtual Boy on the Switch platform offers a tangible connection to a controversial piece of its history. However, the chosen method of distribution – requiring both a subscription to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and the purchase of a specific accessory – creates a significant financial and logistical barrier for entry.

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  • The revival makes previously unavailable games playable on modern hardware, fulfilling a niche demand for retro enthusiasts.

  • The dual financial requirement, however, may limit the audience for these titles, as it demands a substantial investment beyond just the subscription fee.

  • Concerns regarding physical comfort during gameplay persist, mirroring the criticisms leveled against the original Virtual Boy.

  • The decision to exclude the Switch Lite from accessory compatibility further narrows the potential user base.

The long-term success and player reception of this Virtual Boy revival will likely depend on the perceived value of the game library against its associated costs and the comfort level users experience during gameplay.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I play Virtual Boy games on my Nintendo Switch?
To play Virtual Boy games on your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, you need to be subscribed to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. You will also need to buy a special Virtual Boy accessory that lets you see the games in 3D.
Q: What is the cost to play Virtual Boy games on Nintendo Switch?
Playing Virtual Boy games on the Nintendo Switch has two costs. First, you need to pay for a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. Second, you must buy a separate Virtual Boy accessory, which costs extra.
Q: Which Nintendo Switch models can play Virtual Boy games?
You can play Virtual Boy games on the standard Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch Lite cannot be used with the Virtual Boy accessory, so you cannot play these games on that model.
Q: What is the Virtual Boy accessory for Nintendo Switch?
The Virtual Boy accessory is a physical item you attach to your Switch. It acts as a viewer to create the 3D effect that the original Virtual Boy was known for. You can get a plastic model or a cardboard version.
Q: Are all Virtual Boy games available on Nintendo Switch Online?
Nintendo is adding a selection of Virtual Boy games to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. They plan to release them over time, similar to other retro game collections. Not all 22 original games may be available at once.
Q: Does playing Virtual Boy games on Switch cause discomfort?
Yes, some players report experiencing headaches and eye strain when playing Virtual Boy games on the Switch, similar to the original hardware. The setup also requires you to use the accessory directly, not on a TV.