The Nintendo Virtual Boy returns in 2026

While VR headsets are quite common nowadays, back in the 90s, VR tech seemed like a distant idea. That didn't stop Nintendo from releasing the Virtual Boy in 1995. While the peripheral has largely been lost to time, Nintendo is reviving it soon, with the release of the new Virtual Boy peripheral for Switch consoles. 

The Virtual Boy returns in 2026. This time around, the peripheral is a simple plastic shell with lenses, which you open up and slot your Switch or Switch 2 console in to. It has been designed to work exactly like the original Virtual Boy, so that includes the ugly desk-stand, rather than including a strap to attach the headset to your face.

The Virtual Boy will be joined by an expansion to the Nintendo Switch Online emulation service. Switch Online subscribers will get access to 14 Virtual Boy titles in total, including Wario Land, Galactic Pinball, Red Alarm, Teleroboxer, Mario Tennis, Vertical Force, Mario Clash, Golf, Tetris 3D, Virtual Bowling, Space Invaders and more. These games won't all be dropped in one go though, Nintendo plans to release them ‘over time', so there is no telling when each game will become available.

The Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 officially launches on February 26th 2026.

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KitGuru Says: While this might be cool for 20 minutes or so, there is a reason the original Virtual Boy failed – it wasn't very good. 

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