Nintendo’s Virtual Boy Revival: A Beautiful, Ergonomic Nightmare

The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

After hands-on time at Nintendo of Europe, we’ve confirmed that the new Virtual Boy for Switch 2 is a pitch-perfect recreation of 1995’s most ambitious failure. While the addition of FOV toggles and planned color palettes addresses some legacy complaints, the core experience remains a literal pain in the neck. It is a stunning piece of retro-futuristic kit for collectors, but its practical utility for long-session gaming is near zero.

The Periscope Problem

We’ve been tracking Nintendo’s hardware pivots for decades, and the new Virtual Boy feels like the ultimate "monkey's paw" wish fulfillment. This isn't a modern VR headset with head-tracking or a comfortable strap. It’s a periscope. You don't wear it; you subserviently hunch over it. If you’re a veteran gamer who’s already dealing with the "gamer lean" or general back fatigue, be warned: ten minutes with this unit will turn you into a broken husk.

The form factor is a slave to 90s nostalgia. While the "War of the Worlds" tripod stand looks incredible on a shelf, it lacks the height adjustability required for anyone over six feet tall. We found ourselves adopting a permanent slouch just to keep our eyes glued to the binocular-style interface.

Software: Wario Land Still Carries the Torch

Despite the physical tax, the software remains the biggest draw. Virtual Boy Wario Land is arguably the greatest game nobody ever played, and seeing it run on Switch 2 hardware is a treat. The depth effects in the platforming are surprisingly sharp, and Nintendo has added a much-needed Quality of Life (QoL) fix: clicking the right analog stick allows for field-of-view adjustments. For those of us with less-than-perfect vision, this is a massive upgrade over the 1995 original.

However, the red-and-black monochrome visuals still take a toll. After five minutes, the "heat" in the eyes begins; after ten, the strain is undeniable. Nintendo’s promise of an update to allow different color palettes is the only thing that will make this viable for anything beyond a five-minute nostalgia hit.

Information Gain: The NSO Strategy

Why launch this now? We believe this is Nintendo’s way of "de-risking" the Switch 2’s early library. By leaning into high-concept, niche accessories for online subscribers, they’re padding the ecosystem with "collector-grade" hardware. It’s a brilliant move for the bottom line—evidenced by the fact that it's already sold out—but it doesn't move the needle for core hardware innovation.

Who is this for?

• The Completist: If you missed the original $180 failure in '95, this is your redemption arc.
• The Aesthetic Gamer: It’s a 10/10 piece of industrial design that looks better than it plays.
• Short-Burst Players: If you can handle 3-D Tetris in five-minute sprints, you'll be fine.

Our Verdict: Stick to the Court

We love that Nintendo is weird enough to bring this back, but we won't be trade-milling this for hours. With Mario Tennis Fever launching just days prior, our competitive focus is going to be on the court rather than hunched over a red binocular stand. If you managed to snag a pre-order, keep it for the shelf appeal, but don't expect it to replace your Pro Controller for marathon sessions. The Virtual Boy was a beautiful disaster in 1995, and in 2026, it remains gloriously, painfully the same.