Nintendo Virtual Boy

The new Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 isn't just a peripheral, but a nostalgic revival that transforms the hybrid console into a cyberpunk showpiece. This plastic replica, priced at around 100 Swiss francs, is a visceral homage to what remains Nintendo's greatest hardware embarrassment; a system that sold just 770,000 units in 1995 before being hastily retired.

Despite the aura of failure surrounding it, the Kyoto company decided to re-release it with a construction fidelity bordering on obsessive, even incorporating fake volume dials and controller inputs that only serve to fuel collectors' nostalgia, especially those who were never lucky enough to own the rare original. Extremely well-crafted, you can feel the plastic density is on a whole new level compared to the cheaper cardboard variants.

A premium shell

In terms of construction, we're looking at a solid enclosure that houses the Switch via an extremely stable spring-loaded docking system. Compatibility is ensured by an internal metal adapter: the unit is configured for the new Switch 2 by default, but it only takes a minute of work with a screwdriver to install the plate intended for the original model and its OLED display. Unfortunately, and understandably for physical reasons, the Lite model remains excluded from the games. The visual experience relies on concave lenses protected by removable red filters, which Nintendo promises to exploit in the future to introduce alternative color palettes via software. While the Switch 2's 1080p resolution offers superior image density, the intentionally lo-fi nature of the original titles makes the experience consistent across both generations of hardware, finally eliminating the flickering of 1995's swinging mirrors thanks to modern IPS panels.

Ergonomics: Fidelity or Torture?

Ergonomics remains the real elephant in the room, as Nintendo has chosen not to correct the original sins of thirty years ago in the name of artistic preservation. The headset rests on a sturdy metal tripod with rubber feet, but the forward-leaning posture required to look through the lenses remains as uncomfortable as ever, quickly causing that familiar neck pain that many veterans recall with dread. The foam eyecup, however, is much more comfortable than before and isolates ambient light very well, offering enough space even for those who wear bulky (but not excessively so) glasses. However, the annoyance of a user experience that requires physically removing the console every time you want to close the app remains, as the touch controls are inaccessible once the Switch is sealed in its case.

Games

The heart of the offering is obviously the games, accessible via the dedicated app, which, however, requires not only the basic Nintendo Online subscription but also the expensive Add-On Pack. This is a choice that makes us turn our noses up: for such an expensive physical device, they could have at least included a code for a free trial period. The list of titles at launch is limited but significant. Virtual Boy Wario Land It's the real gem, a platformer that uses depth for gameplay mechanics that are still brilliant today, while Red Alarm It draws us into a wireframe flight simulator that seems to have come out of a vector nightmare. Teleroboxer it is essentially a Punch-Out!! with robots where stereoscopy helps to perceive the distance of punches, and 3D Tetris It challenges our spatial perception by having us rotate blocks in a deep well. Don't expect a flood of future titles, though: the original catalog only included 22 official games, so the meat on the fire will run out soon.

For a few collectors, crazy and nostalgic

Ultimately, this new Virtual Boy is a celebration of the absurd, an object that defies the laws of practicality to offer pure stereoscopic immersion. It's a purchase dedicated to collectors who appreciate technology in its rawest and most experimental state, an accessory that won't make you look "cool" while using it, but will shine like few others on your memorabilia shelf. If you're willing to overlook the relatively high price and inherent inconvenience, you'll find yourself with a fragment of history embellished with premium plastics, perfect for short but intensely nostalgic sessions.