After 30 years, Nintendo's celebrating its most famous failure with zero irony as Virtual Boy comes to Switch complete with a full console replica

Nintendo's finally done it: it's acknowledged the existence of the Virtual Boy. The prototypical VR machine is arguably the publisher's most infamous failure, but it's coming back to give a new generation eye strain on Switch and Switch 2 next year.

Announced during the Nintendo Direct for September 2025, a library of Virtual Boy games will join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription on February 17, 2026. You'll be able to 'enjoy' the games in all their stereoscopic 3D glory thanks to a full Virtual Boy accessory that you'll be required to your console into, or a cardboard alternative if you want a (presumably) cheaper option.

The library will include 14 games to be released over time, which covers the majority of the Virtual Boy's small number of releases. The full list of games includes:

• Virtual Boy Wario Land
• Galactic Pinball
• Red Alarm
• Teleroboxer
• Mario's Tennis
• Jack Bros.
• Vertical Force
• Mario Clash
• Golf
• 3D Tetris
• Virtual Bowling
• Innsmouth no Yakata
• Space Invaders Virtual Collection
• V-Tetris

The final four entries on that list were previously released only in Japan. Curiously, the list doesn't include Nester's Funky Bowling, a first-party-published title featuring the titular Nintendo Power mascot. I guess there are some chapters of Nintendo history the company still isn't willing to re-open.

But it's astounding to see the company bring back the Virtual Boy of all things. The console launched in Japan and the US in 1995, and was discontinued in both regions less than a year later. Its 3D stereoscopic view was infamous for causing eye strains and headaches for players, and it's been a punchline among retro gaming fans for years.

Nonetheless, the true old-school sickos have found some things to love about Virtual Boy. Titles like Virtual Boy Wario Land and Jack Bros. have become cult classics, with the latter in particular having a notable reputation as the first Megami Tensei game to be released outside of Japan, well before Persona became a hit. It regularly commands a four-digit price tag among collectors, so it'll be good to have a more affordable way in. And, perhaps, a reason to remember that there were some things to love about the Virtual Boy.

Here are all the upcoming Switch 2 games you need to know about.