Virtual Boy: A Gaming Revolution Ahead of its time, blending creativity and technology, it set the stage for immersive gaming despite its commercial challenges.
Shocking return of Nintendo: Virtual Boy returns in 2026—get ready to play again in 3D!
Nintendo dropped just one bomb, which no one saw—the Virtual Boy is returning! Yes, you read that right. The quirky, long-lost Nintendo console, which once promised stereoscopic 3D thrills but failed to catch on, is being revived in a new, exciting manner for 2026. But this is not just some indifferent re-relief—this is a completely developed experience that is coming for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers, complete with new accessories and cardboard models!
Set your calendar, as on February 17, 2026, the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 user switch will be able to dive once again into the Virtual Boy’s world with the expansion pack membership. The service will roll out the 14 classic Virtual Boy games over time, including Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, and even a fan favorite. These are not just ports—they will facilitate stereoscopic 3D effects like the original Virtual Boy hardware to bring back the attraction of the old school with full force.
But you will not only be able to plug and play. Nintendo is making sure that it is an experience, not just an indifferent journey. To play, you will need a dedicated accessory that rebuilds the form and experience of the original Virtual Boy headset. The price of a premium plastic version is $100, which offers a more affordable cardboard version for a full, authentic experience for $25, perfect for fans who want to dive in without breaking the bank.
official announcement from Nintendo:
“Select games from Nintendo’s stereoscopic 3D system, Virtual Boy, are coming to Nintendo Classics exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. To play, you’ll need Joy-Con or Joy-Con 2 controllers and the dedicated accessory based on the original Virtual Boy hardware—stereoscopic 3D included—when inserting the Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system. Dive into titles like Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, and more as they release over time. Virtual Boy—Nintendo Classics comes to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Feb. 17, 2026. The accessory needed to play Virtual Boy—Nintendo Classics, as well as a cardboard version, will be available to pre-purchase on the My Nintendo Store in the future.”
This move is Nintendo’s boldest VR experiment yet. It’s bringing back one of its strangest consoles in both style and substance, proving that the company isn’t ready to leave virtual reality behind.
Credit: Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics – Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025
Why This Is Huge
Nintendo’s Virtual Boy is one of those strange cult classics in gaming history. Released back in 1996, it aimed to bring stereoscopic 3D gaming to players but fell flat due to its awkward design, limited library, and eye strain concerns. For years, fans have been fascinated by it, treating it as a quirky chapter in Nintendo’s history. More recently, emulators have allowed users to experience Virtual Boy games on modern VR headsets, but this is the first time Nintendo is officially bringing the experience to its current consoles.
By integrating Virtual Boy into the Nintendo Switch Online ecosystem, Nintendo isn’t just pandering to nostalgia—it’s also experimenting with how to keep classic hardware relevant in a new age of gaming.
And it’s not stopping there. Nintendo isn’t shying away from the fact that this is VR-adjacent. The stereoscopic visuals, the unique headset design, and the games that are played with depth and perspective are all hallmarks of VR gaming that the company seems to want to explore further.
A Blast from the Past—With a Modern Twist
Especially interesting is that Nintendo is embracing the strange instead of trying to overcome it. Plastic headsets, with a heavy and retro appearance, look exactly like the original Virtual Boy, which is complete with its specific red and black display. The players will slot their Nintendo Switch or 2 Switches into the headset and experience the game in full stereoscopic glory.
There is also a cardboard version for those who want a cheaper or more DIY version, which is reminiscent of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. This version is expected to be lighter, cheaper, and more accessible for families and casual gamers. The two versions would allow the players to experience depth-based gameplay, which raised the Virtual Boy, even if only briefly, during its initial release.
This secondary-based approach distinguishes it from today’s VR headsets, which often rely on expensive hardware and a complex setup. Packaging Nintendo’s VR as an alternative experience—rather than a main feature—is more accessible to tap into the will of fans for something new and unique.
Nintendo’s Had a Thing for VR for Ages—So What’s the Deal Now?
Okay, let’s be real: Nintendo’s been flirting with VR and AR for years. They’re like that weird dude at a party who never actually dances, just sort of hovers by the edge of the dance floor. Remember the Labo VR kit from 2019? Yeah, the one made of cardboard that screamed “DIY arts and crafts” more than “Blade Runner.” Still, it got folks strapping weird boxes to their faces and waving those Joy-Cons around like loons.
Even before that, they dropped the 3DS back in 2011, with its glasses-free 3D—it felt futuristic at the time, but it was not exactly the VR revolution. Oh, and let’s not ignore Mario Kart rides at theme parks where people rock AR visors, because why not toss some Koopa shells at your friends in real life? And then there’s Mario Kart Live, which mashed up RC cars and AR, turning your living room into Rainbow Road… and probably terrifying your dog.
Yet, despite all this, Nintendo’s been basically side-eyeing the whole mainstream VR thing. No standalone headsets. No mad collabs for some snazzy AR gear. Even those rumors about a VR add-on for Switch 2? Sounds more like another gangly plastic contraption rather than some slick, integrated feature. Good luck fitting all of that in your backpack.
But now, out of nowhere, they’re dusting off the Virtual Boy. Why? Two words: nostalgia trip. Also, probably curiosity—Nintendo’s never shied away from weird experiments, even if they flop harder than a Magikarp out of water. Gamers love oddball retro stuff, and, honestly, Virtual Boy is the king of failed yet unforgettable experiments. It’s got cult status simply because it was so bizarre.
What Happens Next? Honestly, who knows?
So here’s Nintendo sending up a flare: “Hey, we’re not too cool to revisit our awkward, red-tinted teenage years.” Maybe this is their way of testing the waters for new VR shenanigans, or maybe it’s just a retro gag for the die-hards. Either way, hot take: people are already losing it over social media. Some can’t wait to play with the Virtual Boy again (bless your enthusiasm), while others are dying to see how Nintendo merges old-school weirdness with 2020s tech.
Word is, pre-orders are dropping soon on the My Nintendo Store, and fans will be scrambling for those limited-edition, possibly eye-straining headsets—whether it’s the classic plastic brick or another cardboard craft project. Honestly, who’s even keeping track at this point?
Personally? You better believe I’m lining up for this. Will it live up to the hype, or just remind everyone why the original kind of bombed? No clue. But come February, I’ll be jamming my face into whatever Nintendo’s cooked up and reporting back—retina damage and all. See you inside VR… or, you know, as VR-adjacent as Nintendo feels like getting.