Who saw this one coming? Nintendo is rereleasing 3D Virtual Boy games on the Switch and Switch 2 through the Classics catalogue of its online subscription service.
The games will be playable through a new accessory referred to as the Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics edition. You’ll need that accessory, or a cheaper cardboard alternative, and a Switch console to “enjoy a collection of Virtual Boy games in stereoscopic 3D,” Nintendo says.
It looks similar to the original Virtual Boy hardware. This time, you can pull the red visor up to insert a Switch console (without the controllers) in front of the lenses.
Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics edition (Credit: Nintendo )
The accessory works with the Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED, or Switch 2. The included games are 3D Tetris, Galactic Pinball, Golf, Insmouse no Yakata, Jack Bros, Mario Clash, Mario’s Tennis, Red Alarm, Space Invaders: Virtual Collection, Teleroboxer, V-Tetris, Vertical Force, Virtual Bowling, and Virtual Boy: Wario Land.
Some of these titles weren’t previously released in the US, including Insmouse no Yakata, V-Tetris, and the Space Invaders game. (Games released in the US that aren’t available here include Nester’s Funky Bowling, Panic Bomber, Virtual League Baseball, and Waterworld.)
Mario’s Tennis running on Switch 2 (Credit: Nintendo )
Nintendo says the 14 games are “planned to be released over time,” suggesting they won’t all be available at launch. If true, Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer are heavily featured in the trailer, which suggests they’re among the first wave of releases.
The $99 accessory and supporting games will be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Feb. 17, 2026, in Canada and the US.
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Nintendo also announced a basic cardboard edition of the headset for those who don’t want to purchase the full accessory. The company didn’t elaborate on how the experience will differ, but it looks like the controllers remain attached to the console and you hold it up to your face as you play, so it could be difficult to use for long sessions.
The cardboard version of the accessory (Credit: Nintendo )
This design may also work with the Switch Lite version of the original console. We asked Nintendo for clarification.
Why is Nintendo doing this now? The Virtual Boy turned 30 in August, but it was arguably a huge flop when it launched in 1995. It sold fewer than 800,000 units worldwide before being discontinued. It had 22 games in total, so if you buy this version, you’ll be experiencing the majority of its catalogue.
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