Nintendo’s Virtual Boy Makes a Curious Comeback for Switch and Switch 2

Nintendo likes to surprise fans by digging into its past and the latest move is a big one. On February 17, 2026, Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, the weird and short lived console from 1995 will get new life as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to access the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics library, which launches with 14 games including Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer and Virtual Bowling. Some of these are making their North American debut. Unlike other retro collections on the service like Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 64 the Virtual Boy games are all about their stereoscopic 3D visuals, a hallmark of the original console’s ambitious but headache inducing design. To recreate that experience Nintendo is offering two accessories: a $100 plastic replica of the Virtual Boy and a $25 cardboard version, both exclusive to paid subscribers in the US and Canada. These accessories will be available for pre-purchase later through the My Nintendo Store and let you slot in your Switch or Switch 2 to use as the screen, just like the original headset like setup without the need for a built in display.

The plastic replica is a near perfect recreation of the Virtual Boy’s design, with the kickstand and faceplate. It’s Gunpei Yokoi’s weird and wonderful design minus the original red and black LED screen. Instead the Switch or Switch 2 slides into the accessory and uses its display to render the 3D visuals. The cardboard version is like Nintendo’s Labo experiments, a budget friendly option for those who want the experience without committing to the more expensive model. Both accessories are required to play the Virtual Boy games in 3D, though Nintendo says the games may be playable without the peripherals, likely in a flattened 2D mode for standard Switch play.


Why bring back a console that sold only 770,000 units and was discontinued after one year? The Virtual Boy’s failure was not about the games, but rather the hardware itself, which strained eyes and necks. Nintendo’s modern take sidesteps those flaws by using the Switch’s screen and the Online + Expansion Pack’s infrastructure.



Nintendo’s goal here is multi-faceted, by linking the Virtual Boy’s comeback to the Online + Expansion Pack, they’re encouraging subscriptions and providing a low risk way to revisit a niche part of their past. The accessories, especially the cardboard one, keep costs low for new players while the plastic one is for collectors and die-hards. Pricing may change though, as Nintendo warns that recent tariff changes have already increased costs for other peripherals and the $100 / $25 prices for the plastic and cardboard ones may not be permanent. However, the limited geographical rollout (only in the US and Canada) and subscription exclusivity suggests they’re testing the waters before a wider release.


The original Virtual Boy had eye strain warnings and Nintendo hasn’t forgotten. Both accessories are for kids 7 and up with parental supervision recommended. This is a nod to the past, so players can experience the 3D effect without the discomfort of the original release. The games will be released gradually and will be a handpicked selection from the Virtual Boy’s 22 game library so players can find the hidden gems in a more comfortable format.