Nintendo released earlierIntroduction videoIn China, it was officially announced that "Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics" will be officially launched in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service starting February 17.
What shocked hardcore gamers the most was that this time it wasn't just a simple emulator port; Nintendo even revived the legendary titles "ZERO RACERS" and "Dragon Hopper," which were never officially released and were never even officially released!
Want to experience 3D stereoscopic effects? You'll need to buy a pair of "glasses" first.
The Virtual Boy (VB) was a 32-bit desktop 3D game console launched by Nintendo in 1995. Its unique red and black graphics and immersive design, which were ahead of their time, led to its high price and low player acceptance, resulting in Nintendo's infamous commercial failure.
In order to recreate the original stereoscopic visual experience on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, players cannot play directly on the screen; they must use a dedicated accessory that Nintendo plans to release.
• Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch:Priced at 9980 yen (approximately NT$2000), this is a hardware accessory similar to a VR headset.
• Virtual Boy (Paper Model):Priced at 2980 yen (approximately NT$600), similarNintendo Labo's cardboard VR glassesIt offers a more accessible entry-level option.
However, at present, the "Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics" are only available in countries and regions including Japan and the United States. The corresponding hardware accessories are also only available in the first wave of countries and regions. It has not yet been confirmed whether they will be available in the Taiwan market.
The first wave of 7 games includes a masterpiece yet to be released in 2026.
On its first day of service launch (February 17), seven classic games will be available, including the highly acclaimed Virtual Boy Warioland, Red Alarm, and 3D Tetris.
But the real highlight is yet to come. Nintendo has promised to update 10 more games throughout 2026, the most exciting of which are the two titles that were discontinued years ago:
• ZERO RACERS:This racing game, originally intended as part of the F-ZERO series, disappeared after screenshots were published in a magazine, becoming a source of regret for Virtual Boy players.
• Dragon Hopper:A highly anticipated action-adventure game back then.
In addition, Atlus's legendary rare films, "Jack Bros." and "Mario Tennis," are also on the updated list.
No more enduring the "Shadow Eye"? Support for changing color schemes.
To cater to modern gamers' habits (and protect their eyes), the emulator will support "Rewind" and "key customization" functions. More importantly, a "color change" function is expected to be added in an update later in 2026, meaning players can finally change the glaring red and black to black and white, or more comfortable shades like yellow and green.
