Virtual Boy Joins Nintendo Switch Online Next Month, With 2 Never-Before-Released Games Confirmed to Launch in Future

Nintendo Virtual Boy games are headed to Switch and Switch 2 via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service next month — and two titles that have never been released before are also now confirmed to be coming.

Nintendo’s infamous retro virtual reality console, the Virtual Boy, will officially join Nintendo Switch Online on February 17, following its initial announcement last year. A grand total of seven Virtual Boy titles will be available at launch with nine more will follow at a later date — including Zero Racer and D-Hopper, which never got a public release back in the day.

Originally released by Nintendo in 1995, the Virtual Boy never gained mainstream momentum and was quickly scrapped. The console has become a collector’s item in the years since, while its games have remained hard to access — until now.

https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/2016150188809757123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

However, not only will you need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to access Virtual Boy games, you’ll also need a dedicated Virtual Boy accessory to view their stereoscopic 3D visuals. You have two options here, either the standard Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 accessory that Nintendo’s selling for $99.99, or a cheaper cardboard alternative that’s priced at a lower $24.99.

At launch, you’ll be able to rewind gameplay, create save states and remap controls, similar to other Nintendo Switch Online platforms. In the future, you’ll also be able to change the screen’s color, too.

There’s no word on when further games will arrive after the Virtual Boy’s February 17 arrival. For now, here’s the full launch lineup, and what to expect down the line.

Nintendo Switch Online Virtual Boy Games

February 17:

• Galactic Pinball
• Teleroboxer
• Red Alarm
• Virtual Boy Wario Land
• 3D Tetris
• Golf
• The Mansion of Innsmouth

Coming soon:

• Jack Bros.
• Mario Clash
• Mario Tennis
• Space Invaders Virtual Collection
• Virtual Bowling
• Vertical Force
• V-Tetris
• Zero Racers
• D-Hopper

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social