Nintendo has recently announced a Virtual Boy-themed “VR” accessory for the Switch and Switch 2. This will work similar to the Nintendo Labo kit released back in 2019: You slide your Switch/2 into the VB-looking device and it will allow for true “3D Emulation”. The price is $100 and it can only be purchased by people with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Hopefully more details will be released before it goes on sale in February. Thoughts after the links:
Switch VB: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/virtual-boy-for-nintendo-switch-2-120829/
Purchase a Switch 2: https://amzn.to/3VpKyPW
As a massive fan of the Virtual Boy, I’m very excited for this. But as you can imagine, I have questions. First, while this VB recreation looks awesome, can these games also be used with other Switch VR devices? As cool as this is, I image some kind of head strap might actually be more comfortable for most people.
Also, it appears the only way to play Virtual Boy games at launch will be via the Switch Online service. That’s understandable, but also feels like a missed opportunity? How about a physical copy of a “Best Of Virtual Boy” compilation, so people who spend the money on this accessory can continue to use it in the future after the Switch Online service inevitably gets shut down?
More importantly, will indie dev’s be able to utilize this? I’d love to see the homebrew games made with VUEngine be released even as digital-only purchases with two modes available: 2D (with just red colors) and also a 3D mode for people who purchase the accessory!! I mean, if Nintendo is willing to take a risk making this Switch Virtual Boy accessory, why not capitalize on it? Especially considering many of the modern VB games rival or beat the original titles.
Fingers crossed someone at Nintendo is paying attention and sees the opportunity!
