Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Adds Virtual Boy Games: Key Details, Requirements, and Release Date

Nintendo's push to enhance its retro gaming catalog on the Nintendo Switch platform has taken an ambitious new turn.

As officially confirmed during the latest Nintendo Direct, Virtual Boy games will soon join the Nintendo Classics library for members of the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.

This marks the first time Virtual Boy titles will be available on a modern Nintendo system, broadening the service’s already robust selection of legacy content. The Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection is scheduled to launch worldwide on February 17, 2026.

However, accessing this long-requested library will come with some important requirements.

First, only Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack tier—Nintendo’s premium membership—will be eligible for entry.

Additionally, players must purchase one of two proprietary headsets: a detailed Virtual Boy replica priced at $99.99/£66.99, or a more affordable cardboard model retailing for $24.99/£16.99.

Both accessories are required to access and experience these classic games as intended.

Notably, a paid Switch Online membership will be needed to purchase the Virtual Boy headsets themselves via the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo has clarified this dual-access requirement on its official website, stating, “A Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and compatible Virtual Boy accessory are necessary to play the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection of games.” This layered paywall has sparked wide discussion among fans and industry observers alike.

While some enthusiasts celebrate the return of titles once exclusive to the company’s short-lived 1995 hardware, others have voiced concern over the pricing and the necessity of additional equipment.

The absence of a non-headset option to experience these games has been a particular sticking point across online communities. Despite the debate, the announcement marks a significant milestone for Nintendo’s expansion of its Switch Online ecosystem.

The introduction of Virtual Boy content sits alongside an expanding roster of NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Advance titles available to service members.

Since its debut, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack has offered subscribers enhanced access to the publisher’s classic libraries, along with DLC benefits and exclusive content. Nintendo’s efforts to revive legacy content have guided steady subscriber growth, with the company reporting over 38 million active users as of its latest financial update.

The addition of Virtual Boy games reflects Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to preserving its gaming history while incentivizing membership in its premium service. Both the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics collection and the required headsets will launch in unison on February 17, 2026.

For full information on eligible titles and breaking updates, players are encouraged to consult the official Nintendo website and stay tuned for future Nintendo Direct presentations.

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