Virtual Boy Returns: Classic Nintendo Console Announced for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch eShop

Nintendo has officially announced the return of the Virtual Boy as a playable experience on both the Nintendo Switch and its upcoming successor, the Nintendo Switch 2.

This significant reveal comes as part of Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its storied hardware history and providing fans with access to classic gaming experiences via modern platforms like the Switch eShop. Originally released in 1995, the Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s first attempt at a 3D gaming console.

Despite its limited commercial lifespan and unique red-and-black visual display, the platform has since become a cult favorite among gaming historians and collectors.

With this announcement, Nintendo confirms that select Virtual Boy titles are being reintroduced as part of a curated collection that will be accessible for current and future Nintendo Switch owners, further expanding the company’s robust library of retro offerings. During the announcement, a Nintendo spokesperson explained that the company is "providing longtime fans and new players alike the chance to experience Virtual Boy classics in a convenient, updated format on the Switch family of systems." The spokesperson emphasized that this initiative reflects Nintendo’s dedication to preserving its unique legacy, leveraging the capabilities of both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch to enhance gameplay while maintaining the authenticity of the original Virtual Boy experience. The new Virtual Boy library will be available for download via the Nintendo Switch eShop, with the first wave of games launching alongside the release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo has yet to provide the complete list of supported titles, but confirmed classics such as "Mario’s Tennis" and "Wario Land" are set to headline the initial release.

This move is consistent with Nintendo's prior efforts to honor its technological milestones, enabling gamers to revisit or discover unique chapters of gaming history. The Virtual Boy's original 1995 debut represented a major step forward in immersive gaming, despite facing challenges in mainstream adoption.

Following strong fan demand and increased interest in retro gaming, Nintendo’s decision to bring these titles to the Switch platform comes at a time of heightened enthusiasm for the preservation and accessibility of classic content.

This new initiative also complements Nintendo’s broader push to expand its retro gaming catalog, joining other successful re-releases on Switch such as those from the NES, SNES, and N64 libraries. As the Nintendo Switch 2 prepares for its launch, the addition of the Virtual Boy collection positions the platform as a must-have hub for fans of video game history.

The integration of these classic games on both the original Switch and its successor demonstrates Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to innovation, preservation, and creating memorable gameplay experiences for generations to come.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop Switch 2 Switch Switch eShop Virtual Boy console