Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics Brings Retro 3D Gems to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

Nintendo continues its legacy of celebrating classic gaming with the upcoming release of Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics, set to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.

Announced during this week’s Nintendo Direct, the collection marks the first time titles from Nintendo’s original stereoscopic 3D system, the Virtual Boy, will be made available on modern platforms, including both the Nintendo Switch and its anticipated successor, the Nintendo Switch 2. Originally released in 1995, the Virtual Boy represented Nintendo’s ambitious foray into 3D gaming technology, introducing players to head-tracked visuals and innovative gameplay.

Despite its commercial struggles, the system has remained a cult favorite among retro gaming fans, and its library of unique titles continues to generate interest decades later.

Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics capitalizes on this nostalgia, bringing a curated lineup of titles like Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer to a broader audience. Access to these Virtual Boy titles will be available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

To faithfully replicate the experience, players will require standard Joy-Con or the updated Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Additionally, Nintendo is introducing a new accessory modeled after the original Virtual Boy hardware.

This attachment, designed to house the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 console, aims to evoke the authentic 3D effect and immersive gameplay that characterized the Virtual Boy experience. In a statement presented during the Nintendo Direct, company representatives highlighted Nintendo’s dedication to preserving its gaming heritage.

They expressed excitement at providing fans with “a new opportunity to enjoy the unique 3D gameplay that made Virtual Boy a standout system in our history,” now adapted for the modern era and Nintendo’s latest hardware platforms. Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics launches on February 17, 2026, giving Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members access to an expanding selection of Virtual Boy games as they gradually roll out.

With the inclusion of beloved titles and a focus on authentic hardware-inspired presentation, Nintendo is poised to introduce a new generation of gamers to one of its most ambitious and innovative systems. This move also reinforces Nintendo’s commitment to enhancing the value of its subscription service, complementing its existing catalogs of classic NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy titles.

As more retro systems join the library, the Nintendo Switch ecosystem continues to expand as a premier destination for both nostalgic fans and new players eager to explore video game history.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Switch Online Switch 2 Expansion Pack Switch Online Switch Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics Mario’s Tennis Galactic Pinball Teleroboxer