The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass is set to introduce a unique, albeit historically controversial, addition to its expanding library: the Virtual Boy. This integration, scheduled for February 17, 2026, will require a dedicated accessory for players to fully experience the console`s distinct stereoscopic 3D effects.
Nintendo plans to release a new peripheral, designed to evoke the look and feel of the original Virtual Boy. Players will slide their Switch or Switch 2 console into this accessory and place their face against it, recreating the immersive (and sometimes uncomfortable) experience of the 90s console. While an exact release date for the accessory has not been provided, Nintendo has confirmed its pricing: a full plastic replica will retail for $100, with a more budget-friendly cardboard version, offering a similar visual effect, available for $25.
The announcement also teased an initial lineup of 14 Virtual Boy titles destined for the service. Among these confirmed games are:
- Wario Land
- Galactic Pinball
- Red Alarm
- Telero Boxer
- Mario Tennis
- Jack Bros
- Vertical Force
- Mario Clash
- Golf
- Virtual Bowling
- Space Invaders
The Virtual Boy is widely recognized as one of Nintendo`s notable missteps, primarily due to its lackluster sales and player complaints. Users frequently found its monochrome red stereoscopic 3D display to be uncomfortable, and the necessity of looking into bulky goggles negated any sense of true portability, despite its “Boy” moniker. Nevertheless, its inclusion on the Expansion Pass offers a fascinating opportunity for contemporary gamers to delve into this peculiar, yet significant, chapter in Nintendo`s hardware history.