Nintendo revives its 1990s 3D console, the Virtual Boy, with modern hardware.
Nintendo is bringing back one of its most unique and infamous consoles. Beginning February 17, 2026, Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. Select games from the original 1995 stereoscopic 3D system will return for modern audiences, including Mario’s Tennis, Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, and more titles added over time.
A New Accessory for 3D Gameplay
To play, fans will need either Joy-Con or Joy-Con 2 controllers and a dedicated accessory based on the original hardware. Nintendo has confirmed that stereoscopic 3D gameplay will be fully supported when using a Nintendo Switch 2 or a standard Nintendo Switch system.
In a playful nod to the original, Nintendo is also releasing a cardboard Virtual Boy accessory. This add-on allows players to insert their Switch system directly into the headset and experience Virtual Boy games with 3D visuals intact.
Membership and Purchase Requirements
The Virtual Boy accessory—both the standard and cardboard versions—will be available for pre-purchase later on the My Nintendo Store. However, only users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership can purchase it. Additionally, a Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription is required to play Virtual Boy titles. The Nintendo Switch Lite is not supported.
Classic Games, Modern Nostalgia
The lineup begins with Mario’s Tennis, the launch title that once defined the Virtual Boy, alongside arcade-style hits like Galactic Pinball and the futuristic boxing title Teleroboxer. Nintendo promises additional titles will arrive in waves, making this the largest revival for the system since its discontinuation in the mid-1990s.
This revival through Nintendo Switch Online gives players a rare chance to experience one of Nintendo’s boldest experiments with 3D gaming. With both authentic and playful cardboard accessories, this February launch blends nostalgia with accessibility, finally letting fans rediscover Virtual Boy classics without hunting down the original hardware.
Read more News on Nerdtropolis. Subscribe to our YouTube.
Discover more from Nerdtropolis - Movie News, Reviews, Interviews, and Trailers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
