1995
NINTENDO

VIRTUAL BOY

MESA
VIRTUAL BOY

📜 History & Legacy

The Virtual Boy, released by Nintendo in 1995, was a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to bring virtual reality gaming into the home. Designed by Gunpei Yokoi, the legendary creator of the Game Boy, the Virtual Boy utilized a red LED display and stereoscopic lenses to create a 3D effect. Players would peer into the headset, which rested on a tabletop stand, to experience games in a unique, albeit monochrome, virtual environment. Nintendo hoped to capitalize on the growing interest in VR technology, but the system suffered from a number of limitations that hindered its success.

Despite its innovative approach, the Virtual Boy was plagued by issues such as eye strain, a limited color palette, and a lack of compelling software. The red monochrome display was not only visually unappealing but also contributed to discomfort during extended play sessions. The system's design, requiring players to hunch over a stand, was also ergonomically unsound. Ultimately, the Virtual Boy was discontinued less than a year after its release, becoming a notable failure in Nintendo's otherwise impressive history. However, it remains a fascinating artifact of gaming history, showcasing Nintendo's willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of technology, even if the result was not always a resounding success. The Virtual Boy's short lifespan and limited library have contributed to its cult status among collectors and gaming enthusiasts.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: NEC V810 32-bit RISC processor @ 20 MHz
  • ❖ GPU: Integrated into the NEC V810 CPU
  • ❖ RAM: 128 KB
  • ❖ Storage: Cartridge based
  • ❖ Display: Red LED, 384x224 pixels per eye (stereoscopic 3D)
  • ❖ Sound: Stereo headphones
  • ❖ Controller: Dedicated controller with two D-pads

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ Mario Clash
  • ★ Teleroboxer
  • ★ Virtual Boy Wario Land
  • ★ Red Alarm
  • ★ Galactic Pinball
  • ★ Golf
  • ★ Vertical Force
  • ★ Panic Bomber
  • ★ 3D Tetris
  • ★ Insmouse no Yakata (Japan Only)

💡 Curiosities

  • ? The Virtual Boy was originally codenamed "VR32".
  • ? Gunpei Yokoi, the creator of the Game Boy, was also the lead designer of the Virtual Boy.
  • ? The red color scheme was chosen because it was the most affordable LED technology available at the time.
  • ? Nintendo reportedly rushed the Virtual Boy to market to focus on the Nintendo 64.
  • ? The Virtual Boy was Nintendo's first console to feature a true 32-bit processor.
  • ? Only 22 games were officially released for the Virtual Boy.
  • ? The system's 3D effect was achieved through a technique called "parallax barrier" which created separate images for each eye.
  • ? Due to concerns about eye strain, Nintendo recommended that players take breaks every 15-30 minutes.
  • ? The Virtual Boy was sold at a relatively high price point for the time, around $179.99 USD.
  • ? A prototype Virtual Boy, with different design and features, exists but is extremely rare.