Nintendo Revives Virtual Boy for Switch with Modern XR Push
**Nintendo is bringing back the Virtual Boy** - the failed 1995 red stereoscopic system - as an official Switch accessory launching February 17, 2026.
The revival includes:
- Official hardware accessory for Switch and Switch 2
- $25 cardboard model option
- Classic games: Mario's Tennis, Teleroboxer, Galactic Pinball
**Why this matters:** The original Virtual Boy was discontinued within a year after selling only ~770,000 units. It had major limitations - tiny field of view, no motion tracking, single-color display.
Nintendo is reframing this **cautionary tale as preservation**, letting new players experience early stereoscopic VR while testing ultra-low-friction, headset-free experiences.
**Broader XR momentum building:**
- Google formalized Android XR platform
- Samsung's Galaxy XR headset nearing launch
- Focus on low-friction, cross-platform reach
This move signals Nintendo's interest in accessible VR experiences without traditional headset barriers.