In what may be the biggest surprise of today’s Nintendo Direct presentation, the Virtual Boy was revealed as the next system to join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
A physical accessory is required to play the games, in which users can insert their Nintendo Switch 1 or Switch 2 system to play in stereoscopic 3D, as originally intended. As well as a plastic replica, a cardboard version will also be available.
No prices were announced, but Nintendo promised both versions will be available to pre-purchase on the My Nintendo Store “in the future.”
14 games will be released on the service on February 17th, 2026.
The lineup includes the following:
- 3-D Tetris
- Galactic Pinball
- Golf
- Insmouse no Yakata
- Jack Bros.
- Mario Clash
- Mario’s Tennis
- Red Alarm
- Space Invaders: Virtual Collection
- Teleroboxer
- Vertical Force
- Virtual Bowling
- Virtual Boy Wario Land
- V-Tetris
Insmouse no Yakata, Space Invaders: Virtual Collection, Virtual Bowling, and V-Tetris were previously Japan-only games.
The Virtual Boy launched in the United States 30 years ago last month. It was an instant commercial failure, panned by critics at the time for its high retail price and for causing discomfort during play. It was discontinued just a year later.
More News from the September 2025 Direct
Pokémon Pokopia merges Pokémon with Animal Crossing, set for release in early 2026
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Part 3 of the Remake Trilogy coming to Switch 2
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Written by Reece Heather
A lifelong Nintendo fan and a longtime editor at Zelda Universe, Reece will forever be grateful that he somehow dodged the Naughty List of Christmas 1998, when Santa delivered the life-changing gift of a Nintendo 64 with Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Mario Kart 64. When he's not playing games, Reece is usually reading Punisher comics, delving helplessly into the weirdest depths of anime and manga, or spending time with his cocker spaniel Gracie -- the goodest girl ever!
