After Nintendo's announcement That will join the virtual boy Nintendo Switch Online catalog, it has been revealed that two previously unreleased games will be added roster. Nintendo Switch Online has been around for over six years, starting as a subscription to access online features and cloud saves, and becoming a hub for retro gaming. The service now offers access to NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and GameCube. These emulators provide access to classic titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeAnd now the virtual boy is coming to expand the roster.
Virtual Boy was marketed as the first gaming VR headset, although functionally, it operated more as a 3D tabletop display. Players would have to rest their head against the console's eyepiece, while the unit itself rested on a stand and offered gaming experiences drenched in a strangely eerie red color. Unfortunately for Nintendo, the Virtual Boy did not perform as well as expected, selling less than 800,000 units and being dubbed Nintendo's biggest console failure. The console ported some entertaining games, be that as it may Mario's Tennis or Wario land. With Nintendo using its Nintendo Switch Online service to revive retro consoles, it only makes sense that the Virtual Boy will eventually get the same treatment.
Now is a good time to check out Nintendo Switch Online if you're not already a member
With 2026 just starting, Nintendo reveals a new promotion that might make it a good time to check out the Nintendo Switch online.
Virtual boy games are coming to switch online
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3-D Tetris
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Galactic Pinball
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Golf
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The Mansion at Innsmouth
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Red alarm
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Teleroboxer
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Virtual Boy Wario Land
Nintendo's Virtual Boy will be available on February 17, 2026, accessible via Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription, along with games like 3-D Tetris On this launch date. With this information, Zero racers and D-HOPPERTwo previously unreleased titles have been announced for the emulator. These won't be available initially, though, instead being given a simple 2026 release date along with seven other titles. As Nintendo Switch Online has shadowdropped three SNES games, and has done so for almost every other emulator, it's possible that we'll see other Virtual Boy games shadowdropped in the future.
These unreleased titles are definitely the most interesting aspect of this announcement, along with the acclaimed racing series. F-Zero Acquiring a spin-off. The classic racing series returns in this unreleased title, which probably won't meet fans' high expectations. F-Zero A return to the Switch 2, at least would be something to calm the racing drought. This unreleased spin-off, although created for a niche console, left major speculation when 100% was revealed in full at E3 1996, after which it was never immediately mentioned again due to the console's failure. Players now have a chance to experience this long-lost title by including it in the Virtual Boy emulator. another game, D-HOPPERThe original title for Virtual Boy, placed in the top-down-adventure genre, and was also showcased at E3 1996.
With Nintendo Switch Online getting a new trial in 2026, and Virtual Boy's promising lineup and roadmap, it seems like there's never been a better time to join an online membership. It's worth noting that this free trial only covers the base subscription, and Virtual Boy is included in the expansion pack, although the free trial is still a great way to experience other emulators first and make a quick decision. With a strong lineup of games and upcoming features, such as the ability to change the color of the screen, the addition of Virtual Boy to Nintendo Switch Online is a promising but patient step in the overall quality of the service.
