Two previously unreleased Virtual Boy games are finally coming to Nintendo Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
Nintendo is bringing back one of its most unusual consoles, this time for the Nintendo Switch family. In a trailer revealed on 27 January on YouTube, the company announced Virtual Boy–Nintendo Classics, a new addition to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library.
The collection launches on 17 February, 2026 and focuses on recreating the Virtual Boy’s signature stereoscopic 3D visuals. Rather than just offering standard retro ports, Nintendo is pairing the games with optional physical viewing accessories designed to mimic the original experience. More details about these accessories and how they work were later shared on Nintendo’s official website.
Game line-up includes nostalgic titles and two unreleased titles
At launch, players will be able to access a selection of original Virtual Boy titles through the Expansion Pack. Confirmed games available from 17 February include Teleroboxer, Galactic Pinball, RED ALARM, GOLF, Virtual Boy Wario Land, 3-D TETRIS, and The Mansion of Innsmouth. Nintendo has also confirmed that more games will be added over time.
Among those future additions are two titles that were never officially released on the original hardware: D-HOPPER and ZERO RACERS. Their inclusion gives this library a preservation angle alongside the nostalgia factor.
As with other classic libraries on Nintendo Switch Online, these games come with modern features such as suspend points, rewind options, and adjustable controls, making them more accessible than they were in the mid-90s.
Accessories to experience 3D gameplay
To play the games in stereoscopic 3D, Nintendo is releasing two dedicated accessories compatible with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch Lite is not supported.
The main Virtual Boy accessory is a premium model inspired by the original hardware, and is priced at US$99.99. Players insert their console into the unit to view supported games with 3D visuals.
There is also a Virtual Boy (Cardboard Model), a more affordable version made from cardboard at US$24.99. This option still enables the 3D effect and supports the same compatible games, offering a lower-cost way to try the experience.
Both accessories can only be purchased by users with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership, and playing the Virtual Boy–Nintendo Classics library requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. Joy-Con or Joy-Con 2 controllers are required.
What the Expansion Pack offers
In addition to the Virtual Boy collection, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription includes access to several other retro and modern features:
- Libraries of Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, and SEGA Genesis games alongside the new Virtual Boy titles.
- Downloadable content for games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2 at no extra cost.
- For Nintendo Switch 2 users, access to a selection of GameCube games.
- Upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch 2, included with the subscription.
This positions the Expansion Pack as a hub for both classic collections and additional game content across multiple Nintendo platforms.
The original Virtual Boy launched in 1995, and became known for its red-and-black visuals and tabletop design. While the hardware stood out, its short lifespan and limited library led to a mixed reception at the time.
A modern version of the Virtual Boy concept was first announced in September 2025 during a Nintendo Direct, laying the groundwork for this updated release. With Virtual Boy–Nintendo Classics arriving on 17 February, 2026, Nintendo is revisiting that era of 3D experimentation through the Switch platform, combining original games, newly-surfaced titles, and hardware-inspired accessories.
