Many gaming and technology publications over the years have expressed the unattractive elements of the Virtual Boy while missing the genius that was its design. Gunpei Yokoi's unique vision included a desire to immerse the player in a coordinated site and sound experience. He envisioned a way to completely block obtrusive outside light sources, resulting in a graphical experience that would contain boundaries difficult to sense. Carefully positioned stereo speakers and an optional ear phone jack aided his design by engulfing the user into a 2nd immersive layer. Once mounted, positioned, and adjusted, the Virtual Boy would stand complete. Moving one's senses into the 3D gaming experience one would quickly understand Yokoi's vision. For this is the way games should be played, free from all outside disturbances and allowing the user an opportunity to escape the influences of reality.

The core fundamentals which propelled the conceptual idea that was the Virtual Boy initially existed only in its creator's imagination. Following much experimentation, it was clear to Yokoi that some technology for manifesting his vision did not yet exist. One such impossibility was the inclusion of a full color display. The Virtual Boy's graphical effects are produced through the use of curved oscillating mirrors which rapidly scan 1x224 linear arrays across the user's eyes. The oscillating mirrors make it possible to transform a 1-dimensional line of pixels into a 2-dimensional field of pixels. For this effect to function correctly a certain level of brightness was required. Red was the only high-efficient LED color available at the time which was capable of producing the desired level of brightness, resulting in the iconic red-and-black graphical scheme which has always set the VB apart.

In the mid-90's, Nintendo consoles were being classified as "everyday entertainment." During this movement a vast majority of Nintendo supporters accepted the VB as a new console. Interpreted by gamers as a successor to the Gameboy, the VB was fully marketed by Nintendo as a licensed product instead of a niche system. Many critics viewed the Virtual Boy's RISC-based 32-bit core as limited by the red colored graphics and its use of wire-frame effects. The less than attractive wire-frame effects eventually forced many game designers to embrace layered 2D graphics which were scaled for psudo-3D. This became a complicated issue as the appeal of the system was its ability to render 3D wire-frame effects yet such effects would surely limited which type of games could be produced. As a result, Nintendo had a hard time marketing the system while consumers had an even more difficult time accepting it for the console it was being marketed as.

Once classified as a console, the Virtual Boy struggled to sell while reviewers from around the globe attacked it for what they viewed as obvious flaws. The VB was dubbed the "eye burner" and often written about as causing headaches, while the mounted design of the unit was described as causing neck and back injury. Many reviewers also found the dual d-pad 6 button controller cumbersome and confusing. Looking over old reviews it is obvious that they were written while viewing the VB in the same light it had been marketed in, when in actuality it was a system designed for occasional conversation inspiring experiences.

The incorrect classification of the system, resulting in a misinterpretation of consumer gaming expectations, can not be fully blamed for the failure of the Virtual Boy. A system is only as good as its software and the Virtual Boy's generation-1 software release lineup was not exactly ground breaking. While the games showed off the positives of wire-frame and psudo-3D effects, most played like tech-demos. Only a few titles competed with the epic platforming adventures, complex logical puzzles, and immersive experiences which had already been released on the NES, Gameboy, SNES, and soon to be released for the N64. In comparison, the VB's 22 game library included mostly quick pick-up-and-play experiences, a concept which worked perfectly for the "niche Virtual Boy system" but not so much for the "Gameboy-successor Virtual Boy system".

Many Web sites have collected and published listings for unreleased and discontinued Virtual Boy software, and after reading such publications it is easy to speculate that the 2nd generation of software may have saved the system. It is unfortunate that both Nintendo and its consumers gave up on the system before it was able to reach its full potential. Sadly, the Virtual Boy was discontinued less than a year after its release, having sold only 770,000 units worldwide.

Technical Specifications

Processor:

• NEC V810
• 32-Bit RISC Processor at 20 MHz (18 MIPS) Clock Speed
• 1 MB of DRAM and 512 KB of P-SRAM
• 1 KB Cache

Display:

• RTI (Reflection Technology Inc.) SLA dual mirror-scan, high resolution LED displays
• Resolution: 384 x 224 Pixels
• 50.2 Hz Horizontal Scan Rate
• 4 colors with 32 levels of intensity

Power Supply:

• 6 AA Batteries (9V) or AC Adapter (10V)

Sound:

• 16-Bit Stereo
• Build-In Stereo-Speakers

Controller:

• Double-Grip Controller with 6 Buttons and 2 D-pads
• Uses NES Controller Protocol

Serial Port:

• 8 Pin Cable
• Bandwidth 50 - 100 KBit/second

Weight and Dimensions:

• 760 g
• 8.5 H x 10 W x 4.3 D

Cartridge Specifications:

• 128 MBit addressable ROM space (4 - 16 MBit ROM used in released games)
• 128 MBit addressable RAM space (0 - 8 KiloByte RAM used in released games)
• 128 MBit addressable expansion space (Unused by any released games)
• 60-pin connector
• Toshiba "TC538200AFT" and "TC5316200AFT" ROM chips in 16 Bit mode

Contents and Packaging

The Virtual Boy used for this review was purchased from a popular Internet auction site. It may be missing some of the packaging contents and therefore it is suggested that the listing below be used for reference only. The images of the packaging are not for the VB system pictured in this review. While the review unit did ship in its original box, the packaging and its contents were not accessible at the time of writing.

Contents:

• 1x Virtual Boy System
• 1x System stand
• 1x Controller
• 1x Battery compartment
• 1x Eyeshade
• 1x Manual
• 1x Information booklet
• 2x Promotional booklets
• 1x Mario Tennis game pack
• 1x Mario Tennis manual

Packaging:

The Virtual Boy was sold in a large box that was comparable in size to other systems of that era. The box is adorned with images of the VB and its controller in colors that were probably described in the mid-90's as “radical”. Printed on the top and the adjacent sides are phrases letting the consumer know that the VB features a 32-bit RISC processor, high resolution 3D graphics, digital stereo sound, and that the batteries are not included. All three sides further contain a bright yellow colored area which proudly announces the inclusion of the Mario Tennis game cartridge. Additionally, the front of the box has a special offer for 6 AA batteries courtesy of a mail-in rebate. While the front of the box is completed by an age usage warning, the back of the box has been reserved for advertisements. On the back of the box a photograph of a mounted VB is displayed, surrounded by names and descriptions of various launch titles. Additional information about the AC adapter is included in the lower right hand corner of this area, stating that it is sold separately.

The Virtual Boy and necessary contents were sold secured in a cardboard composite tray that feels like a recycled material. The tray slides out of the cardboard box with ease and contains pre-molded areas for each item. The Virtual Boy itself is wrapped in a plastic bag. The eyeshade comes already mounted to the unit and is additionally supported by thin cardboard. The controller and battery adaptor are wrapped in similar plastic bags as the Virtual Boy unit. The documentation can be found in a larger plastic bag and was probably stored on top of the thin cardboard insert which acted as a lid for the tray. The Mario Tennis game cartridge is placed inside another plastic bag and the contact points are protected by a small black-colored plastic dust cover. Overall, each item is well secured and well protected. However, the box itself is rather thin and for those interested in purchasing a Virtual Boy it is recommended to inquire about the possibility of having the items shipped in a thicker box.

Design and Impressions

The Virtual Boy begins at the eyeshade, which is made from a soft black foam-composite material, pre-molded for the shape of the VB. The eyeshade securely clips onto rounded plastic mounts via small pre-cut holes. The eyeshade fulfills a design idea of Gunpei Yokoi by blocking outside light interferences, but is not required to use the system. The same experience can be had by playing the Virtual Boy in a completely dark room, while only missing out on the small bit of comfort the eyeshade provides for a resting forehead.

Encased in the VB shell, just behind the eyeshade, are red plastic lenses. The lenses help to protect the interior of the unit from dust while completing the unit's ocular design. The lenses are not critical to the functionality of the unit or its 3D effect. The lenses actually force the unit to have a viewable sweet spot, although not as drastic as some might be thinking. As the positioning of the eye is physically shifted, the extreme top or bottom of the viewable area may appear squished or flattened, just as the sides may appear slightly out-of-focus. Due to this phenomenon some users have removed the lenses all together while others have discussed the possibility of custom glass replacements. The plastic surface of the lenses may be scratched due to improper cleaning or age, it is recommended to inquire about scratches before purchasing a used Virtual Boy unit.

The core electronics of the Virtual Boy are surrounded by a shiny red and black plastic shell. The shell is curvy and embraces a futuristic design that is both classic and retro. On the top of the shell are a gray slider switch and a gray knob. The slider adjusts the graphical focus level, and the circular knob, known as the Inter-Pupil Distance knob, adjusts the left and right display distances. The more the IPD knob is turned, the closer the graphics will appear to the eye on that side. For those with strong corrective lenses, there really is not a 100% perfect set-up between the focus level, IPD adjustment, and red plastic lenses. The ideal situation for some is to make the graphics as even as possible, with a focus level that is comfortable to view for long periods. On the top of the shell and just behind the focus slider are two small raised plastic ridges. These ridges are used for holding the cartridge dust cover and it can be snapped into place. The game cartridge itself is inserted label-side-up into the front of the unit. The cartridge slot, which is on the front underside of the shell, does not have any type of dust protection. Most users choose to keep a cartridge in their VB to protect the contacts from dust and debris, while others choose to blow out the slot with a can of compressed air prior to use.

The controller consists of 2 directional pads, 6 buttons (2 per d-pad, 2 trigger buttons), and 2 grips. The battery compartment (or optional AC adaptor) slides onto the back of the controller and clicks into place. When attached, it appears a bit cumbersome but does not get in the way while playing, due to the excellent positioning of the controllers various buttons in relation to the hand grips. The cord which comes out of the top of the controller plugs into the underside of the VB unit, and not only provides a route for input signals but also transfers power to the unit. When held, the smooth black shell of the controller feels very comfortable while the contoured grips feel well positioned and the perfect thickness for hands of all sizes.

On the bottom of the unit are a volume adjustment wheel and a stereo headphone jack. The stereo speakers are located on either side of the unit, just behind embossed rubber Nintendo logos. The speakers rest in a perfect position which helps to direct the sound towards the player's ears. The volume adjustment wheel spins smoothly and is easily accessible while playing. The stereo speaker jack is far enough out of the way that using ear buds will not interfere with volume adjustments when gaming.

The final and most important component to the Virtual Boy's design is the metal stand. The stand unfolds by pulling either leg outwards and away from the center pivot point. Once fully extended the stand clips onto the underside of the VB unit. The stand contains a clamp release button on the front and a swivel knob on the side. The swivel knob is an integral part of enjoyment as it dictates the level of comfort. Depending on how tall the user is, or the height of their desk/table, the unit can be swiveled forward to allow the user to find their most comfortable playing position. Unfortunately, as integral to the experience as the stand is, it is also the weakest point. The plastic center of the stand often cracks due to age or from aggressive unfolding. Once the plastic fully cracks it may no longer support the weight of the Virtual Boy. Due to this problem, complete stands can be expensive. It is advisable to inquire about the condition of the stand before making a purchase, as this single item can dictate an entire level of enjoyment. However, if the stand arrives in an unusable condition, solutions do exist. One PlanetVB.com member developed a replacement part using manufacturing grade tools. Other users have cannibalized the mount and replaced the stand with various table clamps and custom creations. There is also a 3rd party stand from Hyperkin, released in 2016 for $29.99, that closely matches the original VB stand. Of course, the low budget solution is to position the Virtual Boy on top of a stack of books or a cardboard box.

Set-up and Usage

If the eyeshade is not already mounted it can be quickly positioned by placing the pre-cut holes over the rounded plastic stubs. The stand should be pulled slowly outwards until it is fully extended and placed with the rubber feet pointing away from the user. The stand can be placed in either direction but supports a downward positioned VB much more securely if the feet point away from the user. The Virtual Boy is placed into the stand by lining up the front of the clasp and then snapping it into place by rocking it backwards towards the user. Once mounted, the VB can be adjusted into the perfect position using the swivel knob. The battery pack (or optional AC adaptor) is clicked onto the back of the controller and then the controller is plugged into the bottom of the unit. Finally, the game cartridge is inserted, label-side-up, into the cartridge slot located on the front underside of the unit. The Virtual Boy is powered on by sliding a small switch on the face of the controller to the right. The switch does not contain any indication lights and the only way to be sure the switch is in the "on" position is by the visibility of a reddish-orange sticker. Once the unit powers-up a warning is displayed, which instructs the user to read the instruction booklet. Following this screen is the main logo splash screen. In each of the 4 corners of this splash screen are tiny “VB” logos, which are the main positioning points for the IPD circular knob. It is near impossible to perfectly adjust the logos so that each is at the exact same depth, but the goal is to make all 4 logos as visible as possible. The focus slider can be adjusted at this point as well but it is best left until a game starts. Once the IPD is in position, a game can be launched by pressing one of the controller buttons, and which button to press may depend on the game/Homebrew being played. The ideal gaming position is to have the Virtual Boy mounted on a mid-level desktop and pointed slightly downwards. This will allow the user to sit forward in a more natural position with their hands out in front of the stand. It is possible to play with the controller behind the unit but it is much more comfortable to have one's arms resting on the desktop with the controller in front of the unit.

Virtual Boy Retail Games

The Virtual Boy and N64 were being developed at the same time, and it was clear that Nintendo wanted to focus on one system. They pushed for the release of the Virtual Boy perhaps before it was ready, marketed it as a complete console, and were unable to convince the public of its $180 worth. The Virtual Boy was on the market for less than a year and the version we enjoy today is actually considered a prototype for what Nintendo had wanted to develop.

The short and abrupt shelf life caused many promising games to get scrapped. The retail release listing of Virtual Boy games is only 22 units, 20 of which were released to Japan and 14 of which were released to North America.

A listing of the complete Virtual Boy retail library:

• 3D Tetris
• Galactic Pinball
• Golf
• Innsmouth No Yakata
• Jack Bros.
• Mario Clash
• Mario's Tennis
• Nester's Funky Bowling
• Panic Bomber
• Red Alarm
• SD Gundam Dimension War
• Space Invaders Virtual Collection
• Space Squash
• Teleroboxer
• V-Tetris
• Vertical Force
• Virtual Bowling
• Virtual Boy Wario Land
• Virtual Fishing
• Virtual Lab
• Virtual League Baseball
• Waterworld

The rarest ROMs from the Virtual Boy collection were SD Gundam Dimension War, Space Invaders Virtual Collection, Virtual Bowling, and Virtual Lab. These games went un-dumped for years do to their high prices and the lack of publically available dumping hardware. One rare cartridge for the Virtual Boy is Waterworld, due to it being released near the end of the systems life span, while the North American release of Jack Bros. is another.

Red Alarm is a space shooting game that shows off the wireframe effects of the Virtual Boy. Teleroboxer demonstrates the 3D effects of the system through the perspective of a 1st person robot boxing game. Panic Bomber has a wonderfully short 3D introduction and Virtual Boy Wario Land has an excellent 3D title screen. However, as this review is for the Virtual Boy system itself no single game will be reviewed or recommended. Instead a word of caution, some feel that not all of the titles are worth playing but all VB owners agree that all titles are worth experiencing on actual hardware. Before buying any game, do a little bit of research and see if it is worth the asking prince.

The Virtual Boy's Flaw

The two ribbon cables which connect the display units to the motherboard trade signals across a glued connection point. For some unknown reason Nintendo chose to go this route instead of solder or male-to-female connection ends. The glue inevitability degrades with age and usage, no matter how careful you are with your electronic toys or the IPD knob. Many users complain about a common set of issues which are all directly related to the glue degrading. The list of issues includes dimmed backlighting, scanlines, glitchy graphics, blank screens, or solid red screens.

There exist three commonly used methods for repairing this problem. The first of which is to remove the cables and to bake them in an oven (or use a heat gun) to help reapply the glue. This method is the most practiced but is never a permanent fix. A less common method is to find something to apply pressure to the cables. Some users have reported positive results with a small piece of wood, a piece of rubber, or even some common household tape. The only permanent fix for this problem is the one that requires the most skill, soldering. The copper coating of the cables must be removed (either through chemicals or during the soldering process) and then the cable can be permanently reattached using a thin line of solder.

Opening the Virtual Boy for repair requires a gamebit, essentially a reversed torque bit that has a female end instead of a male. The problem with the Virtual Boy is that a few of the security screws are so deep that common bits will not reach them. Many users will buy a bit and extend its length by making a small cut deep enough to accept a standard screwdriver. Some users have reported finding a screwdriver/bit combo that is long enough to reach but requires the plastic entry slot of the Virtual Boy to be permanently widened. While other user will use a filing tool to cut a chunk of metal out of the center of a standard screwdriver, allowing for that screwdriver to grip the security screw on two sides. No matter the method employed, a bit of some kind is usually required as the screws are often too tightly mounted to be removed by a do-it-yourself BIC pen security screw tool.

There exists a few wonderful guides for permanently repairing the display cables:

 ^{ProjectVB Repair Guide
 PlanetVB Repair Guide}

Age is a Benefit

Over the past 15 years the Virtual Boy has inspired a few talented people into developing some interesting projects. Projects range from software to hardware and may hold their existence to the obscurity of the Virtual Boy.

There is a small but thriving Homebrew scene of coders who not only support and help each other, but who have also documented and compiled an extensive coding help file. From these talented coders we now have Virtual Boy coding examples, hardware documentation, and more, all of which are available free of charge. Many coders have proven through existing DEMO projects that there is still life in Virtual Boy development.

What has arguably slowed down what could be one of the most extensive and unique game development opportunities could be the rarity of the system and its Homebrew Flash Kit solutions. Homebrew enthusiast will be happy to know that thanks to the efforts of an extremely talented hardware engineer, a Virtual Boy Flash Kit does exist. The kits are hand built and cost just around $100 USD. The kit uses an old school approach to Flash Kits, requiring the user to write 1 ROM at a time and only provides 1 battery supported save-bank. There is no way to backup the save file and ROMs must be padded for size before being written. While modern day Flash Kit users may find fault with this design, retro gamers seem extremely content while enjoying rare prototypes, DEMOs, hacks, translations, and Homebrew on their Virtual Boy hardware.

There are many Virtual Boy emulators which have been released for a variety of systems. The most popular of which, due to its 100% compatibility, is Mednafen. Those who are interested in emulation will be happy to hear that a VB-to-PC controller adapter kit does exist and requires only a small amount of amateur soldering to complete. Most VB enthusiast will recommend the use of an actual VB controller as its unique design is not comfortably mimicked by common PC controllers.

The famed Virtual Boy 2-player cable was thought to be a rumor until an actual prototype surfaced with a development unit on a popular Japanese auction site. Even before this happened, a few creative hardware designers were hard at work building a 3rd party cable to support the 2-player mode of Hyper Fighting, as well as future Homebrew releases. While the community waits for this cable to be released, it is possible to build a custom 2-player cable utilizing a variety of published information and easy to acquire aftermarket parts.

Collectors should be ecstatic to learn that new, complete-in-box releases have been made available. The carts include prototype releases (Bound High!, Space Pinball, Faceball), Homebrew (Hyper Fighting, Fishbone, BLOX), and translations (Space Squash, SD Gundam Dimension War). However, their limited print runs have caused aftermarket price gouging to occur.

Interested researchers who want to dive deeper will find that the past 15 years have been entirely kind to the Virtual Boy. A system which has captured the interest of many gamers, yet overlooked by most during its limited production run, has managed to inspire a collection of hundreds of Internet articles. Just a few minutes spent searching the Web will reveal a plethora of valuable information, interviews, reviews, documentation, Internet auctions, and more. For such a rare system it truly has captivated a strong following.

One of the best and most highly regarded sites related to the Virtual Boy is PlanetVB, who's admin, known as KR155E, has collected and posted just about everything possible related to the Virtual Boy. At one time he owned some of the rarest Virtual Boy testing units and continues to maintain an active discussion forum to this day.

Conclusion

The Virtual Boy was released upon a gaming public already comfortable with their console choices. It was offered during a time when 3D gaming was simply a game-a-system gimmick, used to raise sales and boost creativity. Genpei Yokoi had hoped to convince Nintendo that their consumers were ready for a complete solution, an entire package built around the perspective of eye-popping 3D wire-frame visuals. Nintendo, who had released Yokoi’s other unique gaming concepts (Ten Billion Barrel puzzle, Ultra Machine, Love Tester), understood his vision throughout the extensive development process. However, instead of waiting for the technological advancements which would have solidified Yokoi’s vision, Nintendo chose to release the Virtual Boy and to focus their attention on the development of the N64 console.

Yokoi, who had spent his career developing unique gaming devices, had followed the success of the Gameboy with a niche system, something Nintendo failed to recognize. The Virtual Boy was given a full marketing campaign, complete with store testing units, posters, TV commercials, advertisements, and more. Many electronic gaming historians agree that this marketing campaign was a mistake. Having been marketed as a complete console, the system lacked many features of currently available consoles, such as color graphics, a 2-player mode via the same screen, and popular 1st party software.

Writing a Virtual Boy review in 1995, one would probably have reached a similar conclusion as others, the Virtual Boy was unique but offered an experience challenging to both consumers and game developers. Society was simply not yet ready for a gaming system that strayed so far from the acceptable boundaries. Nintendo had used every opportunity to remind the public that the Virtual Boy was indeed a console and that it had a place in “everyday entertainment”. Yet its quirky oddness and lack of a strong software lineup made it a difficult sell. 

The question we must now ask is if the Virtual Boy is actually worth owning.

The VB obtained for this review has minor scratching on the red lenses and suffers from the beginnings of ribbon cable failure. However, these are the only issues, and aesthetically speaking the unit is in otherwise near mint condition. Yet, it may not have been worth the asking price if one determines the value of their gaming systems solely on available software.

Thanks to the invention of the Virtual Boy Flash Kit, each of the 22 retail games and a few rare prototype ROMs have been fully experienced. Homebrew for the system has been discussed, tested, and enjoyed. The 3D effect has been examined for its effectiveness as well as its usefulness in aiding the gaming experience. The conclusion reached is that the system is definitely a treat to own when enjoyed in small increments.

The system itself is not difficult to set-up, and is rather comfortable to play once the position is perfectly dialed in. Where some strongly believe the red graphics were an unfortunate mistake, others find the red-on-black images rather enjoyably soothing. Not all of the 22 retail games are worth owning, but all are an exceptionally unique experience worth playing. Some of the games will steal hours of free time while gamers attempt to break high scores, reach new levels, or simply enjoy the wonderful music and 3D effects. Both the wire-frame and psudo-3D effects have been implemented with perfection. A sense of depth is more apparent than in-your-face 3D imagery, yet foreground popping visuals do exist and never disappoint.

After all of the retail games have been experienced, some more often than others, it becomes clear what is missing. The Virtual Boy is lacking a large Homebrew scene, due in part to the obscurity of the system and the limited pool of interested developers. If there are two things this review hopes to accomplish, one is to express the potential of the Virtual Boy and the other is to inspire developers to code for the system. One can only imagine what it would be to experience Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Donkey Kong, and other 1st party styled titles on the VB. How about a ray-casting engine 1st person shooter such as Doom, overhead arcade-style shooters such as 1942, platformers such as Megaman, or any number of Homebrew projects found on other systems which have the potential to shine as red-and-black 3D gaming concepts.

The VB is a great conversational piece, will excite old and new gamers, and provide hours of entertainment throughout the year. However, those looking for a complete console with hundreds of potential 3D experiences should consider something along the lines of a Nintendo 3DS. The chances of a Virtual Boy Homebrew game development revival are extremely slim, yet for some Homebrew enthusiasts, the chances are enough to merit the purchase of a system. If you love 3D, are nostalgic for old systems, or simply want to try something different, consider purchasing a Virtual Boy. You may just end up finding it the same wonderful experience that this reviewer has!

Links:

• Virtual Boy WIKI Article
• Gunpei Yokoi WIKI Article
• PlanetVB
• "Iwata Asks" about the Virtual Boy
• Unraveling The Enigma Of Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, 20 Years Later by Benj Edwards

This review was written for GBAtemp.net ONLY. The article and some included photos are the property of Another World and published by permission for GBAtemp.net. The photo of Genpei Yokoi was taken from kotaku.com and used without permission. The VB break down photo is the property of IFixIt and used without permission. The VB Box photos and two of the VB game screen shots are the property of PlanetVB, and used without permission. The VB complete box photo is the property of videogameobsession.com, and used without permission. The ribbon cable photo is the property of ProjectVB and used without permission. Research was conducted by contacting other Virtual Boy owners, Homebrew development programmers, the PlanetVB Forums, and by reading various WIKI articles.

Special thanks to Shaunj66, Costello, the #acekard crew, brien, Cheeky, KR155E, Richard Hutchinson, UG, DogP, and RunnerPack. Without all of you this review would not have been possible.

A very special thanks to Genpei Yokoi (1970-1997) for the Virtual Boy!