The Nintendo Virtual Boy, known in Japanese as バーチャルボーイ (Bācharu Bōi), was a 32-bit tabletop video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. Launched in 1995, it was marketed as the first console capable of displaying stereoscopic “3D” graphics.
Technology
The Virtual Boy was a unique piece of technology for its time.
The player used the console as a head-mounted display, placing their head against the eyepiece to view a monochromatic red display against a black background. The games used a parallax effect to create the illusion of depth.
The development of the Virtual Boy lasted four years and began under the project name VR3. Nintendo signed a licensing agreement to use a stereoscopic LED eyepiece technology that had been developed since the 1980s by the American company Reflection Technology1. They also built a factory in China solely for the manufacture of the Virtual Boy.
Throughout the development, the console’s technology was downsized due to high costs and potential health issues, and an increasing amount of resources were reassigned to the development of the Nintendo 64, Nintendo’s next home console.
Market Presence
The Virtual Boy was launched in an unfinished state in 1995 to focus on the Nintendo 64. It was criticized by critics and was a commercial failure, even after repeated price drops. Its failure has been attributed to its high price, monochrome display, unimpressive stereoscopic effect, lack of true portability, and health concerns1.
The Virtual Boy was released in Japan on July 21, 1995, and in North America on August 16, 1995. However, it never officially arrived in Europe. Its life cycle was very short – manufacturing ceased in early 1996 to focus resources on the Nintendo 64. Only 22 games were released for the syste1, with the console selling approximately 770,000 units worldwide.
Legacy
Despite its commercial failure, the Virtual Boy was a significant step in the evolution of video game consoles. It was the first attempt to bring stereoscopic 3D graphics to the mass market, and while it may not have been successful, it paved the way for future innovations in 3D gaming. The stereoscopic technology in video game consoles resurfaced in later years with more success, including Nintendo’s own handheld console, the 3DS.
In conclusion, the Nintendo Virtual Boy was a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to bring 3D gaming into the mainstream. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the risks and potential rewards of innovation in the video game industry.
Nintendo Virtual Boy System WITH BOX + 10 Games (WORKING-TESTED)
-Nintendo Virtual Boy System with box + 10 Games
-Great condition
-Working and tested
-GAMES:
*Baseball ´95
*Vertical Force
*Virtual 3d shooting game
*Teleroboxer
*Virtual fishing
*Marioss tennis
*Tetris
*Galactic pinball
*T&E Golf
*Panic Bomber
The Virtual Boy is a 32-bit tabletop portable video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. Released in 1995, it was marketed as the first console capable of displaying stereoscopic «3D» graphics. The player uses the console like a head-mounted display, placing the head against the eyepiece to see a red monochrome display. The games use a parallax effect to create the illusion of depth.
