The Virtual Boy was the first video game console marketed as having VR graphics. It was created and developed by Gunpei Yokoi—the creator of the original Game Boy and the Metroid video game franchise.[1] The Virtual Boy was released by Nintendo on July 21, 1995 in Japan and on August 14, 1995 in North America with the launch titles Mario's Tennis, Red Alarm, Teleroboxer, and Galactic Pinball.[2] The last official title to be released for the Virtual Boy was 3D Tetris, released on March 12, 1996.[3] In total, 22 Virtual Boy games were released; only 14 made it to North America.[4] Several additional titles were announced to be released for the Virtual Boy as well, but they were canceled after Nintendo discontinued the system. The top games released for the Virtual Boy, according to Nintendo Power, included Virtual Boy Wario Land, Galactic Pinball, Mario's Tennis, Nester's Funky Bowling, and Red Alarm.[5]
The Virtual Boy was an attempt to simulate virtual reality. The user looks into an eyepiece on the front of the console, where a projector displays red and black monochromatic images into the user's eyes[6]—a technique similar to that used in IMAX movies.[7] The Virtual Boy was considered a hardware flop, selling 770,000 units before being discontinued a year after its release. Reasons for the flop include the implementation of a red-and-black monochromatic display as opposed to a full color display, the inability to conveniently and comfortably play the device, a retail price of US$179.95 (by comparison, the Game Boy had an introductory retail price of $109.95),[1] and the public's anticipation of fifth generation video game consoles, which included the Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, and the PlayStation.[8] As a further consequence, Yokoi was asked to resign from Nintendo.[9]
The following list contains all games released on the Virtual Boy, including all games released either in Japan or in North America only. The Virtual Boy was released in North America and in Japan. Both the English and Japanese titles, as well as both the North American and Japanese release dates, are given when applicable.
| English title | Japanese title | Publisher | Release date North America (NA) |
Release date Japan (JP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Tetris[10] | Polygo Block[11] | Nintendo | March 22, 1996 | Not released |
| Galactic Pinball[10] | Galactic Pinball[12] | Nintendo | August 14, 1995 | July 21, 1995 |
| Golf[10] | T&E Virtual Golf[13] | Nintendo (NA) T&E Soft (JP) |
November 1995 | August 11, 1995 |
| Jack Bros.[10] | Jack Bros. no Meiro de Hiihoo[14] | Atlus | October 1995 | September 29, 1995 |
| — | Innsmouth no Yakata[15] | I'Max | Not released | October 13, 1995 |
| Mario Clash[10] | Mario Clash[16] | Nintendo | October 1995 | September 28, 1995 |
| Mario's Tennis[10] | Mario's Tennis[17] | Nintendo | August 14, 1995 | July 21, 1995 |
| Nester's Funky Bowling[10] | — | Nintendo | February 26, 1996 | Not released |
| Panic Bomber[10] | Tobidase! Panibomb[18] | Nintendo | December 1995 | July 21, 1995 |
| Red Alarm[10] | Red Alarm[19] | Nintendo | August 14, 1995 | July 21, 1995 |
| — | SD Gundam Dimension War[20] | Bandai | Not released | December 22, 1995 |
| — | Space Invaders Virtual Collection[21] | Taito | Not released | December 1, 1995 |
| — | Space Squash[22] | Coconuts Japan | Not released | September 29, 1995 |
| Teleroboxer[10] | Teleroboxer[23] | Nintendo | August 14, 1995 | July 21, 1995 |
| — | V-Tetris[24] | Bullet-Proof Software | Not released | August 25, 1995 |
| Vertical Force[10] | Vertical Force[25] | Nintendo | December 1995 | August 12, 1995 |
| — | Virtual Bowling[26] | Athena | Not released | December 22, 1995 |
| Virtual Boy Wario Land[10] | Virtual Boy Wario Land[27] | Nintendo | November 27, 1995 | December 1, 1995 |
| — | Virtual Fishing[28] | Pack-In-Video | Not released | October 6, 1995 |
| — | Virtual Lab[29] | J-Wing | Not released | December 8, 1995 |
| Virtual League Baseball[10] | Virtual Pro Yakyū '95[30] | Kemco | September 11, 1995 | August 11, 1995 |
| Waterworld[10] | — | Ocean Software | December 21, 1995 | Not released |