Following Nintendo’s announcement that the Virtual Boy will be joining the Nintendo Switch Online catalog, it has been revealed that two previously unreleased games will be added to the roster. Nintendo Switch Online has been around for over six years, beginning as a membership to access online features and cloud saves, and becoming a hub for retro gaming. The service now provides access to NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and the GameCube. These emulators provided access to classic titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and now the Virtual Boy will be arriving to expand the roster.
The Virtual Boy was marketed as the first gaming VR headset, although in functionality, it operated more as a 3D tabletop display. Players would have to rest their head against the eyepiece of the console, while the unit itself rested on a stand and provided gaming experiences drenched in an oddly terrifying red color. Unfortunately for Nintendo, the Virtual Boy didn’t perform as well as expected, selling fewer than 800,000 units and even being dubbed Nintendo’s biggest console failure. The console did harbor some entertaining games, be it 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 would eventually receive the same treatment.
Now is a Great Time to Check Out Nintendo Switch Online If You’re Not Already a Member
With 2026 just getting underway, Nintendo reveals a new promotion that could make this a good time to check out Nintendo Switch Online.
Virtual Boy Games Coming to Switch Online
- 3-D Tetris
- Galactic Pinball
- Golf
- The Mansion of Innsmouth
- Red Alarm
- Teleroboxer
- Virtual Boy Wario Land
Nintendo’s Virtual Boy will be available February 17, 2026, accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership, including games such as 3-D Tetris at this launch date. Along with this information, ZERO RACERS and D-HOPPER, two previously unreleased titles, have been announced for the emulator. These won’t be available initially, however, instead being given a simple 2026 release date along with seven other titles. Just like the Nintendo Switch Online shadowdropped three SNES games, and has done so for almost every other emulator, it’s more than likely we’ll see some of the Virtual Boy’s other games shadowdropped in the future.
These unreleased titles are certainly the most interesting aspect of this announcement, with acclaimed racing series F-Zero receiving a spin-off. The classic racing series returns in this unreleased title, which, while likely not fulfilling the hope of fans wanting a huge F-Zero comeback on the Switch 2, will at least be something to quench the racing drought. This unreleased spin-off, despite being created for a niche console, left major speculation following its reveal at E3 1996 in a 100% complete form, after which it was promptly never mentioned again due to the console’s failure. Players now have the chance to experience this long-lost title through its inclusion on the Virtual Boy emulator. The other game, D-HOPPER, is an original title for the Virtual Boy, placed in the top-down-adventure genre, and was also showcased at E3 1996.
With the Nintendo Switch Online getting a new trial in 2026, and Virtual Boy’s promising lineup and roadmap, it seems there has never been a better time to join the online subscription. It is worth noting that this free trial only covers the base membership, and the Virtual Boy is included in the Expansion Pack, although the free trial is still a great way to experience the other emulators first and promptly make a decision. The strong lineup of games and upcoming features, such as the ability to change the screen color, leave the Virtual Boy’s addition to Nintendo Switch Online a promising yet patient step in the overall quality of the service.
