Editing Virtual Boy
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|image=[[File:VB System.png|300px]] | |image=[[File:VB System.png|300px]] | ||
|generation=Fifth | |generation=Fifth | ||
|release={{ | |release={{release|Japan|July 21, 1995|USA|August 14, 1995}} | ||
|discontinued=March 2, 1996 | |discontinued=March 2, 1996 | ||
|predecessor=[[Game Boy]] | |predecessor=[[Game Boy]] | ||
|successor=[[Game Boy Color]] | |successor=[[Game Boy Color]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{ | {{quote2|We saw the future, and it was black and red.|British Official Nintendo Magazine}} | ||
[[File:Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|left|200px]] | [[File:Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|left|200px]] | ||
The ''' | The '''[[nwiki:Virtual Boy|Virtual Boy]]''' is a video game system developed by [[Nintendo]] and released in 1995. It consisted of a red box on black legs with a black visor which players would look into for game play. It was created by [[Gunpei Yokoi]], and his 60-headed research team, together with Reflection Technologies. This team worked on the console for over three and a half years. Virtual Boy game images are 3D and are displayed using mirror-scanning technology. They appear on LEDs in four shades of red with a black background. The image is reflected off of oscillating mirrors, which create the apparent thickness of the image. This type of graphics was once referred to by Nintendo as "true 3D". Digital stereo sound is emitted from the self-contained speaker system found on either side of the visor. The console was a commercial failure for many reasons, including its lack of portability and the headaches gameplay caused in a matter of minutes. Concern regarding Nintendo's warnings that the Virtual Boy could cause eye problems also detracted potential customers, though the Virtual Boy would automatically pause every 15 minutes. | ||
[[File:Virtual Boy Color Palette.png|frame|left|The four colors the Virtual Boy is able to display]] | [[File:Virtual Boy Color Palette.png|frame|left|The four colors the Virtual Boy is able to display.]] | ||
It was released early to keep fans occupied during the long wait for the [[Nintendo 64]]. Many, however, were not willing to invest in the Virtual Boy with another Nintendo system on its way. It cost US$179.95 upon first release.<ref>Edwards, B. (August 21, 2015). [https://www.fastcompany.com/3050016/unraveling-the-enigma-of-nintendos-virtual-boy-20-years-later Unraveling The Enigma Of Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, 20 Years Later]. ''Fast Company''. Retrieved April 25, 2020.</ref> Due to its failure in the Japanese and American video game markets, the Virtual Boy was never released in Europe or Australia, and it was discontinued less than a year after its release. It only shipped 800,000 units and sold 770,000 of them during its lifetime.<ref>[http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/111823/the-10-worst-selling-consoles-of-all-time-page-2-of-2/ GamePro - 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time (pg. 2/2)]</ref> | |||
The Virtual Boy has an EXT. port that was most likely made to support two-player mode. Games such as ''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' support this mode, but the cable was never released | The Virtual Boy was a fiasco when it was available, but is now a collector's item. The Virtual Boy has an EXT. port that was most likely made to support two-player mode. Games such as ''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' support this mode, but the cable was never released due to the fact that the system was discontinued so quickly. Years later, the success of the 3D effects Nintendo wanted was fulfilled with the release of the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. The Virtual Boy did not have a home console counterpart besides the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]. | ||
Years later, Nintendo | |||
{{br|left}} | {{br|left}} | ||
==Controller== | ==Controller== | ||
[[File:VB Controller.png|150px|thumb|The Virtual Boy Controller]] | [[File:VB Controller.png|150px|thumb|right|The Virtual Boy Controller.]] | ||
The Virtual Boy Controller is the standard and only controller for the Virtual Boy. It consists of a {{button|start}} and {{button|select}} button on the left side, with the {{button|nes|A}} and {{button|nes|B}} buttons on the right. One {{button|nes|pad}} is found on each side; most of the buttons are reminiscent of the NES's buttons. The controller is also the power source for the system itself via a battery pack on the back of the controller. | The Virtual Boy Controller is the standard and only controller for the Virtual Boy. It consists of a {{button|start}} and {{button|select}} button on the left side, with the {{button|nes|A}} and {{button|nes|B}} buttons on the right. One {{button|nes|pad}} is found on each side; most of the buttons are reminiscent of the NES's buttons. The controller is also the power source for the system itself via a battery pack on the back of the controller. | ||
==''[[ | ==''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' games on the Virtual Boy== | ||
===Released=== | ===Released=== | ||
*''[[Mario Clash]] | *''[[Mario Clash]] | ||
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[[File:Rareware Virtual Boy DKC2 Quote.png|thumb|The quote from Rareware, inaccurately referring to a Virtual Boy port of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''.]] | [[File:Rareware Virtual Boy DKC2 Quote.png|thumb|The quote from Rareware, inaccurately referring to a Virtual Boy port of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''.]] | ||
*''[[Tech demo#Mario Demo|Mario Demo]]'' | *''[[Tech demo#Mario Demo|Mario Demo]]'' | ||
*Unnamed ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' proof-of-concept | * Unnamed ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' proof-of-concept | ||
A proof-of-concept for a ''Donkey Kong Country'' title was made for the Virtual Boy.<ref name="DK Vine">Cameron. "[https://dkvine.com/?p=games&page=dkvb§ion=red_dead_reflection Red Dead Reflection]". ''DK Vine''. Retrieved October 16, 2020</ref> While a quote from [[Leigh Loveday]] on [[Rare]]'s Scribes mailbag referred to it as a Virtual Boy port of ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'',<ref>[https://rarewhere.neocities.org/2000_2002/aug10_01.html August 10 2001 Scribes mailbag]. ''Rarewhere''. Retrieved October 16, 2020</ref> various subsequent statements by employees involved on the project, most notably [[Paul Machacek]], clarified that were no concrete plans for ''Donkey Kong Country'' game on the system and that what Loveday referred to was a short demo to test the capabilities of the Virtual Boy.<ref name="DK Vine"/> Speaking of the demo, Machacek stated "''I did it for 3 months & was cross-eyed with headaches by the end. I implemented a simple horizontally scrolling jungle background with split-level platforms & DK running around "being DK". All art was pre-rendered and lifted from DKC. [...] We only ever got something running against a jungle background on VB & whilst that art had been lifted from DKC it had already gone through some “monochroming” for [[Donkey Kong Land|DKL]] on gameboy which seemed a more apt place to directly take monochrome art from [...] We never got a full playable level working. Merely a short side scrolling split-level jungle background with DK walking/running/jumping on it. There were some rats running about as well (which i lifted from a GB {{wp|Battletoads}} game!) Enjoy{{sic}} ...imagine [https://twitter.com/Paul_Mach1/status/1104010982408548352 these images] in various shades of red with some rats running around DK. That's pretty much what it looked like. While i could see. Honestly that thing gave me neck-ache as well come to think of it.''" Work on the demo ended and no plan for a full-blown game was developed after it became obvious that the Virtual Boy was a commercial failure.<ref name="DK Vine"/> | A proof-of-concept for a ''Donkey Kong Country'' title was made for the Virtual Boy.<ref name="DK Vine">Cameron. "[https://dkvine.com/?p=games&page=dkvb§ion=red_dead_reflection Red Dead Reflection]". ''DK Vine''. Retrieved October 16, 2020</ref> While a quote from [[Leigh Loveday]] on [[Rare]]'s Scribes mailbag referred to it as a Virtual Boy port of ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'',<ref>[https://rarewhere.neocities.org/2000_2002/aug10_01.html August 10 2001 Scribes mailbag]. ''Rarewhere''. Retrieved October 16, 2020</ref> various subsequent statements by employees involved on the project, most notably [[Paul Machacek]], clarified that were no concrete plans for ''Donkey Kong Country'' game on the system and that what Loveday referred to was a short demo to test the capabilities of the Virtual Boy.<ref name="DK Vine"/> Speaking of the demo, Machacek stated "''I did it for 3 months & was cross-eyed with headaches by the end. I implemented a simple horizontally scrolling jungle background with split-level platforms & DK running around "being DK". All art was pre-rendered and lifted from DKC. [...] We only ever got something running against a jungle background on VB & whilst that art had been lifted from DKC it had already gone through some “monochroming” for [[Donkey Kong Land|DKL]] on gameboy which seemed a more apt place to directly take monochrome art from [...] We never got a full playable level working. Merely a short side scrolling split-level jungle background with DK walking/running/jumping on it. There were some rats running about as well (which i lifted from a GB {{wp|Battletoads}} game!) Enjoy{{sic}} ...imagine [https://twitter.com/Paul_Mach1/status/1104010982408548352 these images] in various shades of red with some rats running around DK. That's pretty much what it looked like. While i could see. Honestly that thing gave me neck-ache as well come to think of it.''" Work on the demo ended and no plan for a full-blown game was developed after it became obvious that the Virtual Boy was a commercial failure.<ref name="DK Vine"/> | ||
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Several different pre-production models were later created in Japan, sharing characteristics of both the first prototypes as well as the final design. The plastic was more smooth than the final, and without any writings engraved in it. The adjustment knobs on top are black instead of grey, and the controller reached its final design. North America soon got its own pre-production model. These had the Virtual Boy logo on the side of the system, and the logo on the controller is a bit thicker than on retail units. These pre-production models were given to Nintendo of America's game testers to review Virtual Boy games, and the testers were later allowed to take them home.<ref>[http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=vb&sec=protos&show=10 Pre-Production Model (USA)]</ref> | Several different pre-production models were later created in Japan, sharing characteristics of both the first prototypes as well as the final design. The plastic was more smooth than the final, and without any writings engraved in it. The adjustment knobs on top are black instead of grey, and the controller reached its final design. North America soon got its own pre-production model. These had the Virtual Boy logo on the side of the system, and the logo on the controller is a bit thicker than on retail units. These pre-production models were given to Nintendo of America's game testers to review Virtual Boy games, and the testers were later allowed to take them home.<ref>[http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=vb&sec=protos&show=10 Pre-Production Model (USA)]</ref> | ||
==Appearances in the '' | ==Appearances in the ''Mario'' franchise== | ||
===''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series=== | ===''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series=== | ||
====''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==== | ====''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==== | ||
A Virtual Boy appears in the shelf, in the room where all [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophies]] are kept. Although the Virtual Boy only appears in the Japanese version of the game, the player can still see it by setting the language to Japanese in the North American version of the game. | A Virtual Boy appears in the shelf, in the room where all [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophies]] are kept. Although the Virtual Boy only appears in the Japanese version of the game, the player can still see it by setting the language to Japanese in the North American version of the game. | ||
====''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | ====''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''==== | ||
[[File:Gamer SSB4.png|thumb|200px| | [[File:Gamer SSB4.png|thumb|right|200px|In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', a Virtual Boy can be seen on shelf on the right side of the [[Gamer (stage)|Gamer]] stage.]] | ||
In the stage [[Gamer (stage)|Gamer]], based on the minigame of the same name in ''Game & Wario'', the [[#Game & Wario|same Virtual Boy]] can be seen next to the television. | In the stage [[Gamer (stage)|Gamer]], based on the minigame of the same name in ''Game & Wario'', the [[#Game & Wario|same Virtual Boy]] can be seen next to the television. | ||
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===''[[Super Paper Mario]]''=== | ===''[[Super Paper Mario]]''=== | ||
[[File:SPM Francisroomright.png|thumb|''Super Paper Mario'']] | [[File:SPM Francisroomright.png|thumb|right|''Super Paper Mario'']] | ||
[[Francis]] has a Virtual Boy in his room, where he also keeps other various Nintendo consoles. | [[Francis]] has a Virtual Boy in his room, where he also keeps other various Nintendo consoles. | ||
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===Early design=== | ===Early design=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|First concept drawings | Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|First concept drawings | ||
Virtual Boy-Mirror Scan Diagram.png|Basic design of how the 3D images were to be displayed | Virtual Boy-Mirror Scan Diagram.png|Basic design of how the 3D images were to be displayed | ||
Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Patent.png|Shoshinkai patent 1994 | Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Patent.png|Shoshinkai patent 1994 | ||
Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Controller.png|Early | Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Controller.png|Early controller; Shoshinkai 1994 | ||
Virtual Boy-Japan Prototpe.jpg|Japan prototype | Virtual Boy-Japan Prototpe.jpg|Japan prototype | ||
Virtual Boy-Pre Production Controller.png|Pre-production controller | Virtual Boy-Pre Production Controller.png|Pre-production controller | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | ===Software=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
MarioClash.jpg|''[[Mario Clash]]'' | |||
Marios tennis english cover.jpg|''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' | Marios tennis english cover.jpg|''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' | ||
Virtual Boy Wario Land box art.jpg|''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]'' | Virtual Boy Wario Land box art.jpg|''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]'' | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{NIWA|FZeroWiki=1|LylatWiki=Star Fox (series)#Star Fox Virtual Boy|NWiki=1|SmashWiki=Chronicle#Virtual Boy|StrategyWiki=Category:Virtual Boy}} | |||
{{Wikipedia}} | |||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
{{VB}} | {{VB}} | ||
{{ | {{Consoles}} | ||
[[de:Virtual Boy]] | [[de:Virtual Boy]] | ||
[[it:Virtual Boy]] | [[it:Virtual Boy]] | ||
[[Category:Systems]] | [[Category:Systems]] | ||
