Virtual Boy: Difference between revisions

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{{System-Infobox
{{redirect|VB|the device in ''[[Luigi's Mansion 3]]'' based on the Virtual Boy|[[Virtual Boo]]}}
|Image=[[File:VB System.png|300px]]
{{system infobox
|Rel={{releasedate|Japan|July 21, 1995|USA|August 14, 1995}}
|image=[[File:VB System.png|300px]]
|Dis=March 2, 1996
|generation=Fifth
|Pre=[[Game Boy]]
|release={{flag list|Japan|July 21, 1995|USA|August 14, 1995<ref>{{cite|title=VIRTUAL BOY LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED|url=https://www.virtual-boy.com/events/e3-1995/articles/733039/|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=May 11, 1995 |accessdate=December 19, 2024}}</ref> }}
|Suc=[[Game Boy Color]]
|discontinued=March 2, 1996
|predecessor=[[Game Boy]]
|successor=[[Game Boy Color]]
}}
}}
{{LLQuote|We saw the future, and it was black and red.|British Official Nintendo Magazine}}
{{quote|We saw the future, and it was black and red.|''{{wp|Official Nintendo Magazine}}''}}
[[File:Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|left|200px]]
[[File:Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|left|200px]]
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.  
The '''{{wp|Virtual Boy}}''' is the third portable video game system developed by [[Nintendo]] and released in 1995. It consisted of a red box on black legs with a black visor that players would look into for gameplay. 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 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, hence the reason why the Virtual Boy automatically paused gameplay 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 $200 US dollars upon first release. 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 was released early to keep fans occupied during the long wait for the [[Nintendo 64]]. It had an original retail price of about US$179.95 upon its 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 shipped only 800,000 units and sold 770,000 of them during its lifetime.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080906185209/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 was a fiasco when it was available, but is now a collectors 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 [[SNES]].
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 since the system was discontinued so quickly.
 
Years later, Nintendo released a handheld system with 3D support, the [[Nintendo 3DS]].
{{br|left}}
{{br|left}}
==Controller==
==Controller==
[[File:VB Controller.png|150px|thumb|right|The Virtual Boy Controller.]]
[[File:VB Controller.png|150px|thumb|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==
==''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' games on the Virtual Boy==
===Released===
===Released===
*''[[Mario Clash]]
*''[[Mario Clash]]
Line 26: Line 31:


===Canceled===
===Canceled===
[[File:Rareware Virtual Boy DKC2 Quote.png|thumb|The quote from Rareware, confirming facts about the Virtual Boy port of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''.]]
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''
*''[[VB Mario Land]]''
*''[[VB Mario Land]]''


A quote from [[Leigh Loveday]], dated 10th of August, 2001 from the English (and UK based) Rareware website confirmed that a Virtual Boy port of ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest'' was planned, but development didn't get very far from designing the title screen before the project was cancelled.
The German magazine ''Big N'' claimed that a Virtual Boy installment of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, tentatively named ''VB Mario Kart'', was in development.<ref>[[Media:Big N Magazine (Germany) VB.jpg|Big N magazine (Germany), July-August 2000, pg. 19]]</ref> The only known media report of it is Big N's August 2000 issue, which listed it among various other canceled Virtual Boy projects.


The German magazine ''Big N'' claimed that a Virtual Boy installment of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, tentatively named ''VB Mario Kart'', was in development<ref>[[Media:Big N Magazine (Germany) VB.jpg|Big N magazine (Germany), July-August 2000, pg. 19]]</ref>. The only known media report of it is Big N's August 2000 issue, which listed it among various other cancelled Virtual Boy projects.
===Tech demos===
[[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]]''
*Unnamed ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' proof-of-concept


===Tech Demos===
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&section=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"/>
*[[Mario Demo]]


==Production==
==Production==
[[File:Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|thumb|The first concept drawings for the Virtual Reality project.]]  
[[File:Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|thumb|The first concept drawings for the Virtual Reality project.]]  
When [[Gunpei Yokoi]] first had the idea of a Virtual Reality gaming console, he referred to it as "Virtual Utopia Experience".<ref>[http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=vb&sec=protos&show=2 Virtual Utopia Experience]</ref> The first concept drawings showed the possibilities of 3D images by displaying two slightly different images using mirrors. During development, the system was codenamed "VR32", meaning "Virtual Reality 32-bit". The early patents of VR32 were made public in 1994, with diagrams showing that the controller was originally going to have three buttons on the right, near the D-Pad. The system was officially announced at the Japan Shoshinkai event on November 15 and 16, 1994<ref>[[Media:Nintendo Power January '95.jpg|Nintendo Power, issue #68, January 1995, pg. 52]]</ref>, where it was first known as "Virtual Boy". The prototype which was unveiled differed from the final version, as the system was colored blue and red, and the blue controller had multicolored buttons. It looked very similar to the future [[Nintendo GameCube]] controller. The public were shown how each lens displayed a different image, giving the impression of "True 3D".  
When [[Gunpei Yokoi]] first had the idea of a Virtual Reality gaming console, he referred to it as "Virtual Utopia Experience".<ref>[http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=vb&sec=protos&show=2 Virtual Utopia Experience]</ref>  However, {{wp|Argonaut Games|Argonaut}} was working on an advanced virtual reality gaming system called the "Super Visor" for Nintendo, which Yokoi canceled in favor of his own idea.<ref>Hamill, Jasper (September 26, 2018). [https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/26/secrets-of-lost-nintendo-console-revealed-by-british-gaming-pioneer-who-led-its-design-7980023/ Secrets of lost Nintendo console revealed by British gaming pioneer who led its design]. ''Metro'' (retrieved June 4, 2019).</ref> The first concept drawings showed the possibilities of 3D images by displaying two slightly different images using mirrors. During development, the system was codenamed "VR32", meaning "Virtual Reality 32-bit". The early patents of VR32 were made public in 1994, with diagrams showing that the controller was originally going to have three buttons on the right, near the D-Pad. The system was officially announced at the Japan Shoshinkai event on November 15 and 16, 1994<ref>[[Media:Nintendo Power January '95.jpg|Nintendo Power, issue #68, January 1995, pg. 52]]</ref>, where it was first known as "Virtual Boy". The prototype which was unveiled differed from the final version, as the system was colored blue and red, and the blue controller had multicolored buttons. It looked very similar to the future [[Nintendo GameCube]] controller. The public were shown how each lens displayed a different image, giving the impression of "True 3D".  


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 ''Mario'' series==
==Appearances in the ''Super Mario'' franchise==
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
===''[[Super Mario-kun]]''===
A Virtual Boy appears in the shelf, in the room where all [[Trophy|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.
[[File:SMKun 13 chapter 5.png|thumb|150px]]
In chapter 5 of [[Super Mario-kun Volume 13|volume 13]], Mario is running from [[Bowser's Minions]] in [[Morton]]'s mall and trips, getting a Virtual Boy stuck to his face. Taking advantage of this, Morton makes him attack his friends whom he believes to be enemies and avoid obstacles that are not there. Panicked, Mario swings his [[hammer]] left and right until he hits some [[Bob-omb]]s, blowing up the entire mall.
 
===''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series===
====''[[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.
 
====''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''====
[[File:Gamer SSB4.png|thumb|200px|A Virtual Boy can be seen on the 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.
 
===''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]'' series===
====''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]''====
A Virtual Boy appears in Level 3 of the [[Sifty Character]] [[microgame]].
 
====''[[Game & Wario]]''====
In the minigame [[Gamer]], [[9-Volt]] has a Virtual Boy in his room, next to the television. In ''WarioWare Gold'', Sneaky Gamer has a [[Wii U]] instead of the Virtual Boy.
 
====''[[WarioWare Gold]]''====
The Virtual Boy appears as a collectible Nintendo [[List of souvenirs in WarioWare Gold|souvenir]].


===''[[Super Paper Mario]]''===
===''[[Super Paper Mario]]''===
[[Francis]] has a Virtual Boy in his room in where he also keeps other various Nintendo consoles.
[[File:SPM Francisroomright.png|thumb|''Super Paper Mario'']]
[[Francis]] has a Virtual Boy in his room, where he also keeps other various Nintendo consoles.


===''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]''===
===''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions]]''===
During the third stage of [[Sifty Character]] [[microgame]], a Virtual Boy is on the shelf.
[[File:SpI SecretSpecs MLSS+BM.png|frame|left]]
The Special Item accessory [[Secret Specs]] sprite is designed after the Virtual Boy.
{{br|left}}


===''[[Game & Wario]]''===
===''[[Luigi's Mansion 3]]''===
In the minigame [[Gamer]], [[9-Volt]] has a Virtual Boy in his room, next to the television.
Another invention by [[Professor Elvin Gadd|Professor E. Gadd]] introduced in the game is the [[Virtual Boo]] ("VB" for short), a communication device based on the Virtual Boy that replaces the [[Game Boy Horror]] and [[Dual Scream]] from previous installments. When E. Gadd gives it to [[Luigi]], he mentions that he plans on selling it and claims that it will "fly off the shelves," a joking reference to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure.<ref>GameXplain (October 16, 2019). [https://youtu.be/UHJJghjSY6Q Luigi's Mansion 3 Has a Virtual Boy Spoof + Joke]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved October 16, 2019.</ref>
 
{{br}}
===''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U|Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''===
In the stage [[Gamer (stage)|Gamer]] based on the minigame of the same name in ''Game & Wario'', the same Virtual Boy can be seen next to the television.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Logos===
===Logos===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:Virtual Boy-VR32 Logo.png|"VR32" logo
Virtual Boy-VR32 Logo.png|"VR32" logo
File:Virtual Boy-Beta Logo 1994.png|Prototype logo
Virtual Boy-Beta Logo 1994.png|Prototype logo
File:Virtual Boy-Beta Logo 1995.png|Alternative prototype logo
Virtual Boy-Beta Logo 1995.png|Alternative prototype logo
File:Virtual Boy-Final Logo.png|Final logo
Virtual Boy-Final Logo.svg|Final logo
File:Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|Alternative final logo; mainly seen on box arts
Virtual Boy-Final Logo.png|Final logo
File:Virtual Boy Startup Logo.png|Game start-up logo, seen in most games.
Virtual Boy Official Logo.PNG|Alternative final logo; mainly seen on box art
</gallery></center>
Virtual Boy Startup Logo.png|Game start-up logo, seen in most games.
</gallery>


===Early design===
===Early design===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|First concept drawings
Virtual Boy-First Concept Drawings.png|First concept drawings, 1993
File: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
File:Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Patent.png|Shoshinkai patent 1994
Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Patent.png|Shoshinkai patent 1994
File:Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Controller.png|Early controller; Shoshinkai 1994
Virtual Boy-Shoshinkai Controller.png|Early controller with a similar casing to a default GameCube controller; Shoshinkai 1994
File:Virtual Boy-Japan Prototpe.jpg|Japan prototype
Virtual Boy-Japan Prototpe.jpg|Japan prototype
File:Virtual Boy-Pre Production Controller.png|Pre-production controller
Virtual Boy-Pre Production Controller.png|Pre-production controller
</gallery></center>
</gallery>


===Final system===
===Final system===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:VB System.png|System
VB System.png|System
File:Virtual Boy System.png|System
Virtual Boy System.png|System
File:Virtualboy_1.jpg|System
Virtualboy 1.jpg|System
File:Virtual_boy_2.jpg|System
Virtual boy 2.jpg|System
File:Virtual Boy-Visor.png|Close up of visor
Virtual Boy-Visor.png|Close up of visor
File:Virtual Boy-Focus Adjust.png|Close up of focus adjust
Virtual Boy-Focus Adjust.png|Close up of focus adjust
File:Virtual Boy-VBWL Cartridge.png|A ''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]'' cartridge being inserted into the system
Virtual Boy-VBWL Cartridge.png|A ''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]'' cartridge being inserted into the system
File:Virtual Boy-Controller.png|Controller
Virtual Boy-Controller.png|Controller
File:VB Controller.png|Controller
VB Controller.png|Controller
</gallery></center>
</gallery>


===Shipping box===
===Shipping box===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:Virtual Boy-Prototype Box.png|Prototype design
Virtual Boy-Prototype Box.png|Prototype design
File:Virtual Boy-Japanese Box.png|Final Japanese design
Virtual Boy-Japanese Box.png|Final Japanese design
File:Virtual Boy-NA Box.png|Final NA design
Virtual Boy-NA Box.png|Final NA design
</gallery></center>
</gallery>


===Software===
===Games===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:MarioClash.jpg|''[[Mario Clash]]''
MarioClash.jpg|''[[Mario Clash]]''
File:Mario's Tennis Boxart.PNG|''[[Mario's Tennis]]''
Marios tennis english cover.jpg|''[[Mario's Tennis]]''
File:Www.jpg|''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]''
Virtual Boy Wario Land box art.jpg|''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]''
</gallery></center>
</gallery>


===Promotional artwork===
===Promotional artwork===
<center><gallery>
<gallery>
File:Wario Virtual Boy Artwork - Nintendo Power.png|[[Wario]] with a Virtual Boy, from [[Nintendo Power]].
Wario Virtual Boy Artwork - Nintendo Power.png|[[Mario]] and [[Wario]] with a Virtual Boy, from GamePro.
</gallery></center>
Virtual Boy Gamefan Magazine.jpg|Cover of a Gamefan Magazine, showing [[Mario]] with the Virtual Boy.
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{NIWA|NWiki=1}}
 
{{BoxTop}}
{{NIWA|FZeroWiki=1|LylatWiki=Star Fox (series)#Star Fox Virtual Boy|NWiki=1|SmashWiki=Chronicle#Virtual Boy|StrategyWiki=Category:Virtual Boy}}
 
{{VB}}
{{VB}}
{{Consoles}}
{{Systems}}
[[de:Virtual Boy]]
[[de:Virtual Boy]]
[[it:Virtual Boy]]
[[it:Virtual Boy]]
[[Category:Systems]]

Latest revision as of 13:54, December 19, 2024

"VB" redirects here. For the device in Luigi's Mansion 3 based on the Virtual Boy, see Virtual Boo.
Virtual Boy
The Virtual Boy
Generation Fifth generation
Release date Japan July 21, 1995[?]
USA August 14, 1995[1]
Discontinued March 2, 1996[?]
Predecessor Game Boy
Successor Game Boy Color
“We saw the future, and it was black and red.”
—Official Nintendo Magazine
Virtual Boy official logo

The Virtual Boy is the third portable video game system developed by Nintendo and released in 1995. It consisted of a red box on black legs with a black visor that players would look into for gameplay. 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 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, hence the reason why the Virtual Boy automatically paused gameplay every 15 minutes.

The Virtual Boy color palette, which use the following RGB values:
The four colors the Virtual Boy is able to display

The Virtual Boy was released early to keep fans occupied during the long wait for the Nintendo 64. It had an original retail price of about US$179.95 upon its release.[2] 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 shipped only 800,000 units and sold 770,000 of them during its lifetime.[3]

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 since the system was discontinued so quickly.

Years later, Nintendo released a handheld system with 3D support, the Nintendo 3DS.

Controller[edit]

The Virtual Boy Controller

The Virtual Boy Controller is the standard and only controller for the Virtual Boy. It consists of a start and select button on the left side, with the A Button and B Button buttons on the right. One +Control 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.

Super Mario games on the Virtual Boy[edit]

Released[edit]

Canceled[edit]

The German magazine Big N claimed that a Virtual Boy installment of the Mario Kart series, tentatively named VB Mario Kart, was in development.[4] The only known media report of it is Big N's August 2000 issue, which listed it among various other canceled Virtual Boy projects.

Tech demos[edit]

Screenshot of a quote from the Rareware English/UK website, dated 10th of August, 2001 and written by Leigh Loveday. Officially confirming that the development of the Virtual Boy port of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was cancelled very early in development, not very far beyond designing the title screen.
The quote from Rareware, inaccurately referring to a Virtual Boy port of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.

A proof-of-concept for a Donkey Kong Country title was made for the Virtual Boy.[5] 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,[6] 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.[5] 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 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 Battletoads game!) Enjoy[sic] ...imagine 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.[5]

Production[edit]

First concept drawings for the Virtual Boy.
The first concept drawings for the Virtual Reality project.

When Gunpei Yokoi first had the idea of a Virtual Reality gaming console, he referred to it as "Virtual Utopia Experience".[7] However, Argonaut was working on an advanced virtual reality gaming system called the "Super Visor" for Nintendo, which Yokoi canceled in favor of his own idea.[8] The first concept drawings showed the possibilities of 3D images by displaying two slightly different images using mirrors. During development, the system was codenamed "VR32", meaning "Virtual Reality 32-bit". The early patents of VR32 were made public in 1994, with diagrams showing that the controller was originally going to have three buttons on the right, near the D-Pad. The system was officially announced at the Japan Shoshinkai event on November 15 and 16, 1994[9], where it was first known as "Virtual Boy". The prototype which was unveiled differed from the final version, as the system was colored blue and red, and the blue controller had multicolored buttons. It looked very similar to the future Nintendo GameCube controller. The public were shown how each lens displayed a different image, giving the impression of "True 3D".

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.[10]

Appearances in the Super Mario franchise[edit]

Super Mario-kun[edit]

Start of chapter 5

In chapter 5 of volume 13, Mario is running from Bowser's Minions in Morton's mall and trips, getting a Virtual Boy stuck to his face. Taking advantage of this, Morton makes him attack his friends whom he believes to be enemies and avoid obstacles that are not there. Panicked, Mario swings his hammer left and right until he hits some Bob-ombs, blowing up the entire mall.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

A Virtual Boy appears in the shelf, in the room where all 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 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

A Virtual Boy can be seen on the shelf on the right side of the Gamer stage.

In the stage Gamer, based on the minigame of the same name in Game & Wario, the same Virtual Boy can be seen next to the television.

WarioWare series[edit]

WarioWare: Smooth Moves[edit]

A Virtual Boy appears in Level 3 of the Sifty Character microgame.

Game & Wario[edit]

In the minigame Gamer, 9-Volt has a Virtual Boy in his room, next to the television. In WarioWare Gold, Sneaky Gamer has a Wii U instead of the Virtual Boy.

WarioWare Gold[edit]

The Virtual Boy appears as a collectible Nintendo souvenir.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Super Paper Mario

Francis has a Virtual Boy in his room, where he also keeps other various Nintendo consoles.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[edit]

Secret Specs from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

The Special Item accessory Secret Specs sprite is designed after the Virtual Boy.

Luigi's Mansion 3[edit]

Another invention by Professor E. Gadd introduced in the game is the Virtual Boo ("VB" for short), a communication device based on the Virtual Boy that replaces the Game Boy Horror and Dual Scream from previous installments. When E. Gadd gives it to Luigi, he mentions that he plans on selling it and claims that it will "fly off the shelves," a joking reference to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure.[11]

Gallery[edit]

Logos[edit]

  • "VR32" logo

    "VR32" logo

  • Prototype logo

    Prototype logo

  • Alternative prototype logo

    Alternative prototype logo

  • Final logo

    Final logo

  • Final logo

    Final logo

  • Alternative final logo; mainly seen on box art

    Alternative final logo; mainly seen on box art

  • Game start-up logo, seen in most games.

    Game start-up logo, seen in most games.

Early design[edit]

  • First concept drawings, 1993

    First concept drawings, 1993

  • Basic design of how the 3D images were to be displayed

    Basic design of how the 3D images were to be displayed

  • Shoshinkai patent 1994

    Shoshinkai patent 1994

  • Early controller with a similar casing to a default GameCube controller; Shoshinkai 1994

    Early controller with a similar casing to a default GameCube controller; Shoshinkai 1994

  • Japan prototype

    Japan prototype

  • Pre-production controller

    Pre-production controller

Final system[edit]

  • System

    System

  • System

    System

  • System

    System

  • System

    System

  • Close up of visor

    Close up of visor

  • Close up of focus adjust

    Close up of focus adjust

  • A Virtual Boy Wario Land cartridge being inserted into the system

    A Virtual Boy Wario Land cartridge being inserted into the system

  • Controller

    Controller

  • Controller

    Controller

Shipping box[edit]

  • Prototype design

    Prototype design

  • Final Japanese design

    Final Japanese design

  • Final NA design

    Final NA design

Games[edit]

Promotional artwork[edit]

  • Mario and Wario with a Virtual Boy, from GamePro.

    Mario and Wario with a Virtual Boy, from GamePro.

  • Cover of a Gamefan Magazine, showing Mario with the Virtual Boy.

    Cover of a Gamefan Magazine, showing Mario with the Virtual Boy.

References[edit]

  1. ^ May 11, 1995. VIRTUAL BOY LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED. Nintendo of America. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Edwards, B. (August 21, 2015). Unraveling The Enigma Of Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, 20 Years Later. Fast Company. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  3. ^ GamePro - 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time (pg. 2/2)
  4. ^ Big N magazine (Germany), July-August 2000, pg. 19
  5. ^ a b c Cameron. "Red Dead Reflection". DK Vine. Retrieved October 16, 2020
  6. ^ August 10 2001 Scribes mailbag. Rarewhere. Retrieved October 16, 2020
  7. ^ Virtual Utopia Experience
  8. ^ Hamill, Jasper (September 26, 2018). Secrets of lost Nintendo console revealed by British gaming pioneer who led its design. Metro (retrieved June 4, 2019).
  9. ^ Nintendo Power, issue #68, January 1995, pg. 52
  10. ^ Pre-Production Model (USA)
  11. ^ GameXplain (October 16, 2019). Luigi's Mansion 3 Has a Virtual Boy Spoof + Joke. YouTube. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
Virtual Boy coverage on other NIWA wikis:
[Edit]
Virtual Boy games
Super Mario franchise Mario's Tennis (1995) • Mario Clash (1995) • VB Mario Land (canceled) • VB Mario Kart (canceled)
Donkey Kong franchise Unnamed Donkey Kong Country proof-of-concept (tech demo)
Wario franchise Virtual Boy Wario Land (1995)
[Edit]
Video game systems and add-ons
Nintendo home consoles Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System (Family BASIC, Family Computer Disk System) • Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Satellaview, Super Game Boy) • Nintendo 64 (Nintendo 64DD) • Nintendo GameCube (Game Boy Player) • Wii (Virtual Console, WiiWare) • Wii U (Virtual Console) • Nintendo Switch
Nintendo handhelds Game & Watch • Game Boy • Virtual Boy • Game Boy Color • Game Boy Advance • Nintendo DS (Nintendo DSi, DSiWare) • Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console) • Nintendo Switch
Other MS-DOS • VS. System • Nintendo PlayChoice-10 • Nintendo Super System • Nelsonic Game Watch • Super Mario Bros. Watch • Gamewatch Boy • Philips CD-i • Mini Classics • Triforce • Visteon Dockable Entertainment System • Classics • LodgeNet • Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo
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