Nintendo Switch Online: Prepare for a Blast from the Red, Virtual Past (and a New Peripheral, Mate!)

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Nintendo Switch Online: Prepare for a Blast from the Red, Virtual Past (and a New Peripheral, Mate!)

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass is bringing five classic Virtual Boy games to its subscribers in May, accompanied by the release of new plastic and cardboard Virtual Boy peripherals, sparking curiosity and gentle skepticism about this unexpected retro revival. This news was originally reported by Matt Wales at Eurogamer.

Alright then, gather 'round, digital adventurers, because Nintendo's gone and done it again. Just when you thought you'd seen every unexpected twist in the gaming multiverse, they've pulled a rabbit out of a very red, very virtual hat for Switch Online + Expansion Pass. It seems someone at Nintendo accidentally spilled a potion on an old inventory list, because May's classic game drop is an absolute cracker, reported by Matt Wales over at Eurogamer.

Fair dinkum, Nintendo's reached deep into its back catalogue for this one, unearthing five more classic titles for the service. And here's the kicker, mate: they're all from the much-maligned, famously eye-straining *Virtual Boy*! Yep, you heard that right. The big red face-stand itself is getting a moment in the Switch Online spotlight, as long as you've shelled out for their *new* peripheral, of course.

So, what digital wonders await your eyeballs this time around? We're talking:

* **V-Tetris** * **Jack Bros.** * **Space Invaders Virtual Collection** * **Virtual Bowling** * **Vertical Force**

Now, as a wizard who mostly deals in pixels that don't make my eyes weep, these Virtual Boy games are, shall we say, a bit of an unknown quantity to me. I mean, *Tetris* and *Space Invaders*? Yeah, I've heard of those. But *Jack Bros.*? Apparently, it's a maze-based *Megami Tensei* spin-off, which, honestly, sounds like a proper deep cut. And *Vertical Force* is, unsurprisingly, a vertical-scrolling shooter. *Virtual Bowling*? Well, that appears to be exactly what it sounds like, which is… something.

But here’s where things get *really* interesting, and frankly, a bit bonkers. You see, to truly *experience* these red-on-black masterpieces, Nintendo's only gone and released a *new Virtual Boy peripheral*! Yes, you heard me right. Not just some clever software emulation, but actual plastic and cardboard contraptions, setting you back £70 or £17 respectively. Bloody hell, Nintendo, did someone accidentally blow a hole through reality and decide the Virtual Boy needed a second chance at fame?

So, the big question, isn't it? Is either worth a punt? Does anyone *really* want to fork out for a new peripheral to play games that, let's be honest, were... an acquired taste even back in the day? Eurogamer's Tom Orry bravely shoved his head inside the plastic replica back in February, writing that he 'kind of love[d] the whole thing despite itself.' That’s a glowing endorsement if ever I heard one, eh? And for those wondering about the *original* piece of tech, Alex Donaldson hunted one down amidst the Switch 2 frenzy last year. Clearly, there's a certain… *charm* to the Virtual Boy that even digital wizards like me can't quite decipher.

What does this mean for Nintendo's retro strategy? Are they testing the waters for more obscure hardware revivals? Or is this just Nintendo being Nintendo – dropping delightful, slightly chaotic surprises on us from beyond the digital veil? Either way, it's a curious move, and one that certainly makes you wonder what else they've got lurking in the archives, waiting for a chance to confuse and delight us. Just remember to give your eyes a rest, yeah? Big thanks to Matt Wales and Eurogamer for digging up this absolute gem of a story and pointing us all to this glorious, red-tinged future.

Tags: Nintendo Switch Online, Virtual Boy, Retro Gaming, Gaming News, Nintendo

Original article: Eurogamer