When it first came out, I remember trying it in the store and not really being impressed. For those who own it and really like it, what makes it unique, great or misunderstood in your opinion?
Most of the games aren't outright terrible, and a few are really unique. Some people complain of eye strain and headaches, but that doesn't seem to be universal.
I think the biggest complaint is that the ad copy back in the day promised a virtual reality experience, when really only Telroboxer and maybe one or two others really delivered, while the rest could have been on Game Boy or something else.
It needed a port of Doom, even if maybe a shortened version.
I like it, but I think its reputation is pretty well deserved.
It's not something that is comfortable to play. Both from setting up the stand and keeping your head in the right place, and eye strain from playing more than a few minutes standpoint.
Its way more of a novelty. Something to bring out when you have people over, vs a system you are going to log serious gaming hours into.
Its fun to collect though, very small library makes it a much more obtainable goal than other sets.
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
I own two solder-fixed VB systems and a decent chunk of the library. It's one of my favorite Nintendo systems, I don't think its reputation is deserved.
As far as positives go, it has hardly any truly bad games, the controller is fantastic, the stereoscopic 3D is very pronounced and is a lot better than anything else I've tried, the LED screens are really sharp and crisp and the stereo sound is very "surround sound" like.
Above all, what I really love about the Virtual Boy is there's no other console like it. The Virtual Boy represented a Nintendo that wasn't afraid to innovate on the bleeding edge of technology. I miss that Nintendo so much...
As for the headaches and neck strain so many people complain about, most of the time those complaints are just regurgitated by people who have never even played a Virtual Boy. I came to realize this after spending time at Planet Virtual Boy and playing a real VB system.
For starters, adjust the Focus and IPD according to the system's instructions, eyestrain solved. As for neck/back pain, try angling the stand so the VB's displays are facing up, not completely horizontal. You won't have any problems if you look down into the VB and rest your hands with controller behind the system.
Oh and, about the red graphics, remember that the screens use LEDs. The VB's screens are a lot softer than LCDs, there is a huge difference between looking at VB screenshots and emulation on a PC screen and playing a real Virtual Boy. That and red and black share similar brightness levels. For me at least, my eyes go into night mode when I play VB, so the red isn't harsh at all.
Granted, the Virtual Boy isn't for everyone, especially given its tiny library, but it's not a bad system at all. It's nowhere near as bad as people say.
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
My least-favorite Nintendo console of all time. As others have said, its reputation is deserved. A few decent games doesn't justify this abomination of gaming!
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
Wow. Have you disowned him?
LOL not quite but I bring it up very often and he is like please let it go already. I'll casually remind him remember when we had Lords of Thunder and the US super system card and you traded it for water world? It actually never gets old but man I was so mortified when he traded all that away.
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
well I can't blame you for that hate. I'd hate it too if that happened to me.
I have yet to try one but its the only Nintendo platform I don't have and it looks interesting. I'm definitely going into it with an open mind when the day comes
It seems a pretty ridiculous system but its pretty collectible, mostly because of the small amount of games released.I have my sights on getting one tho just because of that and the fact its kind of rare.
I own two solder-fixed VB systems and a decent chunk of the library. It's one of my favorite Nintendo systems, I don't think its reputation is deserved.
As far as positives go, it has hardly any truly bad games, the controller is fantastic, the stereoscopic 3D is very pronounced and is a lot better than anything else I've tried, the LED screens are really sharp and crisp and the stereo sound is very "surround sound" like.
Above all, what I really love about the Virtual Boy is there's no other console like it. The Virtual Boy represented a Nintendo that wasn't afraid to innovate on the bleeding edge of technology. I miss that Nintendo so much...
As for the headaches and neck strain so many people complain about, most of the time those complaints are just regurgitated by people who have never even played a Virtual Boy. I came to realize this after spending time at Planet Virtual Boy and playing a real VB system.
For starters, adjust the Focus and IPD according to the system's instructions, eyestrain solved. As for neck/back pain, try angling the stand so the VB's displays are facing up, not completely horizontal. You won't have any problems if you look down into the VB and rest your hands with controller behind the system.
Oh and, about the red graphics, remember that the screens use LEDs. The VB's screens are a lot softer than LCDs, there is a huge difference between looking at VB screenshots and emulation on a PC screen and playing a real Virtual Boy. That and red and black share similar brightness levels. For me at least, my eyes go into night mode when I play VB, so the red isn't harsh at all.
Granted, the Virtual Boy isn't for everyone, especially given its tiny library, but it's not a bad system at all. It's nowhere near as bad as people say.
I have to ask: If it's one of your favorite Nintendo systems then which ones you would list below the Virtual Boy?
I love mine. Soldered as well. Anticipating the day that Uncle Tusk released Bound High again. Still praying Dragon Hopper and Zero Racers are discovered. If that ever happens there won't be anything else to really look forward to though.
I think it is fun. Adjust the settings and you are good to go. I liked galactic pinball, marios tennis, and nesters funky bowling growing up. Wario land is good fun as well.
I got one again in the last few years and have no regrets. It is too easy to bash and I think people just jump on the bandwagon. The console has merit but not as a portable.
It's really not that bad, but the lack of games is what kills it. My first transaction on NA included a VB, and it will probably be up for sale soon as I have no real reason to keep it anymore.
It definitely is an attention getter. Almost everybody I know that has seen it that doesn't collect games remembers it from when it originally came out and they always want to try it. Even if they're not into playing games and all.
I have to admit I have a soft spot for the VB. I wanted one SOOOOOO bad when they were new, and it just never happened. My 14 year old self would've killed for one. So now that I'm 34 I have one on my coffee table with a full library ready to go at any moment.
When I owned a VB I never could play it more than a few minutes without getting serious eye strain, even after adjusting the VB and following all the advice I found online. That said, the VB library is surprisingly good. It's much better than what the VB deserves. I wish Nintendo would port a few of those first party titles to the 3DS Virtual Console. Being able to play Teleroboxer or Wario would be sweet.
One thing people don't mention often enough is the VB's controller. I really liked the feel and design of that controller.
It's just a novelty item. I remember when I first got it I set it up for some friends and we played it all of 5 minutes. That was probably 4 years ago and I haven't played it since.
I have to ask: If it's one of your favorite Nintendo systems then which ones you would list below the Virtual Boy?
I like every Nintendo console, but if I had to choose, I'd put Wii and Wii U under the VB. They still have some good games though.
Technically speaking though, the Virtual Boy is a tabletop system and is therefore in a separate category, like the Vectrex.
One of the VB issues I remember people talking about in the past was that nothing was ever really 3-d on it and that all 3-d effects in VB games could be designed in 8 bit or 16 bit games on handhelds. What's your response to this?
Personally, I think the VB seems dated for 1995. If it was released in 1992, with a better library of games that took advantage of the 32 bit capabilities, and was a bit more portable, I think it would be seen differently today.
I like the Virtual Boy although I haven't played mine in ages because it needs repair. I know it's a small library but I found most of the games to be pretty fun.
Granted, I haven't played one since I was 14 or 15, but I remember playing through games like Wario Land on the Virtual Boy in a few sittings, and don't remember getting eye strain or neck problems at all. I didn't look down into it, but laid on the floor and just looked in, straight ahead. Worked just fine.
One of the VB issues I remember people talking about in the past was that nothing was ever really 3-d on it and that all 3-d effects in VB games could be designed in 8 bit or 16 bit games on handhelds. What's your response to this?
Personally, I think the VB seems dated for 1995. If it was released in 1992, with a better library of games that took advantage of the 32 bit capabilities, and was a bit more portable, I think it would be seen differently today.
I would agree that it's in no way a virtual reality system, it was probably never meant to be one at all. I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo's marketing team decided associating it with virtual reality thinking it would sell it better. The Virtual Boy should have been called 3D Boy. If there's one thing the VB does well, it's stereoscopic 3D. I've never seen better 3D done than the Virtual Boy, it's very easy to see and quite strong. It probably has to do with the fact the VB has two dedicated screens for each eye, rather than overlaying one on top of the other.
As for polygonal 3D, the Virtual Boy had Red Alarm at launch and later on there was 3D Tetris, so it could definitely do some rudimentary 3D. Had Zero Racers been released, that would also have been a 3D title.
The microscopic LEDs used in the Virtual Boy weren't available in 1992. That and the CPU used would have been too expensive at that time. It was also used in the PC-FX console. I think the notion of being portable really hurt the system. Just because it can use batteries, doesn't mean it could be portable. It's best played on a desk or table. Gee, I guess that's where we get the term tabletop.
(usually tabletop is defined as a console with its own screen and speakers and can run off batteries, but is too large to be carried around, so it must be used on a desk or table.)
Lo and behold my latest Virtual Boy seemed to die before my eyes while playing it tonight. It was a soldered unit like I'd said above, got it this year, so I thought it would last me a long time. I've had it a couple months and it worked flawlessly. Tonight I played a game of Red Alarm and everything was perfectly fine, shut off the system and changed the game, and the system seems to have died completely. No hum whatsoever when I try to turn it on now. Doesn't work with AC in multiple outlets or Battery Pak. Guess that's what I get for defending the system.
You know, I got kind of a soft spot for the Virtual Boy. I was all of 8 or 9 when it came out so of course I was suckered right the hell in by all the hype. OH MY GOD YOU GUYS COME ON IT'S A REAL VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM AND IT'S GONNA HAVE MARIO GAMES! So my mom rented me one a few times one summer from Blockbuster, and you know what I had a pretty fun time. The Wario game was neat, Mario Clash was a lot of fun, and I remember being super into Teleroboxer and Red Alarm (despite being confused as to why it wasn't a StarFox game).
Here's a fun ending to this story, though. After I rented the Virtual Boy a bunch of times, I failed my first-ever eye test at school and I've been stuck wearing glasses to this very day. Coincidence? Maybe. But I can't help wondering sometimes if the Virtual Boy didn't blind me somehow.
So you know what? Screw the Virtual Boy! I say don't buy one, let 'em all rot for what it did to me.
I have a virtual boy (i actually have 2 due to a need for parts).
The ribbon cables that keep each eye displays working are the things that bust. Pain in the ass to fix. Everyones seen the youtube videos about putting them in an oven. In the end I sent mine to Holland to a collect for soldering.
Im kind of glad I have one. Wario on it is amusing but they have no real replay value in my eyes. Its such an awkward system/console to play.
I do like to keep it out on the side and on display. I think they look cool and is great piece of Nintendo history even though it was a failure.
Comments
I think the biggest complaint is that the ad copy back in the day promised a virtual reality experience, when really only Telroboxer and maybe one or two others really delivered, while the rest could have been on Game Boy or something else.
It needed a port of Doom, even if maybe a shortened version.
It's not something that is comfortable to play. Both from setting up the stand and keeping your head in the right place, and eye strain from playing more than a few minutes standpoint.
Its way more of a novelty. Something to bring out when you have people over, vs a system you are going to log serious gaming hours into.
Its fun to collect though, very small library makes it a much more obtainable goal than other sets.
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
As far as positives go, it has hardly any truly bad games, the controller is fantastic, the stereoscopic 3D is very pronounced and is a lot better than anything else I've tried, the LED screens are really sharp and crisp and the stereo sound is very "surround sound" like.
Above all, what I really love about the Virtual Boy is there's no other console like it. The Virtual Boy represented a Nintendo that wasn't afraid to innovate on the bleeding edge of technology. I miss that Nintendo so much...
As for the headaches and neck strain so many people complain about, most of the time those complaints are just regurgitated by people who have never even played a Virtual Boy. I came to realize this after spending time at Planet Virtual Boy and playing a real VB system.
For starters, adjust the Focus and IPD according to the system's instructions, eyestrain solved. As for neck/back pain, try angling the stand so the VB's displays are facing up, not completely horizontal. You won't have any problems if you look down into the VB and rest your hands with controller behind the system.
Oh and, about the red graphics, remember that the screens use LEDs. The VB's screens are a lot softer than LCDs, there is a huge difference between looking at VB screenshots and emulation on a PC screen and playing a real Virtual Boy. That and red and black share similar brightness levels. For me at least, my eyes go into night mode when I play VB, so the red isn't harsh at all.
Granted, the Virtual Boy isn't for everyone, especially given its tiny library, but it's not a bad system at all. It's nowhere near as bad as people say.
I will forever hate this system lol...
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
Wow. Have you disowned him?
I will forever hate this system lol...
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
Wow. Have you disowned him?
LOL not quite but I bring it up very often and he is like please let it go already. I'll casually remind him remember when we had Lords of Thunder and the US super system card and you traded it for water world? It actually never gets old but man I was so mortified when he traded all that away.
I will forever hate this system lol...
My brother traded our TG16 CD with games like Dracula X, Beyond Shadowgate, etc for this headache inducing machine. I have since reacquired a turbo cd but the hatred still lingers.
well I can't blame you for that hate. I'd hate it too if that happened to me.
I have yet to try one but its the only Nintendo platform I don't have and it looks interesting. I'm definitely going into it with an open mind when the day comes
I do not regret this decision.
I own two solder-fixed VB systems and a decent chunk of the library. It's one of my favorite Nintendo systems, I don't think its reputation is deserved.
As far as positives go, it has hardly any truly bad games, the controller is fantastic, the stereoscopic 3D is very pronounced and is a lot better than anything else I've tried, the LED screens are really sharp and crisp and the stereo sound is very "surround sound" like.
Above all, what I really love about the Virtual Boy is there's no other console like it. The Virtual Boy represented a Nintendo that wasn't afraid to innovate on the bleeding edge of technology. I miss that Nintendo so much...
As for the headaches and neck strain so many people complain about, most of the time those complaints are just regurgitated by people who have never even played a Virtual Boy. I came to realize this after spending time at Planet Virtual Boy and playing a real VB system.
For starters, adjust the Focus and IPD according to the system's instructions, eyestrain solved. As for neck/back pain, try angling the stand so the VB's displays are facing up, not completely horizontal. You won't have any problems if you look down into the VB and rest your hands with controller behind the system.
Oh and, about the red graphics, remember that the screens use LEDs. The VB's screens are a lot softer than LCDs, there is a huge difference between looking at VB screenshots and emulation on a PC screen and playing a real Virtual Boy. That and red and black share similar brightness levels. For me at least, my eyes go into night mode when I play VB, so the red isn't harsh at all.
Granted, the Virtual Boy isn't for everyone, especially given its tiny library, but it's not a bad system at all. It's nowhere near as bad as people say.
I have to ask: If it's one of your favorite Nintendo systems then which ones you would list below the Virtual Boy?
I got one again in the last few years and have no regrets. It is too easy to bash and I think people just jump on the bandwagon. The console has merit but not as a portable.
Its a fun piece of Nintendos history.
One thing people don't mention often enough is the VB's controller. I really liked the feel and design of that controller.
Originally posted by: snatch1414
I have to ask: If it's one of your favorite Nintendo systems then which ones you would list below the Virtual Boy?
I like every Nintendo console, but if I had to choose, I'd put Wii and Wii U under the VB. They still have some good games though.
Technically speaking though, the Virtual Boy is a tabletop system and is therefore in a separate category, like the Vectrex.
I have to ask: If it's one of your favorite Nintendo systems then which ones you would list below the Virtual Boy?
I like every Nintendo console, but if I had to choose, I'd put Wii and Wii U under the VB. They still have some good games though.
Technically speaking though, the Virtual Boy is a tabletop system and is therefore in a separate category, like the Vectrex.
One of the VB issues I remember people talking about in the past was that nothing was ever really 3-d on it and that all 3-d effects in VB games could be designed in 8 bit or 16 bit games on handhelds. What's your response to this?
Personally, I think the VB seems dated for 1995. If it was released in 1992, with a better library of games that took advantage of the 32 bit capabilities, and was a bit more portable, I think it would be seen differently today.
Originally posted by: pixelsmash
One of the VB issues I remember people talking about in the past was that nothing was ever really 3-d on it and that all 3-d effects in VB games could be designed in 8 bit or 16 bit games on handhelds. What's your response to this?
Personally, I think the VB seems dated for 1995. If it was released in 1992, with a better library of games that took advantage of the 32 bit capabilities, and was a bit more portable, I think it would be seen differently today.
I would agree that it's in no way a virtual reality system, it was probably never meant to be one at all. I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo's marketing team decided associating it with virtual reality thinking it would sell it better. The Virtual Boy should have been called 3D Boy. If there's one thing the VB does well, it's stereoscopic 3D. I've never seen better 3D done than the Virtual Boy, it's very easy to see and quite strong. It probably has to do with the fact the VB has two dedicated screens for each eye, rather than overlaying one on top of the other.
As for polygonal 3D, the Virtual Boy had Red Alarm at launch and later on there was 3D Tetris, so it could definitely do some rudimentary 3D. Had Zero Racers been released, that would also have been a 3D title.
The microscopic LEDs used in the Virtual Boy weren't available in 1992. That and the CPU used would have been too expensive at that time. It was also used in the PC-FX console. I think the notion of being portable really hurt the system. Just because it can use batteries, doesn't mean it could be portable. It's best played on a desk or table. Gee, I guess that's where we get the term tabletop.
(usually tabletop is defined as a console with its own screen and speakers and can run off batteries, but is too large to be carried around, so it must be used on a desk or table.)
Here's a fun ending to this story, though. After I rented the Virtual Boy a bunch of times, I failed my first-ever eye test at school and I've been stuck wearing glasses to this very day. Coincidence? Maybe. But I can't help wondering sometimes if the Virtual Boy didn't blind me somehow.
So you know what? Screw the Virtual Boy! I say don't buy one, let 'em all rot for what it did to me.
The ribbon cables that keep each eye displays working are the things that bust. Pain in the ass to fix. Everyones seen the youtube videos about putting them in an oven. In the end I sent mine to Holland to a collect for soldering.
Im kind of glad I have one. Wario on it is amusing but they have no real replay value in my eyes. Its such an awkward system/console to play.
I do like to keep it out on the side and on display. I think they look cool and is great piece of Nintendo history even though it was a failure.