The Rise and Fall of the Virtual Boy

Nintendo Virtual Boy

Consumer Virtual Reality devices like the Oculus Rift S have long been a dream of the video game industry. For decades, companies have tried to capture gamer’s attention and one-up their competition by trying to augment the limited technology of the day with devices that enhance a player’s immersion. These attempts are typically far ahead of their time. This is where the Nintendo Virtual Boy made its mark back in the 1990s. It was not a success, but its failure demonstrated to many that virtual reality needed far more advanced technology to make it as a practical application.

It is said that more can be learned from failure than success. If that is the case, then plenty was learned from Nintendo’s attempt to change the gaming market by employing the promise of virtual reality. At the time, virtual reality was mostly regulated to the science-fiction world. But with advancing computer technology, it was believed that a practical VR gaming system could be created. Even though the world created would lack in haptic communication, which is the ability to touch what is seen.

What was the Nintendo Virtual Boy?

The Nintendo Virtual Boy was a 32-bit video game console that was crafted into a headset and placed in front of the eyes. It looks much like VR headsets that are on the market today. The device was first…