What are your thoughts on the Virtual Boy?

[Ernster]

Im thinking about buying one some day, but dont know if its worth it. Is it worht playing more than once or is it just a classic system.

Also just say I experience these headaches, will it disappear after a while or what. Thanks for the help :)

[gamegirl79]

Well if you don't mind playing games in only red and black colors, you'll like the VB. :)

It is 3-D, and there weren't many games released for it. Games like Mario Tennis, Warioland, and Galactic Pinball I found to be pretty fun however. Mario Clash was supposed to be fun as well, but I've never had the chance to play it.

I have never experienced a headache from playing VB, and the system will automatically pause itself every 20 minutes or so to give your eyes a chance to rest.

[Sniderman]

The VB rocks. I love the games released for it - those that really take advantage of the 3D effect for more than just a cool visual. In Warioland, the playfield is both in the foreground and way in the background, giving you two levels of playfield. Red Alert is a 3D fighter game (imagine Starfox for the SNES in 3D!). I loved mine, and wish I hadn't sold it. Never had a headache. Never went blind. Never grew hair on my palms.

But it is IMMERSIVE. I'd put on my headphones and begin playing it and the WORLD would be shut out. I'd pause it, lean back, and would discover that HOURS had passed by. :eek 2:

[Atari7800]

The VB is a ridiculous, headache-inducing monstrosity IMHO. I'm still shocked that it made it out and onto store shelves. Me and my old roomie rented one, and we both had headaches after about 30 minutes for me, less for him. We tried again later... same result.

That being said, I think it is a totally cool system to collect for. Too bad some of the rare games go for mad money... $1000 or more for some. Crazy I say! @_@

[Gamereviewgod]

Great stuff. It's a crying shame that it got such bad press because most of the games rock, though the 3-D effect on some games is pretty worthless (Panic Bomber, but a great game nonetheless). Underrated is nesters Funky Bowling, even if the physics are wacked.

[chadtower]

I've spent countless hours playing VB and never had a headache from it. Not even close. Proper focus and head position will prevent that from happening. Make sure you keep the automatic pause on - it's there for a reason. The stereoscopic screen simulates 3D in a way no other system can and I think the red/black scheme is cool. Wario Land is a GREAT game, the jumping back and forth out of the foreground/background is awesome.

BTW, there are NO domestic VB games that sell for $1000. I have the complete domestic set and I didn't pay more than about $35 for any of them cart only.

The biggest flaw with the VB is the tripod. That center fulcrum is fragile and it makes it hard to keep your head really into the unit without putting too much pressure on the tripod. It would be better if there were some optional strap to attach it to your head as well. I may yet design one myself, actually... someday, when the first 1500 things on my list have been accomplished.

[Drexel923]

I enjoyed every game that i played for the VB, especially Mario Tennis and Wario Land. But one of the main reasons I want one is becuase I am a huge Nintendo fan. If I wasn't, then I would probably pass on the 5 or so games I like. I also never got a headache from using the system.

[rbudrick]

The best way to play VB is to lie on your back on a bed and rest the tripod on your chest (you may want a pillow there to adjust the height).

This is THE most comfy way to play and no pressure is ever put on the tripod, hence, no breakage.

Warioland is awesome....a definite must-play.

-ROb

[tholly]

I bought the thing just because it was a Nintendo system that I didn't have. I can't say it was a waste of money, because I really wanted it. But I can say that I haven't played it too much because I get bad headaches from it after about 10-20 minutes of play time. My two roommates and a few of my buddies from home as well as both of my parents also got these headaches fairly quickly. It is a neat novelty item and Mario Tennis is a great game. Unless your really have extra money laying around then I would say wait and buy it. I would have to say that I am a huge fan of Nintendo, so for me to put down a Nintendo product, is saying a lot.

[SegaTecToy]

I wonder how many tests the big N made with this thing. I can't believe they released a thing that makes people feel physical pain hoping they will make big bucks from it... :hmm:

[DogP]

I love the VB... I've spend MANY hours playing in a row, and never got a headache from it (I never use the automatic pause). The only problem I've ever had is that my eyes got dried out after playing Virtual Lab for about 4 hrs without a break... and I was so into the game that I think I forgot to blink (in case you're wondering, I played Virtual Lab a couple hrs. per night for 2 weeks straight to see if there was an end to the game... conclusion, yes and no - go to the game endings part of my site for more details :) ). I played through Gundam in about 3 hrs. in one sitting, no headache then either, although I just about fell asleep since the game is SO boring :P .

Just make sure that you adjust the system before playing it and you should be alright, and use the auto pause if you have to, and if you start to get a headache, take a break.

And definately, GET WARIO LAND!

DogP

[rbudrick]

DogP, let's see a link! I'm interested in reading this. :-)

-Rob

[GamecubeFreek]

I love my virtual boy, even though I dont have a tripod stand. My main problem with it is the small amount of games available, and of these games, most are very difficult to find (for me anyway). Whenever I find a game for the system I buy it. Heres what I have, and my thoughts to accompany the list-

Mario Tennis -decent game and pretty common. It is nothing too special, but it does have a nice 3D feel.

Warioland- cool platformer, uses the 3D gimmick to it's full effect. The best game for the system that I have played.

Mario Clash- Decent puzzle/action game which is somewhat a sequel to the original Mario Bros. If you liked the original MB, you will definitely find this game worth playing.

[digitalpress]

I love the system, it's very unique and NOW very retro. It's very easy to collect all of the US releases and extremely challenging (and costly) to collect the Japanese ones.

Here's a little checklist/writeup from Tips & Tricks:

http://www.digitpress.com/archives/collectors/feb_2003_p2.jpg

[Jive3D]

I'm a hardcore VB fan as well. I have most of the american released games. I used to play it while lying on my back too! but I didnt use the tripod, I should try that.

Wario Land and Red Alarm are AWESOME games. Too bad Dragon Hopper & Mario Land were scrapped. There were a lot of games in development, james bond, an F-zero style game too.

What is Virtual Lab about? I thought that was a bootleg VB game? I saw box art and I think Nintendo was mispelled or something on the box?

I cant recall, were there any 2 player games where you could hook up 2 VBs? Like 2 player Mario Tennis? I would love to try that out.

I have my VB in the custom suitcase from blockbuster, it's one f my prized possesions.

[evilmess]

i bought a good used VB from a buddy of mine for about $30 a couple years ago for no other reason that I always I wanted one. Now that I have it, It lives it's life on my desk at work were the occassional passerby looks at it and says "whats this?" or "does it worK"

I don't know know if I 'll ever really collect for it beyond a game of two but I do creadit my VB with starting my collection habits in other directions of video gaming. And I'f I had Wario World I'm sure I'd play my VB more often.

I still need to track down that Block Buster Hard case a buddy of mine claims to have!!! :o

[evilmess]

oops

[DogP]

DogP, let's see a link! I'm interested in reading this. :-)

-Rob

The link in my sig... http://projectvb.vze.com/ . On the left bar, click game endings, then Virtual Lab :) . Oh, and there were no 2 player games released, but I've written a few 2 player games, but I don't think I put any screenshots up on my site (You can download them in Emulation/Programming, although they don't run in emus :P ). I'll try to get some screenshots up on the next update.

DogP

[Ze_ro]

I always thought the Virtual Boy was underrated. If it had been released five years earlier, maybe it would have had a better chance at life, but having to share a market with the PSX really didn't do it any favors.

The Virtual Boy is one of those rare systems that can give you an experience that you can't really find anywhere else. Aside from buying a Victor Maxx helmet for the Genesis, there really isn't anything like the VB. As far as uniqueness goes, I'd say it ranks up there with the Vectrex.

Sadly, there aren't many games for it, and there are precious few truly good games. Some games don't even really use the 3D effect very well unfortunately.

As for headaches, I've never had any from the Virtual Boy. My eyes are very gullible when it comes to video games though (I can't tell the difference between 40 fps and 60 fps). There are some adjustment knobs on the VB that you can fiddle with to make the display better suited for you. I imagine even a slight poor alignment could be responsible for headaches.

--Zero

[MarioAllStar2600]

I don't own one, but plan on getting one. I rented it from Block Buster a long time ago and loves it. Its a unique and cool system.

[Kejoriv]

VBS are very cool. 8-) I am planning to buy one this summer, when I have more cash flow.

[Pantechnicon]

Found one with a broken stand and Mario Tennis at the thrifts long ago. I really like the concept of this system, and Tennis is okay. I just wish I had some more games for it. Oddly, they all seem to have dried up locally. I'll probably pick up a few more titles come next CGE.

No headaches for me either. But I've never really had problems like that.

[Goodwill Hunter]

I snagged a pair of VB's in the hard cases when Blockbuster dropped the rental units to $29.99. I stupidly cut slots in the foam of one so I could carry all 14 domestic games along with the unit, fortunately the other is still uncut.

I mounted one on a sturdy swing-arm desk lamp (matching red color, of course) I found at Goodwill for 2 bucks. Had to get some stronger springs from Ace, but it now swings around and stays in place (see my Game Room pics for a nice shot of this setup). I roll my desk chair up to it when I want to play, and place it right in front of my eyes, ala Luke's targeting computer. 8-)

Red Alarm is by far my favorite VB game...the 3-D is awesome. And though it doesn't seem to get much mention here, Galactic Pinball is a close second...probably my favorite pinball sim on any system - the 3-D is just okay, but the tables and gameplay are great! I picked up a legless VB for 5 bucks a while back, and I too am considering creating a head-mounted system...someday.

[portnoyd]

I don't know why the VB gets such a bum rap. It's the Vectrex of the NES generation!

I got mine when it came out ($150!) and I don't regret it at all. I remember getting Mario Tennis and playing it for a long damn time. (With breaks of course). Warioland is fantastic.. if you ever played any of the Warioland/Marioland titles with Wario, you'll love it.

What I'd really like, just like the Vectrex, is homebrew games. It'd be hard, but man, it'd be cool. .. I'd also like to see some unreleased games pop up, but, and I may be wrong, none have popped up yet? Aaaand I wish I had the cash to secure some japanese VB games... maybe in a few more years.

dave

[NintendoMan]

It sort of is immersive. I too would get lost in it, hours having past. I myself love Wario Land, and Mario Tennis. Definately the best games for it. I never got headaches though, I fell left out.