About Virtual Boy stuff.....

[echo_machine]

Just wondering if it's a good idea -- I've been hearing mixed opinions about whether it's worth investing in. In my heart I'd like to believe that [Virtual Boy] titles will only increase their value, but I just don't know.....

Props to anyone with some good advice.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Its hard to tell if the games would increase in value or not.. but the thing is, its not that big of an investment to get yourself a couple of games.
The entire library shouldn't cost you any more than $250, and it would be much less if you can find some of the games in the wild.
I, for one, love my Virtual Boy. I've got all 14 US released games along with some of the more common Japanese ones. You should should start collecting for it, its pretty fun. And then you can go home and play some Red Alarm and burn your brains out.

[klausien]

The VB is a very cool and relatively inexpensive curiousity that is nice to have in your collection. It is a nice thing to have displayed on some empty shelf space, not unlike something like ROB. In addition, it tends to generate some interest from friends. I think just about every friend of mine at one time or another has asked to play with it. Most people have no experience with it and are impressed and dumbfounded at the same time.

It also has some cool games. Red Alarm, mentioned above, is by far my favorite, but Tennis and Galactic Pinball are also very cool.

If you can get it for a good price, go for it.

[PDorr3]

Even if VB does not increase in value, it is a blast to play, all of the games truly are unique and alot of fun, especialy wario and mario tennis.

Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a few VB games and experience this awsome system to its fullest.

[GameSlaveGaz]

I want one just because 1)I like to have as many different systems as possible 2)It's a Nintendo product and I am such a Nintendo fanatic and 3)Cuz it's quirky and I likes me my quirky. It's so unique because of the 3-D red graphics and the fact that you stick your face in it like a ViewMaster, but it still has its flaws - like giving people headaches after prolonged gaming and it's tiny American game library. It's also technically Nintendo's only failure and I've noticed how sometimes they pretend it never existed. (I say sometimes cuz in general they don't make mention to it as often as they do the other 4 consoles and the handhelds, but they do still mention it on the website) So, it may not be worth a LOT, but chances are you can find the system and the games cheap and what it is worth will possibly be equal to or more than you paid. So it's not like you'll be wasting money buying it. I mean, c'mon, since when is a Nintendo product (even Nintendo's black sheep) a waste of money? :)

[JWKobayashi]

I've also been thinking about investing in a VB. It's the only Nintendo system that I don't really have any experience with.

Are there any common problems to watch out with regards to the hardware? I'd hate to buy one only to realize that it's screwed up.

[GamecubeFreek]

Virtual Boy is an interesting systems with some good games. I would highly recommend Wario Land VB and Mario Clash. So if you can find the system and those games relatively cheaply, go ahead and buy one. If you have any interest in the system, you will probably find something to enjoy about it.

[suckerpunch5]

I think it might be a bad idea to refer to video game purchases as "investments." What I mean is, I don't think this is an area you should approach trying to make a bunch of money. Sure, it could happen, but it also might not. Video games (as such) have no tangible value, like when compared to a company.

Rather, treat it as a fun hobby. If you are looking to make a killing at this, you will most likely get burned. If you do it for fun, and end up making some money, well, that's great. But I sure wouldn't frame it as an "investment."

[§ Gideon §]

Are there any common problems to watch out with regards to the hardware? I'd hate to buy one only to realize that it's screwed up.
The display stops working. I don't know the cause, but it happened to mine and I've heard about this problem from others.

[y-bot]

I've also been thinking about investing in a VB. It's the only Nintendo system that I don't really have any experience with.

Are there any common problems to watch out with regards to the hardware? I'd hate to buy one only to realize that it's screwed up.

The stand is often missing or broken.

[Mattiekrome]

Not "that" big of a deal but my cousin got one shortly after they came out, and a couple years ago I wanted to check it out so he pulled it down out of his closet and the batteries had leaked and corroded all over the inside of the battery packs.

[Jumpman Jr.]

I've also been thinking about investing in a VB. It's the only Nintendo system that I don't really have any experience with.

Are there any common problems to watch out with regards to the hardware? I'd hate to buy one only to realize that it's screwed up.

The stand is often missing or broken.

The headset commonly goes too.
(If you've never played a Virtual Boy, you probably won't know this:) There are 2 screens in the headset (on for the left eye, on for the right). It is fairly common to get a headset with one (or both) of the screens being dead.

[JWKobayashi]

The headset commonly goes too.
(If you've never played a Virtual Boy, you probably won't know this:) There are 2 screens in the headset (on for the left eye, on for the right). It is fairly common to get a headset with one (or both) of the screens being dead.

...and I'm assuming you need both screens to get true stereoscopic vision and see everything that's going on, right?

Maybe I'll be better to try and find one in the wild, rather than eBaying it up then.


Not "that" big of a deal but my cousin got one shortly after they came out, and a couple years ago I wanted to check it out so he pulled it down out of his closet and the batteries had leaked and corroded all over the inside of the battery packs.

Does the thing use regular batteries (AA, AAA, 9V?) or some sort of proprietary battery pack?

[Pantechnicon]

[quote="kobayashi"JDoes the thing use regular batteries (AA, AAA, 9V?) or some sort of proprietary battery pack?[/quote]

6AA's. It also uses the same AC adapter as the Super NES but you have to have this weird connector to make it work.

I regard the Virtual Boy as being a sort of potential Vectrex in the sense that both machines are these amazingly unique hardware platforms that, monetary value notwithstanding, ought to be in any serious collector's inventory for no other reason than their distinctiveness.

It's funny how the VB came out only 10 years ago and people have all but forgotten it. You ask the average gamer what the Nintendo console geneaology is and he'll tell you NES -> SNES -> N64 -> Cube, curiously neglecting to insert VB in that space between SNES and N64.

Perhaps the reason that the Virtual Boy has fallen out the Nintendo Gestalt is that the machine isn't a console per se, but it isn't exactly a handheld either. Nonetheless, it's a game machine, and this inability to classify it simply stengthens my argument that it's an oddball and one worth owning. I'm not even much of a Nintendo fan but I've got two of them: one with a right-eye dead screen and both with missing stands. Extremely fun to play, but games are impossible to find in my neck of the woods.

[heyricochet]

[quote="Pantechnicon"]It's funny how the VB came out only 10 years ago and people have all but forgotten it. You ask the average gamer what the Nintendo console geneaology is and he'll tell you NES -> SNES -> N64 -> Cube, curiously neglecting to insert VB in that space between SNES and N64.

Perhaps the reason that the Virtual Boy has fallen out the Nintendo Gestalt is that the machine isn't a console per se, but it isn't exactly a handheld either. [quote]

Well it was technically made as a handheld, hence the batteries and the boy moniker. It just failed in that aspect because of the whole needing a flat surface to play on.

[Jumpman Jr.]

The headset commonly goes too.
(If you've never played a Virtual Boy, you probably won't know this:) There are 2 screens in the headset (on for the left eye, on for the right). It is fairly common to get a headset with one (or both) of the screens being dead.

...and I'm assuming you need both screens to get true stereoscopic vision and see everything that's going on, right?
[/quote]

Exactly. Its the 2 images that make the 3D like visual.

[JWKobayashi]

Sorry to revive this thread, but...

What would be a fair price to pay for a VB (both minty and "damaged")? I've seen varying stuff on eBay so I wasn't sure.

[Sniderman]

Sorry to revive this thread, but...

What would be a fair price to pay for a VB (both minty and "damaged")? I've seen varying stuff on eBay so I wasn't sure.

http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=11461

Don't act surprised. You knew the link was coming.

[JWKobayashi]

Don't act surprised. You knew the link was coming.

Actually I didn't. :)

I didn't realize that the database also had system info. Guess I don't pay that much attention to detail. Thanks for ponting it out.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Don't act surprised. You knew the link was coming.

Actually I didn't. :)

I didn't realize that the database also had system info. Guess I don't pay that much attention to detail. Thanks for ponting it out.

I don't know.... $50??? I wouldn't pay $50 for a boxed/damages Virtual Boy. I have 5 myself (only 1 of them is boxed though). I've found all of mine locally for at most $20. One time I got 2 for $15.
Just look around and keep your eyes open, you'll find one eventually.

[§ Gideon §]

See the (C) in the upper-right corner? :-D

[Slate]

I have 5 virtual boys.

You have FIVE? :eek 2: I only saw One in the wild.. And it was only the unit (In poor condition) For $20. And it was also missing the part that keeps the light out.

But then i have only been collecting for about 2 years... I'll have to give it time.

[Nesmaster]

to this day i've never seen one locally, which sucks because i wanna buy one eventually. I may just buy it on ebay sometime, i just hope it works and is complete with at least a few games :/

[Jumpman Jr.]

I have 5 virtual boys.

You have FIVE? :eek 2: I only saw One in the wild.. And it was only the unit (In poor condition) For $20. And it was also missing the part that keeps the light out.

But then i have only been collecting for about 2 years... I'll have to give it time.

I've been collecting for 1 year. You don't need THAT much time. ;). I acquired them all within 6 months too. I usually can't find anything locally. I definitely have some sort of luck when it comes to Virtual Boy (games as well) though.

[Kejoriv]

Yea if you have never tried a Virtual Boy, you gotta its a great experience. Very unique system!

[doomedpeasant]

Hey, not to be pushy but i want to get rid of my VB stuff, I have.

VB System with all neccessary hardware ie: Stand, eyepiece, controller, battery pack

VB System with Controller, Battery Pack, but it has a broken stand, and no foam Eyepiece

Both Work great though

and for games i have:

Mario's Tennis (Cart Only)
Wario World (Cart Only)
Wario World (Complete), but with a crushed box

sorry again, but i really want to get rid of this stuff. so shoot me a pm if your interested :D

[TeddyRuxpin]

The stand is often missing or broken.

I fixed a broken stand with super glue and it holds up well. 8-)

[InsaneDavid]

I think it might be a bad idea to refer to video game purchases as "investments." What I mean is, I don't think this is an area you should approach trying to make a bunch of money. Sure, it could happen, but it also might not. Video games (as such) have no tangible value, like when compared to a company.

Rather, treat it as a fun hobby. If you are looking to make a killing at this, you will most likely get burned. If you do it for fun, and end up making some money, well, that's great. But I sure wouldn't frame it as an "investment."

Exactly - remember, that's what screwed up the comic book industry years ago.



Are there any common problems to watch out with regards to the hardware? I'd hate to buy one only to realize that it's screwed up.
The display stops working. I don't know the cause, but it happened to mine and I've heard about this problem from others.

The biggest problem is one of the displays being knocked out of whack, usually caused by the system taking a bad fall. Usually if one is boxed and complete on eBay everything will be fine - but as always ask in advance and check the feedback.

Personally I got my VB boxed new for $20 at FuncoLand years ago right after Nintendo shoved out the last of their inventory - it was the last one they had at the old Westgate store in San Jose. They also sold VB games at the Kay-Bee in the adjacent mall for a year after that - although I was the only person that ever bought them until the day they all dissapeared.


It just failed in that aspect because of the whole needing a flat surface to play on.

I'm pretty sure early in development Gunpei Yokoi planned on having the VB unit be used with a headstrap but that fell through due to safety concerns both for the player and the system itself.

Over all the VB failed for two reasons really (at least in my opinion). First, accurate screenshots couldn't be taken of the games - so selling the idea on TV or in print form was pretty much pointless. Until you stuck your face in the kiosk unit at your local Toys 'R' Us you probably didn't know what to expect. And second and probably the biggest reason, Nintendo never gave the VB a full development release cycle - they only gave it eight months I believe, not even a full year! This hurts even more when you look at some of the titles that were planned or already in development that never saw the light of day. :(

I freaking love my Virtual Boy and if you pick one up (along with Red Alarm, Teleroboxer, VB Warioland, and V-Tetris I'd recommend) you'll be sure to have a great time too. You won't see another system anywhere like it for a long time because just as when the VB was released, full color VR is still far too expensive for the home market.

....Yeah, I like V-Tetris, it's Tetris without any outside world distractions - very relaxing.

[Slate]

I have 5 virtual boys.

You have FIVE? :eek 2: I only saw One in the wild.. And it was only the unit (In poor condition) For $20. And it was also missing the part that keeps the light out.

But then i have only been collecting for about 2 years... I'll have to give it time.

I've been collecting for 1 year. You don't need THAT much time. ;). I acquired them all within 6 months too. I usually can't find anything locally. I definitely have some sort of luck when it comes to Virtual Boy (games as well) though.

I'll just have to keep looking! :)