From the article:
Even the greats like Nintendo are not immune from making horrible, horrible system choices. The Virtual Boy is probably the most ridiculous looking system on this list… To our friends reading this that may be prone to motion sickness or epileptic seizure, you may want to avoid these puke goggles at all cost.
The not-so-portable handheld system released by Nintendo in 1995 was named alongside the Neo Geo, TurboGrafx 16, Atari Jaguar, and a pair of Sega systems to name a few.
Just like Wii Music, the VB was truly ahead of it’s time.
Wii Music and Virtual Boy? Not seeing the connection.
Nintendo should have another go on VB2 – processors are now powerful and low powered enough for Nintendo to introduce a low-power colour version.
DO IT NINTENDO!!!!!!!
I totally agree.
It was a genuinely bold attempt at something new and potentially revolutionary. The execution may have been poor (or even painful), but I believe it was a genuine prognostication of things to come (things conservative designers dare not contemplate), and the technology to make it practicable is right about here. It’s high time for a Virtualboy 2. Perhaps this E3 will be when Nintendo re-establishes a 3rd pillar – I rather think not, but I hope.
Fantastic write-up elmer.
Wish I could write posts like that. Alas, my shrinking and ageing, hype-addicted brain cells and writer’s block put paid to that.
VIRTUAL BOY 2 YOU GUYS!!! NOW WITH BLUE LED AND A FREE PRESCRIPTION FOR ANTI-NAUSUEA TABLETS!!!!!
That’ll solve the problem. Red as a color is easily recognized by the human eyes, and is always tracked. The distance between the console and the eyes causes nausuea, and then nausea induces vomiting and seizures.
VB was a prime example that innovation will have its flaws and always produce something negative once in a while.
But Nintendo learned from it, and look at them now.
But no one can deny it had some great games. Mario Tennis and Wario Land come to mind..
The humble VB is essentially today’s DS. The difference is that it couldn’t catch on and hurts your eyes in the same time.
I would like to own one of those though. What about a contest ummm? Please?
It was just bad timing, it wasn’t a bad console, I still think they should make another one.
how dare they! I love my Virtual Boy! It has amazing 3D effects and a very comfortable controller. I only wish there was a way to play it without being in the fetal position.
a few years ago i picked up a second virtual boy off craigslist for my then girlfriend. she broke two stands (i have no idea how) so i made her a head mount based off a ratcheting, size-adjustable hardhat suspension. the unit was too heavy for her, but it worked like a champ for me. i should make more of those…
it was made from a suspension like this –> http://www.drillspot.com/products/65177/Msa_454230_Hard_Hat_Suspension