New Virtual Boy VR Powered by Nintendo Switch

It’s pretty safe to say that the Nintendo Switch has been a hit with the company. Yes, some of the most popular titles are basically “deluxe” ports of Wii U games or collections of retro classics, but the system is still a hoot. But could we be looking at another throwback, this time to the Virtual Boy? If this Nintendo Switch VR headset holds up, it just might be.

While Nintendo indicated some glimmers of interest in VR technology a couple of years ago, nothing has really materialized from that inkling thus far. And while we also cannot say if Nintendo is or isn’t still pursuing that possibility, third parties are stepping up to the 3D plate.

A Canadian company called exklim has decided to fill in that VR headset void with something it calls NS Glasses. You know, as in Nintendo Switch Glasses. They’re positioning it as the “world’s first headset for Switch,” which isn’t entirely true. There are others, but this is the first that is “exclusive” to the Switch.

The red and black color scheme adds to the retro Virtual Boy appeal, though it doesn’t look like it comes with the same desktop stand as the original. Remember that? The NS Glasses work in much the same way as something like Google Cardboard. You slide in the Switch, lock it into place, and slap the whole thing onto your head with the “comfortable” face pad and adjustable headband.

The issue, as Nintendo Life points out, is that this isn’t really a VR headset. Since it is compatible with every game on the system and it’s not really enabling any software on the Switch itself, you don’t get the dual displays necessary for a 3D VR experience. Instead, it uses “colour switching technology” to fake the 3D. And since the Switch display is only 720p, it also “smooths the pixels count” so it doesn’t look so terrible.

It ain’t perfect, but at least it’s designed with the right slots for the Switch’s ventilation, and it’s open on the sides to attach your Joy-cons too. If you sign up on the website, you can get 50% off (so a net price of $50) the purchase price. Pre-orders are “starting soon.”