Two VB Games Hit Nintendo Switch Online

Three decades ago, Nintendo took a dramatic step back when it discontinued its Virtual Boy console, a gaming device that ultimately failed to capture the market’s imagination. Yet, just as we are starting to explore new facets of retro gaming through modern consoles, Nintendo is quietly resurrecting some of those forgotten titles for a brand-new audience.

The secret lies in an unexpected revival: two unreleased Virtual Boy games are set to make their debut on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass. These nostalgic gems, D-Hopper and Zero Racers, are slated to arrive on August 4th.

D-Hopper, originally known as Dragon Hopper, is a fantasy action-adventure where players take on the role of a prince attempting to defeat an evil regime and free his beloved elemental spirits. Alongside it, Zero Racers offers high-speed racing thrills, inspired by the classic SNES hit F-Zero. If the Virtual Boy had remained on shelves, both titles would have landed in 1996, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a gaming landscape that never fully materialized.

Beyond these classic titles, Nintendo is paying homage to the Virtual Boy era by adding further nostalgic content to its music library. Fans can now experience beloved games like Virtual Boy Wario Land, Mario Clash, Galactic Pinball, Teleroboxer, and Mario’s Tennis within their expanded offerings.

This unexpected shift has generated some interesting reactions across the gaming community. Even figures who once noted that the Virtual Boy had hurt the VR industry were surprised by Nintendo’s decision to add support for these select Virtual Boy titles in September 2025.

To fully recreate the unique experience of this era, Nintendo has even released physical replicas of the Virtual Boy, available in both plastic and cardboard versions. These physical artifacts offer a fascinating bridge between the past and the present.

More surprisingly, these Virtual Boy replicas are designed to unlock new possibilities within the Switch ecosystem. Players can use them to access certain VR modes in other Switch titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, blurring the lines between hardware eras in a truly unique way.

Adding another layer to the nostalgia, Nintendo is also bringing back another classic. The beloved GameCube title, Super Mario Sunshine, will also be included on the Nintendo Switch Online library starting August 13th, further cementing a rich and unexpected journey back to Nintendo’s storied gaming past.