Virtual Boy
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| Virtual Boy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Released |  July 21, 1995 August 14, 1995
|
| Generation | Fifth generation |
| Processor | NEC V810 |
| Media | Game Pak |
| Units shipped | 770,000 |
| Best-selling game | Mario's Tennis |
Virtual Boy was a portable (though not exactly handheld) game console released in 1995. The system used a monochromatic (red and black) visor that simulated a 3D view on its games. It has been the only Nintendo console to fail.
The Virtual Boy had several flaws that led it to discontinuation after just one year. The system is considered Nintendo's biggest flop, and it's usually never mentioned unless its to point out exactly the failure that it was. There hasn't been any desires whatsoever to revive the few games that were released for it either, unlike Nintendo is doing for their other systems. Nintendo were planning on releasing a cable to connect Virtual Boys together but it was abandoned when they realized the Virtual Boy had failed. It was never released outside North America and Japan because of its failure.
The reasons it failed was because it was slightly rushed to make way for the upcoming Nintendo 64 and it was very expensive. It also caused people to get eye strain after playing it for a while. Also, the lack of multiplayer took out the social aspects of gaming.
As a tribute to Nintendo's history the Virtual Boy has had small references in games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Warioware Inc.
| Nintendo systems | |
|---|---|
| Home consoles | Color TV Game (1977-1980) | Nintendo Entertainment System (1983) | Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1990) | Nintendo 64 (1996) | GameCube (2001) | Wii (2006) |
| Game Boy franchise | Game Boy (1989) | Game Boy Pocket (1996) | Game Boy Color (1998) | Game Boy Advance (2001) | Game Boy Advance SP (2003) | Game Boy Micro (2005) |
| DS franchise | Nintendo DS (2004) | DS Lite (2006) | Nintendo DSi (2008) | Nintendo DSi XL (2009) |
| Other handhelds | Game & Watch (1980-1991) | Virtual Boy (1995) | Pokémon Mini (2001) |
| Other products | Arcade games (1974-present) |
