Nintendo Achieves What ’90s Dreams Couldn’t: Virtual Boy Sells Out

The Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy has achieved what the original Virtual Boy never could: it has sold out in the US.

After Nintendo infused some GameCube nostalgia into the Switch, fans were buzzing about which console would join Nintendo Switch Online next. With the Wii, DS, and 3DS feeling somewhat constrained by technical limitations, and many Wii U titles already available on the Switch, the question lingered: what’s next? The answer came during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, where instead of collaborating with Sega for a Saturn or Dreamcast NSO, Nintendo revealed that the next addition would be the infamous 1995 flop, the Virtual Boy, which requires a special accessory for play.

In a surprising twist, the Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy has sold out on the Nintendo Store in the US, despite its steep $100 price tag. While exact sales figures aren’t available, it’s safe to say this marks the first time anyone has uttered, “The Virtual Boy sold out.” Not only did the replica model fly off the shelves, but the cardboard version, which offers a more budget-friendly way to experience the games for $25, is also sold out.

Despite the skepticism surrounding its appeal, the charm of the console’s two standout titles—Virtual Boy Wario Land and Jack Bros—seems to have drawn in buyers. Additionally, the chance to access a canceled F-Zero spinoff, Zero Racers, and Intelligent Systems’ unreleased adventure game, Dragon Hopper (now known as D-Hopper), may have piqued interest. Interestingly, in the UK, where the Virtual Boy was never officially launched, the accessory remains available at a still hefty £67, along with its cardboard counterpart.

Meanwhile, Switch versions of Capcom’s Disney collection have surfaced, now featuring one of the Resident Evil creator’s early titles.