Virtual Console Dreaming: The Virtual Boy Launch Update
Even though the Virtual Boy arm of the Classics Collection won’t launch until February 17th, Nintendo released a video this morning outlining their roadmap through the end of 2026.
At release, we’ll be able to play the following titles:
-Galactic Pinball (which has an incredible soundtrack)
-3-D Tetris
-Teleroboxer
-Virtual Boy Wario Land (it’s been a busy few months for Wario)
-The Mansion of Innsmouth (this looks incredible)
-Golf
-Red Alarm
And over the course of the rest of the year we can expect:
-Mario Clash
-Mario’s Tennis
-Jack Bros.
-Space Invaders Virtual Collection
-Virtual Bowling
-Vertical Force
-V-Tetris
-Zero Racers (previously unreleased)
-D-Hopper (previously unreleased)
These titles will also include the typical quality of life features like rewind and remappable controls (I understand, but something about rewinding pinball and golf is so funny to me). The ability to swap the graphics for a variety of colors is set to be added later. This feels wrong, but as someone who has committed themself to reviewing all of these games, I’m sure my eyes will be thankful for a break from the red and black.
As a friendly reminder, only 22 games were released during the console’s lifespan–we’re already set to be halfway there.
Here are all my hopes for the service. Since the previous Virtual Console Dreaming, I added the Nintendo 64 version of Road Rash and Resident Evil 2. Tumbleweeds have practically been rolling down Main Street in the Mature 17+ launcher.
SNES
Pocky and Rocky 2
Secret of Mana
GBC/GBA
Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel
Mother 3
Onimusha Tactics
Pokemon Pinball
Tony Hawk misc.
Nintendo 64
Beetle Adventure Racing
Bomberman 64
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!
Bomberman Hero
Castlevania 64/Legacy of Darkness
Goemon’s Great Adventure
Mischief Makers
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Quest 64
Resident Evil 2
Road Rash 64
Snowboard Kids
Snowboard Kids 2
GameCube
1080 Avalanche
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Battalion Wars
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Cubivore:: Survival of the Fittest
Donkey Konga 1-3 (rerelease the bongos!)
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
Eternal Darkness
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Geist
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
James Bond 007: From Russia with Love
James Bond 007: Nightfire
Killer 7 (if we’re not getting a port of the Steam version)
Kirby Air Ride
Lost Kingdoms
Lost Kingdoms II
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Party 4-7
Metroid Prime 2 (if we don’t get a proper remaster)
P.N.03
Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Resident Evil 2, 3, and Code Veronica
Skies of Arcadia Legends (I think this is the one I want the most)
SSX 3
Starfox Adventures
Starfox: Assault
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
Super Smash Bros. Melee
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk’s Underground, Underground 2, and American Wasteland (if we don’t get remakes)
Turok: Evolution (if Nightdive doesn’t do its thing)
Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2
Wave Race: Blue Storm
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom
A Tomodachi Life specific Nintendo Direct is scheduled to air later this week but, as of this writing, there’s still no news on any traditional showcases. My current prediction is we’ll get both a State of Play and one other Direct before Valentine’s Day.
Stay safe. Stay cozy. Play more video games.