Overview

Virtual Boy titles have arrived on Nintendo Switch Online as part of the Expansion Pack tier, and the release includes support for stereoscopic 3D. The 3D effect requires a viewer: either Nintendo's Labo VR Goggles or the cardboard viewer that Nintendo offered as an alternative. The Virtual Boy app is available to Expansion Pack subscribers at no extra charge, but the hardware to see the intended 3D presentation is sold separately.

What hardware is required

The Virtual Boy emulator on Switch delivers content in stereoscopic format. A compatible viewer is therefore needed to separate the left-eye and right-eye images and produce the intended depth effect. Official options are the plastic Labo VR Goggles and the simpler cardboard viewer. Third-party cardboard solutions are also circulating, but results vary depending on build quality and lens placement.

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Switch model compatibility

Best results are reported using the original Nintendo Switch (the launch model commonly referred to as Switch 1). The Labo VR Goggles were designed around the original console's screen size and Joy-Con layout, and that alignment produces the correct stereoscopic effect for the Virtual Boy emulator. Consoles without removable Joy-Cons, such as the Switch Lite, are incompatible with the Labo VR system because the hardware requires detachable controllers. Compatibility with the OLED model can be inconsistent because of its larger screen and different bezel dimensions; some users report misalignment or cropping when attempting to use Labo accessories with the OLED unit.

How to use Labo VR Goggles or the cardboard viewer

Once the Virtual Boy app is downloaded via the Expansion Pack, the console is placed into the chosen viewer and the Joy-Cons are attached to the Labo rig as instructed by the kit. The emulation software presents separate left and right images; the lenses in the viewer align those images to produce 3D depth. Calibration and careful positioning of the console and lenses help achieve the best effect. With cardboard viewers, tighter tolerances and correct lens distance are necessary for a convincing result, and some commercial cardboard alternatives may require minor adjustments to work properly.

Caveats and practical notes

The Labo VR Kit is a more robust option and tends to offer a more consistent experience than cheap cardboard viewers. The official Labo unit has a higher retail price and limited availability at Nintendo's store and other retailers, while the cardboard option is a low-cost alternative that preserves the option to sample the 3D output without a larger outlay. Comfort, clarity and image alignment differ between viewers and between Switch models, so the perceived quality of the Virtual Boy presentation will vary.

Summary

Virtual Boy titles on Nintendo Switch Online display their intended stereoscopic visuals when used with a compatible viewer. The Labo VR Goggles produce the most reliable results and are best paired with the original Switch hardware. Cardboard alternatives offer a cheaper route to the 3D effect but can produce mixed results. The Virtual Boy app itself is included for Expansion Pack subscribers, while viewers are sold separately.

Further details and testing notes on model compatibility and viewer performance are available in the original coverage on Nintendo Life: nintendolife.com.