Virtual Boy at 30: The legacy of Nintendo’s biggest console flop

The Virtual Boy, Nintendo's attempt at a virtual reality gaming console, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Launched in 1995, the Virtual Boy was a commercial failure, becoming Nintendo's worst-selling console with only around 800,000 units sold worldwide. The Virtual Boy's downfall was largely due to its limited functionality, poor visual quality, and lack of comfort during prolonged use. It was criticized for its monochrome red-and-black display, which caused eye strain and headaches in many users. Additionally, the console's high price tag and limited game library further contributed to its demise. Despite its commercial failure, the Virtual Boy is remembered as an important milestone in the history of gaming and virtual reality. It paved the way for future advancements in the field, and its legacy continues to be discussed and analyzed by gaming enthusiasts and historians. The Virtual Boy's failure also serves as a cautionary tale for companies venturing into new and unproven technologies.