Virtual Boy

Nintendo's Virtual Boy (also known as the VR-32 during development) was the first portable game console capable of displaying "true 3D graphics".

Most video games are forced to use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional screen, but the Virtual Boy was able to create a more accurate illusion of depth through an effect known as parallax.

The recently released handheld device, the Nintendo 3DS, also uses this technology. In a manner similar to using a head-mounted display, the user looks into an eyepiece made of neoprene on the front of the machine, and then an eyeglass-style projector allows viewing of the monochromatic (in this case, red) image.

It was released on July 21, 1995 in Japan and August 14, 1995 in North America and at a price of around US$180. It met with a lukewarm reception that was unaffected by continued price drops.

Less than fifteen titles were made for Virtual Boy in North America, few of which were met with positive reception. The system is rarely mentioned by Nintendo, however it is seen through microgames in WarioWare games.

Nintendo discontinued the Virtual Boy within a few months of release.

Games
List of VB Games