The Virtual Boy was never released here in Europe

History Of The Virtual Boy


Although available through mail order a few years ago the Virtual Boy was never released here officially and after it's poor start in both Japan and America it's clear to see why.

Before July '95(which is when the Virtual Boy was released in Japan), everyone seemed to be excited about it. Who won't be? The thought of having a handheld machine capable of what the newly released 32-Bit machines were was unbelievable. However, when it was released many people felt a bit disappointed. The screen could only display red and black colours and it wasn't even portable!

Due to poor sales and a dreadful lack of software support the Virtual Boy didn't last long and Nintendo killed off the machine in '97. Stock in Japan was released for 200yen($2) for software and 1500yen($15) for the actual machines! Similar bargin prices were available to American buyers.

The Virtual Boy was a machine ahead of it's time but unfortunately the buying public wasn't prepared to buy into it due to poor software support, poor battery life, and the fact that you could only play the machine for 30 minutes before a headache set in. Hopefully the new GameBoy Advance will correct the wrongs of the Virtual Boy...

System Specs: Virtual Boy Logo
Weight: 760g
Dimensions: 21.7x25.4x11cm
Powersource: 6(1.5V) batteries
Play time: 7 hours play
CPU type: 32-bit RISC
CPU speed: 20Mhz(18 MIPS)
Max Resolution: 384x224 pixels
RAM: 1 Mbit RAM
Video RAM: 512 Kbit P-SRAM
Cache memory: 1 Kbit/
Sound: 16-bit stereo
Controller: 6 buttons and 2 D-pads

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