RunnerPack wrote:
I wanted one as soon as I played a demo unit, but it was too expensive, so I had to wait to get my first one at T’R’U when they were clearing out at (I think) $25. The games were pretty cheap, too; $2.50-$5, IIRC, but I could only afford a couple. I think I got Mario Clash, Wario and Waterworld (because it was cheap, and there was no playable demo :-P).

I got my 2nd about a decade later at a thrift store for $5, with a Performance AC adapter and a copy of Vertical Force and a broken stand and no visor 😛 but still, not bad.

My 3rd and 4th were main unit only, and I got them in trade for some LED repairs. One of them was disassembled for donor parts (of which I still have a few).

My local Toys R Us back in the day was also clearing them out for $25. Brand spanking mint new units.. just try and get a crusty beat up stand alone unit today for that price, let alone a brand new or complete unit. Unfortunately back then I didn’t have the cash right that day, so I returned a few days later with money and the goal of buying one along with a few games, that were selling for like $10 each, but alas at that point everything was gone. It was heart-breaking and still stings to this day to think about it.

And that’s a major reason why I don’t have one today. Looking at the prices today it’s just such a difficult pill to swallow because it makes me think about what I missed out on and just kills the buzz.

That’s an impressively detailed story you’ve created up there, but how about you fess up and tell us about what really happened once you broke into Nintendo HQ’s prototype vault?

Scooblee wrote:
Dragon Hopper… ;~;

Yeah it’s frustrating to see press material for it but not a single word on it’s where-abouts.. ;__;

Scooblee wrote:
Dragon Hopper… ;~;

Yeah it’s frustrating to see press material for it but not a single word on it’s where-abouts.. ;__;

This brings a tear to my eye. ;_; Shame it never got far into production.. but still very cool to know this very interesting piece of history. Something tells me there are definitely other VB games that were likely very early in production and got cancelled, aside from the ones we know of.

My Toys R Us back in the day had a Virtual Boy kiosk with that signage at the top.. it was a seriously super-cool effect, giving off a 3D effect of sorts.

Would love to have one of my own someday!

Dave_ wrote:

Squeegor wrote:
Another great title often over-looked is Ninja Gaiden Shadow. Although despite the name it isn’t quite a Ninja Gaiden game, it appears to have been renamed that for the NTSC region from Shadow Warriors.

Actually Ninja Gaiden Shadow is the original (western) name and it was renamed Shadow Warriors for the European release. The NG arcade game, most of its ports and the NES title were also originally renamed Shadow Warriors.

You’re correct to say it isn’t quite a Ninja Gaiden game however, as it was originally going to be a Game Boy Shadow of the Ninja title. Play Shadow of the Ninja (NES, re-released in recent years on Wii/Wii U/3DS) and you’ll notice the similarities.

Ah seems I got it the other way around, thank you for the clarification.

But yeah even from my very first play-through it just seemed a bit ‘different’ from the other Ninja Gaiden games. But still a fantastic game, especially in a portable format you can take on the go. And at least unlike the NES Ninja Gaiden games, the challenge level wasn’t obscene.

Some great suggestions here, but the lack of any mentions of Bionic Commando makes me a sad panda. Such a criminally over-looked and under-appreciated title… so sad… tears…

Great graphics (for a GB game), excellent soundtrack (even better than the NES counterpart, which set the bar high itself), excellent controls, great level design.. and you no longer have to exit completely out of a level to switch out your comm device if you selected the wrong one.

A lot of Gameboy games can feel like cheaper experiences compared to their NES counterparts, but Bionic Command on the B&W Gameboy I feel is the other way around. Other than lacking color, which doesn’t bother me at all personally, this is far superior in every way to the NES Bionic Commando. That it’s portable and on the go as well just makes it that much sweeter.

Another great title often over-looked is Ninja Gaiden Shadow. Although despite the name it isn’t quite a Ninja Gaiden game, it appears to have been renamed that for the NTSC region from Shadow Warriors. But we’re splitting hairs now, what matters is that just like the previously mentioned Bionic Commando, this game is the compete package: graphics, sound, gameplay, level design.. all top notch. Always an incredible achievement with the tight hardware restrictions of the Gameboy. The first level even boasts an impressive parallax background scrolling illusion.

And lastly, Rolan’s Curse 2. The overworld theme alone is quite possibly the catchiest piece of chiptune to have ever graced my ears. You could tie me to a chair and force me to listen to it for days and I’d feel great. This game is a top-down RPG that even boasts a multi-player option. Haven’t had a chance myself to ever try it though, so can’t say much in regards to that, but even solo this is a great RPG that appears entirely forgotten.

Little does the Oculus founder realize his invention will share the same fate as the very thing he criticizes..

speedyink wrote:

I have the same opinion. Unfortunately, japanese market shows the future of gaming: absolutely *everything* is done via smartphones. Developers don’t have to bother with complex development platforms, as smartphones are very generic and a player account can easily be moved from a device to another when the player buys a new phone. Plus, you won’t sell a lot of handhelds when another device do the same thing + internet access + calling fonctions for the same quality and price. For now, the lack of physical buttons is the only drawback of smartphones when you are a gamer, but the gameplay is made to comply with tactile screen and casual players. 3DS sells because of dual screen and 3D function (and it’s Nintendo).

The games are short and casual, so they don’t cost much to develop. See Angry Birds, Candy Crush… little games, big income. Konami has already started to quit, their gym centers and mobile gaming are a lot more profitable than any Kojima production.

Augh, I hate touch games. Even games I thought were good for touch screens, like Raiden Legacy, are vastly superior when I use a Bluetooth controller. You just can’t beat physical controls.

Agreed… aside from the games being very shallow cash grabs, that is the biggest factor that makes me stay from mobile games like the plague.

Sadly it does look like “free” to play mobile games are here to stay for now. The day game companies like Nintendo stop making traditional gaming systems in favor of developing for mobile platforms is the day I just stop gaming entirely.

Aren’t R-Zone games basically like standard Tiger handheld games except in red and black? I love the red and black nod to the Virtual Boy but aside from that the games look kinda crude.. but anyway, to each their own.

That looks too beautiful for my eyes.

Err, like most people on here the last game I played was Wario Land. Way back in early 1996, at a display kiosk in a Toys R Us. /:

It’s been a while.

Sigh… not happening. That article is full of crap.

It’s been 5 years since this topic started and while some of the unreleased games surfaced, there hasn’t been anything at all regarding Dragon Hopper.. no photos, no videos, nothing to verify that it’s even out there. I want to be optimistic but I’m starting to wonder..

Sure you could hang onto the lamp and maybe down the road make some money off it, but how much exactly? A couple hundred? $300 Maybe?

Sometimes money isn’t everything in life. If it were me, I’d take a mint condition, working Virtual Boy over a lamp. There’s my $0.02.

hawk1010 wrote:
He sounds like someone who’s never even played a VB and is just going by the stereotypes.

My impression as well. Actually I suspect pretty much everyone who casually brushes aside the Virtual Boy with the same unoriginal critiques about it’s color palette or it causing head-aches, hasn’t actually spent any time with it and is just going with the hater flow.

That aside, a Mario Kart on the Virtual Boy would’ve been amazing. Sounds like Nintendo probably didn’t get very far with it though since there’s hardly any information on it.. shame..