After 26 Years, Nintendo's Worst Console Is Finally Portable
Nintendo's made some pretty big mistakes over the year. Perhaps none are as iconic (or as infamous) as the Virtual Boy. Not only is it known as one of the all-time greatest gaming flops, but it some would go so far as to name it one of the worst ideas in video game history. This oddity, however, is not without its fanbase. The system was unusual, to say the least, but perhaps it's the Virtual Boy's quirks that earned it a small following.
While the Virtual Boy was originally marketed as a portable device, its cumbersome design made it anything but. Of course, such a design flaw offers modders an opportunity to come up with creative solutions. If you're a fan and have always dreamed of seeing a truly portable Virtual Boy, your wish just came true.
A modder by the name of Shank has shared a video on YouTube showing off his latest creation: the Real Boy. This modded system was made by taking the real internal hardware of a Virtual Boy and encasing it in a small, portable device with a built-in screen, allowing players to enjoy the system's black-and-red imagery in all its glory.
Not a fan of that color palette? Not a problem! The Real Boy also features customizable monochromatic color schemes.
The Real Boy is a real treat
The Real Boy offers a more ergonomic way to enjoy the few great games stuck on the system. Instead of having to strain your neck to peer into an awkward visor, the device can be easily held at whatever distance is most comfortable. While the original console's 3D effects have been left behind, this ultimately results in a display that won't put your eyes through the wringer. Other exciting features include "USB-C charging, headphone jack, IPS screen, HDMI video output, external controller support," as well as a port for a link cable.
Shank was quite proud of his portable Virtual Boy, and rightfully so. He ranked its construction among the greatest challenges he's faced in his modding career, but the result was well worth it. His fans were eager to get their hands on a unit, with one user asking where they could buy one for themselves. Another fan asked, "How much to have you make me one. Legit. DM me. I'm a foolish man with some cash." Sadly, Shank had to let them both down easily, explaining that "they are just too much work to make to sell."
Your dreams of playing Virtual Boy on the go may not become a reality for some time (if ever), but maybe other modders in the community will be inspired to refine Shank's design into a unit that could more easily be replicated.