Nintendo Switch Online expands Virtual Boy catalog
Intelligence Summary
- Nintendo Switch Online has added five new Virtual Boy games, including Jack Bros. and V-Tetris. Read more.
Nintendo Switch Online expands Virtual Boy catalog
Nintendo Switch Online, with an Expansion Pack subscription, has expanded its game lineup with five new titles for the Virtual Boy catalog. This gives players the chance to experience some classics that are now available. The newly added titles are Jack Bros., V-Tetris, and Space Invaders Virtual Collection.
With this update, Expansion Pack subscribers can try out new games, while Nintendo regularly offers a rotating selection of classic titles. This option is only available to those with the extra subscription, while the NES, SNES, and Game Boy apps are accessible to all Switch Online users.
New titles in the catalog
The Virtual Boy catalog expansion has increased the number of available titles from nine to 14. Here’s a look at the games now available in the Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics app:
- Jack Bros.
- Space Invaders Virtual Collection
- V-Tetris
- Vertical Force
- Virtual Bowling
- 3-D Tetris
- Galactic Pinball
- Golf
- The Mansion of Innsmouth
- Mario’s Tennis
- Mario Clash
- Red Alarm
- Teleroboxer
- Virtual Boy Wario Land
Jack Bros. is a spin-off from Atlus’ Megami Tensei series. Players control three demons — Jack Frost, Jack Pumpkin, and Jack Skelton — as they race through different stages and battle against the clock. V-Tetris puts a fresh twist on the traditional Tetris formula. Space Invaders Virtual Collection includes direct ports of Space Invaders and Space Invaders Part 2, complete with time attack and score attack modes for an extra challenge.
Accessing Virtual Boy games
To access these new titles, subscribers need to download and install the latest Virtual Boy app update. The previous update arrived on Mario Day, when Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash were added to the catalog. Playing the Virtual Boy app on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 also requires a specific setup. In addition to the annual $50 cost of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, users must buy either a physical Virtual Boy headset or a cardboard version from the Nintendo Store, priced at $99.99 and $24.99 respectively. The headset lets players slot in their console and experience Virtual Boy games through the lenses.
Timeline
May 14, 2026: Nintendo Switch Online adds 5 new games to the Virtual Boy catalog, including Jack Bros. and V-Tetris.
April 2026: The previous Nintendo Switch Online update introduced Pac-Man, Mendel Palace, and The Tower of Drauga for the NES app.
Mario Day 2026: Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash are added to the Virtual Boy catalog, expanding the growing selection of available games.
Future expansions and preservation
Nintendo has said that more Virtual Boy titles will be released in the future, including D-HOPPER and ZERO RACERS, planned for later in 2026. Despite the Virtual Boy’s history as one of Nintendo’s rare missteps, the company continues to preserve its gaming legacy through the Nintendo Switch Online service. This strategy highlights Nintendo’s commitment to keeping its unique game experiences alive while introducing nostalgic titles to new generations of players.