Switch gets new Virtual Boy reviews! Check out Jack Bros., Vertical Force, V-Tetris and more.

Nintendo's strangest console has made a comeback with the third wave of Virtual Boy games now available on Nintendo Switch Online. GameCentral took a deep dive into the virtual world and uncovered a hidden gem and a rather overrated oddity. Exploring the Virtual Boy's library of games through the Expansion Pack service has been a unique experience.

It's always exciting to discover old and obscure video games, especially those that were hard to find even upon their initial release. The Virtual Boy adds an extra layer of intrigue with its unusual design and the fact that it was developed by Nintendo. The console's main gimmick is its ability to display games in stereoscopic 3D, but with only two colors - red and black.

We previously reviewed the first batch of games and the second wave which included titles like Mario Clash and Mario's Tennis. Now, with the recent addition of five new games, the total count has reached 12 in the West, out of the promised 16. This includes two previously unreleased games, Zero Racer and Dragon Hopper.

As a disclaimer, we will continue to use a five-point review scale for these games, as they are not compatible with our regular review system. One of the newly added games is Virtual Bowling, which unfortunately doesn't quite live up to its name. Developed by Athena, a now-defunct Japanese developer known for their 2D shooter Strike Gunner S.T.G., Virtual Bowling is a straightforward game with a surprisingly impressive 3D effect.

However, the gameplay and presentation are quite basic, with a control system reminiscent of golf games, where players must stop a cursor at the right point to adjust the ball's direction and speed. It's functional, but like Mario's Tennis, the lack of multiplayer options makes it feel like a wasted opportunity. Another game added to the Virtual Boy collection is Space Invaders Virtual Collection, developed by Taito.

At the time of its release in 1995, the original Space Invaders game was already 17 years old and considered outdated by many. This begs the question of why it was included in the Virtual Boy's library, along with many other games on the console. The collection contains the original game and its sequel, both available in 2D and 3D versions, as well as time attack and score challenge modes.

While the gameplay is timeless, the 3D effect falls a bit flat, making it seem like the aliens are lying on the ground rather than looming over the player. The lack of color in the game also makes it less vibrant than the original, which used cellophane overlays to add color to the game. Next up is V-Tetris, developed by Locomotive.

Despite the Virtual Boy only having a total of 22 games, it somehow ended up with two bowling games and two Tetris games. V-Tetris is the Japanese version of the game, while 3D-Tetris is the Western release. We previously reviewed 3D-Tetris and found it to be one of the better games on the console, as it utilized the 3D effect in an innovative way by displaying the familiar Tetris field in wireframe 3D.

V-Tetris, on the other hand, is simply a 2D version of the classic game with a couple of 3D backgrounds, one of which features a slightly unsettling clown. The controls are smooth, but the music is almost unbearable to listen to. The game also offers similar options to the Game Boy version, with the addition of a mode that allows players to shift blocks left or right using the shoulder buttons.

However, the Virtual Boy's warning to not play for long periods of time makes it a less than ideal platform for a game like Tetris, where the goal is to keep playing for as long as possible. The inclusion of multiple versions of the same game on the Virtual Boy remains a mystery. It seems that nothing about this console makes sense.

Nintendo's Virtual Boy console, known for its unusual design and limited success, has made a comeback with the release of its third wave of games on the Nintendo Switch Online platform. As GameCentral explores the Virtual Boy's library, they stumble upon a forgotten gem and an overrated oddity. Delving into the Virtual Boy's collection of games on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service has been a peculiar delight.

There's something thrilling about discovering old and obscure video games, especially those that were hard to come by even during their initial release. But what makes the Virtual Boy even more intriguing is the strange nature of the console itself, and the fact that it was a product of Nintendo. The Virtual Boy's main selling point was its ability to display games in stereoscopic 3D, but with a limited color palette of red and black.

GameCentral has already reviewed the first and second waves of games, including titles like Mario Clash and Mario's Tennis. And now, with the addition of five more games this week, the total number of games available in the West has reached 12 out of the promised 16. This includes two previously unreleased titles: Zero Racer and Dragon Hopper.

GameCentral continues to use a five-point review scale for these games, as they are not compatible with the normal review scoring system. One of the latest additions, Virtual Bowling, may not knock your socks off. Developed by Athena, a now-defunct Japanese game developer known for their 2D shooter Strike Gunner S.T.G., Virtual Bowling is exactly what it sounds like.

While its 3D effect is impressive, especially when the ball crashes into the pins, the gameplay and presentation are rather basic. The golf-style control system, where you have to stop a cursor at the right point to change the direction and speed of the ball, is functional but not very exciting. And just like Mario's Tennis, the lack of multiplayer options makes it seem pointless and poorly executed.

What's even more baffling is that there were two bowling games released for the Virtual Boy, with Nester's Funky Bowling being exclusive to Japan and unavailable on the Switch. It's a head-scratching decision, to say the least. Next up is Space Invaders Virtual Collection, developed by Taito.

The original Space Invaders, released in 1978, was considered a relic by the time the Virtual Boy came out in 1995. So it's hard to understand the reasoning behind this collection, just like many other Virtual Boy games and the console itself. Despite its name, it only contains the first and second installments of the game, available in both 2D and new 3D versions, along with a time attack and score challenge mode.

While the gameplay is timeless, the 3D effect makes it seem like the aliens are lying on the ground rather than looming over you. And due to the Virtual Boy's limited color capabilities, the game is even less colorful than the original, which used a cellophane overlay on the arcade cabinet to add color. Moving on to V-Tetris, developed by Locomotive.

Despite having only 22 games in its library, the Virtual Boy somehow ended up with two bowling games and two Tetris games. V-Tetris, being the Japanese version, is just like any other 2D Tetris game, but with a couple of 3D backgrounds. The controls are smooth, but the music is unbearable.

The options are similar to the Game Boy version, with the addition of a mode that allows you to shift a block left or right using the shoulder buttons. However, the Virtual Boy's warning not to play for extended periods of time makes it a less than ideal platform for a game like Tetris, where the goal is to keep your run going for as long as possible. Once again, the puzzling question remains: why were there two Tetris games on the Virtual Boy?

Nothing about this console seems to make sense.