Nintendo Confirms Labo VR Can Be Used as an Alternative to the Switch Virtual Boy Accessory
Nintendo has confirmed that owners of the 2019 Nintendo Labo VR Kit can use the cardboard VR headset from that kit as a third option to play upcoming Virtual Boy games on Nintendo Switch — alongside the official Virtual Boy accessory and its cheaper cardboard version. This provides players with another way to enjoy Virtual Boy classics through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service without having to buy new hardware.
Originally, Nintendo said players would need to purchase one of the dedicated Virtual Boy accessories — including a $99.99/£67 plastic mount or a $25/£17 cardboard model — in order to play the upcoming stereoscopic 3D titles from Nintendo’s now-defunct Virtual Boy library on Switch. However, confirming recent insider reports, a Nintendo Treehouse staff member revealed to GamesBeat that the Nintendo Labo VR Toy-Con Goggles will also be compatible with the Virtual Boy games when they launch on February 17, 2026.
The Labo VR Kit, which was released as part of Nintendo Labo’s build-and-play series in April 2019, features cardboard goggles and lenses that turn standard Switch games into a stereoscopic VR-like experience. Although Nintendo no longer sells the Labo VR Kit, this legacy peripheral now serves as a fully functional alternative to the new Virtual Boy accessories for Switch owners who already have it — potentially saving players money while still unlocking the classic titles.
It’s worth noting the Labo VR solution doesn’t support Nintendo Switch 2, because the larger screen size doesn’t fit inside the original Labo VR housing. Players who only own the newer system may still need to pick up the official Virtual Boy accessory or the cardboard alternative to play Virtual Boy titles with the intended 3D effect.
These Virtual Boy classics — including titles such as Teleroboxer, Mario’s Tennis, and Red Alarm — are part of Nintendo’s broader push to bring retro content back to modern platforms via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.