Virtual Boy is Nintendo's three-dimensional twist in portable game systems. Showcasing several new technologies, the Virtual Boy achieves 3-D graphics by displaying a red LED on two Scanned Linear Arrays - tricking each eye into focusing on a separate display. As the user leans into the display unit, a stereoscopic viewer completes the immersive effect by cutting out all peripheral vision and light. As the Virtual Boy display appears, you can immediately notice how clear the graphics are but the built-in stereo speakers sounded as small as they were.
The appearance of depth is most noticeable with forward-moving perspective games, like "Red Alarm" (which guides a jet fighter down a tunnel fortress), while other games take advantage of the effect by using multiple-layered backgrounds. The game action seemed a little delayed although better overall than a Game Boy.
The controller is well designed although a little awkward and heavy due to the batteries in the base. Each side of the controller has a circular movement pad, both of which commands different functions in the 3-D environment.
Virtual Boy is an entertaining, albeit gimmicky, platform. I was particularly distressed that most users felt some sort of eye fatigue - so much so that after a few minutes most of our playtesters started complaining about it. Additionally, it is a stand-alone unit, powered by 6 AA batteries - which never last as long as you think they're going to. Retailing at about $180 (and $40 each game), I would think twice about buying a Virtual Boy over a home game system.
