This Vision Pro Virtual Boy emulator isn’t flashy, but it gets the job done

Vision Pro is the first app to include a Virtual Boy emulator. Virtual FriendsAs someone with an unhealthy affection for Nintendo’s shortest-lived console, I’m finally being given the chance to play it again in immersive 3D. The app is also available for iOS and iPadOS, and offers essentially the same experience, minus the 3D effects.

After downloading VirtualFriend, the first game I played was a game I had as a kid. Red Alarm, Wario Landand Mario Tennis. Aside from a few minor audio glitches, Red AlarmThe game runs fine and everything is just as I remember it.

VirtualFriend supports Vision Pro Bluetooth controller and keyboard controls, as well as touchscreen buttons if you’re playing on an iPhone or iPad. The games look just as good as Virtual Boy games, with a little help from the app, which lets you customize the console’s two-tone color palette. VirtualFriend also has an eye adjustment slider that lets you adjust the image if a particular game isn’t working for you.

The big features missing are controller mapping and the ability to save your game at any time using save states. (Developer Adam Gastineau said the latter is There are open issues on the project’s GitHub page.

Still, if you’re even remotely interested in playing Virtual Boy games, or if, like me, you once owned and loved the console, I recommend VirtualFriend. It’s free with the option to tip the developer, has no ads, and, according to its App Store listing, doesn’t collect any user data. It’s a great, simple way to enjoy mid-90s VR.