The Vision Pro recently received a Virtual Boy emulator app called VirtualFriend, providing enthusiasts with a blast from the past. As a tech journalist with a deep-rooted love for Nintendo’s short-lived console, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience immersive 3D gaming once again. The app is compatible with iOS and iPadOS, offering a nostalgic gaming experience without the 3D effect.
The Nostalgia Trip
After downloading VirtualFriend, I dove into some of the classic games I owned as a kid: Red Alarm, Wario Land, and Mario’s Tennis. To my delight, these games ran smoothly, mirroring my memories of playing them years ago. VirtualFriend supports Bluetooth controllers and keyboard control on the Vision Pro, along with touchscreen buttons for iPhone and iPad users. The visual quality of the games is impressive for Virtual Boy standards, enhanced by the app’s customizable two-tone color palette.
Missing Features and Recommendations
Despite its strong points, VirtualFriend lacks some essential features like controller mapping and the ability to save games at any point using save states. The developer, Adam Gastineau, has acknowledged the latter in an open issue on the project’s GitHub page. However, I can easily recommend VirtualFriend to anyone curious about playing Virtual Boy games or to those who, like me, have cherished memories of the console. The app is free to download with the option to tip the developer, ad-free, and assures users that their data will not be collected. It offers a wholesome and enjoyable trip back to the mid-90s era of VR gaming.
VirtualFriend on Vision Pro provides a unique opportunity to rediscover the Virtual Boy gaming experience. With its easy accessibility, impressive visual quality, and nostalgic appeal, the app allows users to relive the magic of classic games from the past. While it may have some limitations in terms of features, the overall experience is worth trying for anyone with a soft spot for retro gaming. Give VirtualFriend a chance and let the Virtual Boy nostalgia take you on a journey back in time.
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