Relive the Magic of Virtual Boy with VirtualFriend Emulator on Apple Vision Pro

As a self-proclaimed fan of Nintendo’s short-lived Virtual Boy console, I’m thrilled to discover an emulator app called VirtualFriend that brings the nostalgic gaming experience to life in immersive 3D on the Apple Vision Pro.

Getting Started with VirtualFriend

The app is available for download on the App Store, and I quickly got started by playing my favorite childhood games, including Red Alarm, Wario Land, and Mario’s Tennis. I’m pleased to report that the games run smoothly, with only minor audio glitches in Red Alarm. The app’s compatibility with Bluetooth controllers, keyboard control, and touchscreen buttons ensures a seamless gaming experience.

App Features and Customization

VirtualFriend offers a range of features that enhance the Virtual Boy experience, including:

• Customizable two-tone color palette to match the original console’s look and feel
• Eye adjustment slider to fine-tune the image for optimal viewing
• Support for Bluetooth controllers and keyboard control on the Vision Pro
• Touchscreen buttons for iPhone and iPad users

What’s Missing and the Future of VirtualFriend

While VirtualFriend is an excellent start, it’s missing some key features like controller mapping and save states. Developer Adam Gastineau has acknowledged these limitations and is working to address them in future updates.

Conclusion

Despite some minor limitations, VirtualFriend is a must-try for anyone interested in revisiting the Virtual Boy experience or exploring retro gaming on the Apple Vision Pro. The app is free, ad-free, and won’t collect your data, making it a great way to relive the magic of mid-90s VR gaming.