Top 10 Lists: The Top 10 Virtual Boy Games

The Virtual Boy, Nintendo's infrared 3D binocular system with cool commercials. Most consider it a failed experiment but those who are less discriminating will find that it still has quality games and the idea that you're playing them in REAL 3D is innovative enough to give it a try. Despite the game selection and the fact it had automatic pause so you could take breaks every 15 minutes in case you're worried about it damaging your eyesight, people were still skeptical of the system so it took a big nosedive. I still think it's worth checking out, and if you're willing to look for the system or already have it, here are the ten best games to play on the only system that truly has 3D graphics.

It sounds like a Bomberman game, which would've been a neat addition to the VB library, but instead it's an okay falling-blocks puzzle game where you pit yourself against different CPU in a competitive challenge. It's a pretty fun game, but not the VB's best.

This isn't really funky at all, just a pretty straightforward bowling game in 3D. It's easy to learn how to play and a very simple game, but still very fun. The challenge mode where you pit yourself against specific pin combinations is a clever idea. I'm not a fan of bowling but I enjoyed this alot, and anyone who is a fan of bowling and videogames should be interested.

A 2D oldschool shmup that takes a clever idea of having a background and foreground level of flying, so there'll be a variety of enemies in different areas for you to pick off. Good ol' top-down space shooting. No more, no less.

"Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! meets Gundam Wing" is the best way to describe this unique and fun first-person boxing game. You have a variety of moves to pull off and block, and much like Punch-Out!! you have to examine the enemy carefully to discover weaknesses and openings in their fighting patterns. It gets pretty difficult, but it's still alot of fun to play.

Essentially the Star Fox of its system, Red Alarm is a wireframe 3D shooter with neat level design and alot of enemies. It's pretty difficult because of all the action that is happening on screen, but its a fun game that is definitely worth playing.

Talk about going back to your roots! Not a Super Mario game at all but instead a regular Mario game done VB-style. Imagine the original Mario Bros if it were in 3D. You're in an inclosed area where you are avoiding being touched by enemies while also trying to fend them off with shells. It's in two different dimensions, with a foreground area and a background area, so knocking enemies off involves attacking them from the side. Once you get used to it, Mario Clash is a lot of arcade style fun with a large amount of levels to beat.

One of my personal favorite pinball games, Galactic Pinball has four different and very well-done levels with simple gameplay and fun objectives. The difficulty is just right so you won't die from cheap losses or hard-to-avoid mistakes, and the events that happen in-game are pretty clever and they certainly stir up the game. Highly recommended.

Apparently this is the hardest VB game to find, so anyone who has it should thank they're lucky stars because its rare and also a very very fun top-down action game. Once again, the VB's idea of 3D is used incredibly well in this game, and the gameplay is simple and straightforward.

Although not the best Mario Tennis game available, the VB version is plenty fun that is also incredibly easy to play and get into to. The controls are simple and the tennis action is at a good pace, so it never gets boring. Very impressive 3D graphics as well.

The #1 game for the VB is actually Wario's best sidescrolling outing. Clever and fun level designs with its own unique Mario World-esque suits, and an original and fun idea where you can jump between background and foreground areas in certain parts of the game. Lots of challenging fun and it definitely made the best use of VB's potential.

If you can enjoy the infrared 3D interface for what it is, then you'll definitely enjoy these games for it. Despite what people may think of the system, the games were definitely Nintendo-quality and that says alot. I hope this list has sparked an interest in you for this system and its games.

List by GrandTheftPikmin (11/23/2005)