Nintendo launches two 1996 Virtual Boy games on Switch via Online service
Nintendo has made two previously unreleased Virtual Boy titles, Zero Racers and D‑Hopper, playable on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The games, originally slated for a 1996 release before the Virtual Boy was discontinued, are now available at no extra charge for subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Zero Racers is a futuristic racing spin‑off of the F‑Zero series, originally known as G‑Zero, featuring characters such as Jody Summer and James McCloud and offering Grand Prix and Practice modes over five‑lap circuits. D‑Hopper, developed by Intelligent Systems, is an action‑adventure where Prince Dorin of the Sky Kingdom rescues four spirits to transform into a dragon, using a mode‑7 visual style reminiscent of classic Super Nintendo titles.
Entities: D‑Hopper · Intelligent Systems · Nintendo Co., Ltd. · Nintendo Switch · Zero Racers
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In D‑Hopper, the player rescues four spirits to transform into a dragon. (Nintendo)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zero Racers is a futuristic racing spin‑off of the F‑Zero series, originally known as G‑Zero, featuring characters Jody Summer and James McCloud. (Nintendo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nintendo released two previously unreleased Virtual Boy games, Zero Racers and D‑Hopper, on August 4 2026. (Nintendo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The games are now available for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at no additional cost. (Nintendo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] D‑Hopper is an action‑adventure title developed by Intelligent Systems, starring Prince Dorin of the Sky Kingdom. (Nintendo)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zero Racers includes Grand Prix and Practice modes, with five laps per race. (Nintendo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Both games were originally scheduled for release in 1996 but were cancelled due to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure. (Nintendo)