At Ars, we have a strong appreciation for classic console emulators that enhance the original gaming experience with features that were unimaginable during our childhood. Our excitement peaked when we came across a recent Reddit post showcasing a full color palette akin to the Super Game Boy added to the distinct red-and-black visuals of Virtual Boy Wario Land.
Having tried the colorized Virtual Boy emulator ourselves and capturing some sample screenshots, we were amazed by how color breathes new life into Nintendo’s ill-fated ’90s endeavor (which Benj Edwards at Ars has extensively documented). The new palette elevates the artistry present in the limited selection of official Virtual Boy games and invites players to explore the surprisingly vibrant homebrew development surrounding the system.
Changing the Game’s Tone
Nintendo’s choice of inexpensive red LEDs for the Virtual Boy’s stereoscopic display resulted in its distinctive monochromatic look. Although the limited palette posed challenges for ’90s developers, the aging of the red-on-black graphics falls short compared to the often unclear grayscale of the original Game Boy.
The character Wario, for example, appears even more vibrant in purple and yellow hues.
Turning the turtles green inadvertently alters Mario’s appearance, making him resemble Luigi.
Jack Bros. was already a hidden gem on the Virtual Boy, and its charm shines even brighter with added color.
The newest version of the 3DS Virtual Boy emulator Red Viper features a “New ‘Multicolor’ mode,” providing enhanced versatility for color remapping. Users can easily add color by accessing the Settings menu and utilizing the 3DS touch screen to select display colors for the four shades used by the Virtual Boy, labeled as “Darkest,” “Dark,” “Light,” and “Lightest.”
Prior versions of Virtual Boy emulators, including earlier iterations of Red Viper, allowed users to replace the default red LEDs, restricting options to only three shades of the selected color. Additionally, some RetroArch shaders have been developed for adding comprehensive color support to Virtual Boy games, yet they generally entail extensive file manipulation and configuration.
The color picker in Red Viper also allows users to adjust brightness and saturation levels.
The “Darkest” setting can still be adjusted to a bright white for added versatility.
Users with a 3DS that is modded for homebrew software can easily enhance the Virtual Boy library with Red Viper’s built-in color support. This emulator is designed to work with the 3DS’s filtered LCD screen, ensuring players experience the stereoscopic graphics inherent in Virtual Boy titles while adding a vivid color palette.
Beyond Wario Land
Currently, Red Viper does not feature preset color palettes, necessitating some experimentation to achieve satisfactory visuals in multicolor games. However, once users customize their settings, it becomes apparent how enriching color can be to games intended for a limited red palette.
The newfound contrast between the racers and the track significantly enhances gameplay in homebrew versions of Virtual Boy Mario Kart.
Light blue asteroids in the background add to the outer space feel of the game.
Adding contrast helps clarify gameplay elements in titles like Red Viper, enhancing playability.
A more subdued palette enhances the atmosphere in Panic Bomber’s smoother jazz rendition.
A blue and purple palette appears to suit the environment of Galactic Pinball more effectively than traditional red tones.
Colors that offer high contrast, such as yellow or green, can significantly enhance the visibility of sprites against the predominately black backgrounds seen in most Virtual Boy titles. Incorporating blue or purple accent colors can further differentiate background elements, improving gameplay clarity. Such enhancements are not merely cosmetic; in games like Red Viper, varied colors facilitate better identification of enemies relative to stationary obstacles within the game’s wireframe 3D layout.
Once you’ve completed colorizing your Virtual Boy ROMs, which you’ve backed up from your purchased cartridges (ahem), it’s worth exploring the impressive range of homebrew Virtual Boy games developed by enthusiasts over the years. Titles include impressive ports like Street Fighter II and Mario Kart, as well as original projects such as a quirky fish-eat-fish simulator and a game centered around hamburger-themed shooting.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of Virtual Boy, Red Viper’s newfound color capabilities present a compelling reason to revisit this unique chapter of Nintendo’s hardware legacy. It would be interesting to see Nintendo consider releasing a miniature version of the Virtual Boy VR headset similar to the NES Classic.