Why the MiSTer Still Doesn’t Have a Virtual Boy Core

When you think of the MiSTer FPGA, you think of accuracy, preservation, and the ability to play everything from NES to PlayStation with near-perfect timing. But there’s one quirky system that still hasn’t made the jump to FPGA: the Nintendo Virtual Boy. So, why is that? Let’s break it down.

A Niche System With Limited Interest

The Virtual Boy is a fascinating console, but let’s be honest, it’s a niche. With only 22 officially released games, it never gained the kind of nostalgic following that systems like the SNES, Mega Drive, or PlayStation enjoy. Developers working on MiSTer cores often gravitate toward platforms with bigger communities and more active demand.

Complex Hardware Under the Hood

Despite its reputation as a “simple” mid-90s system, the Virtual Boy is anything but easy to replicate. It uses a 32-bit V810 RISC CPU alongside custom hardware designed specifically for its stereoscopic effect. The dual LED display panels rely on high-speed scanning mirrors to create that signature 3D look — a challenge to recreate accurately on FPGA without deep hardware knowledge and precise timing data.

Limited Documentation

FPGA development depends heavily on detailed technical references, and while there’s been some reverse-engineering of the Virtual Boy, complete documentation is still lacking. Without that, developers risk creating a core that’s inaccurate or unstable, which doesn’t align with the MiSTer community’s goal of cycle-accurate preservation.

Software Emulation Fills the Gap

For those itching to play Virtual Boy games, software emulation already does an excellent job. Cores like Mednafen run flawlessly on RetroArch, giving most players an easy and accurate way to enjoy the system, though purists still long for a full hardware solution.

Not Impossible, Just Waiting

A Virtual Boy core on MiSTer isn’t impossible, it just needs the right mix of developer interest, time, and documentation. If someone with expertise decides to take on the challenge, we could very well see the Virtual Boy blinking to life on FPGA in the future. Until then, the Virtual Boy remains one of the few consoles sitting on the sidelines of the MiSTer project, waiting for its time to shine.