Episode 120: Nintendo's Virtual Boy

Episode 120: Nintendo's Virtual Boy

Author: Video Game History Foundation December 12, 2024 Duration: 1:13:23

In our very first episode of season two, university professor José Zagal and video game historian Benj Edwards, co-authors of Seeing Red: Nintendo's Virtual Boy, join host Frank Cifaldi to educate us all on Nintendo’s Virtual Boy.  

Mentioned in the show:

Benj’s original article on VB:

https://www.fastcompany.com/3050016/unraveling-the-enigma-of-nintendos-virtual-boy-20-years-later

 

José’s original academic article on the VB (from 2009):

https://doi.org/10.1145/1690388.1690406

 

Jez San talking about his VR partnership with Nintendo and how it was cancelled in favor of the Virtual Boy:

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/11/feature_the_game-changing_nintendo_vr_headset_that_never_was

You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.See more from José Zagal:

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a4a3GTMAAAAJ&hl=en

Twitter/X: @josezagal

Division of Games (@University of Utah): games.utah.edu


See more from Benj Edwards:

Twitter: @benjedwards

Website: benjedwards.com


Video Game History Foundation:

Podcast Twitter: @gamehistoryhour

Email: podcast@gamehistory.org

Twitter: @GameHistoryOrg

Website: gamehistory.org

Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg


Ever wonder how the stories behind your favorite games actually get uncovered? Video Game History Hour pulls back the curtain on that process, hosted by Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation. Instead of dry lectures, each episode feels like you’re overhearing a fascinating conversation between experts. Frank invites game developers, historians, and storytellers to share their discoveries and the real, often messy work of preservation. You’ll hear about the frustrating dead-ends that make researchers want to bang their heads against the wall, followed by those incredible breakthroughs when a forgotten piece of history suddenly clicks into place. This podcast is built on the genuine thrill of sharing a find, capturing the human side of digging through old code, tracking down obscure prototypes, or interviewing pivotal developers whose contributions have been overlooked. It’s a casual, engaging dive into the layers of an industry often focused only on the future, reminding us that every game has a past worth saving. Tune in for a refreshingly authentic look at the passion and persistence required to keep video game history alive, one surprising story at a time.
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