Famicom World

Misc. => Other Gaming => Topic started by: Mindfreak on December 12, 2008, 09:42:02 pm

Title: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 12, 2008, 09:42:02 pm
I've been thinking about purchasing a Virtual Boy for awhile now....but I've heard that it can cause head aches and dizziness...is this true ?
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 12, 2008, 10:04:48 pm
It can cause headaches and dizziness to some people, but not everybody is affected.

There's no other way than to try it out for yourself.

Same with rollercoasters. You don't know if you're going to puke until you ride one for a first time.  ;)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 12, 2008, 11:46:33 pm
thanks for the info...I suppose you're right...only one way to find out :P

by the way ------------ >    awesome game collection!!!!!! ;D
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 13, 2008, 02:15:38 am
Thanks.
I haven't updated that page for a very long time, so there are a lot of additions...


Even if you should get dizzy from playing VB, it still makes a nice collector's piece.  ;)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Lorfarius on December 13, 2008, 03:20:38 am
It all depends on the person as it effects everyone differently. I can play on mine for about 30 minutes before I need a break. Then I always feel a little dizzy for a minute or so after. Yet my younger brother cant manage more than 10 minutes without a headache.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 13, 2008, 05:33:09 am
I love my Virtual Boy, it's a ton of fun. Wario Land is pretty decent and Red Alarm is phenomenal. As long as you don't play it for more than 20 or 30 minutes you should be good.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Lorfarius on December 13, 2008, 05:59:57 am
I should add that as long as you take a break at most every 30 minutes then you should be fine. Well worth purchasing one if you have the funds though.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 13, 2008, 01:49:23 pm
awesome info  :) thanks
Quote from: Lorfarius on December 13, 2008, 05:59:57 am
Well worth purchasing one if you have the funds though.


Yeah...they are kinda expensive...
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 13, 2008, 03:42:53 pm
Oh hey, also, bookmark this site (http://www.vr32.de/modules/news/) if you're going to be getting a Virtual Boy. They're to the Virtual Boy what this site is to the Famicom. Their forum is filled with good info.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 14, 2008, 07:18:38 pm
wow!  awesome site!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 15, 2008, 03:10:52 pm
I got a VB at a used gaming store...but it was CIB w/ Mario's Tennis for $30.  Is that a good deal?  Also Wario Land and Telroboxing are my favorites

I haven't gotten a headache yet from playing my VB...and I've played it for up to an hour and a half
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 15, 2008, 04:08:35 pm
Yeah that's a good deal on a Virtual Boy. Did you also get the hard carrying case?

Most of your Virtual Boy stuff can be gotten for less than 50 bucks; however some games like Jack Bros. and a few of the Japanese releases may run cost you a bit more. Aren't we lucky then, that there aren't that many Virtual Boy games! :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: FamicomFreak on December 15, 2008, 11:01:27 pm
I got mine cib for 10 bucks at a goodwill one time and gave me a few headaches so I placed it in the darkest part of my closet........scary handheldish devil!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 16, 2008, 03:05:24 pm
Quote from: FamicomFreak on December 15, 2008, 11:01:27 pm
scary handheldish devil!


lol.  :D
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 17, 2008, 04:42:09 am
I'll gladly take this devil off your hands free of charge. :D
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Doc on December 17, 2008, 08:53:22 am
It all depends. If you have poor eyesight when you're not wearing glasses, then it's going to REALLY hurt after around 20-30 minutes with your glasses on. Your sensitive eyes are not used to the red and black colors. I really was only ever able to play around 20-30 minutes at a time before my head hurt REALLY bad and I'd have to close my eyes. Then again, other times it would take much longer. I guess it depends on what game you play... if you're playing one that have your character constantly moving, it affects your eyes more.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: FamicomFreak on December 17, 2008, 10:37:24 am
Quote from: manuel on December 17, 2008, 04:42:09 am
I'll gladly take this devil off your hands free of charge. :D


AWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 17, 2008, 11:55:46 am
Actually, I have glasses and I still haven't had any problems with it.  And no I didn't get the case with it...but still...I think $30 is a good deal
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 17, 2008, 12:06:06 pm
Definitely a good deal! Yeah don't worry if you have glasses. I've got a pretty heavy prescription and haven't had any issues.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 17, 2008, 07:38:12 pm
Quote from: nintendodork on December 15, 2008, 03:10:52 pm
I got a VB at a used gaming store...but it was CIB w/ Mario's Tennis for $30.  Is that a good deal?


That's an awesome deal!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: michaelthegreat on December 18, 2008, 01:19:29 am
It's kinda interesting that the virtual boy gets flack for causing headaches and dizziness. I know quite a few people who get headaches and dizziness from 3rd person shooters. In fact, my wife can't play katamari because it makes her feel sick.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 18, 2008, 01:28:31 am
 That must be because all the strong colors.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 20, 2008, 09:14:01 pm
I...LOVE Katamari!!  It's one of the few reasons I put up with Sony :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 21, 2008, 04:05:27 am
I somehow couldn't get into Katamari. I was ticked off by the time limit that didn't let me explore the worlds and those stupid mice bumping into me.  >:(
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 21, 2008, 09:51:29 am
But surely that catchy music brought you right back in!!!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 21, 2008, 10:01:06 am
The second one is better. :D
Just don't let anybody see the disc, they'll think you're weird xD
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 21, 2008, 10:08:21 am
Are you implying that he or any one of us is not weird? :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: FamicomFreak on December 21, 2008, 10:29:48 am
hehehe hey you should try and get Wario World or whatever that game is called for the VB it's a great game but I couldn't finish it off because of the head aches....awaaaaaa!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 21, 2008, 04:53:36 pm
Wario Land for the VB is a great game, in fact it is one of my favorites for the VB...

Katamari Damacy is better than the first one, which I beat ;D (The second one, that is :P)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 21, 2008, 06:46:07 pm
Um..


The first game is "Katamari Damacy"

The SECOND, and superior, is "We  ♥ Katamari"

Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 21, 2008, 06:47:57 pm
Oh, ....

I thought it was the other way around...

Those crafty Japanese with their fancy game titles....

Katamari 1 and Katarmari 2....that would be a lot easier :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 21, 2008, 06:53:11 pm
That would be "Clump 1" and "Clump 2"


xD
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 21, 2008, 07:02:19 pm
I also have the PSP one...(again, one of the few reasons I put up with Sony)  this one is much harder....and whenever your time runs out before you do whatever you were supposed to....


Your dad hangs you from your stomach and yells at you...and I think he hits you...but I'm not sure...


Yup that's a Japanese game alright


100th Post!! Disk System FTW!!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Rogles on December 22, 2008, 10:58:04 am
INTERESTING FACT: the title "Katamari Damacy" is a mistranslation. The original Japanese title, "Katamari Damashii", means "Katamari Spirit". That should be the title. "Katamari Damacy is simply a romanization yeah I'll shut up now.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 22, 2008, 07:55:28 pm
Yeah I kinda figured that out when the music kept saying Damashii instead of Damacy
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: thegreatgonzo on December 22, 2008, 09:43:25 pm
I am wondering how far off this thread has become since its original topic....? No offence to Katamari!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 23, 2008, 01:09:37 pm
Katamari on Virtual boy  would have been weird.


BACK ON TRACK.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 23, 2008, 01:30:19 pm
Quote from: nurd on December 23, 2008, 01:09:37 pm
Katamari on Virtual boy  would have been weird.


BACK ON TRACK.


That's a cool idea though...."Virtual Katamari".... :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on December 23, 2008, 04:18:17 pm
Or "Only-red-and-black-katamari"...  ::)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: keiffer01 on December 23, 2008, 04:28:18 pm
Yeah VB Wario Land is definetley the best title on Virtual boy.

BTW; I have a demo Red Alarm cart. I heard it was kinda rare, but is it worth alot more than the normal Red Alarm?
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 23, 2008, 05:02:16 pm
Um.

You are almost guarenteed a seizure with "Only-red-and-black-Katamari"

xD
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Mindfreak on December 23, 2008, 06:38:10 pm
Quote from: nurd on December 23, 2008, 05:02:16 pm
Um.

You are almost guarenteed a seizure with "Only-red-and-black-Katamari"

xD


:o I didnt think about that...ouch.... :o
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 23, 2008, 07:26:48 pm
And, with the VB's graphics limits....

Low Frames...( Except for anything that could cause seizures...thanks alot Japanese Nintendo ::) )
Instant Headaches
...

And I can't even think of all the errors it would have with all of those bright, colorful sprites and text.... :o

Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nurd on December 23, 2008, 07:32:43 pm
Surely by "Bright and Colorful" you mean "RED AND BLACK"


xD
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 23, 2008, 07:34:34 pm
Quote from: keiffer01 on December 23, 2008, 04:28:18 pm
I have a demo Red Alarm cart. I heard it was kinda rare, but is it worth alot more than the normal Red Alarm?


I would imagine so.

And again, everyone here needs Red Alarm. It's the best game on the Virtual Boy.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 23, 2008, 07:39:09 pm
Quote from: nurd on December 23, 2008, 07:32:43 pm
Surely by "Bright and Colorful" you mean "RED AND BLACK"


xD
You just don't give up on those colors do you nurd?

But I guess I meant....bright and colorful....SHADES OF RED AND BLACK :P


Quote from: PatMan33 on December 23, 2008, 07:34:34 pm
And again, everyone here needs Red Alarm. It's the best game on the Virtual Boy.
I've never played Red Alarm...what's it about?  There's almost always a copy of it in a used gaming store near here...
If it sounds interesting, I might pick one up
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 23, 2008, 09:14:28 pm
It's kind of like a mix between Descent and StarFox... though it definitely leans more on the Descent side of things. If you've never played either of them, consider Red Alarm to be a space ship game! You fly your ship through the levels and shoot the bad guys down. The game is very difficult but very fun. Also it's entirely wire frame so... don't be shocked. ;)

Here's a video! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC7pZS5B-dM)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 23, 2008, 09:20:11 pm
*Gets up, slaps himself a couple of times and tells himself to get ahold of it from having a seizure*

WOW!!  Those wire-frames are AMAZING :P

Looks fun, I have played Star Fox games before...but I've never heard of Descent

I think I'll buy it next time I go to that store...

CIB for $9!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on December 23, 2008, 09:22:06 pm
Never heard of Descent!?! It's the salt mines for you!
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on December 23, 2008, 10:32:34 pm
Sorry Pat,

Already got a job at the coal mines :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nensondubois on January 30, 2009, 06:19:34 pm
They have also given a small percentage of people seizures.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on January 30, 2009, 07:23:05 pm
I never understand how the world works...
The VB gives a handful of people seizures, so they stop making it.
A bigger handful of people die from improperly using a treadmill (Hell, even using them properly)..but they still make them..
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 08:36:44 pm
People die from gun shots and yet they make lots of guns... The world is a weird place.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on January 30, 2009, 08:39:25 pm
And the people who actually had seizures from playing the VB...
SHOULDN'T EVEN BE PLAYING IT!  They obviously have some form of epilepsy, plus I can think of a couple NES/Famicom games that are WAY worse than anything the VB had. ::)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: 133MHz on January 30, 2009, 08:40:19 pm
They stopped making it because it sucked (IMO the red and black display system killed it. If it would have been in color it'd have ruled!).
You can get photosensitive epilepsy from an ordinary TV screen and we still have plenty of them around.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on January 30, 2009, 08:45:42 pm
Well I don't think it sucked :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:21:54 pm
You're the minority.
Many people thought it sucked. It didn't sell well, so it got canned.

Unfortunately producing it in full color instead of red and black was far too expensive. Such a device would indeed have ruled.  ;D
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: 133MHz on January 30, 2009, 09:26:36 pm
If Gunpei just had waited until the 21st century where color LCD displays are almost disposable (and of course, if he didn't die in that car accident) story would be very different :P.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:29:53 pm
They could still try it again. They have heaps of money now to play around a little.  :)
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on January 30, 2009, 09:42:37 pm
Something like that would never sell.  Everyone is too "excited" about the DSi and such.  Unless the New VB had wireless capabilities and two-player action :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:46:02 pm
Wireless is a given and 2P action shouldn't be a problem, too.

Maybe we see a virtual reality headset for Nintendo's next generation? ... I guess no, but one can dream, right? ;D
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: 133MHz on January 30, 2009, 09:47:53 pm
Like the Nintendo øn fake?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX2smM87r14
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on January 30, 2009, 09:51:19 pm
The seizure claims and whatnot are all overblown, all the Virtual Boy did was lack mass market appeal and give some people headaches. Besides, if we are to believe the warnings on games nowadays every game is just waiting to give you a seizure.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:52:24 pm
I had that in mind, yes.  :)
For a fake that was pretty good.

A problem with "helmets" would be safety, though, because you can't see what's going on around you.  :-\
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: son_ov_hades on January 31, 2009, 09:08:11 am
Quote from: PatMan33 on January 30, 2009, 09:51:19 pm
The seizure claims and whatnot are all overblown, all the Virtual Boy did was lack mass market appeal and give some people headaches. Besides, if we are to believe the warnings on games nowadays every game is just waiting to give you a seizure.


I only played Virtual Boy for half an hour once and I got a headache.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on January 31, 2009, 09:14:25 am
Quote from: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:52:24 pm
I had that in mind, yes.  :)
For a fake that was pretty good.

A problem with "helmets" would be safety, though, because you can't see what's going on around you.  :-\
Quote from: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:56:59 pm
I had that in mind, yes.  :)
For a fake that was pretty good.

A problem with "helmets" would be safety, though, because you can't see what's going on around you.  :-\

Quote from: manuel on January 30, 2009, 09:56:59 pm
I had that in mind, yes.  :)
For a fake that was pretty good.

A problem with "helmets" would be safety, though, because you can't see what's going on around you.  :-\

:o MANUEL!!  You posted the same post three times!! lol

But really I think it's just like watching a 3D movie..in red and black of course
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: 133MHz on January 31, 2009, 11:00:51 am
The forum was having some problems and it was returning 500 Internal Server Error while trying to post, before it crashed completely for about an hour and a half.

Weird thing is, the posts still got through, that's why you see multiple postings, from frustrated people like manuel & me clicking the Post button several times :P (yeah I double posted too but deleted them once the forum was back up & running)

Also, one of my posts was rendered 'invisible', that means it doesn't reflect on your unread messages count, but it's still there :-\.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: PatMan33 on January 31, 2009, 01:10:09 pm
Quote from: son_ov_hades on January 31, 2009, 09:08:11 am
I only played Virtual Boy for half an hour once and I got a headache.


Yeah, 30 minutes is about when most people report eye strain/headaches.

How about that market appeal? :P
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: manuel on January 31, 2009, 05:13:40 pm
Oh, wow, my post came through 3 times?  :o

Deleted 2 of them.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: Doc on February 01, 2009, 12:03:31 pm
Quote from: PatMan33 on January 30, 2009, 09:51:19 pm
The seizure claims and whatnot are all overblown, all the Virtual Boy did was lack mass market appeal and give some people headaches. Besides, if we are to believe the warnings on games nowadays every game is just waiting to give you a seizure.


Yeah, exactly. Every game has seizure warnings, and while it is possible, all the Virtual Boy ever did was give people headaches, and people who wore glasses had eye problems (Like me...) The real reason why it failed was because the games were ridiculous. Some were cool but the others were just sloppily done. If it were around now, it would have a better reception for its novelty, but it wouldn't fare any better than it did in 1995.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on February 01, 2009, 12:50:38 pm
If it were around now it would be in full color and have better games.  And as I said before, I too wear glasses, and my eyes really..I mean REALLY suck, and I've never had any discomfort when playing the VB.   Doc's right too about the seizure thing.  You can get a seizure from ANY game
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: FamicomFreak on February 02, 2009, 09:12:02 am
Wow I don't want to play VIrtual Boy anymore with my record of having seizures in the past I don't want to get it worse.
Title: Re: Is the Virtual Boy harmful ?
Post by: nintendodork on February 02, 2009, 03:35:40 pm
Haha now the next time you look at it, it will give you seizures... because now you are thinking WITHOUT PORTALS (negatively)