Nintendo has revived two forgotten titles from the Virtual Boy era—Zero Racers and D-Hopper (Dragon Hopper)—on its Switch Online + Expansion Pack 'Nintendo Classics' service. The update, launched on 4 August 2026, includes Version 1.3.0 of the service and adds a new feature that lets players adjust the screen's displayed color, giving them more control over their experience.
Introducing Zero Racers and D-Hopper
Zero Racers is a futuristic racing title where players compete in a world set in the early 30th century. The story follows humanity living underground after a decline in prosperity and emotional depth. Competitors pilot high-speed machines through a maze of square ducts, aiming to stay in the top three positions each lap. Success allows them to move on to the next stage of the race. A special power-up called 'Rapid' can be collected from rapid marks on the track, letting racers surge forward for a short but powerful burst of speed.
D-Hopper, on the other hand, is an action-packed platformer. The prince of the Sky Kingdom, Dorin, is pursued by a traitorous minister and falls into the underground world. There, he is rescued by fairies who guide him on a journey to reclaim four lost spirits and restore peace to the Sky Kingdom. Players must jump and flap to traverse floating platforms in the air, fighting enemies along the way. Once the spirits are found, Dorin can transform into a dragon, unlocking special abilities for more advanced gameplay.
Both games were originally developed for the Virtual Boy, Nintendo's early attempt at a portable 3D gaming system. First launched in 1996, the Virtual Boy was an ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful product. Many of its titles, like Zero Racers and D-Hopper, were left unfinished or forgotten after the system's commercial failure. Now, decades later, they are being reintroduced to a new generation of gamers via the 'Nintendo Classics' subscription service.
The latest service update also introduces a customizable screen color feature. By holding the right control stick and using the L and R buttons, players can adjust the color tone of the Virtual Boy app, tailoring their visual experience. This addition was revealed alongside the return of the two titles in the recent update.
In a related move, Nintendo has expanded the Virtual Boy's presence by adding five soundtracks to the Nintendo Music app. These albums cover a range of Virtual Boy games, including Virtual Boy Wario Land and Mario Clash, with the largest collection holding 38 tracks. These soundtracks offer fans a chance to relive the music from the now-defunct gaming system, bringing nostalgic tunes into their daily listening routines.
What's Coming Next for Virtual Boy Classics?
The company also announced a new commercial to promote the Virtual Boy 'Nintendo Classics' service. The trailer gives a preview of the revived titles like Zero Racers and D-Hopper. Nintendo plans to continue expanding its library of retro games, with Super Mario Sunshine set to be added to the GameCube section of the 'Nintendo Classics' subscription in August 2026. These updates and announcements showcase Nintendo's ongoing effort to bring its classic titles to modern players in accessible and fresh ways.