Nintendo Virtual Boy

The Nintendo Virtual Boy, released in 1995, was a video game console that
used a twin eyeglass style projector to display the games in "true" 3-D
(though monochromatic). The launch price was around $180. It was a flop in
the marketplace, for several reasons:

   * It was marketed as a portable system, but it was not as portable as
     consumers thought it should be
   * The display was known to cause eye problems, especially for those under
     7 years of age (it allegedly stunts eye development).
   * Buyers did not feel that the games released for the system were
     particularly fun to play.

Every Virtual Boy game will pause automatically every 15-30 minutes to
remind the player to take a break, to prevent undue eyestrain and possible
headaches.

Hype surrounding the device before its release included public musings by
Nintendo that the device might resemble a gun set vertical, projecting a 3D
image in the air above it. The actual device was considered a disappointment
compared to this description when it arrived.

Console hardware specifications

   * Processor
        o NEC V810 (P/N uPD70732)
        o 32-bit RISC Processor @ 20 MHz (18 MIPS)
        o 1 MB of DRAM and 512 KB of P-SRAM
        o 1 KB Cache
   * Display
        o RTI SLA (P4)
        o 384 x 224 Resolution
        o 50.2 Hz Horizontal Scan Rate
   * Power
        o 6 AA Batteries (9 VDC) or AC Adapter (10 VDC)
   * Sound
        o 16-bit Stereo
   * Controller
        o 6 buttons and 2 pads
   * Serial Port
        o 8 pin cable
   * Hardware Part Numbers
        o VUE-001 Virtual Boy Unit
        o VUE-003 Shaft
        o VUE-005 Controller
        o VUE-006 Game Pak
        o VUE-007 Battery Pack
        o VUE-011 AC Adapter
        o VUE-012 Eye shade Holder
   * Weight
        o 760 grams
   * Dimensions
        o 8.5"H x 10"W x 4.3"D

Cartridge specifications

   * 8-16 Mbit ROM
   * 0-8 KB Battery Backed RAM
   * Toshiba TC538200AFT and TC5316200AFT SRAM Chips (16 Mbit)
   * 60-pin connector

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