Nintendo may plan a strong comeback in the realm of VR with their rumored new headset
As many may know, Nintendo has invested in VR before. The company is responsible for products like the Virtual Boy (not known for its positive reviews) and the VRKit, essentially a “cardboard switch” allowing users to create a DIY 3-DoF headset by placing their Switch inside, resembling the popular cardboard ‘VR’ headsets of that era.
All of the company’s previous VR and AR endeavors, unfortunately, ended in failure. But can Nintendo finally succeed with a VR product? According to Nash Weedle, a renowned Spanish leaker with a track record of accurate leaks, it may be. He recently posted on X regarding the company’s alleged leaks and more.
According to the leaker, Nintendo is currently working on a prototype for a standalone VR headset. This headset won’t rely on any other device, including the rumored upcoming Switch 2, and it will also have a strong focus on Mixed Reality, similar to the Quest 3.
We don’t know how the device will look, but it’s unlikely to resemble AR Glasses. If the device is intended to support both VR and AR, it will likely be a Mixed Reality device, similar to the Quest 3.
However, what sets Nintendo’s VR/AR Headset apart from the competition are two key factors. Firstly, according to Nash, the device is set to feature Micro-LED displays, a revolutionary technology by today’s VR and AR standards. This technology would enable ultra-high resolution, low energy consumption, and astonishingly bright displays, all of which are highly desirable in the VR and AR space.
However, considering the cost and manufacturing challenges associated with these displays, as well as the relative immaturity of this technology, it is highly unlikely that we will see these displays in actual products in the coming years. Currently, there are a few if not zero consumer or enterprise VR devices on the market that incorporate these displays. Therefore, it’s important to approach this information with some skepticism.
Secondly, there are rumors of Google’s involvement in the development of this project. The author also suggests that Google might consider offering its MicroLED technology to other companies. This speculation arose shortly after Google discontinued Iris, its AR Glasses Project Device.
Whatever Nintendo is doing behind the scenes, it’s clear they’re experimenting with VR and AR technology. It’s becoming increasingly evident that more companies are showing interest in this tech. If Nintendo can bring its globally recognized IPs like Mario or Zelda to Virtual and Augmented Reality, it could be a game-changer for the industry. That’s why Nintendo, among other companies, is poised to be one of the most influential players in the future of the VR industry.
