Bound High was originally shown at the 1996 E3, but like all of the other Virtual Boy games demonstrated at that event, ended up being cancelled when it was clear that the console's fate was sealed. Since then, the game has become famous with hardcore Virtual Boy fans, with its source code floating around the web and a playable ROM becoming available in 2010.
Now, 16 years after the console was discontinued following abysmal sales, Virtual Boy fans are finally getting to play a proper, physical version of Bound High. The game has been produced by a team of just three people, including Richard Hutchinson - who creates the cartridges using existing Virtual Boy software - and Vince Clemente, who handles the packaging and box design. You can read the whole story over at Wired, and it's a fascinating insight into the mind of a true retro collector.
There's life in that red headache-inducing console yet, it would seem.
[source wired.com]
Comments (42)
Now to bring this game to 3DS Virtual Console.
They should make a full colour remake for the 3DS eShop.
Hahahaha wow. Watch as the game is completely mediocre. But it is cool that people will go to such lengths for a cancelled game.
Oh man how I'll miss those NP promotional flyers in my Nintendo games. I just received the final issue in the mail.
Now do Starfox 2.
@kkslider5552000 I was going to say "Yeah, a bit like the free Megaman game" but I think the mob are still thirsting for blood.... and miss the point that I meant being "the lengths people will go to"
Hahahaha... oh they are serious. Yeah, 3DS eshop for this, if they really care that much.
This is why I love this place. Retro coverage doesn't get a back seat, as it does everywhere else. Celebrate the Retro!
On the photo are 19 copies of the game. Are there really so many people who own this system?
I still have my VB with 8 games, if the price is right, I might buy a copy I remember wanting the game all those years ago.
At least they didn't have to make hundreds of thousands of these games,they just had to make tens.
Yeah, they should totally bring this to VC if Nintendo isn't too ashamed of the Virtual Boy to allow it.
It makes me wish I still had my virtual boy............well maybe not!
Does anyone know where I can buy this? I've been looking around and come across no copies of the game. Being a proud owner of all 14 American Virtual Boy games, I would like to add this to my collection.
That NP ad makes it all the more authentic.
It also makes me really sad that NP is gone... too soon Nintendo Life... too soon...
I would try this probably if I had a Virtual Boy, but my eye sight is bad enough without hunting down one of those on ebay
so i'm thinking, its been long enough now that maybe nitendo should consider bringing the virtual boy back, its worked well with some of there other old products that failed
Oh when I saw this article I assumed that it was being made for the 3DS e-shop, they should have done that. probably would have been more work though converting it?
I dont know I never got a headache from the Virtual Boy now the 3DS on the other hand.
So any chance that their will be a review on this game from NL?
So how do I buy one?
Nintendo should remake some of the VB games for the 3DS eShop, adding color to them (instead of Red/Black). Virtual Boy Wario Land is an amazing game and would even better in vibrant color.
It would be cool to see virtual boy games on the 3DS. I doubt Nintendo would however. I think they just want to forget the games of that era. Which is a shame, the 3DS would be the perfect forum for them.
The production run for this is 50 copies.
@Hejiru Starfox 2 repros have been around for years. I'm not sure if they have the same work put into their manuals etc though.
@Luigifan141 $75 from here: http://www.uncletusk.com/catalog/15 Don't know if that has shipping or not.
The Angry Video Game Nerd reviewed all games for the VBoy, except for Jack Bros., which he eventually got a hold of, then updated his review for it. Think he'd revisit the Virtual Boy to play one more game?
you guys dont understand, bound high is earthbound for virtual boy
3DS WOULD be the best option for re-releasing these games. I hope they do, but they won't do it in color if at all I think... I've only seen a couple Virtual Boy consoles, but they were being sold for a $100 w/o any games. Not a bad deal if you still consider so rare that it's new, but I'd rather miss out on an old 'failed' console, than get a couple Wii U games. $10 on 3DS VC Nintendo! Doesn't this infringe Nintendo's logo use and stuff, or are all the companies letting fan work happen now?
So are they illegally manufacturing Nintendo games? This will be interesting to see Nintendo start suing if these go for big bucks on eBay.
I want it, but i´m in Mexico, i don´t know a store with this game.
But if this game is launched in 2012 it needs to be "E" not "K-A".
I love hearing stories like this. I really do.
Wow. Why don't we get VB releases on VC? I'd love to finally get to play those strange and oft-forgotten titles!
@kkslider5552000
It's actually the second best game on Virtual Boy right behind Wario Land. That's why after 2 years it got a full release because people are so amazed by the level of fun.
@Dauntless
Unlikely because the production numbers are low, They are stopping at 60 copies. Nintendo has never sued any repro maker because the supplies for each game are low and they never intend anything for Virtual Boy. Nintendo even stated they will never rerelease any VB games.
This is so great! I remember reading about this game in my Nintendo Power. I would love to play this on my Virtual Boy. It is a great system and one that you really can't emulate elsewhere. Tis an experience all its own. I would love to see competent home brew games packages in cartridges and sold.
Oh wow. I would never, ever play the game, but look at all the love that went into that packaging! That's amazing. All the inserts and everything.
Hmm, after reading the Wired article I was disheartened to hear these were made with donar carts. I would feel much better if I knew no original carts were hurt in the making of this reproduction.
@DarkEdi
No, it should be "K-A." It's trying to look like it would have if it was made back then. Hence the ad for Nintendo Power as well.
We should have Virtual Boy games on the VC of the 3DS. In full 3D of course.
For some reason I think it's the coolest thing in the world [of video games] when people release a game for a system that is no longer being supported. It's kind of the opposite of new hardware and sequels being released all the time that seem to send the message "HAY IDIOT THROW OUT YOUR OLD GAMES AND SYSTEMS ALREADY". I hope Virtual Boy fans buy every last copy of this game.
@Starwolf_UK: Thanks for providing the link. I was interested and at $75, I would've purchased one for sure, but the shipping charge really kills it for me on this one. At just a hair short of a hundred dollars, I can't do it.
@Rod64
Nintendo of America president has stated many times that he feels as though the failure of VZb is not worth returning to and that releasing games from a failed system would not be worthwhile.
So yea, owning a VB is the only way to get the experience of these games. VB emulation doesn't work unless done on Wii via a 3D television (sing the side by side overlay function), that's the closest anyone has gotten.
Looks great. The character on the boxart kind of reminds me of PulseMan for some reason. It's always fun to see unreleased games see the day of light. Now, if they would just do this for Gex 4 or Bioforce Ape...
Ha! I just pulled my VB out the other day to dust it off and fire up some Wario. One of my favorite old school memories.
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