Virtual reality is still in its infancy, but consumers are still asking for it on the latest gaming consoles, most recently the Nintendo Switch. While Nintendo hasn’t committed to the feature yet, some crafty gamers are finding ways to make it happen on their own. One YouTuber took a look at how Switch VR would work.
YouTube vlogger Nintendrew inserted his Switch tablet (with Joy-Cons attached) into a Durovis Dive 7 headset, though he noted most tablet-sized VR headsets would do the job. He then used a Switch web browser hack to view a YouTube video he made while wearing the headset.
Nintendrew watched his 3D-formatted Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to simulate what virtual reality would look like for the Switch. He said it worked, though the width of the screen caused some quality issues.
As the video points out, one of the biggest arguments against Switch VR is the resolution. In tablet mode, the Switch can only operate at up to 720p. Games still look fantastic on the tablet, but in a VR headset with everything magnified, some images could look quite pixelated or jagged.
Another argument against the feature is simply the weight of the Switch. It’s relatively light but heavier than most smartphones and tablets used for VR. No one’s going to use something that makes their neck sore after ten minutes.
Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima has actually weighed in on the subject. He said if the headset can be designed to be comfortable and entertaining for players, Nintendo will release VR for the Switch.
While I’m not holding my breath for virtual reality on my Switch (that doesn’t even have the virtual console yet…), I’m excited to see where Nintendo takes their hybrid console in the future.
Do you think Nintendo can make VR work on the Switch? Let us know in the comments.