Nintendo’s Virtual Boy Snub: Why Norway is Missing Out on Retro Gaming
Nintendo’s “forgotten console,” the Virtual Boy, was recently relaunched for Nintendo Switch owners in much of the world. Although, Norwegian gaming enthusiasts are being left out in the cold. The necessary accessories required to experience the games on their consoles are currently unavailable in Norway, causing frustration among local Nintendo fans.
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Despite it being 2026, Norway is excluded from Nintendo’s online store – although residents in countries like Liechtenstein and Andorra have the goods delivered to their door.
One of the country’s most dedicated enthusiasts, Frank Eivind Rundholt, has gone to unusual lengths to get an answer to the mysterious “Norway-exclusion.” After being sent in circles between Bergsala in Norway, headquarters in Sweden, and Nintendo Europe in Germany, he is left with a feeling of hitting a brick wall.
“I find it incredibly frustrating not to have the opportunity to buy the accessories to play Virtual Boy on Nintendo Switch,” says Rundholt.
He has written about his attempts to get an answer on his blog, Retrospilling.no.
Navigating a Support Maze
Rundholt describes a frustrating search for answers that has led him through several layers of Nintendo’s European apparatus, to no avail.
“There is no one who has given a clear answer and I have been referred from one to the other. Bergsala Norway sent me to Germany, without it helping. And the answer has been from everyone, basically ‘Sorry, we don’t ship to your country,’ without any elaboration on that answer,” he explains.
He has been trying to get an answer from someone at Nintendo for a long time as to why What we have is the case.
As recently as last week, he sent a number of questions to Bergsala, but received no response.
In addition to the Virtual Boy products, there are several other items locked to Nintendo’s online store, including reproductions of NES, SNES, and GameCube controllers, as well as toys and other accessories.
Gamer.no has been trying to get a response from Bergsala, Nintendo’s official importer in Norway, for the past week, without success.
The Broader Trend: Regional Restrictions in Gaming
Norway isn’t alone in facing regional restrictions with gaming products. Many countries experience limitations on accessing certain hardware, DLC, or even entire game releases due to licensing agreements, distribution costs, or regulatory hurdles. This often leads to fans resorting to importing goods, which can be expensive and inconvenient.
The Virtual Boy situation highlights a growing frustration among collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts who are eager to access exclusive content but are hampered by geographical limitations. While digital distribution has reduced some barriers, physical goods and limited-edition items remain subject to these restrictions.
FAQ
- Why is the Virtual Boy not available in Norway?
- Can I import the Virtual Boy accessories to Norway?
- Are other Nintendo products affected by these restrictions?
The exact reason is currently unknown, as Nintendo and Bergsala have not provided a clear explanation.
Yes, but it may be expensive due to shipping costs and potential import duties.
Yes, several exclusive hardware items and collectibles from the My Nintendo Store are not available in Norway.
Are you excited for the Virtual Boy library on Switch 1 and 2? Let us know in the comments.
