What is the "virtual boy" that swept the trend? A sad hard that was too ahead of its time and was ridiculed as "Nintendo's dark history"

What is the "virtual boy" that swept the trend? A sad hard that was too ahead of its time and was ridiculed as "Nintendo's dark history"
In Reiwa 7, few people would have predicted a future in which "virtual boys" would sweep the trend. Why has "virtual boy" become a hot topic now?...

The linked article is in Japanese.