We've known Nintendo considers the Switch a viable platform for virtual reality since December 2016. That's when a Nintendo patent was discovered for a head-mounted unit with a slot for the Switch to slide into, essentially forming a VR headset. Then in December, references to a VR Mode on the hybrid console were discovered in the Switch's operating system.

As Arstechnica reports, this week Switch hackers managed to get VR Mode working, albeit in very basic form. You can see it being loaded in the tweet below:

https://t.co/wSPNcuuGVa
So I just tried and a screen appeared. Interesting... pic.twitter.com/MLiKfYpokb — random (@random666_kys) August 8, 2018

Although there's no content running, the Switch's display clearly gets split in two. A rough translation of the French text printed on both sides of the display reads, "Please move the console away from your face and click the close button."

It would nice to see some actual gameplay running in this split screen mode, and I'm sure it will happen with a bit more work. As to whether Nintendo intends to pursue virtual reality any further, I think we might be in for a long wait.

Right now, the Switch is selling extremely well and Nintendo's focus is on new games and Labo cardboard kits. I think once the Switch reaches the middle of its lifetime, which could be another couple of years, Nintendo will start looking for something new to offer. At that point a head-mounted accessory and range of VR-friendly games could happen. It may even turn out to be a Nintendo Labo kit!