The PS VR2 has gone on pre-order, and while many gamers are eager to enjoy Sony's next era of virtual reality gaming, some are concerned about the price of the headset. It is an understandable concern, because the PS VR2 is more expensive than its predecessor, and it is pricier than other VR headsets on the market. However, it also has impressive specs as well as a line-up of strong titles that may make the price tag worth it.
One of Sony's competitors in the VR market is Oculus. Most of Oculus' headsets are cheaper than the VR2. Furthermore, the Oculus Quest headsets can be used as standalone devices. However, Sony's headset packs slightly better specs which may be enough to sway some gamers.
PlayStation: From VR to VR2
Sony made its entrance into the VR scene with the PS VR which launched in 2016. Although it allows players to experience VR gameplay, it does come with a few limitations. Most notably, it is wired, requiring players to hook up the headset to the console. Some games also require the dated Move controllers, as well as the PlayStation Camera. Nevertheless, once gamers have everything they need, they gain access to a relatively large library of stunning VR games including Wipeout 2048, Tetris Effect, and Astro Bot Rescue Mission. The headset launched with a $399 price tag which, adjusted for inflation, would be about $495.
Sony is now gearing up for the PS VR2 which will usher in its next generation of virtual reality gaming. The new headset brings many new features, including an OLED panel with a 4K display resolution as well as orb-shaped controllers that will pack many of the DualSense's abilities such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Although gamers are excited about the PS VR2, they were shocked at the $550 launch price for the headset. This is about $55 higher than its predecessor's launch price, adjusted for inflation. However, with launch titles like Horizon Call of the Mountain lined up, it might be worth the small fortune.
Oculus: Quest, Rift, and Go
When gamers are looking for their first VR headset, Oculus is usually one of the first options considered. The Quest line of VR headsets is particularly popular because they can be used as standalone devices. The first Oculus Quest was released in 2019 at a launch price of $399 for the 64GB version and $499 for the 128GB version. This equates to $465 and $581 respectively, adjusted for inflation. The Quest 2 was released in 2020. At launch, the 64GB version was $299 and the 256GB version was $399. Adjusted for inflation, this equates to $344 and $459. PlayStation's headset is pricier than most versions of the Quest on the market, but it should be noted that the VR2 has a slightly better OLED display, whereas Meta's Quests use an LED display.
There are also two discontinued Oculus headsets. The Oculus Rift was an early version of VR which featured the CV1, released in 2016, which was followed by the Rift S. None of these models did particularly well, though they did allow Oculus to learn much more about what is necessary to craft a successful VR headset. At launch, the CV1 cost a staggering $599, which is about $743 adjusted for inflation. The Rift S cost $399, which is $465 adjusted for inflation. Oculus also released another standalone headset called the Go in 2018, and it was discontinued in 2020. It had a launch price of $199 for the 32GB model and $249 for the 64GB model. Adjusted for inflation, this is about $236 and $295 respectively, making the Go a budget-friendly option.
VR gaming has been around for a few years, and the PS VR2 will help it gain further popularity. While it offers many novel experiences, there are still hurdles the new gaming medium has to overcome, including the price barrier. As more developers begin to craft unmissable VR experiences, gamers may find it necessary to bite the bullet and finally adopt VR gaming regardless of the cost of the headsets.