While we've known since WWDC 23 that Apple Vision Pro will support Disney+ from day one, today's newsroom update detailed more about its planned entertainment experiences. Alongside support for 150 3D movies and multiple streaming services with Apple Immersive Video, Apple revealed that Disney+ subscribers can watch TV shows and films with four immersive environments.

First is the Disney+ Theater, which takes inspiration from the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Second is the Scare Floor, which prominently featured in Pixar's Monsters Inc. Thirdly, there's the Marvel’s Avengers Tower that overlooks downtown Manhattan. Finally, you can sit in the cockpit Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder during a sunset on Tatooine.

When Apple Vision Pro was revealed, Disney CEO Bob Iger appeared during the presentation to call the new headset a "revolutionary platform." He described it as one that lets Disney "create deeply personal experiences that bring our fans closer to the characters they love, and more deeply immersed in our stories."

We also glimpsed immersive National Geographic experiences, Marvel's What If...? and more, which you can see in full above.

Interested in learning more about Apple Vision Pro? Check out our previous hands-on preview during WWDC 2023:

Apple Vision Pro Hands-On: Way Ahead of Meta In Critical Ways

Apple Vision Pro is the real deal. This is the future of personal computing. Our first hands-on report:

Ian Hamilton

You can also check our full specifications rundown to find out more:

Apple Vision Pro Full Specs, Features & Details

Read the full specs, features, and details of Apple Vision Pro here:

David Heaney

Originally released four years ago, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners gradually made its way to multiple platforms, receiving hefty post-launch updates like the Horde Mode and Aftershocks. Announced in a press release, Skydance Interactive revealed that including Chapter 2 - Retribution, the Saints & Sinners series has earned nearly $100 million in revenue since January 2020.

The news coincides with today's release of the Saints & Sinners' Quest 3 update, which we got a fresh gameplay reveal for during last month's UploadVR Winter Showcase. While Saints & Sinners could already be played on Quest 3 through backwards compatibility, this update adds dynamic shadows, expanded draw distance, higher environmental detail, further zombies in open areas and more.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is available now on the Meta Quest platform, PC VR, PSVR 2 and Pico.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Review - The Best Zombie Apocalypse To Date (Updated 2021)

With two big updates under its belt, there’s never been a better time to get into The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Read on for our 2021 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners review! Note: This is an updated review based on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners after its second free

UploadVRJamie Feltham

When announcing Vision Pro in June Apple revealed that it was powered by its M2 chipset (also used in Macs and iPad Pro), alongside a new R1 chip for processing sensor inputs. But the company hasn't yet detailed which variant of the M2 is in Vision Pro, nor how much RAM it's paired with.

Apple Vision Pro Full Specs, Features & Details

Read the full specs, features, and details of Apple Vision Pro here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

There are two variants of the M2 chipset. One has a 8 GPU cores while the other has 10 GPU cores. The higher tier carries a $100 premium when configuring a Mac with M2. Both variants have 8 CPU cores.

In a post on X, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reliably reported many details of Vision Pro before it was officially revealed or even acknowledged to exist by Apple, said he is "hearing" that it uses the model with 10 GPU cores.

That should make Vision Pro's GPU at least 50% more powerful than even the overclocked Adreno 740 in Qualcomm's new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2.

Separately, MacRumors reports it found references to Vision Pro having 16GB of RAM in Apple's Xcode IDE. That would be double the RAM of Meta Quest 3, and 33% more than Meta Quest Pro.

When all specs are taken into account, developers should be able to deliver much higher fidelity experiences on Vision Pro than they can on Quest 3 or any other upcoming competitor, closer to PC VR than ever before in a standalone headset.

All that performance comes with costs though, one being the form factor and the other the price. Apple Vision Pro requires a tethered external battery pack and will start at $3500 for 256GB of storage, with no other tiers yet announced.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Vision Pro preorders begin on Friday at 5am PT, and launches on February 2.

Unless an unannounced competitor ships first, RayNeo X2 will be both the first standalone AR glasses, meaning they don't require a separate compute device, and the first AR glasses with microLED displays.

RayNeo claims that X2 will be capable of the kind of out-of-home use cases people have been envisioning for AR glasses for years now, including outdoor navigation and realtime speech translation anchored to the person speaking.

The glasses are controlled by touch controls on the temples, voice commands, or a RayNeo Ring that acts as a 3DoF rotational laser pointer.

RayNeo X2 has Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chipset onboard, the same used in Meta Quest 2 and Pico 4. The likely reason it isn't using the Gen 2 chipset is that its development started years ago, before the new generation chipset was available. TCL actually showed off RayNeo X2 as a concept at CES 2023, but is only now ready to launch a crowdfunding campaign for it.

The most surprising spec of RayNeo X2 is its microLED displays. MicroLED is a truly new display technology, not a marketing name for a variant of LCD such as "Mini LED" or "QLED". MicroLED is self-emissive like OLED, meaning pixels output light as well as color and don’t need a backlight, but is more power efficient and can reach much higher brightness. While most major electronics companies are actively researching microLED, this is the first time we've seen it announced as coming to a product other than a $150,000 TV.

First-generation new display technology is often very limited, though, and that's the case here too. The microLED displays in RayNeo X2 were announced as having a resolution of just 640×480 each, compared to the 1920×1080 typical of OLED microdisplays in existing tethered AR glasses like Xreal Air 2 Ultra.

Their advantage in RayNeo X2 is significantly higher brightness, up to 1500 nits compared to the 500 nits you get from Xreal, and likely much greater power efficiency. These properties make RayNeo X2's displays far more suitable for outdoor use, and enable the glasses to be powered entirely by an onboard battery.

RayNeo is claiming up to 3 hours of continuous use, and claims there will be a low power "display off" mode for screenless use cases like capturing photos and videos, already becoming popular with the Meta Ray-Ban glasses. RayNeo X2 includes a color camera capable of taking 16 megapixel photos or 1080p 30FPS videos, and has 128GB of storage to store them as well as its apps.

However, as with all current products leveraging transparent AR optics, the achilles heel of RayNeo X2 is its field of view, just 25 degrees diagonal. That's worse than even the Xreal glasses, which we already consider too narrow for most true AR use cases. That means you'll likely often only see partial segments of RayNeo X2's virtual interfaces, and lose track of which interfaces are even present.

RayNeo X2 will be funded by an Indiegogo campaign launching in February, but it's unclear why. RayNeo is a Chinese startup described as "incubated" by hardware giant TCL, and its products are TCL branded, but we couldn't determine the exact relationship between the companies. We'll bring you more updates on the RayNeo X2 AR glasses when the campaign launches.

TCL also announced RayNeo X2 Light, standalone non-AR smart glasses using a similar design and the same microLED displays, but with the lower-end Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset and no positional tracking. RayNeo X2 Light will apparently launch in Q3 2024, with more details planned to be revealed over the next few months.

Model trains were a familiar sight for me growing up, so Toy Trains didn't take long to grab my attention. It's not the project I expected from Something Random, considering the team's comprised of former Superhot developers, making Toy Trains a pleasant surprise. Having spent over an hour on the Quest 3 version, I believe they've created a wonderfully cozy puzzle game.

What immediately struck me is how Toy Trains channels that feeling of childhood nostalgia. These interactive sets include small residents, like an overseer who provides guidance from a hot air balloon. Conversations unfold like a child imagining they're talking to someone, conveying excitement over simple pleasures like ice cream that cleverly fits the theme. Letters from your absent parents provide a thin narrative as you continue playing in your grandparent's attic.

So far, I've tried four levels, each following a similar structure. Each map centers around a construction site that becomes a landmark for your imagined town, like a city hall or local cinema. Your goal involves delivering materials to the construction site, connecting it to each resident's house by placing train tracks next to both. Once the route is complete, place a locomotive with attached wagons on the track, then pull a cord to activate it.

This straightforward premise holds surprising depth, and I particularly like the open-ended challenges. You aren't railroaded into a single method as every level contains multiple solutions, though there are a few ground rules to remember. Trees can't be built over; you can't merge tracks into an already complete layout, and crossing water requires bridges. This offers a relaxed creativity, letting you take proceedings at your own pace as you work out these puzzles, and more pieces are gradually unlocked after completing levels.

I'm impressed by the game's design. The only "menu" available is themed like an instruction booklet, and while there aren't any comfort settings, Toy Trains doesn't need them. Instead of simply pressing A for dialogue, residents have little arrows you pull next to their speech bubble to continue or end conversations. It's the small things that make this premise work, and Toy Trains is a natural fit for VR.

While I can't speak for other headsets yet, these colorful worlds look great on Quest 3 thanks to a strong presentation. Adding small details upon finishing levels like a campsite, leaves or hay is a nice touch, and I also like the subtle environmental interactions. Putting your hand through the trees feels like brushing it through blades of grass; the water splashes as you dip your hands in, and that's complemented by great sound design.

My only complaint so far is more of a feature request, and that's me wanting mixed reality support. I've got no issues with the attic setting; it's a charming, fully immersive environment, but I'd love something similar to LEGO Bricktales VR, where you can place that LEGO world on your real-life table. Such an approach for Toy Trains could work well.

Toy Trains arrives on January 16 on PC VR, PSVR 2 and the Meta Quest platform, with a free demo available on Steam. A Pico version will follow, though a release date is unconfirmed.

Notice: This article was initially published on January 11, 2024. It was updated on January 16, 2024, to reflect the launch.

Developed by Ikimasho Games, Tiger Blade sees you playing as an assassin working for the Tiger Clans' Horangi chapter. Set in an alternate Korea, you're tasked with slashing your way through thugs and hoodlums across the streets of Sewoon to steal a mysterious package. Previously released on PSVR 2 last December, the studio confirms its now coming to Quest.

Each level features a scoring and ranking system, online leaderboards, secondary objectives and a speedrunning focus, while the action plays to the beat of Korean hip-hop. On PlayStation Blog, Ikimasho Games explains you must swap between sword and pistol combat "on-the-fly" with "slash ‘n’ dash" action, auto-dashing to the next area and grappling towards designated spots.

Tiger Blade is out now on PSVR 2, while the Quest port currently targets Q1 2024.

Notice: This article was initially published on September 29, 2023. It was updated on January 16, 2024, to reflect the PSVR 2 launch and Quest port.

The company's CEO Cho Joo-wan confirmed the plan to a reporter from South Korean news website The Guru.

Because Korean doesn't explicitly distinguish between singular and plural in the context of the quote, it's actually unclear whether Cho referred to one "device" or multiple "devices".

Cho told The Guru that LG Electronics has moved XR device development into the division of the company that makes its TVs to "speed up development".

LG had a very short history in VR. In 2016 it released a compact smartphone-tethered headset for viewing 360° videos, to terrible reviews, and in 2017 it showed off a PC-tethered SteamVR headset prototype that it never shipped.

So what exactly will this new headset be?

Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Seems Likely

In October South Korean news outlet ETNews reported on a new "high end" XR chipset from Qualcomm, which turned out to be the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 revealed earlier this month.

Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Announced For Samsung Headset & More

Qualcomm just announced Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, a higher-end variant of the chipset used in Quest 3.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Qualcomm announced that XR2+ Gen 2 will power Immersed's Visor, Samsung's upcoming Google-powered headset, a yet-to-be-announced new HTC Vive headset, a YVR headset in China, and Sony's enterprise "spatial content creation" headset.

However, it's notable that the ETNews report also mentioned LG as a potential customer of the new chipset.

Is It Quest Pro 2 In Partnership With Meta?

Also notable is that Meta is missing from Qualcomm's list, despite Meta being the launch partner for XR2 Gen 1, XR2+ Gen 1, and the base XR2 Gen 2. Part of the reason for this might involve LG, if other reports are to be believed.

In 2022 South Korean news outlet SBS Biz reported Meta had entered talks with LG Display with the aim of securing OLED microdisplay supply for future headsets.

Meta Reportedly Partnering With LG For 2025 Quest Pro 2

Meta is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a Quest Pro successor in 2025, priced around $2000.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

In September a third South Korean news outlet, Maeil Business Newspaper, reported that LG was partnering with Meta to build future Quest Pro headsets.

The report suggested that the first headset from the partnership was set to launch in 2025, matching the CEO's statement, priced around $2000.

Given LG's expertise in hardware, a partnership could be Meta's plan to deliver a truly high-end headset to take on Apple Vision Pro and the coming Samsung headset set to be powered by Google software.

The Meta partnership remains a rumor though, to be clear, and for now all LG has officially confirmed is its intention to release some sort of XR device as soon as next year.

Augments were announced at Connect 2023 by Mark Zuckerberg when launching Quest 3. They were described as "persistent spatially-anchored digital objects" in your physical space. Examples shown in a library screenshot included a clock, music player, and portals to your favorite games.

Quest 3 Augments Are Persistent Digital Objects In Your Space

Meta will introduce a series of spatially-aware digital objects to your living space next year on Quest 3.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

It sounded like augments will essentially be mixed reality widgets, but at Connect we didn't hear any specifics about how augments actually work.

Last week a technical filmmaker posted two videos to their Vimeo account showcasing Quest 3 augments, one from a user perspective and the other from a developer perspective. The videos appear to have been posted by mistake as they've now been taken down, but they were saved and sent to UploadVR by VR enthusiast Luna.

The videos show a much greater degree of interactivity and functionality than the Connect announcement suggested, and hint that augments will be full-fledged mini-apps that run in the Quest home interface.

The first video shows three example augments: a playable miniature pinball game, an interactive calendar, and a pet-like virtual plant that can be watered.

The second video shines a light on how these augments actually work on a technical level.

As Meta has hinted in the past, the video reveals that Meta Spark Studio will also be the tool used to build Quest 3 augments. Spark Studio is an application for Windows and macOS used today to make AR filters and experiences for the camera in Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.

Spark Studio supports importing and animating 3D assets, and implementing advanced functionality with JavaScript. The result is lightweight mini-apps that can run alongside each other in the Quest home environment, without the baggage and weight of a game engine like Unity. It's somewhat akin to Apple's strategy with Reality Composer Pro and RealityKit, which allows apps to run alongside each other in the "shared space" in visionOS.

Augments were announced as coming to Quest 3 sometime this year, and we'll bring you any official announcements from Meta of a more specific timeline or further details.

Originally released in March 2023 on Steam, we consider Vertigo 2 to be one of the best PC VR games in recent years. We've known for some time that developer Zach Tsiakalis-Brown would bring the acclaimed hit to PSVR 2 and, following several late delays across 2023, the digital release is now available. A physical release will follow on February 9.

Awarding it our VR Game of the Year for 2023, we had strong praise in our review last March. Awarding it our highest ranking, we described how it offers a "fantastic" solo campaign reminiscent of Half-Life that "transcends being just a ‘Valve-like’.

The result is a game that features impressive visuals, amazing gunplay and a constant expression of creativity in both its game design and its world. For PC VR players looking for a solid single-player campaign in the vein of Half-Life: Alyx, it’s an essential pick.

Vertigo 2 is available now on PSVR 2, and remains available on Steam.

Vertigo 2 Review: Creative & Engaging SteamVR Experience

Vertigo 2 offers a PC VR experience that is constantly creative and undeniably engaging.

UploadVRHarry Baker

Citra is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Windows that's development started in 2013. Because of the Dolphin emulator's legal issues on Steam, Watson tells UploadVR that CitraVR's open beta will skip App Lab and the main store, releasing on SideQuest and GitHub next week.

Once sideloaded, CitraVR starts with a 2D panel in the Quest home interface for managing and selecting games, transitioning into a full app upon launching one.

The virtual top screen renders the game in stereoscopic 3D, as on the console itself.

Though you can already use Citra on PC VR, including streaming to Quest, CitraVR runs natively on Quest as an OpenXR application. While the Touch Controllers' default mapping "makes most games on the platform playable," CitraVR also supports 3rd party wired USB and wireless Bluetooth controllers for games requiring more inputs.

"My initial goal when developing this port wasn’t primarily to bring 3DS game emulation to VR, but rather to be an educational resource for VR developers," says Watson in a prepared statement, who later calls this "a statement to developers and players" about VR app development's possibilities. Stating it's General Public Licence (GPL) compliant, all source code will be publicly available, letting other GPL-licenced projects copy CitraVR's source code to add VR support.

Legally accessing 3DS games through Citra requires dumping your games through a hacked 3DS, which is detailed further in the Citra FAQ. Many users will, of course, simply obtain 3DS game ROMs online, just like the non-VR version and other console emulators, though CitraVR doesn't in any way endorse this.

It's also worth noting that despite 3DS being backward compatible, Citra doesn't support original Nintendo DS games. Finally, Watson also tells UploadVR that performance is game-dependent and recommends checking Citra community guides for what works best.

CitraVR arrives on January 20 for the Meta Quest platform. For more information on how to sideload content, check out our previous guide below:

How To Sideload Content On Meta Quest Using SideQuest

Here’s our guide to sideloading content on Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro using SideQuest.

UploadVRHarry Baker

Initially released in 2013, Slender: The Arrival is the successor to Parsec Production's Slender: The Eight Pages, which finds the protagonist Lauren searching for her missing friend. Following October's big 10th anniversary update, which added a new chapter, publisher Perp Games dropped a brief teaser alongside a new Madison VR gameplay sneak peek.

However, nothing else was revealed about Slender: The Arrival VR beyond this announcement trailer. Platforms are currently unconfirmed but considering Perp Games mostly focuses on PSVR 2 releases, like Vertigo 2, VR Skater and Crossfire: Sierra Squad, we'd assume Slender: The Arrival VR will follow.

What's less clear is whether Slender: The Arrival VR will be released separately or as an update/add-on to the flatscreen versions, which are published by Blue Isle Publishing on PlayStation 5, Steam, and more. We've contacted Perp Games to query the VR adaptation's platforms and wider release plan. We'll update this article if we learn more.

Revealed through the PlayStation Blog, Sony's last monthly round-up for 2023 confirmed PlayStation Store's top 10 downloads for each active platform - PS4, PS5, PSVR and PSVR 2. Curiously, despite The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2 taking no.1 across both Europe and North America in November, it's completely absent in December's rankings.

Instead, Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 took the top spot in North America and second in Europe, while Among Us VR mirrored this by taking first in Europe but second in North America. The ever-resilient Beat Saber came third in both regions, followed by Arizona Sunshine 2 and Job Simulator. You can find the full results below:

As a reminder, these download rankings exclude PSVR 2 cross-buy upgrades, games with optional PSVR 2 support and any titles redeemed through hardware bundles like Horizon Call of the Mountain. So, if you're wondering where Resident Evil 4 Remake is despite being listed on December's PS5 games chart, it's because the VR mode is a free update to the main game.

As CES took place last week we saw the announcement of AR glasses for Galaxy S23, the launch date for Apple Vision Pro, a face & eye tracking addon for Vive XR Elite, and a new superlight model of Shiftall's MeganeX. We even saw a cheap Chinese knockoff of Apple Vision Pro on the CES show floor.

Another announcement you may have seen was the official release of Wi-Fi 7, along with claims that it promised "near-zero latency for wireless VR". However, this is a misunderstanding of the actual cause of latency in popular wireless VR.

What Causes Latency In Popular Wireless VR?

When you use a native tethered VR headset like Valve Index or PlayStation VR2, the PC or PlayStation 5 host device sends raw frames over DisplayPort, or HDMI on older headsets. The primary cause of latency in these systems is rendering itself, and it can be reduced by increasing the refresh rate - one of the reasons Valve supports up to 144Hz on the Index.

Many Quest-owning PC VR gamers today choose to play wirelessly, however. But unlike DisplayPort, Wi-Fi doesn't have sufficient bandwidth to transmit raw frames to the headset. So instead, each frame is heavily compressed by the GPU's video encoder to be small enough to send, then decompressed by the decoder in the headset's chipset. This is a relatively computationally intensive task, and the time it takes is the cause of the majority of latency in popular wireless VR.

For technical completeness, I should mention that some VR headsets use DisplayPort Display Stream Compression, abbreviated DSC. But DSC uses a near-lossless compression algorithm that is very computationally inexpensive, so adds near-zero latency and isn't the type of compression I'm otherwise talking about in this article.

With highly compressed wireless VR of the kind used on Quest, the Wi-Fi wireless link latency is already almost zero with Wi-Fi 6, so any marginal improvements Wi-Fi 7 promises to deliver will bring little benefit for the wireless VR experience.

But Could Wi-Fi 7 Handle Raw Frames?

Now I'm sure many of you are currently thinking: but won't Wi-Fi 7 have higher bandwidth, and so perhaps no longer need heavy compression?

Let's use Meta Quest 3 as an example - though keep in mind in reality it doesn't support Wi-Fi 7, and nor does any XR headset on the market.

Quest 3 has a resolution of 2064×2208 per eye, so at 90Hz it would require roughly 20 Gbit/sec bandwidth to send raw 8-bit frames to. If DSC was used, that would reduce to around 7 Gbit/sec. Wi-Fi 7 has a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 46 Gbit/sec. So we're good to go, right?

Not quite. The theoretical maximum speeds of Wi-Fi are never actually achieved in the real world. Wi-Fi 6E, for example, had a theoretical maximum of 9.6 Gbit/sec, but in the real world, even the highest-end routers only achieve around 1.7 Gbit/sec. Early tests of Wi-Fi 7 show it reaching around 4 Gbit/sec, short of what would be needed for even Quest 3, never mind much higher resolution headsets on the horizon.

Wi-Fi 7 Isn't Useless, But The Decoder Matters More

I'm not arguing that Wi-Fi 7 will be useless for VR. Even marginal reductions to transmission latency will be somewhat appreciated, its new features should help with stability in congested networks, and its increased energy efficiency could mean longer wireless play sessions.

But for the foreseeable future meaningful reductions in wireless VR latency will come from improved encoders and decoders, not Wi-Fi 7. The good news is we already saw this happen with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip in Quest 3, and it reduced decoding latency by around 33%.

Earlier in the week Apple announced that Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, with preorders opening this Friday, and will be exclusively available from Apple's web store and physical Apple Stores.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

On Friday we learned from an email that ordering Vision Pro online will require a Face ID scan from a compatible iPhone or iPad Pro so that you get the ideal light seal and strap size. That email also revealed that signups for in-store demos will begin at 8am on launch day. And today Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reliably reported many details of the upcoming headset before it was officially revealed or even acknowledged to exist by Apple, has more details on Apple's in-store demo plans.

Gurman reports that actual demos will start on launch day, not just sign-ups. The biggest Apple Stores will have a dedicated area for the demos, he writes, with more than a dozen demo units available at a time.

How The In-Store Demo Will Reportedly Work

Here's how Gurman says the demo process will work:

The demo will begin with the store employee scanning the customer's face to figure out the best fitting light seal (what Meta calls the facial interface) and strap size, as with the online ordering process. Gurman reports that the light seal comes in more than 25 shapes and sizes.

For customers wearing glasses, the employee will scan the lenses for the prescription information, and another employee will add the correct ZEISS optical inserts to a Vision Pro in the back room then bring it out for the demo.

With the headset in hand, the employee will walk the customer through the basics, including how to control it with their eyes and hands using the look-and-pinch interaction system, and how to use the dial on the side to transition between a real world view and a fully immersive environment.

How You Control Apple Vision Pro With Your Eyes & Hands

Apple explained how exactly your eyes and hands work together to control Vision Pro:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

The final step before the demo begins will be calibration. The headset will walk the customer through eye tracking calibration by having them look at various dots, and then calibrate hand tracking by "scanning" their hand. Once this is done, Gurman writes, the 20-25 minute demo will begin.

The demo itself will then involve:

1. Viewing regular photos, including panoramas, at lifelike scale.
2. Viewing 3D "spatial" photos and 3D "spatial" videos.
3. Multitasking by positioning multiple windows in space, including Safari browser tabs.
4. Watching 3D movies and immersive 180-degree videos, including "clips of wild animals, the ocean and sports" and "a compelling scene that makes users feel as if they’re on a tightrope"

The headset will also be "preloaded with various third-party apps", Gurman writes, though he doesn't say how these will be included in demos.

Gurman claims that Apple's goal for Vision Pro demos is "giving users an experience that’s compelling but not exhausting — ideally leaving them itching for more".

Many existing headset owners can attest to the fact that conducting a good demo to those who haven't tried one before is vital. A bad demo can put someone off the idea of XR, or spatial computing as Apple calls it, forever, while a great demo can have them scrambling to buy their own as soon as possible. If Gurman's report is to be believed, it sounds like Apple understands this, and is willing to put in the effort to avoid a bad demo at all costs.

Apple Ad Tells The World To Get Ready To Put On A Headset

Apple released a teaser ad for Vision Pro cleverly telling viewers to “get ready” to put on a headset.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Quest headsets had been able to cast the wearer's view to devices that support the Google Cast protocol, such as Google TV sticks, Chromecast sticks, TVs with Chromecast built-in, and Android TV boxes, since the original Oculus Quest in 2019 - and even before that with the Oculus Go. It's incredibly useful for demoing VR, social pass-and-play sessions, or just keeping others in the room engaged with what you're doing.

Two weeks ago, after some Quest owners noticed the feature missing from their headsets, Meta's VP of VR Mark Rabkin explained that it was being removed due to reliability issues caused by it never being officially supported by Google.

But following widepsread complaints from Quest owners, Meta has restored the direct TV casting feature to Quest headsets.

Meta does note that the feature is now considered "not fully supported" and "may not work for everyone", so it sounds like you'll be on your own from now on if it doesn't work for you.

Instead of directly casting to a TV, Meta now only fully supports casting to the Meta Quest app on your phone and tablet, or to a PC or laptop via oculus.com/casting in a web browser.

You can then mirror your screen to a TV via AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast, or even just an HDMI cable.

Anecdotally, I often experienced bugs with Quest's TV casting feature. Sometimes it fails to connect at all, while other times it freezes on a single frame until the headset was rebooted.

When announcing the removal two weeks ago Rabkin said Meta was "working on" official support from Google for the feature, and the restoration statement promises Meta "will continue exploring ways to improve the casting experience going forward". This suggests that official support from Google, if it ever arrives, will bring a more stable experience and make the feature officially supported again.

When announcing the US launch date as February 2 earlier this week, Apple confirmed that Vision Pro will be exclusively available from Apple's web store and physical Apple Stores.

In an email today to customers who signed up for Apple Vision Pro news, Apple explained that ordering online requires a Face ID scan from a compatible iPhone or iPad Pro.

This face scan, the email explains, will be performed via the Apple Store app.

The purpose of the face scan is to determine the best size of light seal (what Meta calls the facial interface) and head bands to ship with your Vision Pro, as both the Light Seal and head bands come in different sizes. Which size will be most comfortable for you depends on the shape and size of your face and head.

The Bigscreen Beyond PC VR headset also requires a Face ID scan. Bigscreen goes much further than Apple though, using the scan to deliver a custom facial interface molded for your face and to fix the lenses at your interpupillary distance to avoid the need for a lens separation adjustment mechanism, reducing weight.

Meanwhile, Meta ships its Quest headsets with a single facial interface and adjustable strap, though for Quest 2 it offers a "fit pack" accessory kit that includes two additional facial interfaces, one wider than the default one and the other narrower. There's a thriving third-party facial interface and strap market for Quest headsets though, with a diverse range of options to eventually find the best fit.

Apple Vision Pro Top Strap Will Be Included In The Box

Apple revealed an alternative head strap for Vision Pro, with a top strap, that will be included in the box. Details here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Back in June Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reliably reported many details of the upcoming headset before it was officially revealed or even acknowledged to exist by Apple, reported that "many" testers found Vision Pro "too heavy" after multiple hours of continuous use. It's unclear whether those testers were using the ideal light seal and strap sizes though, and this week Apple announced an alternative head strap with a top strap will be included in the Vision Pro box, potentially to mitigate comfort issues.

Apple Vision Pro preorders open at exactly 5am PT on January 19, next Friday. Just make sure you have your iPhone or iPad Pro ready at hand if you want to secure one online.

The email also reveals that you'll be able to sign up for in-store demos of Vision Pro from 8am on launch day, with demos "available Friday through the weekend on a first‑come, first‑served basis".

Here's the statement Google provided to news outlet 9to5Google:

"A few hundred roles are being eliminated in [Devices & Services] with the majority of impacts on the 1P AR Hardware team.

While we are making changes to our 1P AR hardware team, Google continues to be deeply committed to other AR initiatives, such as AR experiences in our products, and product partnerships."

Google confirmed the statement to UploadVR, but declined to comment further when asked to specifically confirm this meant the end of its first-party AR glasses.

Google Reportedly Killed Its AR Glasses Project

Google reportedly killed AR glasses project, will instead provide Android XR platform for manufacturers like Samsung.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

In June last year, Business Insider's Hugh Langley reported that Google killed its smart glasses hardware project.

The report suggested the canceled glasses emerged from Google's 2020 acquisition of North. An early version reportedly "closely resembled" North's product Focals, and the glasses Google publicly showed in 2022 for live translation were apparently a more recent version.

The glasses in that demo didn't appear to have any kind of tracking cameras though, and the “simulated point of view” showed a head-locked overlay. So it's unclear whether Google's canceled glasses were actually full AR, or just smart glasses with a HUD glasses of the kind Meta reportedly plans to ship with Luxottica's Ray-Ban in 2025.

Langley reported that Google shifted its strategy to providing the software platform for other companies' hardware products instead: Android "XR" for headsets and Android "micro XR" for glasses. This would mirror Google's existing primary strategy with smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and laptops.

Google's statement this week that it eliminated first-party AR hardware roles but "continues to be deeply committed" to AR in "product partnerships" seems to confirm Langley's reporting. While it's possible Google could one day spin up a new AR glasses hardware team, for the foreseeable future expect Google to provide software for other hardware companies, as it's doing with Samsung's XR headset.

Meanwhile, Apple reportedly postponed its full AR glasses “indefinitely” last year, while Meta reportedly plans to ship full AR glasses around 2027, and might produce and publicly demonstrate around 1000 "prohibitively expensive" fully functional prototypes later this year.

It's been a busy week across the board as 2024 settles in. Right as CES 2024 got underway, Apple told the world to "get ready" after confirming the Apple Vision Pro release date. Elsewhere, HTC released the Vive XR Elite face tracker, Sony announced a new enterprise headset and we learned more about the Xreal Air 2 Ultra. We even found a cheap Vision Pro knockoff at CES.

Though it's been a relatively quiet month so far with January's VR games, several announcements have come trickling in. UNDERDOGS, Crumbling, Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye and Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice (for PC VR) all secured release dates, we discovered Zenith: The Last City is running at a loss, while Eye of the Temple finally turned a profit.

We've discussed a lot but just like last week, we're rounding up a few stories that we weren't previously able to cover. Here's a few more updates:

D.I.C.E. Awards Announce Finalists For XR Technical Achievement

For the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, five VR games have been nominated for the "Immersive Reality Technical Achievement" award. The following contenders are Asgard's Wrath 2, Assassin's Creed Nexus VR, Vertigo 2 and We Are One. The winners will be announced on February 15, 2024.

Population: One Launches Event Series 1

Population: One, the free-to-play battle royale shooter, just received its first content update in 2024. Calling this Event Series 1, that includes three unique events with their own rewards that earn up to 10 series stars, unlocking rewards like five star red weapons.

Unity Lays Off 25% Workforce, 1800 Staff Facing Redundancy

Unity, the leading game engine for VR developers, has announced a fresh round of layoffs affecting 1800 employees. "Unity has made the difficult decision to implement a workforce reduction, targeting approximately 25% of our total workforce across all teams," said Kelly Ekins, Unity's PR director to The Verge. However, it's currently unclear how widely this has affected any XR staff.

Budget Cuts Ultimate Hits Rift Store With Crossbuy Support For Quest

It's not often you see PC VR games appearing on the Rift store these days but that hasn't stopped Neat Corporation releasing Budget Cuts Ultimate once more. Though Ultimate and the individual games - Budget Cuts and Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency - were already available on Steam, the studio confirmed that the Rift version supports cross-buy with Quest.

Doja Cat: The Scarlet Tour Reaches Meta Horizon Worlds Next Week

Doja Cat is making her VR debut in Doja Cat: The Scarlet Tour in VR, the latest free VR concert reaching Meta Horizon Worlds’ Music Valley. Featuring songs like Paint The Town Red, Agora Hills, Woman and more, that goes live on January 20 at 5pm PT.

Other Updates

These updates never end with just five stories and while it's impossible to spot every announcement going, there's always plenty more to watch out for. Here's what else we've seen:

• Heartshot released on Steam Early Access.
• Real VR Fishing kicked off its new year event.
• Genotype briefly teased an upcoming patch.
• Rogue Stargun, a VR Spacefighter with a demo currently available, is entering beta testing soon.
• Twistex is now available on Steam.
• Alchem It launched on Quest App Lab with a Steam version planned later this year.
• SPGP - Super Polygon Grand Prix is aiming for a Steam early access launch next month.
• Following a launch for Quest, Steam and PSVR 2 last year, Cowboy Cactus - Desert Warfare is now available on Pico.

• VION VR revealed 'The Red Planet' – a new VR map for the location-based entertainment game that promises the "most challenging boss" yet.
• Novelab released a new Demeter: The Asklepios Chronicles sneak peak.
• The Escape Artist, a web XR experience playable through the Quest browser, received an optimization halving the initial download.
• Laser Limbo, an AR laser tag experience, is aiming to release a home version in February.

If you've got an update for a VR game we should know about for this article or future updates, you can use our contact page or email tips@uploadvr.com with details.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has been reporting on Apple's suppliers for more than 10 years, claims Apple will have somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 units of Vision Pro manufactured in time for its US release, which Apple announced this week as February 2.

For comparison, in October Kuo claimed Meta would produce 2.5 million Quest 3 headsets by the end of 2023.

The limited production capacity of Apple Vision Pro, and the reasons for it, have been widely reported by multiple reliable sources in the past. It may be the reason Vision Pro is only launching in the US at first.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

A week before Vision Pro was unveiled The Information's Wayne Ma reported it would be Apple's "most complicated" device ever with many components tightly packed under a curved three-dimensionally formed glass frontplate, reportedly proving challenging for production workers. These challenges reportedly led the originally planned manufacturer to hand over the project in 2022 after more than four years of preparations.

The main constraint for Vision Pro's production though, Ma reported, was that its near-4K OLED microdisplays from Sony are even more difficult and expensive to manufacture, with low yield.

South Korean tech news outlet The Elec reported that Sony can't manufacture more than 900,000 of the microdisplays per year at most, limiting Vision Pro production to less than half a million units since Apple needs two per headset.

The Financial Times also reported that Apple was unhappy with Sony's yield of defect-free microdisplays.

OLED microdisplays are manufactured directly onto silicon wafers with a process very different to smartphone or TV-sized OLED panels. While the basic technology itself isn't new, until very recently it was mainly only used in low-volume products like high-end camera viewfinders and in some industrial smart glasses. Mass production of near-4K OLED microdisplays is only just coming online this year.

The $1000 Bigscreen Beyond was the first headset with high-resolution OLED microdisplays to ship in any serious quantity, in September last year. Its microdisplays from Chinese startup SeeYA have a resolution of 2560×2560 though, while the Sony ones Apple is using have a resolution of 3680×3140.

A Chinese supply chain analysis startup estimated the cost of the near-4K microdisplays to Apple as $350 each, $700 together, reflecting the low production capacity and yield.

Apple is in talks with other OLED microdisplay suppliers for future Vision headsets, The Financial Times also reported, which could expand production capacity and lower the cost. For the first generation Vision Pro however, supply will remain limited - so if demand is strong, it could end up sold out for months on end.

In a recent thread on X about the Quake 3 Arena VR mod from Team Beef, one replier asked John Carmack, former Oculus CTO and former lead programmer at id Software, whether there's been any progress getting these mods to the official Quest store. In response, Carmack wrote, "I got people at id Software playing the VR ports, and they are now in direct contact with @TeamBeefVR, so I am hopeful!"

While Carmack strikes an optimistic tone, there's no guarantee that an official release will eventually happen. Discussions can often fall through and Carmack is no longer directly involved with either Meta or id Software. Instead, the former CTO's focus is on the artificial general intelligence company he started, Keen Technologies.

UploadVR reached out to Carmack to ask if he had any additional comments about old games in VR, and whether he believes Id classics belong on the Quest store.

Here's Carmack's full reply:

"I have been trying to make something official happen with these for years, and some positive steps were made in the last couple months. It is still early days, but some key people at Id actually played one of the games in VR and appreciated it, so I am hopeful. My best-case scenario would be to get all the games available in the official store as free downloads with the demo content and IAP for the full commercial datasets just like you can get on Steam, and I was offering to make some kind of personal cash guarantee to make it worth their while. This is probably still too small-potatoes for a Microsoft subsidiary today, but an official blessing of just the free distribution doesn't seem out of the question. Fingers crossed!

I have some concerns that Meta wouldn't support putting the games in the main store because they aren't "designed for VR" and will be uncomfortable for many people, but I would be happy just to get them in App Lab.

I am grateful for all the work Team Beef has done in VR with the content from the first couple decades of my career!"

A member of Team Beef contacted by UploadVR declined further comment.

If successful, these discussions could potentially open the floodgates for numerous classic shooters on Quest. Team Beef's previous work on id Software VR mods includes the following:

• Quake
• Quake 2
• Return To Castle Wolfenstein
• Doom 3
• Quake 3 Arena
• Quake 4 (upcoming)

Currently, accessing these mods requires purchasing the PC version of each game to sideload them via SideQuest.

We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

Revealed last year, UNDERDOGS marks an intriguing second game from One Hamsa following Racket: Nx. Set in the 22nd-century underground fighting pits of New Brakka, this physics-based brawler uses arm-based locomotion and a comic book-style presentation, finding two brothers making their way into the city.

We were impressed by what we saw in our November UNDERDOGS preview. Going hands-on with a limited build, we found a tough but fair brawler, praising the "satisfying combat" and "great presentation." This led to us naming it as our Most Anticipated VR Game Of 2024, and you can read more below:

Hands-On: UNDERDOGS Shows Promising Gritty Mech Combat

UNDERDOGS promises a refreshing take on physics-based mech combat. Our full preview:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

Keen to learn more, we spoke to One Hamsa through an email-based interview, discussing development with co-founder Dave Levy.

Henry Stockdale, UploadVR: First, thank you for answering my questions today. Could you start by telling me about yourself and your role on the team?

Dave Levy: Glad to. I'm Dave, one of the five founders of One Hamsa. We all have many roles in the team, mine are mainly game and art direction.

UploadVR: How do you go from making a game like Racket: Nx to UNDERDOGS, can you tell me about the development history?

Levy: For those who don't know, Racket: Nx is basically psychedelic racquetball in space. It's a sports game about high scores and motor control. UNDERDOGS, on the other hand, is a hardcore game about gangsters in mechs smashing bots in pit fights - it's a roguelike in a rich world full of f*&cked up characters, with RPG elements and massive customization options, and in general is a lot closer to the style and depth we know and love from PC games.

We made Racket: Nx in the very early VR days when everyone was just exploring the most basic mechanics (the first version came out in 2016!). But we're gamers, and we always wanted to see more hardcore games in VR. So that's what we set out to do with UNDERDOGS. Also, let's admit it, sports are great and all, but we wanted to make something more violent.

The idea of wrapping the player in a mech that follows their arm movement, bridging between them and the game world, came first. This small degree of separation was meant to solve the lack of weight & physical feedback that
always broke our immersion in VR melee games - you're there, but it's the mech's arm that actually smashes into stuff, so of course you don't feel it. This ended up working really well. UNDERDOGS has the best sense of physical impact of any VR game I've tried.

But an idea is never enough. Between prototyping the wrong things, working on expanding Racket: Nx, and dredging through commission work to keep the studio alive, it took us several years to arrive at a prototype we liked. We actually left the original concept at one point and it took me two years to say "guys, I can't let go of that mech idea." Luckily, one of my partners picked it up and in less than an hour cobbled together something that was instant magic - and we were back in!

By mid-2021, we had a playable POC, our main characters and world, and a fancy deck. We had most of the production budget covered by Racket: Nx and our commission work, but partnered with Meta for the remainder of it. We started production in 2022, with 2 years worth of budget and only half the team established. None of us have ever made something so big and complex, and literally no similar games to look to for reference. It's been an insane uphill battle every single step of the way, and I love (almost) every moment of it.

UploadVR: Were there any particular lessons or feedback the team took on board from Racket: Nx's development into UNDERDOGS?

Levy: We learned a lot of VR basics from Racket: Nx - from making UI work in VR, to crafting a satisfying physical interaction. Learning where you want to innovate because VR and where you want to keep things familiar and reliable was one of my personal biggest takeaways. Not that I have it down yet :)

UploadVR: One thing that immediately stood out to me during UNDERDOGS' reveal was its visuals. What inspired this comic book style approach and the New Brakka setting?

Levy: Thanks! The world of UNDERDOGS and New Brakka is an attempt at a modern-day interpretation of Cyberpunk. This genre is originally from the 80's when computer screens had two colors and punks were a thing. I wanted to take the basic premise of "high-tech low-life" and apply it to today's visions of the future.

Together with Canadian Sci-Fi author Peter Watts, we ended up with a humanity controlled by a benevolent digital dictatorship. An AI network known as Big Sys, that through resource and logistic control, saved humanity from self-destruction over the course of the 21st century. Big Sys is the ultimate nanny state: no one owns anything, privacy doesn't exist, everyone's behaviors and actions are scored, rewarded or punished.

But the world has never been safer or more prosperous. Most of the world, at least. New Brakka is the outlier. The last place still run by humans. A place Big Sys conveniently ushers all her unwanted psychopaths, criminally inclined and misfits to. As you can imagine, it's a s$%t show. That's where UNDERDOGS takes place.

As for the visuals, it's a combination of technical limitations and personal preference. I've always wanted to try to apply my understanding of composition, colors and lighting to a realtime game. We built UNDERDOGS' entire lighting and shading from the ground up. Here's what our basic shader looks like (every orange node opens to a sub graph of its own):

Lucky for us, we found Marcin Sobon - a fantastic Polish illustrator with whom I could develop a style that worked in 3D and was replicable to the game's huge amount of 2.5D comic-book illustrations.

UploadVR: When I played the preview build, I could only choose three preset mechs but the finished game features 100+ equippable items. What variety can we expect from combat?

Levy: UNDERDOGS is a roguelike, and the items you buy, steal, earn, or otherwise come by during the game will make or break your run. We have different weapons, status effects, modifiers, and game elements that synergize in various ways, making for a huge pool of combinations and play styles. This is also one of the areas of the game we are most eager to continuously update and expand on once the game is out!

UploadVR: What was the thought process behind using arm-based locomotion over analog stick-based movement, was it a challenge using that alongside throwing punches?

There are two main reasons for our locomotion system (which, for the record, we came up with before Gorilla Tag was a thing). First of all, we don't like buttons and sticks in VR. VR's control strength is movement, and moving increases the sense of embodiment. If I'm pulling myself forward with my arm, not only do I have more control over the motion, but I'm also more present in it.

Secondly, the entire fantasy of UNDERDOGS is that you get to be a rampaging 5-ton metal gorilla! It's about brawling, fighting face to face and being in the thick of it. You are not controlling your mech, you ARE your mech! The first time I tried this locomotion scheme, I was like "holy s$%t… I'm a BEAST!".

UploadVR: As a roguelike, how does each run change compared to your previous attempts?

Levy: There are three levels at which each run differs from the last: First, what did you learn as a player. What did you learn about the game, how much did you improve motorically, what got you dead and you will never let happen again? Secondly, we have a huge amount of content that you slowly unlock from run to run. New items to use, people to meet and patrons to sponsor your fights, offering new challenges and new rewards.

Finally, the run itself is full of random elements. The enemy roster, the people you meet, the items you come by, and all dice you roll throughout the run as you attempt to navigate the streets of New Brakka. A principle of roguelikes we try to live by is "Hero or Zero". Some runs you will just smash through. Other's you'll fall flat on your face.

UploadVR: Considering how many recent Quest games are using it, did you ever consider mixed reality support?

Levy: A big part of UNDERDOGS is the world and atmosphere. It's a VR game, meant for VR - a part of the promise is that we'll throw you someplace else. That said, we have some ideas for spinoffs in MR that we might be looking into once the game is out. Let's talk about it again then :)

UploadVR: It's been mentioned before that UNDERDOGS will have Quest 3 improvements at launch, can you elaborate on what to expect?

Besides the obvious across-the-board visual quality improvements (resolution, particle count, shadow maps, sampling quality, etc.), Quest 3 allows us to use higher-quality assets and additional details in a bunch of places in the game.

UploadVR: Is there any chance we'll ever see UNDERDOGS and Racket: Nx on PSVR 2, Pico or other platforms?

Levy: Next question please :)

UploadVR: Finally, are there any messages you'd like to share in particular?

Levy: I'm at the edge of an event horizon. I've never worked on anything so hard in my life, I've never sacrificed so much as I have for UNDERDOGS, and I have no idea how it will be received. But regardless of how it does, or even if it ends up not coming out at all due to some freak apocalyptic scenario involving pigeons - I'm just incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to work on a game where I feel I pulled no punches, with a team of crazy, talented and dedicated maniacs. UNDERDOGS is the game I wanted to make. I sincerely hope you and anyone who plays it has a great f$&king time of it.

Notice: This article was initially published on January 3, 2024. It was updated on January 11, 2024 to reflect the release date confirmation.

The original Shiftall MeganeX was first teased at CES 2022, and at CES 2023 the company announced it would ship that year for $1700. But while a small number of units have shipped in Japan, the headset has yet to launch in the US at all.

In the time since, the MeganeX's promise of an ultra-compact PC VR headset with OLED microdisplays has been delivered by a competitor instead, Bigscreen Beyond, for a lower price of $1000.

Ultra-Compact Shiftall MeganeX Headset Set To Ship This Year

The MeganeX PC VR headset from Panasonic’s subsidiary Shiftall is set to release in spring for $1700.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Despite this, at CES 2024 this year Shiftall announced a new version of the headset, MeganeX superlight.

Like the original MeganeX, the new MeganeX superlight is tethered to a PC running SteamVR via a 3 meter cable, and features a slim design enabled by 2560×2560 HDR OLED microdisplays.

The improvement in superlight is its weight. Shiftall says it's 50% lighter, down to 200 grams from around 400 grams. This is enabled by the use of new all-plastic lenses, with no glass element.

But while the original MeganeX offered both camera-based inside out tracking or SteamVR Tracking via base stations, the new superlight model lacks any cameras and requires Valve's tracking system.

Shiftall hasn't announced a price yet, but claims MeganeX superlight will ship this year. Given the company's track record, however, that claim should be taken with some skepticism.

Released in early access last June, Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye is a point-and-click adventure set one year after The Secret of Retropolis. Featuring robo-detective Philip Log and Jenny Montage as they face a new villain, developer Peanut Button confirms the full release adds three new episodes via a free update on January 18th. That's coming to Steam and Quest App Lab.

As for Retropolis dot.Line, this free-to-play mixed reality spinoff is described as a casual MR game designed for the new passthrough capabilities of Quest 3. You're tasked with solving 3D "connect-the-dot" puzzles, earning Retropolis items that can be placed in your home. Releasing on January 31 on Quest App Lab, Peanut Button is also granting open beta access through Discord to 200 people.

"We're standing at a pivotal point for the industry, between VR and MR, and we wanted our games to reflect that," said Asaf Geva, Peanut Button co-founder and CEO, in a prepared statement. "It’s amazing that we have two different immersive mediums that we can use to tell one epic story.”

Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye reaches Quest and Steam on January 18, while Retropolis dot.Line hits Quest on January 31.

The AX162 from Chinese startup EmdoorVR is already available to purchase from some global Chinese retailers like Aliexpress for around $500, but it might be sold for less than that if it officially comes to the US.

UploadVR's Operations Manager Kyle Riesenbeck tried AX162 at EmDoorVR's stall at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and relayed his impressions to me.

It's clearly designed to resemble Apple Vision Pro as closely as possible, to ride the wave of Vision Pro's reputation and popularity. But the visual design is where the similarities end.

AX162 does have color passthrough cameras yes, like Apple Vision Pro, but the quality of the view couldn't be more different. While my editor Ian Hamilton described Apple Vision Pro's passthrough as "so good it questions transparent AR optics", Kyle reports that AX162's passthrough was low resolution, low framerate, and incorrectly scaled, such that it looked "zoomed in".

And whereas Vision Pro's passthrough is shown through pancake lenses paired with dual near-4K OLED microdisplays, AX162 has standard fresnel lenses paired with a single LCD panel to provide less than 1884×1920 per eye, the same resolution as Meta Quest 2.

The use of fresnel lenses also makes it a noticeably thicker headset than Vision Pro, though EmdoorVR tries to hide this by coating part of the frontbox with the same fabric as the facial interface.

The story gets even worse when it comes to the virtual interface overlayed on that passthrough. There's no 6DoF positional tracking on AX162, so while apps on Vision Pro look like they're really floating there in your space, even casting shadows, the interface of AX162 is more like what you'd see with media viewer glasses like Xreal Air.

The interface design, as you'd expect, draws heavily from visionOS. It does have some usefulness; you can browse the web, play videos from streaming services or an SD card, and apparently view your phone or PC on a large virtual screen.

But while Apple Vision Pro's software is powered by the MacBook-tier M2 chipset, AX162 is powered by the lowly Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1. Yes, that's a 1, not a typo. In the West the Snapdragon XR1 was only used in the HTC Vive Flow. It's significantly less powerful than even the now-outdated XR2 Gen 1 used in headsets like Quest 2 and Pico 4. In fact, its GPU is less powerful than even the one in 2018's Oculus Go. This may not matter much for simple media viewing, but it explains the low passthrough framerate and makes the web browser feel sluggish.

EmdoorVR told us that AX162 can theoretically support hand tracking, but currently doesn't because it would be "too heavy" for the chip to handle. Right now it's controlled by pointing with your head and clicking with a button on the side of the headset. That's in stark contrast to Vision Pro, where you aim with eye tracking and click by pinching your fingers, an interaction system that those who have tried it described as akin to telekinesis.

So what's good about the EmdoorVR AX162? Pretty much everyone who wore it, Kyle included, has reported it feeling relatively light and comfortable. Interestingly, the weight and comfort of Apple Vision Pro has reportedly been an issue for testers.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

The real Apple Vision Pro is set to launch February 2, with preorders opening next Friday, and we suspect EmdoorVR's AX162 won't be the last Chinese knockoff of it.

Full body avatars will be an optional alternative to Rec Room's current avatars, which only feature a head, torso, and hands.

At launch full body avatars will only be available for level 50 players, and Rec Room says it will lower this requirement over time as they test the implementation and sort out any bugs before a wider release.

Competitor VRChat has supported full body avatars driven by body tracking hardware for many years now, while Meta's Horizon Worlds added full bodies back in August.

While Rec Room originally announced that full body avatars will support body tracking on SteamVR, such as via strapping on 3 or more Vive Trackers, the company now says that won't be available at launch. There's also no word on whether Quest 3's new inside-out upper body tracking will be supported.

For now, Rec Room full bodies will be driven with inverse kinematics (IK), meaning the system will estimate the likely positions of your limbs based on the position of your head and hands.

Initially released for PC VR in 2021, Eye of the Temple made its way to Quest last year with assistance from Salmi Games, and in a 2023 recap blog, developer Rune Skovbo Johansen shed some light on its development. Explaining that he didn't pay himself a regular salary during the three years of full-time development, Johansen was "initially slightly disappointed" in the Steam year one sales, which covered 40% of the investment.

Since then, Eye of the Temple has now turned a profit and returned 140% back on that initial investment, with 70% total revenue coming from Quest. It is a common expectation that Quest versions will outsell the PC VR versions. While Amid Evil VR was a notable exception, we've seen stories like Superhot VR's Quest port outselling the Rift version by 300%. While that doesn't mean those PC VR editions were also initially unprofitable, Johansen considers Quest "easily the most important VR platform."

However, Johansen says that while Quest week one revenue doubled Steam's week one revenue, it didn't match what he and Salmi Games hoped for. "Speaking with other VR developers in 2023, it seems that the time when Eye of the Temple launched on Quest was generally a bad period for Quest game sales," Johansen explains, later advising how Black Friday and Christmas had a big sales impact.

As for what's next, Johansen says they're no longer working on the game and that he's "done with VR for now." Instead, he's moving on to 'The Big Forest,' which is currently in early development. Featuring a strong focus on exploration with fully procedurally generated gameplay, it's described as involving "light puzzles based on connecting clues found through exploration."

We awarded top marks in our Eye of the Temple review last year. Calling it "a triumphant room-scale platformer," we believe it's secured a place among the best Meta Quest 3 games.

Eye of the Temple is a masterclass in VR-first design. It takes the responsibility of managing a guardian away from the player and ingeniously absolves the problem by weaving it into the very fabric of the game's mechanics... It's a release that demonstrates how intelligent design can work within the constraints of current technology, while ultimately sacrificing very little to do so.

Eye of the Temple is out now on the Meta Quest platform and PC VR. When asked about a potential PSVR 2 version, Johansen replied that "it doesn't seem to be in the cards."

Eye Of The Temple Review: A Triumphant Room-Scale Adventure

Eye of the Temple is out today on Quest. Here’s our full review:

UploadVRHarry Baker

The feature, called Impostors, arrived with version 2023.4.2 at the start of December and its rollout is starting to bridge the divide between PC and mobile users.

As well as being available on PC with optional VR support, VRChat is also on the Google Play store for Android phones and on the app stores of Meta Quest, Pico 4, and Vive XR Elite standalone VR headsets.

Most PC worlds and avatars are too detailed to run performantly on mobile chipsets though, so VRChat takes a semi-fragmented approach. All worlds and avatars must have a mobile-optimized version if the creator wants standalone headset andphone players to be able to join or see them. Creators can upload two versions of the same content, one for PC and another for mobile.

If a user hasn't uploaded a mobile-optimized version of their avatar, standalone headset and phone users see a mobile fallback avatar instead, which doesn't look anything like the PC avatar.

VRChat's new Impostors feature is a solution for this. With just a few clicks, users can automatically generate a mobile-optimized version of their avatar that closely resembles it - though with lower visual fidelity. The result doesn't look as good as a custom made mobile version of the avatar, but it's far preferable to an unrelated fallback, as it maintains the avatar's core identity.

This impostor avatar will also show on PC when a user's performance settings would block your high-fidelity avatar from being shown.

The impostors system is bridging the divide between PC and mobile users in VRChat, and making them feel a little less left out than before.

Out on February 2 in the US, Apple Vision Pro is almost here but the $3,500 headset isn't specifically focused on gaming. Because Vision Pro won't include tracked controllers, the kinds of VR/AR/MR games that will be available may be quite a bit different from other headsets, and Apple is insisting on calling them "spatial" games.

So, if you're planning to pick up Apple Vision Pro and are curious to know how it handles AR/VR gaming, only a handful of options are currently confirmed as on the way. We'll continue updating this list as more announcements come in but, for now, here are all the confirmed Apple Vision Pro games:

Contour

Previously launched on Quest App Lab, Contour is a mixed reality based drawing / painting app. Speaking to UploadVR, Dehats Studio informed us that its taking a two-step approach to Contour by initially integrating hand-tracking support on Quest, followed by an Apple Vision Pro port.

Demeo

One of the best games available on Meta Quest, Demeo is also coming to Apple Vision Pro. A virtual game board with up to four-player co-op, you battle monsters within dungeons through turn-based combat across fantasy campaigns.

On Vision Pro, developer Resolution Games previously confirmed Demeo includes playing the game in either fully immersive VR or mixed reality.

Game Room

Previously spotted during the Apple Vision Pro reveal, it's recently been listed as a launch game. While the main image suggests classic board games like chess and cards, little else is currently known.

Just Hoops

Currently available on Quest App Lab and Pico, Just Hoops is a retro-inspired arcade basketball game with mixed reality support from Realcast.

Speaking to UploadVR, Creative Director Diego Fernandez-Bravo confirmed it's also coming to Apple Vision Pro with the team targeting launch on February 2.

Mindway

Described as a holistic VR wellbeing app focused on interactivity, Mindway previously appeared on Quest App Lab, supporting meditation courses, daily mindful practices, ASMR and more.

Speaking to UploadVR, co-founder Tim Levent Yurdum confirmed Mindway is currently "on track" to launch on Vision Pro by February 2nd.

Rec Room

Rec Room remains a popular social experience across VR and flatscreen platforms, so it's little surprise to see it's coming to Apple Vision Pro. It currently only supports controller inputs, though the studio previously confirmed hand tracking controls are being developed. A release date remains unknown.

Super Fruit Ninja

Continuing the trend of Fruit Ninja VR adaptations, we're not sure whether Super Fruit Ninja is a new game or if Halfbrick renamed Fruit Ninja VR 2 to fit Apple's guidelines. Previously seen in the WWDC 2023 conference, Apple recently mentioned it again alongside the Vision Pro release date.

What The Golf?

Initially released in 2019 on mobile before subsequent PC and Switch ports, Triband's original game is being adapted for Vision Pro. This physics-based golf parody promises to "transform the space around players" on February 2nd. However, all we've seen so far is a brief clip (1:21:35) during WWDC's Platforms State of the Union.

Interested in learning more about Apple Vision Pro? Check out our previous hands-on preview during WWDC 2023:

Apple Vision Pro Hands-On: Way Ahead of Meta In Critical Ways

Apple Vision Pro is the real deal. This is the future of personal computing. Our first hands-on report:

UploadVRIan Hamilton

You can also check our full specifications rundown to find out more:

Apple Vision Pro Full Specs, Features & Details

Read the full specs, features, and details of Apple Vision Pro here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

If you're working on an Apple Vision Pro game we should know about for this article, you can use our contact page or email tips@uploadvr.com with details.

Released last year for most flatscreen platforms, Akka Arrh is an arcade shooter with tower defense elements, taking inspiration from Tempest 2000. Developed by industry veteran Jeff Minter through Llamasoft and published by Atari, your aim involves destroying enemies through a command center, triggering chain reactions with bombs.

Detailed in a press release, Atari calls playing in VR "the way gaming gods intended," though we've yet to see any PSVR 2 gameplay footage. "Each layer of techno-infused action, previously compressed in the 2D space, now unfurls in a rich 3D landscape," states the publisher.

It's not the first time we've seen Jeff Minter's work in VR. Back in 2017, Llamasoft also released Polybius, which takes its name from a notable urban legend. A tunnel shooter where you control a small vehicle through 50 levels of "blissful trance shooting action," that arrived on PC VR the following year, shortly followed by Minotaur Arcade Volume 1 on Steam with Rift support.

Akka Arrh arrives on PSVR 2 in March 2024.

Announced during the UploadVR Winter Showcase, Fast Travel Games revealed that its stealth RPG Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice, which previously released on Quest and PSVR 2, is reaching Steam next. After previously announcing a Q1 2024 release window, Fast Travel Games confirms that's now arriving on February 6, 2024.

Alongside the Steam reveal, Fast Travel Games previously released free trials on Quest and PSVR 2. Detailed in a press release, the studio confirms this will allow you to try the game's opening section for a set amount of time.

We enjoyed Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice in our recent review. Awarding it four stars, we considered it a "polished" experience that respects the source material but suffers from "occasional clunky design."

The storyline is solid and provides an exciting opportunity to delve into the rich lore of the World of Darkness franchise. It offers a compelling amount of freedom and flexibility in approaching missions, with multiple routes and a variety of abilities keeping gameplay dynamic and engaging across the generous 10 (or more) hour campaign. However, occasional clunky design elements, a lack of enemy diversity and issues with the AI are noticeable drawbacks that sometime detract from the enjoyment.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice reaches Steam on February 6.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice Review – Quest & PSVR 2

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice arrives later this week on Quest and PSVR 2. Read our review here:

UploadVRTony Mowbray

Notice: This article was originally published on December 6, 2023. It was updated on January 10, 2024, to reflect the release date confirmation.

Following on from October's Might and Mastery updates, Zenith: The Last City is currently preparing for Patch 2.0. Having previously detailed 2.0's design pillars on its blog, Ramen announced it was holding closed pre-alpha playtests for the upcoming update. However, the studio also outlined why there's such a big need for change, confirming Zenith isn't currently profitable.

Understand that while Zenith was initially very profitable, we’ve been running it at a loss on a month to month basis for the better part of a year. For two years the team has tried everything we could to get us back into profitability or user growth, but it just hasn’t panned out. Our goal with the next update is to introduce some big changes to try to make our beloved world a sustainable development project.

Unlike many MMOs, Zenith doesn't charge a subscription fee to cover online server costs. Instead, income is reliant on individual game sales without the use of microtransactions.

Continuing further, Ramen doesn't believe they'd become profitable again by "just polishing, fixing bugs, and adding content." In the design pillars blog, the studio affirmed that its "doubling down on XR," stating that while they've looked into a potential flatscreen release, "it’s clear that we have to nail one platform first before thinking about more."

As such, Zenith's patch 2.0 looks set to introduce some "fundamental changes" to avoid closing down the game. Though Ramen hasn't revealed specific details just yet, stating those will be shared later this month, the studio confirms these changes include overhauling both level and skill progression.

Zenith: The Last City is available now on the Meta Quest platform, PSVR 2, and PC VR.

Created by solo German developer Ole Jürgensen, Crumbling sees you fending off hordes of plastic monsters inside toy dioramas with a third-person view. Controlling your action figure with one hand once its unwrapped, your goal involves fighting the Böse Corp, a shady toymaking corporation. Presented like an animated comic book, Jürgensen says the story takes inspiration from Saturday morning cartoons.

Crumbling joins a growing list of VR roguelikes and while the trailer doesn’t offer a clear look at progression, Jürgensen confirms you will “learn from each defeat and come back stronger than ever.” You can try it now through a free Quest or Steam demo, and here’s the full gameplay description:

Control your character with one hand, just like an action figure. Move your palm-sized hero through gorgeously crafted toy dioramas and clash with an army of plastic monsters in thrilling hack ‘n’ slash combat. It’s a test of skill and timing as you evade, counter, and smash your way through to the next boss! Crack open an animated comic book and discover the story of Mr and Mrs Crumble, creators of the magical ‘Crumbling’ action figures. Can this sweet couple and their plucky creations triumph against the nefarious toy making corporation Böse Corp?

Crumbling arrives on January 18 for the Meta Quest platform and SteamVR, while a Pico version will follow in Q2 2024.

Notice: This article was originally published on February 1, 2023. It was updated on January 10, 2024, to reflect the release date confirmation.

The addon magnetically attaches underneath the facial interface of Vive XR Elite, connecting to the secondary USB-C port next to the headset's right lens, likely placed there specifically for this accessory.

It features two 120Hz eye tracking cameras and one 60Hz lower face tracking camera.

The lower face tracking camera tracks up to 38 points on your face in real-time, across the lips, teeth, tongue, cheeks, nose, and chin. HTC claims this means "even subtle facial expressions are accurately portrayed, and spoken words match facial expressions in real-time".

As well as driving your avatar's eyes, the eye tracking cameras are also used for foveated rendering, and to measure your IPD for automatic lens separation adjustment so you don't have to measure or guess your IPD to get the optimal visual experience.

HTC says a software update to support the addon will release for Vive XR Elite tomorrow, and developers can use either its Vive Wave SDK or OpenXR to access the face and eye tracking data.

The company already sells separate face and eye tracking addons for its other standalone headset, Vive Focus 3, which is solely aimed at businesses and has a bulkier design but higher resolution and wider field of view.

Meanwhile, Meta's CTO shot down the prospect of an eye tracking addon for Quest 3 back in November, saying there's "not really a credible way to do eye tracking or upper-face tracking underneath the headset as an accessory" for its headset.

The teaser, titled Get Ready, features a series of clips from popular movies where characters don goggles, helmets, eye masks, and visors. It ends, of course, with a model putting on Apple Vision Pro, revealing the visionOS home screen in passthrough.

It even includes the scene from Star Wars (Episode IV) wherein Obi-Wan Kenobi puts a headset on Luke Skywalker and tells him to "let go of your conscious self and act on instinct" to harness the force, likely referencing Vision Pro's look-and-pinch interaction system that some who have tried it described as akin to telekinesis.

It's important to remember that a significant portion of the population, even in the US, have never even worn an XR headset, and many who have only briefly tried a phone holder like Samsung Gear VR or a plastic version of Google Cardboard. There is still widespread skepticism towards the idea of wearing a headset on your face, even for many tech enthusiasts, and much of Apple's marketing in the coming years will likely be aimed at normalizing it.

Apple doesn't actually describe Vision Pro as a headset at all though, interestingly enough, instead calling it a "spatial computer".

The Get Ready ad is also an obvious callback to the "Hello" teaser for the original iPhone, shown at the 2007 Oscars, which featured a series of clips from movies where characters picked up a phone and said "hello", ending with a screen showing an incoming call on the iPhone.

That Apple would echo this format for Vision Pro could suggest the company has major long-term ambition for its new platform, and it's already channeling its world-class marketing team to introduce the relatively new form factor to the wider world.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

In a new summary for developers of how to submit their app to the App Store for Vision Pro, Apple makes clear that acronyms like AR, VR, MR, and XR are not to be used. Instead, apps should be referred to as "spatial":

• Spatial computing: Refer to your app as a spatial computing app. Don’t describe your app experience as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), or mixed reality (MR).

This is despite Tim Cook describing the visionOS operating system as "an entirely new AR platform" when announcing it at WWDC 2023 back in June, and one of visionOS's core SDKs being called ARKit.

Apple does use the term AR for iPhone and iPad experiences built with ARKit, as can be seen on the company's Augmented Reality showcase web page.

Vision Pro, however, is described by Apple as a "spatial computer", not an AR headset. The new App Store submission requirements also instruct developers that they must not refer to Vision Pro generically as a "headset."

What the rest of the industry calls virtual reality (VR) Apple simply refers to as "fully immersive", seemingly taking the view that immersion is a spectrum within spatial computing, with content not needing specific terms for distinct points along that spectrum.

It's unclear how strongly Apple will enforce these rules, and whether or not they apply to app titles. Would VRChat have to be renamed to SpatialChat to hypothetically launch on Vision Pro, for example, and would Superhot VR have to be renamed to Superhot Spatial?

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Vision Pro developers have had access to the SDK since June, and have been able to test their apps in the visionOS simulator. With the headset set to launch in just under one month, many developers are currently scrambling to get their apps ready to be available as soon as possible after launch - though some might have to adjust their branding to fit Apple's requirements.

Previously planned for October 24, Vertigo 2 received a late delay last month for December 12. However, following a further late delay, publisher Perp Games now targets a digital release on January 15. While a physical release was previously announced for February 9, it's unknown if that date has been changed.

The PSVR 2 launch follows the Bottomless Update, which delivered Vertigo 2's first and only content update. That introduced modifiers for the main campaign like an enemy randomizer and bullet time feature and three new playable characters. That update also brought the level editor out of beta, letting you create levels and share them across the community.

We had high praise in our Vertigo 2 review last March. Awarding it our highest ranking, we considered it one of the best PC VR games in recent memory before naming it our VR Game of The Year for 2023.

The result is a game that features impressive visuals, amazing gunplay and a constant expression of creativity in both its game design and its world. For PC VR players looking for a solid single-player campaign in the vein of Half-Life: Alyx, it’s an essential pick.

Vertigo 2 arrives on PSVR 2 on January 15, and it's available now on Steam.

Notice: This article was initially published on November 21, 2023. It was updated on January 9, 2024, to reflect the revised PSVR 2 release date.

XR2+ Gen 2 is a higher-end variant of the base XR2 Gen 2 used in Meta Quest 3, with the GPU clocked 15% higher and the CPU clocked 20% higher.

The new chipset also supports higher resolution display output than the base XR2 Gen 2, and Sony is leveraging this capability to deliver "4K" per eye resolution via dual OLED microdisplays.

Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Announced For Samsung Headset & More

Qualcomm just announced Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, a higher-end variant of the chipset used in Quest 3.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

There's no mention of gaming, PlayStation 5, or the PlayStation VR brand in connection with the upcoming device, which is slated to release in 2024. Instead, it is developed around a "spatial content creation" platform for enterprise, not consumers, and is made in partnership with Siemens.

Sony "and its partners" will announce more detailed specifications and "software compatibility" details later.

Unlike Apple Vision Pro, this upcoming Sony headset prominently features controllers – one for pointing and another worn as a ring – intended to allow "users to intuitively manipulate objects in virtual space."

"By holding the pointing controller in the dominant hand and attaching the ring controller to the fingers of the other hand, creators can model 3D objects using both controllers and a keyboard, while wearing the head-mounted display", Sony writes.

The headset itself features a flip-up design, so you don't have to take it off to see your physical environment in full quality, eat, or drink.

Sony says it plans to "collaborate with developers of a variety of 3D production software, including in the entertainment and industrial design fields" and will include support for PC-based rendering for users to work with larger 3D models.

The company also aims to produce "a new solution for immersive design and collaborative product engineering using software from the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform."

When Vision Pro was announced at WWDC back in June the only strap seen was the one Apple calls the Solo Knit Band, except for one marketing shot where a side-to-side top strap was also present alongside it.

Alongside announcing the preorder and launch dates for Vision Pro today, Apple revealed that the headset will come with two straps: the Solo Knit Band and another called the Dual Loop Band.

• The Solo Knit Band only features a back strap, but it has a large padding area which Apple says is "3D knitted" to create "a unique rib structure that provides cushioning, breathability, and stretch".
• The Dual Loop Band has a thinner back strap that sits lower on the back of your head, but also has a side-to-side top strap to better distribute the weight.

It's unclear whether the cushier Solo Knit Band can be combined with the top strap from the Dual Loop Band for a hybrid third option, as seen in a recent patent.

Back in June Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who reliably reported many details of the upcoming headset before it was officially revealed or even acknowledged to exist by Apple, reported that "many" testers found Vision Pro "too heavy" after multiple hours of continuous use. We found the weight to be potentially straining in our hands-on too. Different people have differently shaped heads that affect the comfort of XR devices, so by including two strap types Apple may be hoping that at least one of them will be comfortable to buyers.

The front-heavy feeling is also a problem with many other existing headsets, to be clear. Meta and many third parties sell rigid replacement straps for Quest 2 and Quest 3 with a counterweight to better distribute the weight across your head, for example.

Apple Vision Pro Launches In The US On February 2

Apple Vision Pro launches in the US on February 2, and preorders open on January 19, next Friday.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Apple Vision Pro will launch in the US on February 2, and preorders will open next Friday.

The headset will be exclusively available from Apple's US web store and physical Apple Stores in the US. Preorders open at exactly 5am PT on January 19, next Friday.

Apple previously said Vision Pro will come to other countries "later" in 2024, but hasn't yet confirmed which countries this will include.

Apple revealed today that the $3500 base model has 256GB of storage. While the company hasn't explicitly confirmed higher storage models will be offered, it uses the pricing language "starting at" which strongly suggests it. At least one developer unit reportedly had 1TB storage.

Apple also revealed that the optical inserts from ZEISS will be available for $100 for readers or $150 for prescriptions, and that an alternative head strap with a top strap will be included in the box.

Apple Vision Pro Top Strap Will Be Included In The Box

Apple revealed an alternative head strap for Vision Pro, with a top strap, that will be included in the box. Details here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

What Exactly Is Apple Vision Pro?

Apple Vision Pro is a physically opaque VR-style headset that can use its high-resolution passthrough cameras to show you your real environment with virtual interfaces and objects added to it, or a fully virtual world instead.

A dial on the side called the Digital Crown is used to gradually transition between full AR and full VR.

Apple Vision Pro Full Specs, Features & Details

Read the full specs, features, and details of Apple Vision Pro here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Vision Pro is powered by Apple's M2 chipset, also seen in Macs and iPad Pro, alongside a new R1 chipset used to process its plethora of sensors. All this power means the headset uses a tethered external battery, with a battery life of around 2 hours. It can also be plugged into a wall for perpetual use.

The headset uses near-4K OLED microdisplays for each eye, which should give it the highest resolution of any consumer headset when it ships. Uniquely, Vision Pro also has an 'EyeSight' lenticular display on the front that shows a rendered view of your upper face to other people in the room when they're nearby.

Vision Pro's operating system, visionOS, is controlled with eye tracking and hand gestures. Your eyes are the targeting system, like moving your mouse or hovering your finger over a touchscreen, while pinching your index finger and thumb together is the equivalent of the click or tap.

How You Control Apple Vision Pro With Your Eyes & Hands

Apple explained how exactly your eyes and hands work together to control Vision Pro:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Apple said Vision Pro's App Store will include "nearly all" iPad and iPhone apps, which can be positioned freely in your space and can run alongside some AR apps and experiences. Developers can also build a native visionOS version of their app and use Apple's Universal Purchase cross-buy system to offer it for free to customers who have already bought it on iPhone or iPad, and vice versa.

For productivity, the headset supports running multiple windows side-by-side on large virtual screens, and Apple's Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad are supported for input. You can also mirror your Mac's display onto a virtual screen.

For entertainment, Apple is offering 4K and 3D movies on a giant virtual screen, either in AR or a VR environment, as well as immersive 180-degree 8K videos and fully immersive true VR experiences.

For gaming, you can play iPad games on a huge virtual screen with a gamepad, or AR/VR games like Rec Room, Demeo, What the Golf?, and Super Fruit Ninja.

The headset can also capture and play 3D videos called Spatial Videos, which you can also capture with iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple Vision Pro Hands-On: Way Ahead of Meta In Critical Ways

Apple Vision Pro is the real deal. This is the future of personal computing. Our first hands-on report:

UploadVRIan Hamilton

Vision Pro will introduce new features and specs never before shipped in a headset, and combined with its innovative visionOS, its release by the world's largest and most prominent technology company could represent a watershed moment for the XR industry.

Xreal, formerly Nreal, is a China-based company that actually launched the first consumer AR glasses in the US, Nreal Light, in late 2021. Since 2022 Xreal has focused on its Air line of media glasses, which until now all lacked positional tracking or true AR capability, instead just mirroring connected devices to a head-locked virtual monitor.

Xreal Air 2 Pro Brings Adjustable Dimming To Media Glasses

Xreal Air 2 Pro brings adjustable dimming to consumer media viewing glasses for $450.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Xreal Air 2 Ultra, announced today, is the official successor to the Nreal Light. It promises true AR - the ability to place virtual objects in your real environment, not just a floating overlay. The device is mainly meant to be used indoors though, and doesn't feature the kind of capabilities you'd expect from future outdoor AR glasses.

While Nreal Light could only detect flat planes such floors and tables, Xreal Air 2 Ultra can apparently generate a 3D mesh of your room, as Meta Quest 3 and high-end AR devices like Magic Leap 2 can.

In addition to scene meshing, Xreal is also promising hand tracking, permanent spatial anchors, and arbitrary 2D image tracking.

Xreal describes the two components that enable all this, located on the temples of the glasses, as "3D environment sensors". It's unclear what exactly this means and we've reached out to Xreal for an explanation. They look like they could be fisheye grayscale cameras, which is what most XR devices use for computer vision functionality like tracking.

The OLED microdisplays in Air 2 Ultra are the same as in Air 2 Pro, 1080p with 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness. And like Air 2 Pro, the lenses feature adjustable electrochromatic dimming, toggled with a button on the side.

The field of view of the Air 2 Ultra optics is slightly larger than the other Air glasses, at 45°×25°, compared to 40°×22°.

That's still a significantly narrower field of view than what you'd get from opaque headsets with passthrough cameras such as Meta Quest 3 and the upcoming Apple Vision Pro, which have horizontal and vertical field of views roughly around 100°. In practice, as we noted in our review of the original Nreal Light, that means you'll often only see partial segments of virtual objects, and you'll often lose track of which objects are in your room and where they are.

Xreal says Air 2 Ultra is currently mainly intended for developers, as there won't be much AR content at launch and the SDK will receive significant upgrades in the coming months.

The glasses are now available for preorder in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Czechia, Japan, South Korea, and China for $700. The company claims shipping will begin in March.

There's an important caveat here though. Xreal's glasses are not standalone devices, and Air 2 Ultra can only be driven in true AR "spatial computing" mode by a Samsung Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S22 phone via a tethered USB-C cable. The Exynos model of the Galaxy S22 sold in Europe isn't supported.

Xreal says it's also working on a compute puck for people who don't own those phones, though it doesn't yet have a timeline to ship this or an estimated price.

Developed by HandyGames, Townsmen VR combines strategic city-building with ‘god-sim’ elements reminiscent of flatscreen classic Black and White. It's not "exclusive" in the way Resident Evil 4 VR was on Quest 2 at launch, having previously reached Rift, Steam, PSVR 2 and Viveport. However, excluding MR tutorial First Encounters, this is the first main Quest Store game only on Quest 3.

Previously, Meta advised Quest 3 wouldn't have any exclusives until 2024 and before Connect 2023, a spokesperson stated, “We don't have any specific Quest 3 exclusives, so everything that launches this holiday season until the end of the year will also be available on Quest 2.” While we've seen exclusive features for Quest 3 versions of games, like MR support in Neko Atsume Purrfect, that evidently held true, even if it only took four days into 2024.

We previously recommended Townsmen VR in our 2022 review, praising its impressive detail and welcoming approach for newcomers. 

Fans of God-sims and city builders will find a lot to enjoy in Townsmen VR, and even newcomers to those genres will appreciate how well the extensive tutorial guides players through the process of creation and combat. The ability to change perspectives and enjoy the world from different levels provides a new level of immersion for this genre that is very welcome.

Townsmen VR is out now on most major VR platforms. We've contacted HandyGames to clarify if future Quest 2 or Quest Pro support is planned and why they've made it a Quest 3 exclusive. We'll update this article if we learn more.

Townsmen VR Review: Little People In Little Houses

Townsmen VR is sure to satisfy fans of Black & White looking for a VR alternative, and newcomers will find a lot to like too. Here’s our full Townsmen VR review! There has always been a certain appeal to the idea of building your own civilization and watching it grow,

UploadVRRebecca Hills-Duty

Developed by Battle Bows studio WIMO Games, Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem marks the latest Hasbro brand adapted for VR, following the now-delisted NERF Ultimate Championship. Featuring track building with different pieces like loop-de-loops, cars can also be modified beyond cosmetic purposes to adjust stats like acceleration, grip and top speed. Here's the launch trailer:

While Micro Machines doesn't support multiplayer, this comes with a campaign mode split across different missions.

"Some objectives require a fast car and a track built for speed, while others demand a monster truck that can rack up destruction points," states WIMO.

Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem is out now on Quest and Steam. Notably, App Lab title Track Craft carries more reviews and a higher overall rating from users on the Quest store for a game in a similar genre. Track Craft’s developers also recently said that multiplayer is coming soon.

The winds are changing very quickly and not having a plan could potentially be a costly mistake. If you are developing a title that is controllers only, that needs to be a plan of intentionality.

For example, if you’ve decided there is a market for a fast-paced VR shooter and controllers are the only way to deliver that? Cool. But this decision needs to factor in that you will not be able to launch on an Apple device or any other device that follows their lead. Additionally, this will be a harder sell over time on platforms with controllers as they adopt hand tracking as their primary input. It would be a really bad plan to start developing a controller-only VR game just because that is what has been done before.

Hand tracking will become the default and primary mode of interaction in VR. This process has already started with Quest. I use controllers less and less and hand tracking, combined with eye tracking, is the only input for Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s headset will be a huge push in the direction of hand tracking.

Apple Vision Pro Hands-On: Way Ahead of Meta In Critical Ways

Apple Vision Pro is the real deal. This is the future of personal computing. Our first hands-on report:

UploadVRIan Hamilton

The shift to hand tracking will be quicker than most think and leave a lot of quality titles that didn’t plan ahead in a bad spot, especially with development cycles in the 2-3 year range. Once users start using hand tracking, some will have limited desire to switch back to controllers. For me, it’s already bad enough that I’m frequently misplacing my controllers.

Some developers will play the wait and see approach. The potential issue with this is that hand tracking is very hard to retrofit and, if you have a button-heavy VR design, it’s even harder. Trying to do this post-launch may not be compatible with your existing controller specific design, could yield a worse product, or just be too expensive to develop. One of the huge advantages of working with hand tracking at the beginning is designing the product for the unique advantages and constraints hand tracking brings. There are things that you can do with hand tracking that controllers could only dream of doing and we will see that in coming months and years.

One big challenge for developers that are skeptical about hand tracking (I know I initially was) is what they have seen to date.

Owlchemy Demo Reaches For Mass Market VR Hand Tracking

Owlchemy’s hand tracking tech demo at GDC 2023 pointed to the future of mass market VR.

UploadVRIan Hamilton

Some developers I talk to have a lot of negative things to say about it because they are early adopters. VR developers kind of need to be early adopters, but that means a lot of their experiences were with poor early versions of hand tracking (often gesture based) that are not reflective of the state today. 

Meanwhile, other developers that have gone out of their way to expose themselves to more recent hand tracking applications have come away underwhelmed. The issue here is what they are seeing, almost universally, is shorter development cycle demos or ports into existing games. This can help paint a picture of possibility. Early VR developers know the first couple years of VR was rough for quality because there wasn’t much knowledge to pull from and there were so many ports of pancake games. You had to look past some of that to see where things were going. As someone that has been working almost exclusively with hand tracking for the last 2+ years, I can tell you the state of the art is a huge leap from what is visible now. Combine that with the constant and continuous improvement to the quality of the underlying hand tracking? The landscape in 2 years is going to look quite different.

This shift to hand tracking as the primary input is great news for VR. This will make experiences more intuitive, approachable and reduce overall VR friction. It also has potential to bring down costs (ditching controllers) and attract more mainstream users. As a developer, until you have worked exclusively with hand tracking you don’t realize how much real friction controllers add.

Owlchemy Labs Co-Founder Announces AstroBeam, New Studio Focused On Multiplayer VR

AstroBeam is a new VR studio from Owlchemy Labs co-founder Devin Reimer. Read more here:

UploadVRHarry Baker

This isn’t to say controller-based VR games will go away. Some people use a gamepad for their smartphones, after all. Over time, though, dedicated tracked controllers will become more and more niche. As a developer, particularly a small one, being in a niche can often be a wise decision. VR still very much is this, but being in a niche of a niche can get dicey if you aren’t careful.

Devin Reimer was CEO and CTO at Owlchemy Labs. He led technical development of Job Simulator and subsequent VR games before founding AstroBeam, a studio working on multiplayer VR experiences.

Like many of you, the UploadVR team mostly spent the Christmas holidays and New Year period away from our desks. Understandably, this meant that there were numerous updates for VR games that we missed during the ongoing festivities. While this particular roundup looks to the last few weeks, we're looking to make these roundups a regular part of our coverage, so expect more to come.

If we've missed anything, please let us know through the contact details below. Otherwise, in no specific order, here's our festive news roundup:

Arizona Sunshine 2 Revamps Difficulty Settings, Delays Quest 3 Update

Arizona Sunshine 2 dropped Patch 1.1 on all platforms, which revamped and rebalanced the difficulty settings. We also learned more about the planned Quest 3 update. Quest 3 already has a resolution boost, but following the recent v60 update, Vertigo states it's taking more time to "introduce significant upgrades in the new year," such as high-resolution textures, enhanced FX effects and more.

Steam Reveals Best Of 2023 PC VR Lineup

Like previous years, Steam announced its top 50 PC VR games based on gross revenue. For new games, Ghosts of Tabor and Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 reached the Platinum tier, Vertigo 2 landed in Gold, while The Light Brigade, Grimlord and Arizona Sunshine 2 appeared in Silver. Labyrinthine also took 2023's Steam VR Game of the Year, which is determined by fan votes.

Brazen Blaze Open Beta Registrations Are Live

Brazen Blaze, MyDearest's upcoming 3v3 "smack & shoot" action game, has opened registrations for its open beta test with four playable characters. Taking place between February 5-12, sign-ups close on January 6 and you can do that here. Anyone who registers will enter a competition to win one of five T-Pain tickets for an upcoming AmazeVR concert.

In Death: Unchained Receives Quest 3 Update

In Death: Unchained released a major update for Quest 3 during the holidays. According to Superbright, this Quest 3 update adds a 40% resolution increase, 90Hz support, interior lighting improvements, shadows for enemies, new floor patterns and more.

Quest+ Games for January 2024

Following The Thrill of the Fight and Swarm in December, January's Quest+ games are now available to download. First up is Nock, a multiplayer game that mixes soccer with archery. Second is Richie's Plank Experience, which recently received MR support, Canyon's Edge DLC, and visual enhancements for both Quest 2 and Quest 3.

Other Updates

While those were the biggest stories on our radar, we didn't want to miss out on several other updates, either. Arcadia launched on Quest App Lab as a free-to-play MR experience, Ultimate Fishing Simulator VR received the Florida DLC, Inter Solar 83 is offering early alpha access, while Home Detective received a full release following its initial launch in May.

It doesn't stop there, either. Iron Guard: Homecoming and Hand Physics Lab both added MR support, while Retropolis dot.Line is granting open beta access through Discord to 200 people. Iron Rebellion added six new weapons and visual enhancements. Finally, X8 introduced a new playable Hero, Charade, Beginner Rush Mode and AI improvements.

If you've got an update for a VR game we should know about for this article or future updates, you can use our contact page or email tips@uploadvr.com with details.

For more information about this month's upcoming VR games, check out our January 2024 roundup below:

New VR Games January 2024: PSVR 2, Quest, SteamVR & More

2024 is here and January’s packing more VR games. Here’s the highlights coming to Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2 and Pico:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

Best known for developing DOOM 3: VR Edition and Journey To Foundation, the latter having launched last October on most major VR platforms, the Canadian studio is now facing widespread layoffs across most departments. While Archiact didn't state its specific reasons, Journey to Foundation may have underperformed in sales. The team requested any studios currently hiring to contact them, so they can pass on the information to affected former employees.

Here's the full statement:

To call it a rough time for the wider games industry would be an understatement. Estimated to have reached over 10,000 layoffs in the last year, that includes many VR developers and publishers like Resolution Games, Lode, TinyBuild, Codemasters, two of Meta's first-party studios - Ready at Dawn and Downpour Interactive, while First Contact Entertainment shut down completely. That's before getting into Meta's 20k layoffs, engine maker Unity and Pico's recent restructuring.

But why are these layoffs so widespread? First Contact called "the lack of support for VR within the industry" a notable factor, while Ready at Dawn and Downpour were casualties of Meta's "Year of Efficiency." For context, Meta's Q3 2023 earnings call reported a $3.7 billion "loss" for the Reality Labs division. Depending on the company, increasing game budgets, inflation, mismanagement and longer development cycles are also potential layoff factors.

Many speculate gaming's post-pandemic investment bubble is bursting following sales increases during the COVID-19 pandemic peak in 2020. The Embracer Group is a prominent example, which gained attention for its aggressive acquisition strategy that included Vertigo Games and Force Field. Following a large-scale restructure announced last June, subsidiaries have seen repeat layoffs.

Alongside its PSVR 2 launch last August, publisher Perp Games previously announced that VR Skater would also get a full release on Steam, nearly three years after entering early access. A release window was unconfirmed but now, Perp states it's planning to launch on February 22, 2024.

Furthermore, Perp Games also announced the 'SL Pro Series Tour DLC,' a full tour that comes with five new maps on January 15 for $14.99. Taking inspiration from professional street skateboarding championships, it contains two new modes - Mission Run and Pro Run, new cosmetics and four additional PSN trophies.

VR Skater is available now on Steam Early Access, while the full release launches on February 22 for $34.99. Elsewhere, it's out now on PSVR 2, alongside VR Skater: SL on the Pico platform.

VR Skater Review: Challenging Sim That Doesn’t Always Land

VR Skater offers a fun but challenging sim, let down by some rough edges. Our full review on PSVR 2:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

2023 was a big year for VR gaming, and that didn't let up until near the end. Boosted by the Quest 3 launching in October, what followed was a stacked line-up with big names like Asgard's Wrath 2, PowerWash Simulator VR, Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice, Demeo Battles, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Racket Club, Resident Evil 4 Remake's VR Mode, Arizona Sunshine 2 and so much more.

January's always been a quieter month for flatscreen gaming, and while that's the same for VR games, you still have options. We're still highlighting a few notable releases and alongside those, Walkabout Mini Golf will receive its Around The World in 80 Days DLC. So, as always, keep this page bookmarked. We'll update this list as more VR games get confirmed release dates.

You can find our more comprehensive upcoming VR games list here, but for now, these are the big games reaching Quest, PC VR, Pico and PSVR 2 in January 2024.

Battle Talent - January 4 (Pico)

Battle Talent is a roguelite fighting sim from Cydream that previously came to PC VR and Quest. Set in a fantasy world, it promises a challenging physics-based fighter "designed to emphasize practicing muscle memory" over brute force with varied combat styles, dozens of weapons and magical spells, and more.

Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem - January 4 (PC VR, Quest)

Developed by Battle Bows studio WIMO Games, Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem lets you race vehicles around crazy tracks in VR. Available on Steam and Quest, both versions feature mixed reality support for creating circuits across your home environment.

Cactus Cowboy: Desert Warfare - January 4 (Pico)

Previously released on most major VR platforms in November, Cactus Cowboy - Desert Warfare now makes its way to Pico. The latest entry in this indie FPS series, Desert Warfare sees you step into the shoes of Cactus Cowboy in a fight against the Bug Army.

Rat it: Plague Hunter - January 4 (Quest)

Following its Steam Early Access launch last month, Rat It: Plague Hunter now arrives on Quest App Lab. Set in a medieval world, you play as an outlaw alchemist navigating the treacherous waters of the ocean, discovering an "abandoned pirate ship plagued by rats corrupted by nefarious spirits."

Heartshot - January 11 (PC VR)

Created by a two-person team, Heartshot describes itself as a "high-octane VR espionage thriller." Set within the Siberian tundra, you're tasked with infiltrating a covert facility using high-tech magnet gloves and weapons from fallen enemies. Arriving on Steam Early Access, the full release is expected by the end of 2024.

Twistex - January 11 (PC VR)

Developed by Middle Man Games, Twistex first appeared on Quest App Lab last September. A falling block puzzler where you rotate a cylindrical grid to fill it with shapes, the Steam version comes with non-passthrough environments alongside a flatscreen mode.

VRosty - January 11 (PC VR, Quest)

Described as a VR puppet platformer, VRosty comes from developer TomyHorst (HoVRboard). Featuring over 30 stages and physics-based puzzles, you pull the titular character toward you by holding your hands above it. That's coming to Steam and Quest App Lab.

The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners - January 16 (Quest 3)

Initially launched for older Quest headsets in October 2020, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners will receive its anticipated Quest 3 upgrade this month. Alongside the above trailer, you can check out the upgrade comparison shown at Connect 2023 to learn more.

Toy Trains - January 16 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)

Created by Something Random, a team composed of former Superhot developers, Toy Trains sees you creating model train sets in VR. Set in "a world where vintage toys and forgotten treasures spring to life," this promises open-ended challenges, and we'll bring you our impressions soon. Alongside Steam, PSVR 2 and Quest, a Pico version will follow later.

Bulletstorm VR - January 18 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)

Bulletstorm VR brings the 2011 flatscreen game to Steam, PSVR 2 and Quest. Set in the 26th century, this FPS sees you playing Grayson Hunt, a former black ops soldier turned space pirate who crash lands on Stygia. The VR adaptation also comes with two exclusive new levels.

Crumbling - January 18 (PC VR, Quest)

Crumbling mixes a hack ’n’ slash VR roguelike with the childhood nostalgia surrounding action figures. Created by solo German developer Ole Jürgensen, it's coming this month to Quest and SteamVR. A Pico release is also planned for Q2 2024.

Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye - January 18 (PC VR, Quest)

Released in early access last June, Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye is a point-and-click adventure set one year after The Secret of Retropolis. Featuring robo-detective Philip Log and Jenny Montage as they face a new villain, developer Peanut Button confirms the full release adds three new episodes via a free update on January 18th. That's coming to Steam and Quest App Lab.

Demeter: The Asklepios Chronicles - January 25 (Quest)

Developed by Novelab (Notes on Blindness, On the Morning you Wake), Demeter: The Asklepios Chronicles is a narrative-driven mixed reality puzzle platformer. Playable in any size room thanks to procedural generation, your goal involves helping Atalanta after her ship crashes inside your home. That's coming exclusively to Quest.

Hunt Together - January 25 (PC VR, Quest)

Hunt Together is a new PvP psychological horror game from Iron VR. Featuring 1v1 duels and a 1v3 'Hide and Seek' mode, you'll be armed with various items, skills, and more to defeat your opponent. Crossplay support between Quest and PC VR is also promised in a post-launch update planned for February.

UNDERDOGS - January 25 (PC VR, Quest)

Created by One Hamsa, UNDERDOGS takes us to the 22nd-century underground fighting pits of New Brakka. A physics-based brawler with roguelike mechanics, it uses arm-based locomotion and a comic book-style presentation.We were impressed in our November UNDERDOGS preview and named it our Most Anticipated VR Game Of 2024. That's coming to Quest and Steam.

Retropolis dot.Line - January 31 (Quest)

Following last year's early access launch for Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye, developer Peanut Button will release a mixed reality puzzle spin-off next. Titled Retropolis dot.Line, that's coming to Quest as a free release. The studio is also granting open beta access through Discord to 200 people.

If you've got an update for a VR game we should know about for this article or future updates, you can use our contact page or email tips@uploadvr.com with details. Interested to learn about more upcoming VR games? Check out our complete list below, which covers upcoming Quest 2, PC VR, Pico and PSVR 2 releases across 2024 and beyond:

Upcoming VR Games 2024: New Releases On Quest, PC, PSVR 2 & More

Need a refresher on all upcoming VR games in 2024 and beyond? Here’s every major game coming to Quest, PSVR 2, PC VR & Pico.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

XR2+ Gen 2 is a higher-end variant of the XR2 Gen 2 chip used in Meta Quest 3, with the GPU clocked 15% higher and the CPU clocked 20% higher.

The new chip also supports higher resolution display output: up to 4.3K per eye at 90Hz or 3.7K per eye at 120Hz. That compares to up to 3.1K per eye at 90Hz or 2.7K per eye at 120Hz for the base XR2 Gen 2.

Finally, the chip includes support for up to 12 concurrent cameras, up from 10 on the base XR2 Gen 2, to enable headsets with a plethora of face and eye tracking sensors.

To be clear, XR2+ Gen 2 isn't a successor to the XR2 Gen 2 that debuted just three months ago. It's a more premium option for higher-priced headsets, including those designed to take on Apple Vision Pro.

It inherits all the advantages of the base XR2 Gen 2 architecture, including the hardware acceleration for camera passthrough that is said to reduce end-to-end latency to around 12 milliseconds.

But that inherited architecture also means that while its GPU and CPU have a higher maximum clockspeed, their performance per watt is identical. Headsets that use XR2+ Gen 2 will need to include larger batteries to achieve the same battery life, assuming they want to actually utilize the extra performance.

We and some others had speculated that Qualcomm might announce a new XR3 chip line with the new custom Orion CPU cores seen in its recently announced Snapdragon X family to directly take on the CPU performance of the M2 chip in Apple Vision Pro, but that's not the case here.

Qualcomm VP and GM of XR Hugo Swart told UploadVR that the company currently doesn't see the market need for an XR3 line any time soon, but didn't rule out it ever happening some day. Swart also pointed out that Vision Pro requires an external battery, while XR2+ Gen 2 is designed for fully tetherless headsets. For now, a 20% higher clockspeed is all XR2+ Gen 2 promises for the CPU.

The GPU in the XR2 Gen 2 series on the other hand offers incredible performance for a mobile chip, more than double the peak performance of the GPU in the original XR2. Some Quest 3 developers are already using it to deliver "console quality" graphics, and with a 15% higher clock speed on XR2+ Gen 2 developers should be able to achieve even more.

Qualcomm indicated that XR2+ Gen 2 will power Immersed's Visor, Samsung's upcoming Google-powered headset, a yet-to-be-announced new HTC Vive headset, a YVR headset in China, and a fifth headset from a currently undisclosed company.

We'll keep a close eye on Samsung and HTC for any announcements in the coming days, weeks, and months, and we'll bring you details on that undisclosed company too as soon as we find out what it is.

Samsung’s Google-Powered Headset Set To Launch Late 2024

Samsung’s Google-powered XR headset is set to launch, in very limited quantities, in late 2024. Details here:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Update January 8: Sony announced that it the company making the fifth XR2+ Gen 2 headset.

Notably absent is Meta, which reportedly canceled its previously planned 2024 Quest Pro 2 in favor of a further out more ambitious model in partnership with LG.

If you've been in the consumer VR scene since the early days you may remember VorpX, a paid injector tool that promised to let you play hundreds of PC games in your VR headset. VorpX was a disappointment for many buyers, only offering 3D on a virtual screen for most games and primitive rotation-only headset tracking in most others.

Praydog's Universal Unreal Engine VR Mod (UEVR) goes much further than VorpX ever did, providing engine-level true VR support with positional headset tracking in almost any PC game made with Unreal Engine 4.8 and above, including Unreal Engine 5.

UEVR essentially forces the game to enable Unreal Engine's built-in VR rendering capability, and hooks into engine-level entities such as the camera, the player controller, and ingame objects such as weapons.

The UEVR experience isn't the same as intentional VR support of course. You won't be swinging a sword or manually reloading firearms, nor will you directly interact with or pick up ammo and loot with your hands. But UEVR can still be a great way to play many games with much higher production values than most made-for-VR titles.

Tester Alex Nicholas has tried UEVR with hundreds of games. He created & maintains a publicly available spreadsheet noting the level of compatibility of UEVR with each game, which you can view here.

Most Unreal Engine games should work out of the box with little to no configuration required, though some require a fallback method of 3D rendering called Synchronized Sequential, which impacts performance and adds ghosting to some effects like TAA and motion blur. Depending on the game and your settings, it can also introduce issues with particle effects.

UEVR is highly configurable, offering a range of control methods, from regular gamepad or mouse/keyboard in all games to 3DoF (rotation-only) VR controller support and room-scale headset tracking in many games.

With a feature called UObjectHook, you can even use UEVR to set up some games to support true 6DoF (positional) tracked VR controllers.

UEVR also automatically projects most game UIs onto a floating virtual screen in front of you, and has its own VR UI for adjusting settings and configuring per-game profiles.

UEVR is freely available on GitHub and should work with almost any PC-compatible VR headset on any working Windows gaming PC, including Meta Quest headsets via Steam Link, Quest Link, or Virtual Desktop.

Unsure which of your PC games use Unreal Engine 4.8 or above? Another modder built a tool called Rai Pal that can install and update UEVR and find all supported games in your library. It even lists Alex's compatibility score for each title, and can launch it directly into VR mode for you.

Keep in mind that most regular PC games aren't optimized to run at VR's demanding resolutions and framerates, so you'll need a powerful graphics card to achieve a smooth experience, and you'll want to reduce graphical settings in most titles.

In one shot of Apple's Vision Pro introduction video from June, a side-to-side top strap was visible, and we used this top strap in our hands-on demo. The top strap on XR headsets better supports the headset's weight.

Apple hasn't officially acknowledged this top strap in any of its statements about Vision Pro so far. But back in June, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was "considering selling that strap as an extra accessory rather than including it in the box". Gurman reliably reported many details of the upcoming headset before it was officially revealed or even acknowledged to exist by Apple.

Apple Vision Pro Testers Reportedly Find It Too Heavy

‘Many’ Vision Pro testers reportedly find it too heavy for multi-hour use. Apple is reportedly considering selling a top strap accessory.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Gurman's report also claimed that "many" testers found Vision Pro "too heavy" after multiple hours of continuous use. We reported the weight being potentially straining in our hands-on too.

The front-heavy feeling is also a problem with many other existing headsets. Meta and many third parties sell rigid replacement straps for Quest 2 and Quest 3 with a counterweight to better distribute the weight across your head, for example. But Apple appears to be trying to support its headset's weight with only a fabric headband.

An Apple design patent filed to the Hong Kong Patent Office, first spotted by Patently Apple, reveals a much clearer view of the design of the top strap.

It's seen to slot in between the headset's side arms and the braided headband, so as not to obscure the power port on the side arm nor require you to awkwardly manually clip it on (as the Vive XR Elite top strap does).

Apple's official launch window for Vision Pro is "early 2024" and Gurman reports it could launch in early February. We'll keep a close eye on whether Apple decides to include the top strap in the box or charge for it separately, as it may be crucial for the headset's comfort in long-duration sessions.

Quest headsets had been able to cast the wearer's view to devices that support the Google Cast protocol, such as Google TV sticks, Chromecast sticks, TVs with Chromecast built-in, and Android TV boxes, since the original Oculus Quest in 2019 - and even before that with the Oculus Go. It was incredibly useful for demoing VR, social pass-and-play sessions, or just keeping others in the room engaged with what you're doing.

Some Quest owners had noticed Google Cast devices no longer showing up in the headset's casting list in recent weeks, leading to speculation that the feature was being slowly removed. In a post on X, Meta's VP of VR Mark Rabkin confirmed this is the case.

Rabkin explained that the previous implementation was never "officially supported by Google", but said that Meta is "working on that". The reference to "meanwhile" suggests that the removal is temporary, likely until Meta can implement it in a way officially supported by Google.

Anecdotally, I often experienced bugs with Quest's TV casting feature. Sometimes it failed to connect at all, while other times it froze on a single frame until the headset was rebooted. Hopefully the coming new implementation lacks these issues.

Quest headset owners can continue to cast to the Meta Quest app on their phone and tablet, or to a PC or laptop via oculus.com/casting in a web browser. You can also cast to the Meta Quest Developer Hub software if you have developer mode enabled.

You can use these methods to indirectly cast to a TV by mirroring your screen, via AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast, or even just a HDMI cable. But that added friction will be a pain, and whatever way you dice it, Quest is now missing one of its most useful built-in features.

The data point comes from the Steam Hardware & Software Survey. It's offered to a random sample of Steam’s user base each month. If you accept, it uploads a list of your PC specs and peripherals to Valve, as well as any headset used on SteamVR in the past month.

Quest 3's usage share grew more than any other headset by far, jumping from 5.2% in November to 9.27% in December. That took it past the original HTC Vive, and on its current trajectory it probably won't be long until it surpasses the Oculus Rift S to take the #3 spot.

Quest 2 still holds the top spot, as it has since just after it launched, but its share actually declined somewhat, despite it being priced at just $250 since mid-November. This could be reflecting Quest 2 owners upgrading to Quest 3, or just lower retention amongst Quest 2 owners compared to Quest 3.

The hardware survey counts using Quest as a PC VR headset via Valve's Steam Link app, Meta's (Air) Link mode, and the third-party app Virtual Desktop.

All Meta headsets together - Oculus Rift, Rift S, Oculus Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro, and Quest 3 - make up the majority of VR headset use on Steam at almost 64%, and there's no known serious competitor inbound. Meta might actually increase its lead if the rumored 'Quest 3 Lite' launches. Valve remains a distant second with its Index headset, at just over 18%.

The percentage of Steam users using any VR headset at all decreased slightly, from 1.89% to 1.84%. This figure has fluctuated at roughly 2% since early 2020, when the survey methodology was revised, so previous data isn't comparable. This reflects the general stagnation of PC-based VR as the market shifted to the standalone Quest platform.

Update January 3: Valve slightly adjusted the data after publication, moving some 'Other' percentage to Quest 3. This article has been updated to reflect this.

In mid-November Meta announced that for the rest of the year the 128GB Quest 2 model would be priced at $250 (down from $300) and the 256GB model at $300 (down from $350). But instead of the deal ending today, Meta announced these will now be the official new prices.

Refurbished units are available for even lower, $230 for the 128GB model or $270 for the 256GB model.

Additionally, Meta is cutting the price of five key Quest 2 official accessories:

• Elite Strap: $50 (down from $60)
• Elite Strap with Battery: $90 (down from $120)
• Carrying Case: $45 (down from $60)
• Active Pack: $60 (down from $70)
• Fit Pack: $40 (down from $50)

Quest 2 launched over three years ago at $300 for 64GB or $400 for 256GB. The base model saw a storage bump to 128GB in 2021, but the price of each model was raised to $400 and $500 in 2022, which tanked sales. Last year Meta cut the 256GB model price to $430, and when announcing Quest 3 it cut the 128GB model back to $300 and the 256GB model to $350, lower than it originally launched at.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy A New Quest 2 Anymore

Meta is still selling Quest 2, starting from $300. But here’s why you shouldn’t buy one anymore:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Quest 2's new lower pricing may essentially be a clearance sale, however.

A leaked Meta roadmap last year revealed Meta planned to release a new headset after Quest 3 in 2024 "at the most attractive price point in the VR consumer market". Reports from The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and a Chinese analyst who has been reliable in the past suggest this headset will replace Quest 2 in Meta's lineup and feature the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset from Quest 3.

XR2 Gen 2 has a more than twice as powerful GPU, which some developers are already using to achieve dramatically better "console quality" graphics. As Quest 3 and the cheaper headset gradually transition the active user base of the standalone VR market to the XR2 Gen 2, developers may put less focus on making their games look good and run well on Quest 2.

So while $230 refurbished or $250 new are very appealing prices for a wireless standalone headset with tracked controllers, we still recommend holding off to see what Meta might announce this year.

Meta's latest headset is just getting started and if you're looking to pick up a Quest 3, you've likely got your eye on at least one of the many accessories being offered. Between carrying cases, headset straps, earbuds and prescription lenses, there's much to consider.

Before we begin, it's worth noting what Quest 3 includes out of the box. Every headset comes with a standard black facial interface, two Touch Plus controllers with two AA batteries already inserted, a 1m Type-C charging cable and a Type-C charging plug socket adapter.

Quest 3 Review: Excellent VR With Passable Mixed Reality

Read our full review of Quest 3 here:

David Heaney

Previously, we rounded up the Quest 3 accessories available at launch but we've since gone hands-on with different options and are confident in providing our recommendations. Alongside Meta's official accessories, expect more third-party options from companies over time, some of whom are included in the 'Made For Meta' program. We'll revisit them as more become available.

To keep this list varied with price, purpose and quality, we've included multiple options on each segment while highlighting our preferred choices. Accessories are never a one-size-fits-all choice, so we're aiming to account for personal preferences.

For now, here's our round-up of the best Quest 3 accessories currently available:

Best Quest 3 Head Straps

Different head shapes mean the standard default strap won't be the best option for many people. Just like with Quest 2, Meta has released a sturdier 'Elite Strap' with a click wheel behind for tightening. We've found the Elite Strap to once again be the more comfortable option for longer sessions, though our Quest 3 review notes that the default strap was good enough for roughly an hour of use.

While it's a more comfortable option, that doesn't necessarily mean the official Elite Strap is the best pick. We've found its lower positioning compared to the default strap means it can bunch up longer hair around your ears.

Previously, we rated the ZyberVR Head Strap as our top choice, which adds memory foam padding to the top strap, a 60° adjustable hinge and costs nearly half the price. However, we're now giving this to the KIWI Design Comfort Head Strap, which we found slightly more comfortable and of similar build quality, only it’s easier to connect the rear headrest.

Just be aware that official Quest 2 Elite Straps aren't compatible with Quest 3 headsets. If you bought a BOBOVR M2 Head Strap, the company has developed a retrofit kit to make that compatible with Quest 3. Similarly, KIWI Design also released a conversion kit. If you're seeking a battery head strap for some extra charge, more details on that further down.

Quest 3 Head Straps

• Amazon - Official Quest 3 Elite Strap - $69.99
• Amazon - KIWI Design Comfort Head Strap - $49.99
• Amazon - Kuject Comfort Strap - $39.99
• Amazon - ZyberVR Head Strap - $38.99
• Go Quest VR - Elite Head Strap - $23
• KIWI Design - Comfort Head Strap - $39.99

Best Quest 3 Battery Head Straps

With roughly 2-3 hours of battery life on Quest 3, depending on usage, a head strap with a built-in battery pack may prove tempting over a standard elite strap. Since launch, we've been testing Meta's official option and while reviewing Assassin's Creed Nexus, it provided roughly 90-120 minutes of extra charge. The downside is that it's very pricey at $130 and only holds 2300mAh capacity.

So far, our top recommendation is the KIWI Design SPC Battery Head Strap. For $80, that nearly triples the battery capacity at 6400mAh capacity. It also includes adjustable hinges and significantly comfier padding for the top strap and rear headrest than the official option.

Elsewhere, Bobovr's M3 Pro comes a close second, having impressed us with similar comfort and a removable battery pack with a smaller 5200mAh capacity. We also liked the Annapro Battery Head Strap with 6500mAh capacity and similar strap comfort, though the build quality is slightly less impressive.

Quest 3 Battery Head Straps

• Amazon - Annapro Battery Head Strap - $89.99
• Amazon - Official Quest 3 Elite Strap With Battery - $129.99
• BOBOVR - M3 Pro Battery Pack Head Strap - $69.99
• Busqueda Comfort Head Strap - $79.99
• KIWI Design - Single-Point-Charging(SPC) Battery Head Strap - $79.99
• ZyberVR - Quest 3 Elite Strap With Battery - $59.99

Best Quest 3 Carrying Case

For a portable standalone headset, chances are you'll be after a Quest 3 carrying case to take your new headset on the go or simply keep it safe at home. The official carrying case is a nice option and currently our recommended pick, though it's also expensive.

If you're looking for a more lightweight option, we've found storing your Quest 3 inside these microfiber bags is an effective method. We've also tried Aukiba's Quest 3 case, which uses a sturdy shell but isn't the most secure fit for your headset.

• Amazon - Aukiba Quest 3 Case - $29.99
• Amazon - Flutesan Microfiber Ski Goggle Bag - $14.99
• Amazon - Official Quest 3 Carrying Case - $69.99
• Amazon - Syntech Hard Carrying Case - $26.99 onwards
• Annapro - Leather Carrying Case For Quest 3 - $51

Best Quest 3 Charging Dock

If you're after specific Quest 3 charging docks, Meta's official option is a great choice that comes with rechargeable batteries for your Touch Plus controllers. Our review praised it for "its impressive design and convenience" but considered it hard to justify the high asking price of $130 unless you plan on using your Quest 3 regularly.

The RGB Vertical Charging Stand from KIWI Design presents a cheaper option. Costing $80, this places your Quest controllers in two grips and an adjustable magnetic connector for charging. It's a fine alternative that doesn't include rechargeable batteries (you can always buy them separately) but the sleek design and wireless charging means we prefer the official dock.

If all you're looking for is a headset stand that doesn't charge your Quest 3, the AMVR VR Stand offers a much cheaper alternative.

• Amazon - Official Quest 3 Charging Dock - $129.99
• Amazon - KIWI Design Charging Dock for Quest - $79.99
• AMVR VR Stand for Quest 3 - $24.99

Quest 3 Charging Dock Review: Is It Really Worth $130?

Quest 3’s Charging Dock promises to make Meta’s latest headset as convenient as possible. But is it really worth $130? Find out in our review:

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Best Quest 3 Face Cover

For anyone buying Quest 3 with fitness in mind, you should consider picking up a silicone face cover. That's not because the standard face cover isn't comfortable, though. Unfortunately, it's made of cloth and will absorb sweat pretty quickly.

A silicone cover makes your headset easier to keep clean but at $40, Meta's official option is pricey. For $13.99, we'd instead recommend Apexinno's face pad, which does the same job and remains comfortable for a much lower price. Notably, VR Cover also sells disposable covers in packs of 25 or 50 covers, starting from $10.

• Amazon - Apexinno VR Silicone Face Pad Cover - $13.99
• Amazon - Meta Quest 3 Silicone Facial Interface - $39.99
• VR Cover - Universal Disposable Hygiene Cover - $10 onwards

Best Quest 3 Prescription Lenses

Unlike Quest 2, no glasses spacers are required but prescription lenses may still be preferable. For Quest 3, Meta is officially partnering with Zenni via the Made for Meta program. Costing $50, Zenni's option comes with anti-scratch, anti-reflective, water-resistant and oil-resistant coatings. Microfiber cloth and a carrying case are also included.

Cheaper alternatives like VR Rock offers lenses from $25 onwards, though additions like anti-glare cost extra. VR Optician also sells protective and prescription lenses, offering similar perks and prism corrections to assist with double vision. However, that retails for a much higher price.

So far, we're impressed with Zenni's option. Our writers found them to be a great option that easily clicks into place and choosing prescription lenses means you won't risk scratching your glasses against the Quest 3 lenses. Should you wish to protect your lenses from sunlight, third-party covers are also available. We'd also suggest microfibre cloths for keeping them clean.

Prescription Lenses

• VR Optician - Meta Quest Prescription Lenses - $73 onwards
• VR Rock - Meta Quest 3 Prescription Lenses - $25 onwards
• Zenni - VR Prescription Lenses for Meta Quest 3 - $49.99

Lens Covers

• Amazon - Apexinno Quest 3 VR Lense Cover - $6.99
• KIWI Design - Lens Protector - $12.99
• VR Cover - Black Lens Cover - $9
• VR Cover - Light Grey Lens Cover - $9

Best Quest 3 Earbuds or Headphones

While you can use any bluetooth headphones or earbuds with Quest 3 – alongside 3.5mm wired headphones – Bluetooth's inherent latency issues mean wireless bluetooth sets usually won't work well in VR. So, you're better off looking for 3.5mm headphones or ones with a USB-C dongle.

Meta's partnered with Razer with its Made for Meta program for a Quest version of the noise-cancelling 'Hammerhead HyperSpeed' earbuds. You can use the USB-C dongle for a 2.4GHz wireless connection or Bluetooth. However, Razer's option isn't available until later this year, though PlayStation and Xbox branded versions are.

For now, we'd recommend the Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds. It's a comfortable and completely wireless option that plugs into the Quest 3's USB-C port through a dongle and comes with a rechargeable case. That's improved further by the dongle including a passthrough USB-C port, so you can still charge your headset simultaneously.

• Amazon - Soundcore VR P10 Earbuds - $79.99
• PrismXR - Vega T1 Wireless Earbuds - $69.99

Best Quest 3 Link Cable For PC VR

The Quest 3 comes with a 1-metre USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable but if you're planning to play PC VR games through Quest Link, that simply isn't enough. If your WiFi isn't strong enough for Air Link or Virtual Desktop and you'd prefer an alternative, we'd recommend buying a 5m/16ft cable to avoid limiting your movement.

There isn't an official Quest 3 Link Cable yet, though the Quest 2 Link Cable works. However, that's another pricey choice at $79. Our personal pick right now is the third-party Syntech 5m Link Cable, which performs just as well and costs less than half the official option does.

• Amazon - KIWI Design 5m Link Cable - $24.99
• Amazon - Kuject 5m Link Cable - $19.99
• Amazon - Official 5m Link Cable For Quest 2 - $79
• Amazon - Syntech 5m Link Cable - $19.99
• VR Cover - USB-C 5m Cable for Quest 2/Quest 3 - $49
• ZyberVR - USB-A to USB-C 16ft/5m cable - $16.99

Best Quest 3 External Battery Pack

Not everyone wants to use a head strap with a built-in battery pack to keep your Quest 3 charged. Comfortable weight distribution will differ depending on who you ask and to compensate for this, some people are instead using external battery packs to place that weight elsewhere.

So far, we've seen more standardized external batteries alongside more wearable designs for your belt and neck. Our writers have also found it comfortable using an Anker Prime while placing it inside this sling bag. Apps and games drain the battery at varying rates, so we'd recommend an external battery with a 30W minimum charge to keep your Quest 3 running.

• Anker Prime Power Bank 20000mAh - $129.99
• PrismXR Wearable Power Pack - $59.99
• ZyberVR - Neck 10000mAh Power Bank - $79.99

Other Quest 3 Accessories

While we've aimed to make this list as comprehensive as possible, there are a few types of Quest 3 accessories that come down to personal preference. We can't say Meta's blue Quest 3 facial strap is better than orange when they otherwise function identically, and that's also true for shell covers.

We've also included accessory types that we haven't directly tried yet in this section, namely gunstocks and controller grips. We're not prepared to recommend these until we've gone hands-on, so those categories may move into the main section at a later date. For now, here's everything else you can find for Quest 3 accessories.

Quest 3 Controller Grips and Straps

The Touch Plus controllers for Quest 3 include a basic strap as standard, letting you securely place them around your wrists so they don't go flying. Effective but no thrills. Meta has premium 'Active Straps' available, while some third-party like AMVR are introducing silicone grip covers. So far, we've only tested the Knuckle Controller Grips from KIWI Design, so it's too soon to provide a recommendation.

As a reminder, the Touch Pro controllers are also compatible with Quest 3, so you may want to consider using those if you own a Quest Pro. However, buying them separately costs an extra $300, nearly half as much as the 512GB Quest 3 headset alone.

• Amazon - Meta Quest Active Straps - $39.99
• Amazon - Apexinno Controller Grips - $26.99
• AMVR - Adjustable White Knuckle Strap - $27.99
• AMVR - Black Controller Grips Cover Silicone - $28.99
• KIWI Design - Knuckle Controller Grips - $24.99
• ProTubeVR - ProStraps for Quest 3 - $26.50
• Go Quest VR - Quest 3 Controller Grips (Black or White) - $13

Quest 3 Facial Straps & Face Covers

Beyond the standard black bundled with your Quest 3, Meta only officially offers blue and orange cloth straps for an extra cost. Presently, these colors are not available for the Elite Straps so if you really want to brighten up your headset, you may have to compromise. Otherwise, VR Cover also sells cloth face covers.

• Amazon - Meta Quest 3 Colored Facial Strap Blood Orange - $49.99
• Amazon - Meta Quest 3 Colored Facial Strap Elemental Blue - $49.99
• VR Cover - Dark Red Cover For Quest 3 - $29
• VR Cover - Grey Cover For Quest 3 - $29

Quest 3 Shell Covers

Not a fan of the white Quest 3 design? Alongside the colored facial interfaces, some third-party companies are also making face covers. So far, we've only seen a handful and we haven't tried any of these directly.

• Amazon - Kuject Black Silicone Shell Cover - $19.99
• Amazon - CBDYWVR Black Silicone Shell Cover - $19.49
• Walmart - Quest 3 Accessory Set - $23.99

Quest 3 Gunstock

Looking for a gun attachment for your Touch Pro controllers? We've not seen many yet beyond ProTubeVR. On Quest 3, they have a few options currently available.

• ProTubeVR - ForceTube for Quest 3 - $391.16
• ProTubeVR - MagTube for Quest 3 - $136.75
• ProTubeVR - ProVolver for Quest 3 - $338.16

Miscellaneous Quest 3 accessories

Some Quest 3 accessories simply don't fit into one neat little category, so we wanted to ensure those were also accounted for. From Beat Saber to Walkabout Mini Golf accessories, here's what we've found so far.

• HelloReal - Official Walkabout Grip-To-Putter 2 - $58.99
• KIWI Design - Headset Strap Pad Replacement - $11.99
• PrismXR - Geo-Fencing VR Mat - $79.99
• PrismXR - Polaris VR Motion Sickness Relief Headband - $29.99
• ProTubeVR - ProSaber for Quest 3 - $41.20
• ProTubeVR - ProTas for Quest 3 - $40.02
• ProTubeVR - SWINGiT for Quest 3 - $51.76

Interested in the best Quest 2 accessories instead? Check out our previous recommendations below:

Best Quest 2 Accessories: Carrying Cases, Head Straps & More

Looking for ways to improve your VR experience on Oculus Quest 2? Here’s our list of the best Quest 2 accessories for Autumn 2021, including carrying cases, head straps and more. Oculus Quest 2 is one of the hottest VR headsets available on the market right now. Out of

Harry Baker

Disclaimer: When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales. All prices listed on this page are for the RRP but items may be on sale when checked.

Update notice: this article was first published on October 10, 2023. We updated this list on November 23, 2023 and January 1, 2024 to update our recommendations and include newly announced accessories.

How to Sideload on Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, Quest Pro & Quest 3

While Meta (formerly known as Facebook) enforces a strict console-like curation policy for the games and apps it makes searchable or promotes on the Quest storefront — and that policy has resulted in strong sales for some developers — there’s still a lot to see and do in VR beyond what Meta staffers pick as likely to succeed on its store.

Classic games from the 1990s including Doom (1993), Doom 2 (1994), Quake (1996), Quake 2 (1997), Half-Life (1998), Quake 3 Arena (1999), and even 2004’s Doom 3 are playable in fully immersive standalone VR on Quest 2 using sideloaded fan-made ports. You can also stream PC VR content from the cloud via apps like Plutosphere, or install custom home environments on your Quest to replace Meta’s default options.

Put simply, sideloading is how you can run content on Quest that’s not listed or even vetted by Meta. There’s some setup involved and caveats to consider, but overall sideloading can make it possible for Quest 2 owners to go beyond what’s available officially for download from Meta’s servers.

For years now, we’ve found SideQuest to be the easiest way to put this content on the Quest 2, Quest Pro, the original Oculus Quest and Quest 3, while past updates have made the software even more powerful.

What is sideloading?

‘Sideloading’ is a term applied to content loaded onto modern computers from sources not explicitly approved by content reviewers. It can sound scary, and while you should take care when sideloading, the term also applies to everyday tech situations. For example, downloading an unverified program from a site on the internet and installing it on Windows is technically sideloading.

Proceed with caution, then, but it’s not always as scary as it sounds. For Meta Quest VR headsets, sideloading refers to the process of loading content onto the device that is not approved or verified by Meta and does not appear on the official store for Quest.

Why, and what, would I sideload?

If the Quest has a lot of high-quality optimized content in the store, why would you ever put anything else, or need anything else, on the device? Sideloading allows users to do things you can’t do normally on the device, or can’t find in the Oculus Store, such as:

• Install pre-release builds released by a developer, before the game is finished and/or released.
• Install apps and files that are not available on the Oculus Store or through App Lab (either because they were rejected or have not yet applied for a listing).
• Use an alternate build of an approved Oculus Store application – alternate builds might offer additional content when sideloaded, which isn’t approved under the store guidelines.
• Load custom content – certain games and apps may support the ability to access content you’ve stored on the device, like a folder of audio files you could listen to while playing a VR game.
• Install tools that offer new insight into how you’re using your Quest.

If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a list of some of the best content available to sideload onto Quest.

App Lab vs SideQuest

When the Quest first released, the only way to install non-Store content onto the device was through sideloading. This remained the case up until February 2021 when Oculus launched App Lab. App Lab is essentially Meta’s system for developers to offer content on Quest without it being listed on the Oculus Store.

Developers still need to submit applications for approval onto App Lab — while curation is not nearly as strict as the Oculus Store, not everything will make it to App Lab. As a user, there’s also no way to browse the full selection of App Lab apps on offer — instead, developers can send users unlisted app links, from which they can add the content to their Quest library.

This is where SideQuest comes in. SideQuest essentially offers a database of non-Store content for Quest — it collates App Lab and other non-Store content alike into one place, presented as one big library for easy discovery. Put another way, SideQuest is the easiest place to browse, install and manage anything on the Quest beyond the officially-listed store content.

How do I sideload?

Technically it’s possible to sideload content onto a Quest just using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands from your PC, but for most people, SideQuest is the much easier option. It is an all-in-one application available on multiple platforms that makes discovering and sideloading content a fairly easy process.

It was originally only available for PC, Mac and Linux, but there’s now an Android app for mobile and even an ‘Easy Installer’ version available as a VR app that can be installed and used on your Quest headset directly.

First Time Setup: Getting everything ready

The following first-time setup steps are necessary in order to sideload any content onto your Quest, no matter which method or version of SideQuest you use.

Make sure you have a USB cord to connect your Quest to your computer/phone.

If your computer has a USB-C port, you can use the charging cord that ships included with your Quest.

If not, you could use a USB C to A cord (which you might already own) or a USB C to A adapter with the Quest’s included cable.

If you plan on using your Android phone, you’ll need USB C on one end and whatever port your phone uses on the other.

Register as a developer on the Oculus/Facebook account associated with your Quest.

In order to use your Quest in Developer Mode (which is required for sideloading), you’ll need to register as a developer organization first.

Visit this page and make sure you’re logged into the same Oculus/Facebook account that your Quest is registered to. Enter a new organization name and tick the ‘I understand’ box to agree to the Oculus Terms of Service.

Enable Developer Mode on your Quest.

Once registered, you can enable Developer Mode on your Quest through the Meta Quest mobile app (formerly known as the Oculus app) on your phone.

In the Meta Quest mobile app:

1. Locate your Quest headset in the app, either through the default home page or by going to the Settings tab, then clicking on the Devices button.

2. With the headset page open, make sure it reads ‘Connected. (If the app can’t connect to your Quest, make sure your Quest is turned on, and your phone has Bluetooth and WiFi turned on as well)

3. Scroll down to the Headset Settings section.

4. Tap on ‘Developer Mode’

6. Flick the switch to On instead of Off

7. Fully reboot your Quest – hold down the power button on the side and select ‘Power Off’ or ‘Restart’

After rebooting, your Quest should be in Developer Mode.

Which Version of SideQuest?

The ‘Easy Installer’ VR version of SideQuest, installable directly on your headset, is the easiest way to browse, download and install non-Store and App Lab content directly on your Quest.

The VR app is technically a stripped back version of the original PC app, but offers all the functionality you need for installing content and sideloading most apps. It also allows you to browse some App Lab content through the app, and install it directly on your headset without leaving VR. This is the simplest, most convenient option and what we recommend for most users.

The original SideQuest application on PC, Mac and Linux offers the most functionality, but requires your Quest to be connected to your computer.

This version of the app has additional functionality that other version do not have, like tweaking hidden headset settings. For most people, this shouldn’t matter and isn’t necessary.

SideQuest for Android covers the basics of browsing and installing SideQuest store content onto your Quest from your phone.

It needs a wired connection via USB between your headset and phone. Like the VR app, the Android release doesn’t have the same exact feature set as PC/Mac/Linux.

‘Easy Installer’ – SideQuest for VR on Quest

This ‘Easy Installer’ release (which is still in beta) allows you to install SideQuest directly on your Oculus Quest or Meta Quest 2 headset.

Make sure you’ve completed the First Time Setup steps above.

Download SideQuest Easy Installer

Go to the SideQuest downloads page and download the appropriate Easy Installer release for your system (PC, Mac or Linux).

Open Easy Installer and connect your Quest

Connect your Quest via USB and make sure it’s turned on. Open up Easy Installer.

When you open up the Easy Installer, it should automatically come up with a button to ‘Install SideQuest In Your Headset’ (pictured above).

If your headset isn’t detected, you may not have completed the First Time Setup steps above properly. Try running through those again (you can also press the ‘Open Setup Instructions’ button in the Easy Installer for visual instructions on the process).

Once finished installed, Easy Installer will spray confetti over the window and indicate the process has finished (pictured above). You can unplug your Quest.

Opening and linking SideQuest on your Quest

After installing SideQuest, you can find it in the ‘Unknown Sources’ tab of your Quest App Library.

You can find this by opening your App Library, then clicking on the tab in the top right-hand side.

In Unknown Sources, you’ll be able to open SideQuest.

SideQuest will present you with a linking code. Using a computer, phone or Meta Browser, head over to sdq.st/link, login to SideQuest (if you haven’t already made a SideQuest account, you will need to do so now) and enter your headset’s unique 6-digit code.

The browser window will bring up a dialog box confirming you want to link your headset — click on the link button in the bottom right.

Installing and Opening Content via SideQuest

After linking your account, you’ll be able to browse and install SideQuest content from your headset without using a computer at all. Conveniently, the SideQuest Easy Installer also lists some App Lab content as well, which can also be installed from within your headset.

To install an app, open up its listing page and click on the pink button. This will either read:

• ‘Install App (Sideload)’ — For SideQuest store content (pictured above)
• ‘Install App (Oculus)’ — For App Lab content

For the former, the app will download in SideQuest and then you will receive a prompt asking if you want to install. Hit the install button. After that, you can open the app from the Unknown Sources tab in your App Library.

Note: The first time you do this, you may get an additional prompt about installing unknown apps — click on the settings button on the prompt, then flick the switch to give SideQuest permission to install apps on your Quest. Then head back to the app and try again.

For the latter, hitting the button will open a browser window, which will then redirect to an Oculus Store-like page for the App Lab app. Hit the blue ‘Get’ button (pictured above) — the app will download and install on your headset. You’ll be able to find it in your App Library, alongside other Oculus Store apps.

SideQuest for PC/Mac/Linux

Install SideQuest on your computer

Go to the SideQuest downloads page, download and run the ‘Advanced Installer’ for your Desktop operating system, which will install SideQuest and the necessary drivers for sideloading.

Allow USB debugging between your computer and your Quest

After opening SideQuest and connecting your Quest to your computer, a prompt to “Allow USB debugging” will show up inside your headset. Click OK and tick ‘Always allow’ to ensure you don’t have to repeat this step in the future.

Sideloading Apps and Games via PC/Mac/Linux

Before sideloading, check SideQuest can connect to your Quest — the top left should show a green dot, pictured below.

If your Quest is connected via USB but SideQuest is showing a red dot, double check that your Quest is on, connected properly and you followed the USB debugging steps correctly.

Once connected, you can browse all the available content from the SideQuest home page, pictured above. Once you find an app to install, click on the app to bring up its listing page.

Every game will have a pink install button, with ‘Download App (Oculus)’ for App Lab content and ‘Download App (Sideload)’ all other content, pictured below.

App Lab content won’t actually install through SideQuest — it will just redirect to an App Lab page where you can add the game to your Quest’s library.

All other sideloaded content will install via SideQuest — you can click on the ‘Tasks’ button on the top right (circled in red below) to check progress. If the app was downloaded and installed correctly, you will see a bar reading “APK file installed ok!!” (also pictured below).

And that’s all there is to it! You’ve successfully sideloaded an app from the SideQuest store.

Sideloading an .apk from an external source

You might also find Quest apps online, which developers make available as an APK (.apk) file. To sideload these, all you need to do is click on the ‘install APK file from folder’ button (see below, circled in red).

This will allow you to locate and select the APK file, which SideQuest will then install. You can check the install is successful in the ‘Tasks’ tab, as described above.

SideQuest for Android Phones

In April 2021, SideQuest launched an Android app that allows you to sideload apps using your phone instead of a computer. It’s Android only for now — there’s no iOS support yet.

Installation

The SideQuest app is available to download on the Google Play Store. Install the app on your Android device of choice.

Connect your phone to your Quest via USB and click OK on the ‘Allow USB Debugging’ prompt in your headset.

Once that’s done, open SideQuest for Android.

The SideQuest logo in the middle of the toolbar should have a green dot if everything is connected properly, pictured above. If not, try unplugging and replugging your Quest and/or repeating the steps above if necessary.

Sideloading Apps and Games (Android)

In the SideQuest app, you can browse and search all of the available content from the app’s homepage.

Once you’ve found something you want to install, open up that app’s listing page, pictured below.

To install the app, click the “Install to Headset” button.

The app will begin downloading and then installing — you can check the progress in the downloads tab on the app’s toolbar.

Once the install is finished, the progress bar will read ‘Success’.

Alternate Method: Wireless Android Sideloading

It’s also possible to set up wireless sideloading using the Android app, by enabling wireless ADB. Some phone models support this, while others don’t.

To enable wireless ADB, connect your Quest to your phone via USB and open SideQuest. Click on the wireless toolbar button on the far left. On this screen, you can press ‘Enable Wireless’.

You can then physically disconnect your Quest from your phone and press the ‘Connect’ button next to the IP address at the bottom of the app’s wireless menu. This will connect your headset to SideQuest wirelessly, provided you’re on the same network, and allow you to sideload apps without a USB connection.

After enabling wireless, you shouldn’t need to connect your Quest physically again for a while. SideQuest should remember your Quest’s local IP address, allowing you to just press the connect button every time you want to sideload. If SideQuest forgets your Quest’s local IP address, you can find this in the Wi-Fi settings of your Quest by long-pressing on the network the headset is connected to.

If your headset is rebooted or the battery dies, wireless ADB will be disabled and you’ll have to perform the steps above again.

Launching Sideloaded Apps

In your Quest’s App Library, App Lab content (installed through SideQuest or otherwise) will be available on the main page, alongside Oculus Store apps.

Any other content installed through SideQuest will be listed under the ‘Unknown Sources’ tab. You can find this section by selecting the drop down menu in the top right of your Quest’s App Library, and scrolling down to select ‘Unknown Sources’.

A word of caution…

When sideloading, you do need to keep in mind that you are putting content onto your device that has not been approved by Meta and could potentially damage your device or be malicious in nature, even if it doesn’t appear so at first.

It is also important to be aware of the Oculus Content Guidelines when sideloading content, to ensure you’re not violating anything with the content you’re sideloading onto your device. You might want to give our report on Oculus’ Content Guidelines and sideloading a read before you jump into the thick of it.

Hopefully this guide helped you begin to navigate the world of sideloaded content on Quest.

This article was originally published in November 2019 but has been updated and re-published several times, most recently in January 2024. All the instructions will work for the original Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3.

Controller-free hand tracking is one of the best features on Quest 2 and Quest 3. When the original Quest launched, the only input option was the Touch controllers. However, Quest headsets now support controller-free hand tracking, which lets you navigate the Quest UI with your hands as well as an input method for supported games and apps. Even better, the Hand Tracking 2.0 software update has resulted in huge performance and reliability improvements in select games, improved further by Hand Tracking 2.1.

While it started out slow, more and more games are supporting hand tracking on Quest — with some using it as an exclusive input method. We’d also like to give honorable mention to Virtual Desktop and First Steps with Hand Tracking. With more and more experiences implementing support, we’ve narrowed down the best Quest 2 and Quest 3 hand-tracking games so far.

10. Vacation Simulator

Vacation Simulator added hand tracking support pretty late in the game compared to some other titles, but it remains one of the most prominent and popular games on this list to have added support. The free Back to Job expansions also adds in several mechanics from the previous game, Job Simulator, so you should have plenty of content to keep you going.

Read more: Job Simulator

Buy here: Quest Store

Vacation Simulator Review: A Template For The Future In A Playground For The Present

Remember all that talk of Lucky’s Tale being the Mario 64 of VR? That was very on the nose, wasn’t it? Sure, it was literally a Nintendo-aping platformer but it didn’t carry the same significance that the Italian plumber’s transition into the third dimension did back

UploadVRJamie Feltham

9. Little Cities

Little Cities is the best city simulator game available on any VR platform, let alone Quest 2 and hand-tracking support takes this further. It perfectly distills the formula down into a focused approach that emphasizes city management through design. Instead of getting bogged down in menus, the ebb and flow of your city (and whether it succeeds or fails) will be determined by how you lay out the roads, key services and various elements provided to you. Everything works optimally and intuitively in a VR headset and even if you're not a fan of the city simulator genre, Little Cities is visually stunning and charming enough for anyone to enjoy.

Read more: Little Cities review

Buy here: Quest Store

Little Cities Now Has Hand Tracking Support On Quest

Little Cities now supports hand tracking on Oculus Quest and Meta Quest 2. We recently spoke to James Howard, one half of the Purple Yonder duo responsible for Little Cities, shortly after the game’s launch, and we reconnected last week to discuss the game’s ’Big Hands in Little

UploadVRHarry Baker

8. Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game

Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game by Fast Travel Games is one of the best roguelites on Quest. Commanding a spaceship called the Aurora, you’re tasked with investigating the ancient and eponymous Ghost Signal, and that’s only strengthened by hand tracking support. Turning your hands palm-up will access menus and dragging a closed fist will let you move around your environment, alongside open-palm aiming to scan and pinch gestures to shoot.

Read more: Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game

Buy here: Quest Store

Ghost Signal: How Fast Travel Adapted A Strategy Hit For VR

Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game arrives on March 23 for Quest 2. We spoke with Lead Designer Christopher Smith from Fast Travel Games to learn more.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

7. PianoVision

There’s been a few educational piano apps on Quest, but PianoVision is the best one yet. PianoVision essentially lets you align a virtual piano to your real keyboard, using passthrough to teach songs by displaying notes falling in sequence toward the keys. It achieves this through hand tracking in combination with real-time responses to what you play through a connection with a MIDI-enabled keyboard. It’s one of the most interesting pieces of VR-based music education software we’ve seen so far, presenting a fascinating glimpse at the potential benefits and avenues of using VR as an educational tool.

Read more: PianoVision on App Lab

Buy here: Quest Store

PianoVision: Practicing Piano On Quest With AR, MIDI And A Real Instrument

PianoVision presents the best version yet of an educational piano app for Quest. Not only does it overlay notes onto your real piano using passthrough and hand tracking, but it also responds to your playing in real time through connections with MIDI-enabled keyboards. Available in Early Access, Pi…

UploadVRHarry Baker

6. Neko Atsume Purrfect

Previously released as 'Neko Atsume' on PSVR, Neko Atsume Purrfect is an expanded edition of the popular cat collecting game with additional features. Featuring over 40 cats and mixed reality support (only on Quest 3), we believed the hand tracking controls "feel like a natural fit" in our impressions.

Read more: Neko Atsume Purrfect Hands-On: Cute VR Introduction For Newcomers

Download here: Quest Store

Neko Atsume Purrfect Goes Kitty Collecting On December 14

Neko Atsume Purrfect secures a release date on Quest.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

5. Wallace and Gromit In The Grand Getaway

Co-developed by Aardman, No Ghost and Atlas V, Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway is an original story that sees the British duo stranded on Mars, joined by the golfing-themed Robo Caddy and AI assistant Beryl. In our review, we praised the hand-tracking controls and enjoyed how levels were "clearly designed" with hand-tracking in mind.

Read more: How Wallace & Gromit In The Grand Getaway Pays Homage To The Original Film

Download here: Quest Store

Wallace & Gromit VR Review - A Fine Day Out

Wallace & Gromit In The Grand Getaway successfully translates the films into a VR adventure with a few hiccups. Our full review:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

4. Hand Physics Lab

Hand Physics Lab on Quest supports hand and controller input as part of a fully-fledged puzzle game campaign. It’s a one-of-a-kind experimental playground that can be both immensely frustrating and satisfying, while post-launch updates have only improved the experience further, thanks to the implementation of hand tracking 2.0.

Read more: Hand Physics Lab

Buy here: Quest Store

Hand Physics Lab Adds Accessibility Options, 120 Hz Mode Planned

Hand Physics Lab now includes a number of accessibility options, including a colorblind mode and the ability to map finger movements to other fingers. The finger mapping feature should make the game playable for people who have a finger-related disability. The game is one of the few available on O…

UploadVRIan Hamilton

3. Cubism

Cubism is a deceptively simple game. Its puzzles are easy to understand but perfectly challenging to finish. It’s a slow and measured experience, which makes it the absolute perfect fit for hand tracking. This isn't revolutionary with hand-tracking implementation – all you’re doing is picking up and placing pieces of its 3D building block puzzles. But that’s all it needs to make a sublime game that’s easy to understand while also avoiding friction found in other experiences on this list. It’s also one of the few (if only) hand-tracking experiences to offer 120Hz support on Quest 2 as well.

Read more: Cubism

Buy here: Quest Store

New Cubism Update Is An Excellent Showcase For Hand Tracking On Quest

Cubism’s latest update adds hand tracking support to the full game on Quest and Quest 2 and it works incredibly well. Cubism, which launched midway through last year, is a fantastic puzzle game available on PC VR and Quest. The concept is simple — fit the pieces into the 3D

UploadVRHarry Baker

2. Rogue Ascent

Rogue Ascent is an impressive FPS that feels made for hand tracking, rather than an additional mode or afterthought. Developed by Nooner Bear Studio, this sci-fi shooter sees you fighting through a hostile space station to save the planet below from an impending super laser, clearing through procedurally-generated levels. Thanks to in-depth customization and entertaining gunplay, Rogue Ascent is a strong Quest 2 game all around.

Read more: Rogue Ascent impressions

Buy here: Quest Store

Rogue Ascent Hands-On: A Highly Impressive FPS Roguelike

Rogue Ascent delivers a promising roguelike shooter on Quest 2 through hand-tracking. Here’s our impressions:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

1. Unplugged

Unplugged offers an experience that isn’t possible with controllers. It has the DNA (and excellent soundtrack curation) of rhythm games like Guitar Hero but ditches the plastic peripherals for your own two hands, letting you shred rock songs on an air guitar brought to life with VR. When Anotherway added Hand Tracking 2.0 support, the difference in reliability and performance is day and night, remapping tracks to be more lifelike and challenging. Unplugged uses hand tracking to bring to life something that previously only existed in your imagination.

Read more: Unplugged: Air Guitar

Buy here: Quest Store

The Story of Unplugged: Bringing Air Guitar To Life In VR

When it comes to hand tracking games on Quest, nothing really comes close to Unplugged. Developed by Anotherway and published by Vertigo Games in late 2021, Unplugged is an air guitar game, inspired by Guitar Hero and many others, that lets you shred in VR with a virtual guitar and

UploadVRHarry Baker

This article was published in May 2021, later updated in October 2021, May 2022, May 2023, and January 2024 in light of new releases and updates.

2023 was a pivotal year for VR. While the upcoming Apple Vision Pro isn't heavily focused on gaming, PSVR 2 heralded big releases, while Quest 2 and Quest 3 had numerous heavy hitters. That isn't letting up just yet, and in 2024, there are still plenty more upcoming VR games on the way.

Our aim is to create a wider list that we will keep regularly updated, so you can better plan ahead or remind yourself of upcoming VR games you had perhaps forgotten about. That doesn't mean we're stopping our more in-depth monthly round-ups – you can find more specific information about new VR games for January 2024 below.

New VR Games January 2024: PSVR 2, Quest, SteamVR & More

2024 is here and January’s packing more VR games. Here’s the highlights coming to Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2 and Pico:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

With Meta dropping Quest 1 social support and new feature updates, expect most of the games listed for 'Quest' below to only support Quest 2, Quest Pro and Quest 3 – Quest 1 support for new games is becoming rare. If a game is being optimized for a specific Quest headset, that will be noted. You can find the Quest Store and mobile apps (iOS/Google Play) here.

Similarly, dual releases on Pico 4 and Neo 3 Link will just be listed as 'Pico' – those games are viewable through apps (iOS/Google Play) or the web store. PlayStation Store naturally covers PSVR or PSVR 2 games. Most PC VR titles are on Steam but some can also be found on Rift, Viveport, itch.io and EGS. We'll also note Apple Vision Pro and Vive XR Elite games where possible.

Keep this page bookmarked as we'll continue updating it regularly each month. For now, here's our list of upcoming VR games in 2024 and beyond to come.

January 2024

• Bulletstorm VR - January 18 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Crumbling - January 18 (PC VR, Quest)
• Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye* - January 18 (PC VR, Quest)
• Space Accident VR** - January 24 (PC VR)
• Demeter: The Asklepios Chronicles - January 25 (Quest)
• Hunt Together - January 25 (PC VR, Quest)
• UNDERDOGS - January 25 (Quest, PC VR)
• Band Space - January 29 (PC VR)
• Virtual Driving School - January 30 (PC VR)
• Retropolis dot.Line - January 31 (Quest)
• cyubeVR - January 2024 (PSVR 2)
• Tomb Explorer** - January 2024 (PC VR)

February 2024

• Home Detective - February 1 (PC VR)
• Rogue Stargun* - February 1 (Quest)
• Game Room - February 2 (Apple Vision Pro)
• Just Hoops - February 2 (Apple Vision Pro)
• Super Fruit Ninja - February 2 (Apple Vision Pro)
• What The Golf? - February 2 (Apple Vision Pro)
• Border Bots VR - February 8 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Mixture - February 8 (PSVR 2)
• OVRDARK: A Do Not Open Story - February 9 (PSVR 2, PC VR)
• Under Cover - February 15 (Quest)
• Happy Hour Hero - February 16 (PC VR, Quest)
• Le Mans Ultimate - February 20 (PC VR)
• MADiSON VR - February 20 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Bootstrap Island** - February 22 (PC VR)
• VR Skater* - February 22 (PC VR)
• Level Up Your Body** - February 29 (PC VR)
• Survivorman VR: The Descent - February 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• The Pirate Queen - February 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Stranger Things VR - February 2024 (Quest)

March 2024

• Swarm 2 - March 7 (Quest)
• Paint the Town Red VR - March 14 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Stilt - March 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)

April 2024

• Strike Rush - April 18 (Quest)
• Umurangi Generation VR - April 18 (Quest)
• Tiny Archers - April 2024 (PC VR, Pico, Quest)
• Nope Challenge - April 2024 (Quest)

Q1 2024

• Arken Age - Q1 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Bow-Bots - Q1 2024 (PC VR)
• Epyka - Q1 2024 (Quest)
• Flock of the Low God** - Q1 2024 (Quest)
• Ghosts of Tabor* - Early 2024 (PC VR, Pico, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Home - Q1 2024 (PC VR)
• Pneumata VR - Q1 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Project Demigod* - Early 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Requisition VR - Q1 2024 (Quest)
• Throwback* - Q1 2024 (PSVR 2)
• Track Craft - Early 2024 (Pico)
• Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice - Early 2024 (PC VR)

Q2 2024

• Crumbling - Q2 2024 (Pico)
• Eternal Battle - Q2 2024 (PC VR)
• Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 - Spring 2024 (Quest)
• Gravity Royale VR - Q2 2024 (PC VR)
• Medieval Dynasty: New Settlement - Spring 2024 (Quest)
• MindXcope - Mid-2024 (PC VR, Pico, Quest)
• Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending - Q2 2024 (PC VR)
• The Burst - Q2 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Throwback - Q1/Q2 2024 (Pico, Quest)
• VRSO: Bare Knuckle Fighting - Q2 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Zero Caliber 2 - Spring 2024 (PC VR, Quest)

Late 2024 Or 2024 (TBC)

• Affected: The Asylum - 2024 (TBC)
• Alchem It - 2024 (PC VR)
• Arcade Paradise VR - 2024 (Quest)
• Astro Hunters - 2024 (PC VR, Pico, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable - 2024 (Quest)
• Brazen Blaze - 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Contractors Showdown - 2024 (TBC)
• Convrgence - 2024 (PC VR)
• Defy - 2024 (Quest)
• Demeo Battles - 2024 (PSVR 2)
• Dixotomia - December 20 (PC VR)
• Drunk 0r Dead 2 - November 2024 (PC VR)
• Echo Wars - Road Rage - 2024 (PC VR)
• Farcaster - 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Flock of the Low God* - Summer 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Gargoyle Doyle - 2024 (TBC)
• Glitch Moba - Q4 2024 (PC VR)
• God of Riffs: Battle for The Metalverse - 2024 (PSVR 2)
• Golel - Q4 2024 (PC VR)
• Gunman Contracts - Stand Alone - 2024 (PC VR)
• GRIM - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Heartshot* - 2024 (PC VR)
• Heroes of Forever - 2024 (PSVR 2)
• Hunt Together (PC VR)
• Inter Solar 83** - Q4 2024 (PC VR)
• Into The Radius 2** - 2024 (PC VR)
• Jurassic Snap - 2024 (PC VR)
• Laser Dance - 2024 (Quest)
• Mannequin - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Memoreum - 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Mythic Realms* - Late 2024 (Quest)
• PoligonVR - Q4 2024 (PC VR)
• Recursion VR* - Q4 2024 (Quest)
• Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire - 2024 (Quest)
• Skydance's Behemoth - Late 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Soul Covenant - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• STRIDE: Fates - 2024 (PC VR)
• Supersonic Fight - 2024 (PC VR)
• Sushi Ben VR - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Taskmaster VR - 2024 (PC VR, Quest)
• Timeless Heart VR - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Wanderer: The Fragments Of Fate - 2024 (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Wandering In Space Online - 2024 (PC VR)
• War of Being* - Late 2024 (PC VR)
• Wisdom Watcher* - 2024 (PC VR, Quest)

2025

• Bootstrap Island - 2025 (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Inter Solar 83 - Q4 2025 (PC VR)
• Into The Radius 2 - Late 2025 (PC VR)
• The Events at Unity Farm* - Q1 2025 (PC VR, PSVR 2)

TBC

• Aces of Thunder (PSVR 2)
• All On Board! (PC VR, Quest)
• Ancient Board Games (PC VR, Quest)
• ANNEX (PC VR)
• Battle Bows (PSVR 2)
• Black Trail VR (PC VR)
• Blockstar VR (PC VR, Pico, PSVR)
• Boss Fighters (PC VR)
• Breachers (PSVR 2)
• Cave Digger: Room Wrecker (Quest)
• Cactus Cowboy - Desert Warfare (Pico)
• Chrono Hunter (PC VR)
• Core Disruption (PC VR)
• Cradle of Sins (PC VR)
• Death Game Hotel (Quest)
• Demeo (Apple Vision Pro)
• Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu* (Quest)
• Dungeon Full Dive (Quest)
• DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate (PC VR)
• EA Sports WRC*** (PC VR)
• Escape Simulator VR (PC VR)
• Final Fury (PC VR, Quest)
• Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 (Quest)
• ForeVR Bowl (PSVR 2)
• ForeVR Cornhole (PSVR 2)
• ForeVR Darts (PSVR 2)
• Genotype (PC VR)
• Geronimo (PC VR)
• Glassbreakers: Champions Of Moss* (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Quest)
• HappyFunland (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Headspace (Quest)
• HeliRaid* (Quest)
• Hubris (Vive XR Elite)
• Home Restoration VR (PC VR, Quest)
• Into The Darkness (PC VR)
• Islanders VR (PC VR)
• Just Dance VR (TBC)
• LOW-FI (PC VR, PSVR 2)
• Maestro* (PC VR, Quest)
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom (Quest)
• Monstrorama (Quest)
• Neolithic Dawn (PC VR)
• Niktophobia (PC VR)
• OVRDARK: A Do Not Open Story (Pico, Quest)
• OVRLRD (PC VR)
• Phasmophobia (PSVR 2)
• Prison Boss: Probation (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Rec Room (Apple Vision Pro)
• Rock and Roots (PC VR)
• Rhythm Punch: Body Training (Pico)
• SPGP Super Polygon Grand Prix (PC VR)
• Silent North (TBC)
• Slam City (Pico, Quest)
• Slender: The Arrival VR (TBC)
• Subspace Hunter (PC VR)
• Sugar Mess - Let's Play Jolly Battle (PC VR)
• Strayed (PC VR)
• System Critical 2 (PSVR 2)
• Tales of the Aswang VR (PC VR)
• Teahouse of Souls (PC VR, Pico, PSVR 2, Quest)
• The Exorcist: Legion VR SIN (PSVR 2, Quest 3)
• The Foglands (PC VR)
• The Infinite Inside (PC VR, Pico, PSVR 2, Quest)
• The Tale Of Onogoro (Vive XR Elite)
• Thrill Of The Fight 2 (TBC)
• Tin Hearts (PC VR, PSVR 2, Quest)
• Titanic: A Space Between (PC VR, Pico, Quest)
• Toy Trains (Pico)
• UBOAT: The Silent Wolf (Steam)
• Unnamed Aliens Game (TBC)
• Unnamed CharacterBank Project (TBC)
• Unnamed Cloudhead Games Project (TBC)
• Unnamed Creature MR Game (TBC)
• Unnamed MoonHood and Fast Travel Games Project (TBC)
• Unnamed Windup Minds Project (TBC)
• Ven VR Adventure (PSVR 2)
• Vertigo 2 (PSVR 2)
• Vestiges: Fallen Tribes (PC VR)
• Warp Lab (PC VR, Quest)
• VoxSys (PC VR, Quest)

Note: * denotes a game that either is currently available in early access (demo or EA release) or will have been released in early access by that time.

** denotes an early access launch.

*** denotes a game currently available but without VR support.

UploadVR independently verified that the app held the position on December 25, and multiple screenshots posted to social media suggest it maintained the position until at least December 27. This also happened on Christmas Day 2021.

The Meta Quest app is required to set up Quest headsets such as the currently sold Quest 2, Quest Pro, and Quest 3. That it would be the most downloaded free app for iPhone suggests very strong sales of at least one of these headsets over the holiday period.

This is Quest 3's first Christmas of course, having just launched in October, but we suspect many Christmas Day setups were actually of Quest 2. Meta has continued to sell the older headset, likely due to Quest 3's much steeper entry price of $500, and has discounted it to its lowest price ever, just $250.

There's also evidence that Quest headset sales were strong on Black Friday, with a market research firm estimating that Black Friday saw the "biggest ever revenue week for VR" in the UK.

Black Friday “Biggest Ever Revenue Week For VR” In The UK

Black Friday 2023 saw the “biggest ever revenue week for VR” in the UK, according to a market research firm.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

With blockbuster titles like Assassins's Creed Nexus and Asgard's Wrath 2 now available, new Quest 3 features like inside-out body tracking arriving, and a 'Quest 3 Lite' rumored to be inbound, 2024 could see the building momentum of Meta's XR platform continue.

Our list of best Quest 2 games and best Quest 3 games will be updated and maintained separately. There will be some crossover, but with a few key differences. On Quest 3, our recommendations will be slightly different, taking into account upgraded visuals, mixed reality experiences, better performance and featuring some newer releases that shine on the new headset.

While we'll still update and add to it while it remains supported, we want our list of Quest 2 recommendations to stand as an insight into what the best VR games were for that generation on that specific headset. That's why we've tried to approach our Quest 3 list with a fresh perspective: we want it to feel like a good representation of games that play best on this generation of standalone VR.

For games that were previously released on Quest 2, we've often linked our original reviews of those games in our recommendations below. However, where appropriate, we've also included links to footage and articles detailing Quest 3-specific changes or enhancements, or updates that added significant new content since our review.

25. A Fisherman's Tale

This mind-bending puzzle game redefined the limits of first-person VR puzzles, featuring a staggering array of creative scenarios and scale-based puzzles. The game takes place in a lighthouse, with its best puzzles uses a miniature model of the building that contains a mini-me version of yourself, mirroring your every move. What follows is a set of mind-bending scenarios that nearly break you brain at every turn, paired with a poignant story about self-acceptable.

It's a short and sharp puzzle game and an instant classic of the genre that is worth checking out. If you're still keen for more after finishing the game, then you can also take a look at the sequel, Another's Fisherman's Tale.

Read more: A Fisherman's Tale Review

A Fisherman’s Tale Review: A Perfect Storm Of VR Puzzling

I would have never pegged Innerspace as the one to crack the code. True, the Firebird series is a compelling exhibition of VR art, but who’d have bet on this small indie studio as the first to unify VR’s core pillars? To bring inventive, platform-driven gameplay, medium-rooted narrative

UploadVRJamie Feltham

24. Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game

Set in the universe of Paradox Interactive's strategy game Stellaris, this VR roguelite spin-off from Fast Travel Games sees you command a spaceship from the third-person through diorama-style levels.

You'll fight enemies, encounter hostile and friendly creatures, and investigate planets, all while collecting EXP and scraps to upgrade your ship for current and successive runs. For fans of roguelites, Ghost Signal is a stand-out entry in the genre on Quest.

Read more: Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game Review / Fleet Expansion Update

Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game Review

Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game brings the hit Paradox series to VR with an action roguelite spin-off.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

23. Red Matter 2

When it released on Quest 2, Red Matter 2 was one of the most impressive visual showcases available on the headset. Thanks to the developers at Vertical Robot, it now looks even better on Quest 3.

The Quest 3 update brings "console-quality" enhancements to the sci-fi adventure on Quest 3, with increased rendering resolution, 4K textures, dynamic shadows and much more. It's a stunning achievement for what was already one of the most visually-impressive standalone VR releases.

The gameplay itself is fairly slow in pace, focused on environmental puzzles and occasional combat. It doesn't always land – some of the puzzles begin to frustrate, especially toward the end – but the beautiful sci-fi vistas and detailed environments often smooth over frustrations caused by occasional gameplay hiccups.

Read more: Red Matter 2 Review / New Red Matter 2 Update Promises 'Console Quality' Upgrades On Quest 3

Red Matter 2 Review: Stunning Visuals Drive An Engaging Sci-Fi Sequel

If Red Matter set a new benchmark for visuals on standalone VR hardware, then Red Matter 2 had big shoes to fill, especially on Quest 2. Thankfully, it’s more than up to the task. In fact, Red Matter 2 is the most impressive visual showcase available on Quest 2

UploadVRHarry Baker

22. Samba de Amigo: Virtual Party

There's plenty of rhythm games available on VR headsets, but Samba de Amigo: Virtual Party is a compelling new member of the line-up.

Marking SEGA's first major foray into VR, Virtual Party brings the classic Samba de Amigo franchise into a new medium. You'll be shaking your maracas to the beat, lining up with six markers in front of you, as well as making poses or completing movements to build combo and achieve a high score.

There's 40 songs in the base game, including tracks from high-profile artists like Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Rina Sawayama, Ricky Martin, Bon Jovi and more. It's a great selection that leans heavily into 2010s upbeat pop – it's hard to resist a rhythm game that includes Nicki, Ari and Jessie's iconic pop girl team-up Bang Bang.

The biggest drawback is the fairly lackluster multiplayer options, but Virtual Party is still engaging enough to prove that the classic franchise is a perfect fit for VR.

Read more: Samba de Amigo: Virtual Party Review

Samba De Amigo VR Review - Strong Rhythm With Multiplayer Missteps

Samba De Amigo gains much from its VR adaptation on Quest, but disappointing multiplayer options let it down. Our full review:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

21. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

There is no denying that The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is one the best campaigns available on the Quest system – it's been that way since it first released on Quest a few years back. However, it's yet to receive a Quest 3 upgrade with boosted visual and graphics enhancements.

We know that an update for Quest 3 is in the works, but it won't arrive for a few weeks still.

That said, there is a lot to love about Saints & Sinners – it sets the bar for VR zombie games with fantastic physics-based combat and a meaty campaign set across the remains of New Orleans. The Quest port was top tier when it first released for previous headsets, so it's a shame that Quest 3 enhancements aren't available yet. If you can't wait, then there's a lot to love about the game already and it should run as expected – but if it were us, we'd be holding off until that visual boost arrives next month.

Read more: The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Review / The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 1 Gets Enhanced Version On Quest 3 This Fall

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Review - The Best Zombie Apocalypse To Date (Updated 2021)

With two big updates under its belt, there’s never been a better time to get into The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Read on for our 2021 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners review! Note: This is an updated review based on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners after its second free

Jamie Feltham

20. Unplugged

Unplugged is a Guitar Hero-style game in which you strum notes arriving to the beat. But, instead of holding a plastic peripheral in your hand, the Quest version of the game relies entirely on hand-tracking.

When you hit a streak, Unplugged is a genuinely empowering air guitar experience that will have you shredding with the best of them, and it's only got better over time as the tech improves. It's got a fantastic tracklist of rock classics and the hand tracking, for the most part, is now reliable enough for the experience to work as intended.

Read more: Unplugged Review

Unplugged Review 2022: Thrilling Air Guitar With Unmatched Hand Tracking Capabilities

With support for Meta’s Hand Tracking 2.0 update, Unplugged is more responsive than ever, surpassing every other hand tracking game on Quest. Here’s our updated Unplugged review. Note: This review was originally published on release in October 2021. In May 2022, we updated the review to reflect

Harry Baker

19. Population: One

Population: One is VR's version of Fortnite – and it's done really well. Matches take place on a huge map where squads of three battle it out to be the last ones standing. It's a solid shooter with great VR mechanics for climbing and flying – however, that also means it can be an intense experience in terms of comfort for some players.

If you want a competitive shooter fix with a Fornite-like battle royale structure, Population: One is your best bet. It has cross-play support with other headsets and is now free-to-play on Quest, so you can jump in without paying a cent. Even better, developers Big Box VR also issued an update that bumps up the resolution, runs at 90FPS and increases the LOD distance.

Read more: Population: One Review

Population: One Review - The New King Of VR Battle Royale Shooters

After spending plenty of time with the multiplayer-only VR battle royale shooter, here is our full Population: One review. We played on Oculus Quest 2, but it’s crossplay between Quest 1, Quest 2, and PC VR headsets with cross-buy on Rift and Quest. Out of every game that released

David Jagneaux

18. Among Us VR

Among Us VR brings the viral flatscreen sensation into VR on Quest 2, translating the original game brilliantly. It adds new depth to the experience, featuring top-tier VR design and the added immersion of experiencing this social whodunit in virtual reality means that it offers something familiar yet original compared to the flatscreen release. There's also features cross-platform play between VR platforms, so you can play alongside your friends on PC VR, Pico and PSVR 2.

Read more: Among Us VR Review / Polus Point Map Launches In July

Among Us VR Review: Deception & Detection In Another Dimension

Among Us VR is available now on Steam and the Quest Store from Schell Games. Is this VR’s new party game or will it become a ghost ship? Read our full review below. Schell Games is about as veteran a VR game studio as you can find. Its two

Ian Hamilton

17. Asgard's Wrath 2

Asgard's Wrath 2 offers impressive scale on an uncharted level previously unseen on Quest headsets. It features many incredible moments of bespoke gameplay, expert cinematic direction and sequences of god-like proportions.

However, it also wraps its best moments around an open world that feels fairly unsatisfying to explore and an RPG structure that sometimes feels as though it gets in the way of the main campaign. There's also very few Quest 3-specific upgrades in the game, featuring textures, lighting and an overall graphics presentation aimed at Quest 2.

This game isn't a tight linear experience – there's more of those below – but if you're looking for an expansive, near-overwhelming RPG to dig into, then Asgard's Wrath 2 is the best offering of that on Quest 3.

Read more: Asgard's Wrath 2 Review: Godly Scale, But At What Cost?

Asgard’s Wrath 2 Review: Godly Scale, But At What Cost?

Asgard’s Wrath 2 presents Quest users with godly scale, but at what cost? Here’s our full review and final verdict.

UploadVRHarry Baker

16. Beat Saber

For the longest time, Beat Saber has been VR's poster child and one of its earliest (and continuing) successes. It's always been a natural fit on Quest, where you'll slash notes to the beat of the music, dodge obstacles and try to master a truly spectacular selection of first-class music tracks. It's an empowering, energetic and addictive VR game.

There's been plenty of new DLC added to Beat Saber over the years, including music packs featuring high-profile artists like Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Billie Eilish and many more. Plus, a recent update adds support for playing at 120Hz on Quest 3.

Read more: Beat Saber Review / Beat Saber Gets 120Hz Mode On Quest 3 / Queen Music Pack DLC: A Must-Have For Beat Saber Fans

Beat Saber Review 2022: Seminal VR Title Remains As Relevant As Ever

With regular updates, DLC releases and changes to the game since launch, Beat Saber remains VR’s poster child. Read on for our updated Beat Saber review for Quest 2, PSVR and PC VR. Years of Dominance It’s hard to understate Beat Saber’s influence on the VR industry.

Harry Baker

15. Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice

As far as immersive first-person campaigns go, Vampire is one of the best available on Quest. Set in the World of Darkness universe, this Dishonored-style stealth game puts you in shoes of Justice, a vampire from the Banu Haqim clan seeking answers after a mysterious murder.

With a 10-15 hour campaign, Vampire: The Masquerade offers top-notch audiovisuals and a compelling amount of freedom in how you approach missions. There's a bunch of vampire-based mechanics and abilities to choose from, letting you set stealth traps or jump fang-first into the action. It's not without faults – there's some clunky design and occasional odd AI behavior, but nothing that can't be forgiven. Those seeking a solid vampire adventure through the canals of Venice should find themselves satisfied with what Justice has to offer.

Read more: Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice Review: A Thrilling RPG With Bite

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice Review – Quest & PSVR 2

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice arrives later this week on Quest and PSVR 2. Read our review here:

UploadVRTony Mowbray

14. Outta Hand

One of the best releases this year on Quest, Outta Hand takes Gorilla Tag's physical, gesture-based movement system and evolves it with new mechanics and a stretchier feel into something truly sublime.

Not only is the combination of thrilling platforming and combat really satisfying, but it's paired with an engaging, no-fills narrative, witty dialogue and beautiful environments. If you're looking for a short but sweet VR platforming campaign, then this Crash Bandicoot-inspired title is one you can't miss.

Read more: Outta Hand review

Outta Hand Review: Short, Sweet & Sublime VR Platforming

Outta Hand is an absolute platforming thrill on Quest. Read our full review here:

Harry Baker

13. Little Cities

Little Cities is the best city simulator game available on any VR platform, let alone Quest 2. It perfectly distills the formula down into a focused approach that emphasizes city management through design. Instead of getting bogged down in menus, the ebb and flow of your city will be determined by how you lay out the roads, key services and various elements provided to you.

It does all of this while being keenly aware of intelligent VR design. Everything in the game is designed to work optimally and intuitively in a VR headset. Even if you're not a fan of the city simulator genre, Little Cities is visually stunning and charming enough for anyone to enjoy. As you would expect, the game has also receive several post-launch content updates, including the Attractions Update, Sandbox Update, Snowy Island DLC and recent Quest 3 visual enhancements as well.

Read more: Little Cities Review / Little Cities Draws A Line In The Sandbox

Little Cities Review: A Distilled City Simulator That Puts VR First

Little Cities presents a new take on the city simulator genre, built from the ground up for VR. While it takes a more relaxed approach than traditional titles, the result is a concise, native VR game with a solid foundation and plenty of room to expand. Read on for our

Harry Baker

12. Demeo Battles

The original Demeo is one of our favorite VR experiences (and it's featured further down on this list) and Battles is the perfect extension, offering a standalone and alternative experience for those looking for something more competitive than co-operative.

Demeo is a co-op tabletop dungeon crawler with a wealth of campaigns for you and friends to work through, but Demeo Battles is an alternative player-vs-player version of the game that lets up to four players go head-to-head. You can join private lobbies or use online matchmaking to find games, with support for cross-platform play, mixed reality and hand tracking.

At release, there's a series of solo 'challenges' to work through on your own, but don't expect anything too in-depth – the progression system might leave you a little bit disappointed compared to games like Glassbreakers or Population: One. Much like Demeo, we're looking forward to seeing what new content is added to Battles over time – for now, we know that a ranked mode is coming soon.

Read more: Demeo Battles Review: A New Iteration Of A Proven Success

Demeo Battles Review: A New Iteration Of A Proven Success

Demeo Battles presents a new iteration of a proven success. But is it enough to justify a standalone release? Our full review:

UploadVRHarry Baker

11. Puzzling Places

Puzzling Places has been one of favorite indie experiences available on Quest for a while now, but it plays better than ever on Quest 3.

The game uses photogrammetry data to present you with 3D puzzles based on real places. Split into pieces, you can group sections of the puzzle and reference tiles around your environment as you piece the 3D model back together, often accompanied by thematic ambient recordings and sound effects.

On Quest 3, you're able to play Puzzling Places in mixed reality, which brings all the game's elements into your real environment. Not only does it make for a natural and comfortable extension of the experience, but it's just an obvious and solid evolution of an already fantastic concept. Technically, mixed reality is still an experimental feature, but once enable in the game's setting menu, it's unlikely you'll want to turn it off.

Read more: Puzzling Places Review / Best Mixed Reality Games & Apps on Quest 3

Puzzling Places Oculus Quest Review: Stunning 3D Puzzles With Most Of The Right Pieces

Puzzling Places features some stunning photogrammetric 3D puzzles on Oculus Quest, but does it bring all the right pieces to the table? Here’s our full Puzzling Places review. Note: This review was originally published on September 2nd, 2021. It’s been a long journey to the Oculus Store for

UploadVRHarry Baker

10. Superhot

Superhot is one of the oldest games on this list. However, it's still one of the best examples of how VR can enable entirely new gaming experiences. Originally adapted from a flatscreen game, time only moves when you do in this cinematic shooter – stay still and everything around you will remain frozen too. The second you move your body, everything jolts back to life.

It features accessible design and a slickness that's rare to find in VR – from last-minute gun grabs to well-placed knife throws, there's so much satisfaction in working through Superhot's levels.

Read more: Superhot VR Review

Superhot VR Quest Review: The Best Version Of A Genuine Classic

When we first reviewed Superhot VR nearly three years ago we said this: “SUPERHOT VR is a pure, distilled, injection of unadulterated adrenaline that will get your blood pumping just as quickly as time stops in the game itself. With every movement you make, time creeps forward ever so slightly,

Jamie Feltham

9. Cubism

Cubism is an understated but absolutely stunning VR puzzle game – and one that's deceptively simple. Each level features a 3D wireframe shape into which you have to fit different Tetris-like block pieces. The puzzles get harder and the pieces more complex – it’s a slow and measured puzzle experience.

While it may not be as flashy as some of the other titles on this list, Cubism is an experience that is perfectly designed for the current capabilities of Quest hardware. The minimalist design, reserved soundtrack and its simple nature all come together to create a fantastic and polished end product. It's is also regularly updated with support for the latest cutting edge VR features – its post-launch updates include support for mixed reality, hand tracking and 120Hz.

Similar to Puzzling Places, the mixed reality mode is a game-changer for Cubism on Quest 3, easily making it one of the best mixed reality experiences available on the headset right now.

Read more: Cubism: How An Architectural Mindset Spawned An Intuitive VR Puzzle Game

Cubism Review: A VR Puzzle Game With All The Right Pieces

In classic puzzle game form, Cubism is simple to understand but increasingly hard to master. But do its pieces fit together to form a perfect shape? Here’s our review of Cubism, available for Oculus Quest and PC VR. The basic premise of Cubism is as simple as it gets:

UploadVRHarry Baker

8. Resident Evil 4 VR

We had doubts that bringing a classic flatscreen title like Resident Evil 4 to VR would work. However, it not only survived the transition, but ended becoming one of the best games available on the Quest platform. This is the full campaign, ported into immersive first-person VR with motion control support.

There are some elements, like the use of virtual cutscenes, that are less than ideal, but the overall gameplay experience more than makes up for it. Fighting off hordes of enemies as Leon Kennedy is a thrilling experience and a wonderful way to revisit a classic.

Read more: Resident Evil 4 VR Review

Resident Evil 4 VR Review: An Incredible Way To Revisit A Classic

There are clear issues with the port and you should play the original first, but Resident Evil 4 is still a powerful experience in VR. Read on for our Resident Evil 4 VR review. Like you, I’m sure, I was worried. Very worried, in fact. Fans are rightfully protective

Jamie Feltham

7. Dungeons of Eternity

If you're looking for a fantasy action RPG that you can play with a group of friends, Dungeons of Eternity is the obvious pick. This first-person immersive experience feels significantly polished across all Quest headsets, allowing you and your friends to explore a variety of hack-n-slash combat options while clearing rooms in true "dungeon crawler" style.

Dungeons of Eternity caters to many styles of play, pairing a rewarding progression system with endless randomly generated dungeons. For an immersive first-person dungeon crawler, there's no better pick.

Read more: Dungeons of Eternity Review

Dungeons Of Eternity Review: One Of Co-Op’s Best On Quest

Dungeons of Eternity offers one of the best VR co-op adventures yet on Meta Quest headsets. Here is our full review.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

6. Arizona Sunshine 2

Arizona Sunshine 2 is a fantastic VR campaign featuring pitch perfect writing, acting, pacing and outstanding action. It's everything you hope for in a sequel, taking everything that worked in the original and refining it to near-perfection. This time, you'll be joined on your adventure by canine companion Buddy, who you'll use for crowd control during intense action sequences and develop a relationship with across the course of the campaign.

This follow up to one of VR's seminal early hits reanimates the zombie genre and brings with it some of the most engaging and accessible arcade violence we've seen in VR. Plus, the entire campaign is playable in two-player co-op, just like the first game. Whether you're looking to dismember some zombies alone or with friends, Arizona Sunshine 2 is a great pick.

Read more: Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre In The Best Possible Way

Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre

Arizona Sunshine 2 launches this week on Quest, PSVR 2 and PC VR. Here’s our review:

UploadVRPete Austin

5. Eye of the Temple

Eye of the Temple is one of the best examples of a game designed from the ground-up for VR – the end result is a triumphant room-scale platformer on Quest.

In this Indiana Jones-inspired adventure, you'll begin outside a large temple with a whip in one hand and torch in the other. Work your way deeper into the temple by completing puzzles and navigating platforming obstacles along the way.

The genius part of Eye of the Temple is how it handles movement – this is a true room-scale VR platformer, so almost all movement is real, physical movement around your play space. Some clever design tricks ensure you never have to worry about walking out of your play space or into your guardian (which also makes it a great experience for those who are starting out with VR).

Be warned though: you'll need a decent amount of space – Eye of the Temple requires a minimum play area of at least 2m x 2m.

Read more: Eye of the Temple Review

Eye Of The Temple Review: A Triumphant Room-Scale Adventure

Eye of the Temple is out today on Quest. Here’s our full review:

Harry Baker

4. Walkabout Mini Golf

Mini golf is actually something that could and should work quite well in VR. Walkabout Mini Golf is all the proof you need; it's an accurate representation of the game that goes beyond what's possible in real life whilst also remaining authentic throughout.

This ticks all the boxes – plenty of courses, extensive multiplayer support, different themes for each level and, above all, pinpoint physics that are arguably better than the real thing because there's none of the small snags you'd find on the surface of physical courses. Hard to fault! Plus, the game receives ongoing support from developers Mighty Coconut, with regular free and paid DLC courses added over time.

Read more: Walkabout Mini Golf review

Walkabout Mini Golf Review: Essential VR Worth Scheduling With Friends

Walkbout Mini Golf is out today on PSVR 2 and one of VR’s essential games on any platform. Our review:

Ian Hamilton

3. Pistol Whip

Pistol Whip was once the new kid on the block, but continual updates and new content has cemented the game as one of the best, most stylish arcade rhythm games around. Its sharpshooting, sharp sounding, beat-based gameplay proves even more hypnotic than Beat Saber and in our 2023 review update, we proclaimed Pistol Whip is now better than ever.

In this neon-lit shooter, you stream down corridors, blasting bad guys to grizzly tunes, avoiding incoming fire and trying to rack up the best scores by firing on-beat. Whereas Beat Saber wants to make you a dancing Jedi master, Pistol Whip aims to teach you John Wick-esque gun-fu with style, elegantly fusing the rhythmic and cinematic together into a pulsating, vibrant monster of its own.

Since launch, Cloudhead Games have continually supported Pistol Whip with more content, new features and extra tracks, making it one of the most entertaining and comprehensive arcade titles available on Quest.

Read more: Pistol Whip Review / Pistol Whip Brings Good News With Latest Overdrive Scene

Pistol Whip 2023 Review: Better Than Ever

Pistol Whip has only grown since its release in 2019. Here’s our 2023 Pistol Whip review, covering everything added to the game since launch:

UploadVRHarry Baker

2. Assassin's Creed Nexus

There was a lot of understandable doubt about whether the Assassin's Creed franchise could survive the transition to VR and come out better on the other end. However, Nexus proves that Assassin's Creed can absolutely work in VR and manages to stand proud with the main series.

It present players with a 20-hour campaign that leaves you wanting more, demonstrating what a fully-fledged VR entry can do for a big franchise. Adapting the stealth, parkour and combat of the series into a new immersive format works wonders – Nexus is the most fun we've had with the Assassin's Creed franchise yet.

Read More: Assassin's Creed Nexus Review

1. Demeo

Demeo isn't a perfect tabletop game by any means. But it is a really good one and, more importantly, its first-rate four-player multiplayer VR experience makes it feel like a genuine social event in a way that no flatscreen game – and even few VR games – have ever really matched.

You pick a class and tackle randomly generated dungeons, but the game's punishing difficulty means sessions can last anywhere from a few minutes to multiple hours. Demeo instantly cemented itself at launch as one of the best games on the Quest platform, but since then it's only got better with more content. Free updates from Resolution Games have given players all new campaigns to play through, such as Reign of Madness, Curse of the Serpent Lord and more. Plus, mixed reality support on Quest 3 is one of the best ways to play the game – especially when combined with controller-free hand tracking and colocation for local multiplayer.

Demeo is a must-have for any Quest 3 owner.

Read more: Demeo Review / Demeo Now Supports Hand Tracking & Colocation On Quest Headsets

Demeo Review - A Social VR Masterclass In An Engaging Tabletop RPG

Is Resolution Games’ most ambitious VR title yet its best? Find out in our Demeo review! Demeo is one of those times it works. Y’know, it; the whole promise of leapfrogging the miles between friends and family and experiencing a genuine social connection in virtual space via the magic

UploadVRJamie Feltham

At launch, PSVR 2 came running through the door with a fairly hefty library of VR games and exclusive titles. Since then, the PSVR 2 library has received a few new ports and exclusives across its first year. We're continually trying out as many experiences as possible to keep our list of the best PSVR 2 games updated and our Winter 2023 update is here.

Across the list, we’ve tried to represent titles across various genres, showcasing the best picks in each and ranking all 25 games in ascending order. There are some obvious picks and first-party exclusives you might expect to appear, but there’s also a pleasant selection of hidden gems from indie developers as well. Some of the games are also available on other platforms such as Quest 2 or the original PSVR, but often offer improved visuals and other upgrades on PSVR 2.

Without further ado, here are our Winter 2023 picks for the top 25 best PSVR 2 games available right now.

Keep an eye out for more updates in the future – we're constantly trying out new games and releases to add to our list.

25. Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy's Edge – Enhanced Edition

Two years after its release on Quest 2, both parts of Tales from the Galaxy's Edge get combined into this new 'enhanced' release on PSVR 2. The resulting package is one that lacks new content but does receive visual upgrades that push it far above its Quest 2 counterpart. It features more detail in character models and environments, with better lighting and a higher level of detail overall. It doesn't sound like much, but it comes together to create a much more immersive experience that Star Wars fans should enjoy.

Read more: Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition PSVR 2 Hands-On
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge - Enhanced Edition PSVR 2 Hands-On: Black Spire Looks Better Than Ever

Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition on PlayStation VR2 brings a significant visual overhaul to the former Quest exclusive. Here’s our hands-on preview of this PSVR 2 launch game. It’s been two years since Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge first released,

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

24. No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky is notorious for its rocky launch in 2016. Since then, however, the game received VR support and a wealth of updates that have turned it into an expansive survival space simulator. Recent updates also overhauled many of the VR mechanics, adding new interaction methods and immersive menus.

On PSVR 2, No Man's Sky brings the entire experience across to the next generation. Recent updates even improved the image quality and added foveated rendering, so the game now looks better than ever on PSVR 2.

If you want to explore an infinite, endless universe in VR, look no further – No Man's Sky is the perfect fit.

Read more: No Man's Sky PSVR 2 Review / No Man's Sky Adds Foveated Rendering On PSVR 2 / No Man’s Sky PSVR 2 Update Brings 'Significant Improvement To Image Quality'
Platforms: PlayStation Store

No Man’s Sky PSVR 2 Review: Jumping to Hyperspeed

No Man’s Sky added PSVR 2 support to coincide with the headset’s launch last month, but how does the game hold up?

UploadVRSam Harrison

23. Humanity

Take control of a Shiba Inu to guide swathes of people from point A to B in a series of intriguing, atmospheric puzzles. Co-produced by Enhance Games and tha Limited and executive produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Humanity isn't designed solely for VR – you can play it flatscreen on your TV as well – but the entire campaign is playable in VR Mode from start to finish on PSVR 2.

This is a truly entertaining puzzle release, with puzzles based around issuing commands that direct mindless walking humans to an end goal, with optional extra challenges along the way. There's also support to create and share custom levels online, but you'll only be able to play, not create, custom levels in-headset. Sadly, the level creator currently isn't supported in VR Mode.

Read more: Humanity Features Fantastic Puzzles, A Brilliant Toolset & Serviceable VR Mode
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Humanity: Fantastic Puzzles With A Serviceable VR Mode

Humanity released this week, featuring a enjoyable VR mode that misses some key opportunities. Read more here:

UploadVRHarry Baker

22. Tentacular

One of the hidden gems on Quest, Tentacular is now available on PSVR 2 and looks better than ever. This wonderful VR kaiju game features interesting physics-based puzzles and a whole lot of heart. Not only does it bring its VR-first design over to PSVR 2, but looks incredibly crisp on the new headset. Plus, the game cleverly uses eye tracking on PSVR 2 to allow quick dialogue navigation and menu selection, which is a nice quality-of-life update.

Read more: Tentacular Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Tentacular Review: A VR Kaiju Game With Heart, Hilarity And Substance

Easily dismissed at a glance, you’d be a sucker to miss Tentacular’s wonderful brand of intricate interaction and technical complexity. More in our Tentacular review! Tentacular risks being pigeon-holed. It’s easy to look at this kaiju game and see flashes of Goat or Surgeon Simulator; fun for

UploadVRJamie Feltham

21. Red Matter 2

The original Red Matter set a new benchmark for visuals on the Quest standalone system, and then the sequel did the same on Quest 2. With its arrival on PSVR 2, Vertical Robot 2 bumps up Red Matter 2 once again, harnessing the power of PS5 to push the visuals even further.

The PSVR 2 release features 4K remastered textures for sharper environments, 120fps support (native, not 120Hz reprojected) and eye-tracked foveated rendering, culminating in a stunning final result.

Visuals aside, the game offers an entertaining sci-fi adventure with an intriguing story, enjoyable puzzles and passable combat. If you haven't played Red Matter 2, this PSVR 2 release is the definitive experience.

Read more: Red Matter 2 Review / Red Matter 2 PSVR 2 Hands-On
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Hands-On: Red Matter 2 Hits New Heights On PSVR 2

Red Matter 2 lands on PSVR 2 this week, offering a definitive version of this VR sci-fi adventure. Here are our impressions:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

20. Job Simulator

One of VR's earliest titles and a consistent best seller on the original PSVR, Job Simulator is still a shining example of excellent VR-first design. This is an experience for everyone, easily enjoyed by those fresh to VR or those who are seasoned veterans.

Featuring sharp writing and wacky satirical gameplay, Job Simulator performances flawlessly and looks visually crisp on PSVR 2. It's easy to see why it stayed high on the original PSVR charts for so long, and even with many new releases and exclusives since its original debut, this latest PSVR 2 of Job Simulator release remains a solid pick.

Platforms: PlayStation Store

19. C-Smash VRS

This VR reboot of Cosmic Smash adapts an arcade classic for PSVR 2, mixing Squash and Breakout with a first-person perspective. The concept is simple – hit balls at the colored pads spread across the space station – but full of arcade-like charm.

There's a solo 'Journey' mode, which sees you play through a quick campaign across five planetary orbits with two difficulty options. If you're looking for online multiplayer, then there's four modes including Head-to-Head (who can hit the most panels), Firewall (tagging and holding zones to accumulate points), Bodyshot (directly hitting your opponent through narrow stages) and Quickshot (growing blocks that grant more points when they're smaller).

While the gameplay doesn't have significant depth, C-Smash VRS finds strength in simplicity, bolstered by its slick presentation.

Read more: C-Smash VRS Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

C-Smash VRS Review - The Future Is Retro

With stylish visuals and enjoyable multiplayer, C-Smash VRS is a fine PSVR 2 remake for a SEGA arcade classic. Our full review:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

18. Another Fisherman's Tale

Another Fisherman's Tale is the second installment in this puzzle series from Innerspace VR, following on from the mind-bending original's release in 2019.

Players will once again embody fisherman Bob, this time as he ventures out from the lighthouse and into brand new territory – both in terms of setting and gameplay. New mechanics allow you to detach parts of Bob's body from yourself and operate them independently around the environment to solve puzzles and reach new locations.

Experience with the first game isn't necessarily required, and even though this sequel doesn't always hit the same peaks as its predecessor, it presents a wider scope with plenty of original ideas across an enjoyable few hours.

Read more: Another Fisherman's Tale Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Another Fisherman’s Tale Review: Limbs Overboard In This Innovative Sequel

Another Fisherman’s Tale is available today on Quest, PC VR and PSVR 2. Here’s our full review:

UploadVRHarry Baker

17. What the Bat?

What the Bat? was easily one of the best indie VR releases of 2022, so much so that we awarded it the title of our VR Game of the Year. On PSVR 2, the game remains as engaging and hilarious as ever. It's dipping in charm and creativity, placing you in a bunch of scenarios where you're given a pair of baseball bat hands and tasked with doing almost anything besides actually playing baseball.

It's a deceptively complex game that begs to be shown to family and friends who might be interested in VR. With spectator mode on the TV, PSVR 2 is the perfect fit to play What the Bat? with a room for of friends, passing the headset from person-to-person.

Read more: What the Bat? Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

What The Bat? Review: A Home Run

Very few games have ever made me smile the way What The Bat? did. The second game in the What the _? series of sports-inspired games from Danish developer Triband, What The Bat? presents an experience dripping in charm and creativity that’s only held back by a slightly shaky transition

UploadVRCharlie Wacholz

16. Moss: Book I & Book II

So yes, technically these are two separate games. We're slightly cheating by combining them here, but to be fair, they are two releases that form one larger story and are both fairly similar in terms of gameplay. The original Moss, now known as Moss: Book I, released on the original PSVR and has since made its way across many VR platforms and headsets.

Its sequel, Moss: Book II, released last year, expanding on the platforming concepts of the original in some places and continuing on threads from the first game. Together, they form a wonderful VR platforming experience and feature PSVR 2-specific upgrades, such as subtle uses of eye tracking and improved visuals compared to the original releases. Book I and Book II are both available on PSVR 2, either in a bundle or purchased separately.

Read more: Moss Review / Moss: Book 2 Review
Platforms: Moss on PlayStation Store / Moss: Book 2 on PlayStation Store / Moss Bundle on PlayStation Store

Moss: Book 2 Review - A Satisfying Sequel That Leaves More Room To Grow

Moss: Book 2 takes the logical steps to improve upon the first game, resulting in a stronger sequel. But there’s still much more room for Quill and friends to grow. Read on for our Moss: Book 2 review. Moss: Book 2 moves the needle on for Quill and developer

UploadVRJamie Feltham

15. Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice

As far as immersive first-person campaigns go, Vampire is one of the best available on PSVR 2. Set in the World of Darkness universe, this Dishonored-style stealth game puts you in shoes of Justice, a vampire from the Banu Haqim clan seeking answers after a mysterious murder.

With a 10-15 hour campaign, Vampire: The Masquerade offers top-notch audiovisuals and a compelling amount of freedom in how you approach missions. There's a bunch of vampire-based mechanics and abilities to choose from, letting you set stealth traps or jump fang-first into the action. It's not without faults – there's some clunky design and occasional odd AI behavior, but nothing that can't be forgiven. Those seeking a solid vampire adventure through the canals of Venice should find themselves satisfied with what Justice has to offer.

Read more: Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice Review: A Thrilling RPG With Bite

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice Review – Quest & PSVR 2

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice arrives later this week on Quest and PSVR 2. Read our review here:

UploadVRTony Mowbray

14. Beat Saber

Does it even need an introduction? Beat Saber is the seminal VR rhythm game, inescapable with an omnipotent hold on almost every VR platform since it first released in 2018.

While PSVR 2 initially launched without Beat Saber, the game recently launched for Sony's new headset with improved visuals and great haptic support via the Sense controllers. Even better, cross-buy support with the original PSVR release means that existing players on PSVR can swap over to the PSVR 2 version for free and retain all their DLC purchases as well.

Read more: Beat Saber 2022 Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Beat Saber Review 2022: Seminal VR Title Remains As Relevant As Ever

With regular updates, DLC releases and changes to the game since launch, Beat Saber remains VR’s poster child. Read on for our updated Beat Saber review for Quest 2, PSVR and PC VR. Years of Dominance It’s hard to understate Beat Saber’s influence on the VR industry.

UploadVRHarry Baker

13. Pavlov

Pavlov has long been a favorite among PC VR players, but now it's also available on PSVR 2.

The game is a VR first-person shooter experience modeled after Counter-Strike. That means that while it does have limited offline single player modes, it's best experienced online with its variety of team-based FPS game modes. Pavlov is a shooter based around precision, balancing itself between realism and engaging gameplay mechanics. The guns feel fantastic to use and playing online with friends will be your best bet for ongoing entertainment – there's little in the way of progression, nor is there any kind of true campaign to work through.

Unlike Pavlov Shack on Quest, which brings a 'lite' version of the game to standalone hardware, Pavlov brings the full PC VR experience to PSVR 2, with support for cross-play with PC players as well. The only missing part is the mod support available on PC VR, meaning that the current game modes are the extent of what you'll be playing.

Read more: Pavlov VR Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Pavlov VR Review – Straight Shooter On PSVR 2

Pavlov is a solid VR multiplayer shooter that thrives in its tactile interactions and gunplay.

UploadVRJames Bentley

12. Kayak VR: Mirage

Kayak VR is a quiet highlight of the PSVR 2 launch lineup, offering a stunning visual presentation and a relaxing experience across locations four locations: Papagayo, Antartica, Bjørnøya and Australia. There's a competitive multiplayer mode, but it's free roam where the game shines, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. It may not feature a fully-fledged campaign or an extensive selection of game modes, but Kayak VR is one of the most relaxing VR experiences available on the platform and a joy to look at from every angle.

Read more: Kayak VR: Mirage PSVR 2 Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Kayak VR: Mirage PSVR 2 Review – Calm Waters Ahead

Following its PC VR release last year, Kayak VR: Mirage now arrives on PlayStation VR2. Developed by Better Than Life, how does this visually stunning physics-based sim fare on the new PS5 headset? Here’s our full review. Kayak VR is my biggest surprise among the PSVR 2 launch titles.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

11. The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR

Another PSVR 2 exclusive, this release from Supermassive Games sees you take part in some arcade shooter gameplay while traveling aboard a horror-themed rollercoaster. You'll play through several scary scenarios, with a plethora of villains and jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat. It features entertaining, arcade gun mechanics reminiscent of The House of the Dead, alongside some fantastic horror theme park scenarios that feel ripped out of a dark version of Disneyland.

While it's not the most visually impressive title on the list, nor is it the longest campaign ever, it's nonetheless an engaging horror shooter with fantastic enemy designs and some brilliant settings. After Supermassive acknowledged some users were experience visual issues at launch, a patch arrived mid-July that addressed low-resolution visuals and asset popping, as well as adding support for foveated rendering.

Read more: Switchback VR Review / Switchback VR Patch With Visual Fixes & Foveated Rendering Releases This Week
Platforms: PlayStation Store

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR Review – Arcade Horror

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is available now for PSVR 2, featuring engaging arcade horror gameplay aboard a spooky rollercoaster.

UploadVRHarry Baker

10. Arizona Sunshine 2

Arizona Sunshine 2 is a fantastic VR campaign featuring pitch perfect writing, acting, pacing and outstanding action. It's everything you hope for in a sequel, taking everything that worked in the original and refining it to near-perfection. This time, you'll be joined on your adventure by canine companion Buddy, who you'll use for crowd control during intense action sequences and develop a relationship with across the course of the campaign.

This follow up to one of VR's seminal early hits reanimates the zombie genre and brings with it some of the most engaging and accessible arcade violence we've seen in VR. Plus, the entire campaign is playable in two-player co-op, just like the first game. Whether you're looking to dismember some zombies alone or with friends, Arizona Sunshine 2 is a great pick.

Read more: Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre In The Best Possible Way

Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre

Arizona Sunshine 2 launches this week on Quest, PSVR 2 and PC VR. Here’s our review:

UploadVRPete Austin

9. Walkabout Mini Golf

If you're looking for proof that mini golf works well in VR, then look no further than Walkabout Mini Golf. Developers Mighty Coconut have created an experience that accurately represents mini golf, while also going far beyond what's physically possible with the game in real life. This ticks all the boxes – there's new courses every couple months and extensive multiplayer support, including support for cross-platform play and guest passes for DLC courses.

Read More: Guided Walkabout Course Tours / Walkabout Mini Golf Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Walkabout Mini Golf Review: Essential VR Worth Scheduling With Friends

Walkbout Mini Golf is out today on PSVR 2 and one of VR’s essential games on any platform. Our review:

UploadVRIan Hamilton

8. Synapse

This PSVR 2 exclusive from veteran VR studio nDreams will make you feel like a gun-wielding Jedi , thanks to creative use of the headset's eye tracking technology. The highlight of this roguelike shooter is the telekinetic abilities – intuitively select items around the environment by just looking at them, then launch them at enemies using motion controls.

The gameplay would benefit from a bit more variety, but it's a visually stunning release and the eye tracking implementation results in some super satisfying combat.

Read more: Synapse Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Synapse Review - Mind Games Are Afoot

Synapse is a strong roguelite shooter that makes you feel like a PSVR 2 Jedi but it needs more variety. Our full review:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

7. Pistol Whip

Pistol Whip is one of VR's longest-running and well updated games across all platforms. Luckily, it shines on PSVR 2, looking fantastic and taking advantage of PSVR 2's unique features such as adaptive triggers in the Sense controllers, which gives you a 'more realistic firing experience.' Headset haptics on PSVR 2 also add to the immersion, letting you truly feel each time you get shot and giving those moments a much greater sense of impact.

For those who aren't aware, Pistol Whip is the beautiful intersection between rhythm games, Superhot-like action and Matrix-style cinematic flair. You'll move along on-rails scenes with enemies popping up to a pumping soundtrack – your task is not just to shoot the enemies as they approach, but do so in time with the beat of the music.

It's a fantastic concept and developers Cloudhead Games continue to expand the game with numerous free content updates and expansions, making it a great option for PSVR 2 players.

Read more: Pistol Whip Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Pistol Whip Review: Cloudhead’s Addictive Rhythm Shooter Hits A Bullseye

My first words to Cloudhead CEO Denny Unger after playing an early version of Pistol Whip: “Holy $&#%”. After dozens of hours in the game that still sums up my overall impression. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A standard Pistol Whip play session for me is at least half

UploadVRIan Hamilton

6. Before Your Eyes

Before Your Eyes is a tragic yet beautiful narrative experience, with the VR version available exclusively on PSVR 2. It's a unique 90-minute story, with an eye tracking mechanic that is unlike any other use of the technology. You're transported back into the memories of the protagonist Benny, experiencing them from his first-person perspective as they happened. The catch is that every time you blink, the story moves forward. Sometimes it's just a moment, sometimes it's a jump forward a few years into the future.

What follows is a unique, compelling and innovative VR experience that demonstrates how the medium can tell stories that movies, games and other media can't. Plus, it's a controller-free experience and very little artificial movement, making it an accessible experience to almost anyone.

Read more: Before Your Eyes VR Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Before Your Eyes VR Review – Sublime Immersive Narrative

Before Your Eyes is a sublime narrative experience for PSVR 2 that leverages eye tracking technology to tell an emotional story about life, death and everything in between.

UploadVRHarry Baker

5. Demeo

Demeo, the tabletop dungeon crawler RPG from Resolution Games, remains one of the best social VR games across all platforms, and its PSVR 2 release is up there with the best. Not only does the game support cross-platform play – so you can team up with players on Quest or PC VR – but it also looks better than ever on PSVR 2. There's no jagged edges to be seen and the game looks better than ever, thanks to the PSVR 2's OLED display with HDR support, allowing for much deeper blacks than you'll get on a headset like Quest 2.

With several expansions available since release, Demeo offers players a wealth of content and an engaging social experience among the best that VR has to offer. On PSVR 2, it's the best non-exclusive release so far. On PS5, you also have the option to play flatscreen as well – the best of both worlds.

Read more: Demeo Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Demeo Review - A Social VR Masterclass In An Engaging Tabletop RPG

Is Resolution Games’ most ambitious VR title yet its best? Find out in our Demeo review! Demeo is one of those times it works. Y’know, it; the whole promise of leapfrogging the miles between friends and family and experiencing a genuine social connection in virtual space via the magic

UploadVRJamie Feltham

4. Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 is one of the most potent racing sims to ever grace VR and it's available exclusively for PSVR 2. While the menus display on a flat screen in-headset, the races and gameplay itself will take place in full, immersive VR – it's a sight to behold. Not only is the game stunning, but offers fantastic racing simulation with various levels of difficulty and a full campaign and many other mode, all available in VR. For racing fans, this is an absolute must.

Read more: Gran Turismo 7 PSVR 2 Review.
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Gran Turismo 7 PSVR 2 Review – Start Your Engines

Gran Turismo 7, Sony’s flagship racing series, arrives as a PSVR 2 launch title. Available as a free update for existing PS5 owners, here’s our full review. Gran Turismo Sport promised greater things to come on PSVR. With VR support limited to 1v1 races against an AI opponent

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

3. Resident Evil Village

Village marks the second mainline Resident Evil game to get VR support, after Biohazard launched with PSVR support in 2017. Much like Biohazard, Village is a phenomenal launch title for PSVR 2 and an amazing horror shooter with a fully-fledged campaign that is captivating from start to finish.

It's particularly impressive given that the game was designed for flatscreen platforms first, however that also means that it features sequences that might be fairly intense for new VR users. Expect your head and field of view to be quickly repositioned, shoved and moved around without notice. Nonetheless, the well-paced campaign, gorgeous visuals and engaging gunplay make Resident Evil Village easily one of the best experiences on PSVR 2 right now.

Read more: Resident Evil 8 Village VR Review.
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Resident Evil Village PSVR 2 Review – Stunning & Engaging

Resident Evil 8 for PlayStation VR2 features intense action alongside stunning visuals that are “a stark and shocking leap” over standalone.

UploadVRHarry Baker

2. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Yes, we know – there's two Resident Evil campaigns right next to each other on the same list. However, both games deserve their spots right at the top. While Village is a fantastic campaign in its own right, the VR Mode for Resident Evil 4 Remake is the definitive way to play an all-time classic in VR.

This is actually the second version of Resident Evil 4 in VR – the first being Amature's 2021 port of the original for Quest. However, this new release gives players the option to experience Capcom's recent remake, which features updated gameplay and modern visuals, in VR Mode for PSVR 2.

While this version of the game still doesn't completely escape the trappings of its third-person origins, it nonetheless presents a thrilling, non-stop campaign with excellent action and stunning console-powered visuals. It's Capcom's best Resident Evil campaign in VR to date.

Read more: Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Review: The Definitive VR Version Of A Non-Stop, Thrilling Campaign

Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Review: The Definitive VR Version

Resident Evil 4 Remake’s VR Mode is simply a must for any PSVR 2 owner. Here’s our full review:

UploadVRAlan Wen

1. Horizon Call of the Mountain

It's a tough call to pick a number one on this list, but Horizon just edges out the others to take the top spot. This PSVR 2-exclusive is one of the most visually stunning and dense VR experiences available, with some stunning environments that feature a level of detail rivaling Half-Life: Alyx.

While the gameplay isn't necessarily revelatory for VR, it is nonetheless incredibly polished and a stunning experience to behold in-headset. For any PSVR 2 owner, Horizon Call of the Mountain is a must-have.

Read More: Horizon Call of the Mountain Review
Platforms: PlayStation Store

Horizon Call of the Mountain Review: A Stunning Showcase For PSVR 2

Horizon Call of the Mountain headlines a strong start for PlayStation VR2, showcasing the headset’s new features through an engaging action-adventure. Here’s our full review. Launch games are critical for any new platform. First impressions only happen once and while PlayStation VR2 boasts impress…

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

December 21 2023 update: Removed After The Fall, Zenith and Unplugged. Added Arizona Sunshine 2, RE4VR, Vampire Masquerade. Made slight changes to list order.

July 3 2023 update: Removed Cities VR, Rez Infinite, Tetris Effect, Puzzling Places, The Light Brigade, Song in the Smoke and Zombieland: Reloaded from the list. Added Humanity, Another Fisherman's Tale, Red Matter 2, Beat Saber, Walkabout Mini Golf, C-Smash VRS and Synapse. Adjusted the order of entries.

With Quest 3 now available and featuring the new XR2 allowing for far improved visuals, we've prepared a separate list of the best Quest 3 games.

With that in mind (and given Quest 2 remains in market alongside Quest 3), we're keeping this list ongoing as our picks for the best Quest 2 experiences and games available for this generation of headset. There will be minor differences in the rankings between lists, as our Quest 3 list takes Quest 3 enhancements into consideration and weighs recent releases a bit more heavily than we do here.

If you’re looking for our best VR game lists outside of the best Quest 2 games, make sure to check these out:

• Best Quest 3 Games
• Best PSVR Games
• Best PSVR 2 Games
• Best VR Games – Oculus Rift + Quest Link
• Best VR Games – SteamVR For Vive, Index And Reverb G2

While this list is specific for Quest 2, all the listed games will also work on other Quest headsets like Quest Pro and Quest 3 as well (with the exception of the original Oculus Quest headset, following Meta's decision to end Quest 1 support this year).

Best Meta Quest 2 Games: Honorable Mentions

Here are a few titles that are just shy of making the top 25. Some were previously on the list and later nudged off by newer titles, while others were beaten out by another game in the same genre.

With that in mind, you should definitely check out: The Room VR, A Township Tale, Blade and Sorcery, Song in the Smoke, Ghost Giant, I Expect You To Die 2, Until You Fall, Carve Snowboarding, Warplanes: WW1 Fighters, Zenith: The Last City, Gorn, Bonelab, Star Wars: Vader Immortal Trilogy, Tentacular, Ultrawings 2, Green Hell and The Last Clockwinder.

Best Meta Quest 2 Games

25. Eleven Table Tennis

If you want the most accurate, authentic representation of a sport in VR today, Eleven: Table Tennis is your best bet. This simulation-level game offers the most convincing take on a sport that makes perfect sense in VR. Whether you're serving up hotshots or getting in returns, Eleven's physics behave how you'd expect. Tapping the ball with your controller starts to feel as natural as if it were a paddle.

More than just a great game, Eleven is one of the rare VR experiences that feels like a genuine replacement for our reality. It used to be placed much higher on this list, but it's fallen down a few rankings given a lack of updates, a now-outdated UI and promised content updates remaining MIA.

Eleven Table Tennis Is Keeping Ping Pong Alive In The Pandemic

In recent weeks the developers of Eleven Table Tennis have been dealing with something that’s not exactly common for a virtual reality title. So many people were playing at the same time that the servers crashed. While frustrating for those affected, the temporary setback puts a spotlight on what

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24. Moss: Book I & Moss: Book II

While Moss and Moss: Book II are separate games, we've included them as one entry on this list as they flow into each other – Book II picks up the story moments after the end of Book 1.

Moss is one of a handful of 2018 games that proved that third-person VR experiences don’t just work but can make for some of the absolute best content out on the platform right now. You guide an adorable little mouse named Quill through diorama-sized levels, solving puzzles and taking on fearsome critters in sword-based combat.

While it's mechanically refined, Moss’ real claim to fame is the bond you build with Quill over the course of the adventure. Playing as a larger companion to the tiny protagonist, you really start to connect with her as you work together to overcome obstacles. It feels very much like a team effort, which is quite a remarkable feeling in itself.

The second instalment – Moss: Book II – is technically a stronger, longer sequel, but realistically feels more like a continuation of the same journey as opposed to a completely fresh adventure. That being said, it does add some new mechanics that innovates on the original's the combat, as well as offering a wider range of environment and vistas than the first title.

Over the course of both games, the story will see you form a bond with protagonist Quill like no other. The Moss series is not one to miss.

Read more: Moss Review / Moss: Book 2 Review

Moss: Book 2 Review - A Satisfying Sequel That Leaves More Room To Grow

Moss: Book 2 takes the logical steps to improve upon the first game, resulting in a stronger sequel. But there’s still much more room for Quill and friends to grow. Read on for our Moss: Book 2 review. Moss: Book 2 moves the needle on for Quill and developer

UploadVRJamie Feltham

23. Red Matter 2

Red Matter 2 is a great sci-fi adventure and one of the most impressive visual showcases available on Quest 2.

After producing a similarly stunning experience with the original Red Matter, developers Vertical Robot doubled down on creating a compelling and gorgeous sci-fi game with this sequel. The gameplay is fairly slow, focused on environmental puzzles and occasional combat. It doesn't always land – some of the puzzles begin to frustrate, especially toward the end – but some beautiful sci-fi vistas and environments supplement any occasional hiccups in gameplay and pacing.

Read more: Red Matter 2 Review

Red Matter 2 Review: Stunning Visuals Drive An Engaging Sci-Fi Sequel

If Red Matter set a new benchmark for visuals on standalone VR hardware, then Red Matter 2 had big shoes to fill, especially on Quest 2. Thankfully, it’s more than up to the task. In fact, Red Matter 2 is the most impressive visual showcase available on Quest 2

UploadVRHarry Baker

22. Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game

Set in the universe of Paradox Interactive's strategy game Stellaris, this VR roguelite spin-off from Fast Travel Games sees you command a spaceship from the third-person through diorama-style levels.

You'll fight enemies, encounter hostile and friendly creatures, and investigate planets, all while collecting EXP and scraps to upgrade your ship for current and successive runs. For fans of roguelites, Ghost Signal is easily the best entry in the genre on Quest.

Read more: Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game Review / Fleet Expansion Update

21. What the Bat?

In the aftermath of the pandemic, 2022 was a slower year for big VR releases. However, this meant that many smaller indie releases had a chance to shine, such as What the Bat?, our 2022 VR Game of the Year. In What the Bat?, your hands are transformed into baseball bats and you'll work through a series of endlessly creative, short puzzle scenarios.

Across the wacky campaign, you'll use your bats to do almost anything – except play an actual baseball game. The game begs to be shown to family and friends. It's the perfect title to pass around the room and give people a taste of what VR can offer. That being said, its hilarious charm and deceptive complexity mean that even veteran VR players will find something to enjoy.

Read more: What the Bat? review

What The Bat? Review: A Home Run

Very few games have ever made me smile the way What The Bat? did. The second game in the What the _? series of sports-inspired games from Danish developer Triband, What The Bat? presents an experience dripping in charm and creativity that’s only held back by a slightly shaky transition

UploadVRCharlie Wacholz

20. Asgard's Wrath 2

Asgard's Wrath 2 offers impressive scale on an uncharted level previously unseen on Quest headsets. It features many incredible moments of bespoke gameplay, expert cinematic direction and sequences of god-like proportions.

However, it also wraps its best moments around an open world that feels fairly unsatisfying to explore and an RPG structure that sometimes feels as though it gets in the way of the main campaign. This game isn't a tight linear experience – there's more of those below – but if you're looking for an expansive, near-overwhelming RPG to dig into, then Asgard's Wrath 2 is a great option.

It's worth keeping in mind that the game runs at a lower render resolution on Quest 2, as well as only hitting a 72Hz refresh rate compared to 90Hz on Quest 3. That said, a lot of the game's visuals are aimed at the Quest 2 system, so if you're willing to trade off lower resolution and refresh rate, the rest of the game will look near identical on Quest 2 as it does on Quest 3.

Read more: Asgard's Wrath 2 Review: Godly Scale, But At What Cost?

19. Cubism

Cubism is an understated but absolutely stunning VR puzzle game – and one that's deceptively simple. Each level features a 3D wireframe shape into which you have to fit different Tetris-like block pieces. The puzzles get harder and the pieces more complex – it’s a slow and measured puzzle experience.

While it may not be as flashy as some of the other titles on this list, Cubism is an experience that is perfectly designed for the current capabilities of Quest hardware. The minimalist design, reserved soundtrack and its simple nature all come together to create a fantastic and polished end product. It's is also regularly updated with support for the latest cutting edge VR features – its post-launch updates include support for passthrough mode, hand tracking and 120Hz.

If you’re a fan of puzzles that put your mind to work, then don’t sleep on Cubism. Solving each level is infinitely more complex than you’d expect and the satisfaction you get at the end is incredibly rewarding.

Read more: Cubism: How An Architectural Mindset Spawned An Intuitive VR Puzzle Game

Cubism Review: A VR Puzzle Game With All The Right Pieces

In classic puzzle game form, Cubism is simple to understand but increasingly hard to master. But do its pieces fit together to form a perfect shape? Here’s our review of Cubism, available for Oculus Quest and PC VR. The basic premise of Cubism is as simple as it gets:

UploadVRHarry Baker

18. Population: One

VR does Fortnite right in this superb battle royale shooter. Population: One takes place on a huge map in which teams of three battle it out to be the last ones standing. Choose where to drop, scavenge for supplies and make sure to stay in safe zones as you fight to survive. It's a rock-solid shooter with some great VR mechanics too, like scaling up walls with your hands or holding your arms out to glide when you leap off the side of a building.

It can be an intense experience that certainly won't be for everyone but, if you're looking to get your online shooter fix in VR, this is your best bet. Plus, it has cross-play support, so you can play with friends using other headsets. Since launch, the game has only grown with a bunch of free content updates including a sandbox mode. It's now free-to-play on Quest, so you can jump in without paying a cent.

Read more: Population: One Review

Population: One Review - The New King Of VR Battle Royale Shooters

After spending plenty of time with the multiplayer-only VR battle royale shooter, here is our full Population: One review. We played on Oculus Quest 2, but it’s crossplay between Quest 1, Quest 2, and PC VR headsets with cross-buy on Rift and Quest. Out of every game that released

UploadVRDavid Jagneaux

17. Among Us VR

Among Us VR brings the viral flatscreen sensation into VR on Quest 2, translating the original game brilliantly. It adds new depth to the experience, featuring top-tier VR design and the added immersion of experiencing this social whodunit in virtual reality means that it offers something familiar yet original compared to the flatscreen release. There's also features cross-platform play between VR platforms, so you can play alongside your friends on PC VR and, hopefully soon, PSVR 2. For those waiting for more, the new Polus Point map will be added to the game in July 2023.

Read more: Among Us VR Review / Polus Point Map Launches In July

Among Us VR Review: Deception & Detection In Another Dimension

Among Us VR is available now on Steam and the Quest Store from Schell Games. Is this VR’s new party game or will it become a ghost ship? Read our full review below. Schell Games is about as veteran a VR game studio as you can find. Its two

UploadVRIan Hamilton

16. A Fisherman’s Tale

A Fisherman’s Tale is a mind-bending puzzle game unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere and easily one of the best Meta Quest 2 games available.

In A Fisherman’s Tale, you solve intricate, scale-based puzzles in which you work… with yourself. Its best puzzles utilize a miniature model of the lighthouse the game’s set in. Lift the model's roof and you’ll see a mini-you, imitating your every move. Try and keep your brain from breaking as you hand yourself giant objects, or reach down to poke your own head. It’s a trip to say the least. Throw in a poignant story about self-acceptance and you have a short, sharp VR game that will stay with you much longer than most multi-hour epics.

If you're still keen for more, then you can check out the sequel, Another's Fisherman's Tale, as well.

Read more: A Fisherman's Tale Review

A Fisherman’s Tale Review: A Perfect Storm Of VR Puzzling

I would have never pegged Innerspace as the one to crack the code. True, the Firebird series is a compelling exhibition of VR art, but who’d have bet on this small indie studio as the first to unify VR’s core pillars? To bring inventive, platform-driven gameplay, medium-rooted narrative

UploadVRJamie Feltham

15. Iron Man VR

Originally released as a PSVR exclusive, Iron Man VR flew its way onto Quest in 2022, making some drastic improvements to the experience along the way. While the technical constraints of the system marred the PSVR release, Iron Man VR on Quest is a different beast.

There's practically no load times and switching to a standalone system without wires makes the gameplay more immersive than ever. You'll embody Tony Stark and his suit of armor in a thrilling and engaging story-driven campaign, featuring combat and traversal that adds up to an addictive superhero experience.

Read more: Iron Man VR Quest 2 Review

Iron Man VR Quest 2 Review: A Thrilling Release Reaches Its Full Potential

Two years after its PSVR debut, Iron Man VR is available now on Quest 2. No longer held back by the constraints of last generation hardware, the game reaches new heights and fulfills its true potential. Read on for our full Iron Man VR Quest 2 review. Once considered a

UploadVRHarry Baker

14. Outta Hand

One of the best releases this year on Quest, Outta Hand takes Gorilla Tag's physical, gesture-based movement system and evolves it with new mechanics and a stretchier feel into something truly sublime.

Not only is the combination of thrilling platforming and combat really satisfying, but it's paired with an engaging, no-fills narrative, witty dialogue and beautiful environments. If you're looking for a short but sweet VR platforming campaign, then this Crash Bandicoot-inspired title is one you can't miss.

Read more: Outta Hand review

Outta Hand Review: Short, Sweet & Sublime VR Platforming

Outta Hand is an absolute platforming thrill on Quest. Read our full review here:

UploadVRHarry Baker

13. Little Cities

Little Cities is the best city simulator game available on any VR platform, let alone Quest 2. It perfectly distills the formula down into a focused approach that emphasizes city management through design. Instead of getting bogged down in menus, the ebb and flow of your city will be determined by how you lay out the roads, key services and various elements provided to you.

Little Cities is high on this list because it does all of this while being keenly aware of intelligent VR design. Everything in the game is designed to work optimally and intuitively in a VR headset. Every element feels well-considered and incredibly immersive. Even if you're not a fan of the city simulator genre, Little Cities is visually stunning and charming enough for anyone to enjoy. As you would expect, the game has also receive several post-launch content updates, including the Attractions Update, Sandbox Update, Snowy Island DLC and more.

Read more: Little Cities Review / Little Cities Draws A Line In The Sandbox

Little Cities Review: A Distilled City Simulator That Puts VR First

Little Cities presents a new take on the city simulator genre, built from the ground up for VR. While it takes a more relaxed approach than traditional titles, the result is a concise, native VR game with a solid foundation and plenty of room to expand. Read on for our

UploadVRHarry Baker

12. Unplugged

There was a heck of a lot of doubt -- even from our camp -- that Unplugged could really work. It's a Guitar Hero-style game in which you strum notes arriving to the beat. But, instead of holding a plastic peripheral in your hand, the Quest version of the game relies entirely on hand-tracking. Despite having some technical hiccups, we think it really works.

When you hit a streak, Unplugged is a genuinely empowering air guitar experience that will have you shredding with the best of them, and it's only got better over time as the tech improves. Plus, new updates from developers Anotherway continue to add more songs to the already crazy good tracklist of rock classics.

Read more: Unplugged Review

Unplugged Review 2022: Thrilling Air Guitar With Unmatched Hand Tracking Capabilities

With support for Meta’s Hand Tracking 2.0 update, Unplugged is more responsive than ever, surpassing every other hand tracking game on Quest. Here’s our updated Unplugged review. Note: This review was originally published on release in October 2021. In May 2022, we updated the review to reflect

UploadVRHarry Baker

11. Beat Saber

VR's poster child is a natural fit on Quest. In Beat Saber, you slash notes to the beat of the music, dodge obstacles and try to master an ever-growing list of fantastic tracks.

Beat Saber is empowering, energetic and one of the most devilishly addictive VR games of all time. It was a hit when it released in 2018 and since then it's gone from strength-to-strength, now offering a bunch of paid DLC music packs that include hits from massive artists, such as Queen, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, The Weeknd, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Fall Out Boy and many more.

Read more: Beat Saber Review / Queen Music Pack DLC: A Must-Have For Beat Saber Fans

Beat Saber Review 2022: Seminal VR Title Remains As Relevant As Ever

With regular updates, DLC releases and changes to the game since launch, Beat Saber remains VR’s poster child. Read on for our updated Beat Saber review for Quest 2, PSVR and PC VR. Years of Dominance It’s hard to understate Beat Saber’s influence on the VR industry.

UploadVRHarry Baker

10. Arizona Sunshine 2

Arizona Sunshine 2 is a fantastic VR campaign featuring pitch perfect writing, acting, pacing and outstanding action. It's everything you hope for in a sequel, taking everything that worked in the original and refining it to near-perfection. This time, you'll be joined on your adventure by canine companion Buddy, who you'll use for crowd control during intense action sequences and develop a relationship with across the course of the campaign.

This follow up to one of VR's seminal early hits reanimates the zombie genre and brings with it some of the most engaging and accessible arcade violence we've seen in VR. Plus, the entire campaign is playable in two-player co-op, just like the first game. Whether you're looking to dismember some zombies alone or with friends, Arizona Sunshine 2 is a great pick.

Here’s What Arizona Sunshine 2 Will Look Like On Quest 2

A new gameplay trailer shows what Arizona Sunshine 2 will look like on Quest 2. Check it out here:

UploadVRHarry Baker

Beyond running at an increased resolution on the newer headset, the game will look identical on Quest 2 as it does on Quest 3. You can check out footage of Arizona Sunshine 2 on Quest 2 here.

Read more: Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre In The Best Possible Way / Here's What Arizona Sunshine 2 Will Look Like On Quest 2

Arizona Sunshine 2 Review: Reanimating A Dying Genre

Arizona Sunshine 2 launches this week on Quest, PSVR 2 and PC VR. Here’s our review:

UploadVRPete Austin

9. Dungeons of Eternity

If you're looking for a fantasy action RPG that you can play with a group of friends, Dungeons of Eternity is the obvious pick. This first-person immersive experience feels significantly polished across all Quest headsets, allowing you and your friends to explore a variety of hack-n-slash combat options while clearing rooms in true "dungeon crawler" style.

Dungeons of Eternity caters to many styles of play, pairing a rewarding progression system with endless randomly generated dungeons. For an immersive first-person dungeon crawler, there's no better pick.

Read more: Dungeons of Eternity Review

8. Walkabout Mini Golf

Mini golf is actually something that could and should work quite well in VR. Walkabout Mini Golf is all the proof you need; it's an accurate representation of the game that goes beyond what's possible in real life whilst also remaining authentic throughout.

This ticks all the boxes – plenty of courses, extensive multiplayer support, different themes for each level and, above all, pinpoint physics that are arguably better than the real thing because there's none of the small snags you'd find on the surface of physical courses. Hard to fault! Plus, the game receives ongoing support from developers Mighty Coconut, with regular free and paid DLC courses added over time.

Read more: Walkabout Mini Golf review

Walkabout Mini Golf Review: Essential VR Worth Scheduling With Friends

Walkbout Mini Golf is out today on PSVR 2 and one of VR’s essential games on any platform. Our review:

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7. Assassin's Creed Nexus

There was a lot of understandable doubt about whether the Assassin's Creed franchise could survive the transition to VR and come out better on the other end. However, Nexus proves that Assassin's Creed can absolutely work in VR and manages to stand proud with the main series.

It present players with a 20-hour campaign that leaves you wanting more, demonstrating what a fully-fledged VR entry can do for a big franchise. Adapting the stealth, parkour and combat of the series into a new immersive format works wonders – Nexus is the most fun we've had with the Assassin's Creed franchise yet.

It's worth noting that, compared to Quest 3, Assassin's Creed Nexus does feature a notable resolution drop when playing on Quest 2 – hence why it's ranked a little lower here than on our Quest 3 list.

Read more: Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Stands Proud With The Main Series

Review: Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR Stands Proud With The Main Series

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR proudly stands alongside the main series. Our full review:

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

6. Resident Evil 4 VR

We had our doubts that Resident Evil 4 would really work well in VR, but it not only survived the transition - it ended up being one of the best Meta Quest 2 games. This is a full port of Leon Kennedy's best-known zombie adventure, with a first-person view and full motion control support.

Sure, some elements of this version of the game don't hold up well, like virtual cutscene screens. But when you're facing a horde of enemies with your back literally against the wall, it's hard to care. This is a wonderful way to revisit a classic.

Read more: Resident Evil 4 VR Review

Resident Evil 4 VR Review: An Incredible Way To Revisit A Classic

There are clear issues with the port and you should play the original first, but Resident Evil 4 is still a powerful experience in VR. Read on for our Resident Evil 4 VR review. Like you, I’m sure, I was worried. Very worried, in fact. Fans are rightfully protective

UploadVRJamie Feltham

5. Superhot VR

Superhot VR is one of the oldest games on this list and yet, over six years later, it's still easily one of the best examples of how VR can give us entirely new gaming experiences. In this cinematic shooter, times moves only when you do. Sit still and the world around you will freeze, but move your body and it will jolt back to life. It's your very own Matrix simulator.

What makes the game such an enduring hit is its accessible design that instantly picks up on a professional slickness you won't find anywhere else in VR. From last-minute gun grabs to well-placed knife throws, the game constantly delivers unprecedented satisfaction with its action. Superhot VR is still one of the best Meta Quest 2 games available - surely we're way past due for a sequel?

Read more: Superhot VR Review

Superhot VR Quest Review: The Best Version Of A Genuine Classic

When we first reviewed Superhot VR nearly three years ago we said this: “SUPERHOT VR is a pure, distilled, injection of unadulterated adrenaline that will get your blood pumping just as quickly as time stops in the game itself. With every movement you make, time creeps forward ever so slightly,

UploadVRJamie Feltham

4. Eye of the Temple

Eye of the Temple is one of the best examples of a game designed from the ground-up for VR – the end result is a triumphant room-scale platformer on Quest.

In this Indiana Jones-inspired adventure, you'll begin outside a large temple with a whip in one hand and torch in the other. Work your way deeper into the temple by completing puzzles and navigating platforming obstacles along the way.

The genius part of Eye of the Temple is how it handles movement – this is a true room-scale VR platformer, so almost all movement is real, physical movement around your play space. Some clever design tricks ensure you never have to worry about walking out of your play space or into your guardian (which also makes it a great experience for those who are starting out with VR).

Be warned though: you'll need a decent amount of space – Eye of the Temple requires a minimum play area of at least 2m x 2m.

Read more: Eye of the Temple Review

Eye Of The Temple Review: A Triumphant Room-Scale Adventure

Eye of the Temple is out today on Quest. Here’s our full review:

UploadVRHarry Baker

3. Pistol Whip

Pistol Whip was once the new kid on the block, but continual updates and new content has cemented the game as one of the best, most stylish arcade rhythm games around. For our money, Pistol Whip's sharpshooting, sharp sounding, beat-based gameplay proves even more hypnotic than Beat Saber.

In this neon-lit shooter, you stream down corridors, blasting bad guys to grizzly tunes, avoiding incoming fire and trying to rack up the best scores by firing on-beat. Whereas Beat Saber wants to make you a dancing Jedi master, Pistol Whip aims to teach you John Wick-esque gun-fu with style, elegantly fusing the rhythmic and cinematic together into a pulsating, vibrant monster of its own.

Since launch, Cloudhead Games have continually supported Pistol Whip with more content, new features and extra tracks, making it one of the most entertaining and comprehensive arcade titles available on Quest.

Read more: Pistol Whip Review / Pistol Whip Brings Good News With Latest Overdrive Scene

Pistol Whip Review: Cloudhead’s Addictive Rhythm Shooter Hits A Bullseye

My first words to Cloudhead CEO Denny Unger after playing an early version of Pistol Whip: “Holy $&#%”. After dozens of hours in the game that still sums up my overall impression. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A standard Pistol Whip play session for me is at least half

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2. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

We would have never pegged a game based upon The Walking Dead to carry arguably the best design and user interaction you’ll find in VR, but Saints & Sinners delivers. This sets the bar for VR zombie games and the entire medium alike with ridiculously entertaining physics-based combat that has you wrestling with undead hordes, throwing every ounce of effort into every swing and stab.

But this isn’t just a silly sandbox. Saints & Sinners packs its action into a full, meaty VR campaign that sees you trekking through the remains of New Orleans. Add in human enemies, side-missions and the ability to kill zombies with a spoon, and you have one of the deepest native VR games on the market. Thanks to an obscenely good port from developer Skydance Interactive, Saints & Sinners is right near the top of our best Oculus Quest games and best Meta Quest 2 games list.

Read more: The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Review

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Review - The Best Zombie Apocalypse To Date (Updated 2021)

With two big updates under its belt, there’s never been a better time to get into The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Read on for our 2021 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners review! Note: This is an updated review based on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners after its second free

UploadVRJamie Feltham

1. Demeo

Demeo isn't a perfect tabletop game by any means. But it is a really good one and, more importantly, its first-rate four-player multiplayer VR experience makes it feel like a genuine social event in a way that no flatscreen game -- and even few VR games -- have ever really matched.

You pick a class and tackle randomly generated dungeons, but the game's punishing difficulty means sessions can last anywhere from a few minutes to multiple hours. Demeo instantly cemented itself at launch as one of the best Meta Quest 2 games, but since then it's only got better with more content. Free updates from Resolution Games have given players all new campaigns to play through, such as Reign of Madness, Curse of the Serpent Lord and more.

Demeo is a must-have for any Quest 2 owner.

Read more: Demeo Review

Demeo Review - A Social VR Masterclass In An Engaging Tabletop RPG

Is Resolution Games’ most ambitious VR title yet its best? Find out in our Demeo review! Demeo is one of those times it works. Y’know, it; the whole promise of leapfrogging the miles between friends and family and experiencing a genuine social connection in virtual space via the magic

UploadVRJamie Feltham

Our list of best Meta Quest 2 games is designed to be updated regularly each year.

Update 12/21/2023 – List re-ordered. Removed Green Hell, Hellsweeper, Tentacular, Ultrawings 2. Added Asgard's Wrath 2, Arizona Sunshine 2, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Dungeons of Eternity.

Update 10/11/2023 – List re-ordered. Removed Vader Immortal, Onward. Added Outta Hand, Hellsweeper.

Update 07/04/23 – List re-ordered. Removed Bonelab, The Last Clockwinder. Added Eye of the Temple, Ghost Signal.

Update 04/11/23 – Removed Echo VR in light of the game's shutdown. Added Among Us VR and added information on free-to-play for Population: One.

Update 01/17/23 – List reordered. Zenith and Gorn removed, Iron Man VR and What the Bat? added.

Update 10/18/22 – List reordered. The Room, A Township Tale, Blade & Sorcery, Song in the Smoke, Ghost Giant, I Expect You To Die 2 & Until You Fall removed. Moss: Book II, Cubism, Tentacular, Bonelab, Green Hell VR, Red Matter 2, The Last Clockwinder, Little Cities added.

Update 05/17/22 – List reordered slightly, Honorable Mentions added.

Update 03/15/22 – Larcenauts, Carve Snowboarding removed. Zenith, Ultrawings 2 added.

Update 11/26/21 – Sniper Elite VR, Red Matter, Cosmodread, In Death, FNAFVR removed. Resident Evil 4 VR, Song in the Smoke, Blade And Sorcery: Nomad, Gorn, Unplugged added.

Update 08/30/21 – I Expect You To Die, Myst, Contractors, Job Simulator removed. A Township Tale, Sniper Elite VR, Larcenauts, I Expect You To Die 2 added.

Update 06/15/21 – The Under Presents, Blair Witch, Vacation Simulator, Accounting+ removed. Demeo, Carve Snowboarding, Walkabout, Cosmodread added.

Update 12/25/20 – Population: One, Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Myst, Blair Witch, Contractors added. Spaceteam, Robo Recall, Apex Construct, Lies Beneath, Phantom removed.

Update 10/12/20 – Until You Fall added. Trover Saves The Universe removed.

Update 09/13/20 – Acron, Down The Rabbit Hole, National Geographic, Rec Room, VRChat, Keep Talking, VVR, The Climb, Exorcist removed. Onward, Echo VR, Spaceteam VR, The Under Presents, FNAFVR, Phantom: Covert Ops, Trover Saves The Universe added.

Update 04/09/20 – Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, SPT, Journey of the Gods, Face Your Fears II, Racket: Nx, Job Simulator removed. Down The Rabbit Hole, Ghost Giant, The Room VR, Eleven: Table Tennis, Vacation Simulator, OhShape added.

Update 12/06/19 – Fisherman's Tale, Pistol Whip, Espire 1, SPT, National Geographic VR, The Climb, Curious Tale Of The Stolen Pets added. Raccoon Lagoon, Wands, Fujii, Orbus Reborn, BoxVR, Dreadhalls, Thumper removed.

Four years after the original Oculus Quest headset arrived, the Meta Quest platform offers an impressive range of experiences that caters to all interests. However, that won't go far if you're someone who's just bought a Quest 2, Quest Pro or Quest 3 and doesn't have much budget left for paid games and apps. That's where we come in.

You can find many free experiences across the official Quest Store here. Some are hidden away on App Lab, Meta's experimental platform that avoids the strict curation policy but significantly reduces discoverability. As such, we recommend searching through SideQuest or the App Lab Game List if you're keen to find more.

It's important to note that this isn't a ranked list. You can't realistically compare VR concerts to a hero shooter and our aim is to highlight experiences that cover all bases. Though we're separating social VR platforms from this list, we're giving VRChat, Rec Room, Roblox and Meta Horizon Worlds honorable mentions.

With that out of the way, let's jump into our recommendations for the best free Quest games and apps.

Population: One

VR does Fortnite right in this superb free-to-play battle royale shooter. Population: One takes place on a huge map in which teams of three battle it out to be the last ones standing. It can be intense, so we certainly don't recommend it as your first VR experience. Still, there's a rock-solid shooter with some great VR mechanics too, like scaling up walls with your hands or holding your arms out to glide when you leap off the side of a building. Crossplay support means you can play with friends using other headsets.

Read More: Population: One Review

• Quest Store

Population: One Review - The New King Of VR Battle Royale Shooters

After spending plenty of time with the multiplayer-only VR battle royale shooter, here is our full Population: One review. We played on Oculus Quest 2, but it’s crossplay between Quest 1, Quest 2, and PC VR headsets with cross-buy on Rift and Quest. Out of every game that released

UploadVRDavid Jagneaux

Blaston

Developed by Resolution Games, Blaston is a fast-paced free-to-play arcade shooter. After customizing your loadout, this puts you into one-on-one fights as you dodge oncoming fire while being limited to a set location. Blaston also supports mixed reality gameplay, making it a good option if you're keen to try more MR experiences beyond Quest 3's First Encounters tutorial.

Read More: Blaston Goes Free To Play

• Quest Store

X8

X8 is a free-to-play 5v5 multiplayer hero shooter with crossplay support that takes inspiration from Valorant and Overwatch. Matches take place over 14 rounds, with each X8 hero boasting three special abilities and hero-specific items to provide strategic advantages. Working alongside your teammates, you must either deploy a data-siphoning device that detonates after a countdown, while the defensive team attempts to deactivate it.

Read More: VR Hero Shooter X8 Enters Full Release Today On Quest & Steam

• Quest Store

Cards and Tankards

Cards & Tankards is a free-to-play social collectible card game set in a fantasy tavern. Offering over 180 cards between 4 "mechanically unique factions," placing cards on the tavern table turns them into mini-figures as you battle other people or AI opponents. Featuring customizable decks, progression rewards and avatar outfits, crossplay between Quest and PC VR is also supported.

Read More: Cards & Tankards Update 1.2 Adds New Cards, Reworks & More

• Quest Store

Gorilla Tag

Popularising arm-based locomotion in VR games, Gorilla Tag has enjoyed phenomenal success since arriving on Quest and we previously awarded it 'Best Competitive Multiplayer' game in 2021. Developed by Another Axiom, Gorilla Tag comes with four game modes that either involve running from infected gorillas or chasing down survivors to catch them.

Read More: Gorilla Tag Made $26 Million In Revenue On Quest App Lab

• Quest Store

Hyper Dash

Though Triangle Factory has shifted to Breachers these days, Hyper Dash remains an enjoyable fast-paced VR multiplayer shooter. Supporting 5v5 matches and crossplay, Hyper Dash includes classic modes like Payload, Domination, Control Point, Deathmatch and Capture The Flag while offering a nice alternative to military shooters.

Read More: Hyper Dash Review: Dynamic And Intense Competitive VR Shooter

• Quest Store

Republique VR

Curious to try out some VR stealth games? Then Republique VR might interest. Playing as a young woman named Hope, you fight to bring down a system of tyranny in a totalitarian future. Though it doesn't make the most exciting use of VR, it's still a fun adventure in its own right and developer Camouflaj borrowed liberally from Metal Gear Solid and other series.

Read More: République VR Review: Simple Sneaking

• Quest Store

Bigscreen

You can watch Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, and YouTube with others using Bigscreen. The remote desktop app lets you share and use your desktop in VR while a video player brings in your own files. You and a friend can also rent a movie to watch together from Bigscreen’s available library. Bigscreen’s theater designs range from rooms in simulated homes, like the relaxing Residence environment, all the way up to our favorite theatrical experience — the Grand Cinema — with its roomy stadium seating and subtle reflections of light from 2D or 3D content illuminating your surroundings.

Read More: Best Of Virtual Reality: 7 Great Apps For Golf, Movies, Ping Pong, Fishing & More

• Quest Store

Bait!

A free-to-play fishing game from Resolution Games, Bait! first appeared back in 2016 and was once one of the most popular Samsung Gear games. In 2023, it's still going and receiving active support. After introducing multiplayer support through Fishing Buddies update, which added a hangout spot for up to 12 players and four-player tournaments, Resolution took this further by adding a new island.

Read More: Bait! Treasure Hunters Update Heads To Shipwreck Shores

• Quest Store

Ultimechs

Developed by Resolution Games, Ultimechs is a competitive multiplayer VR title with crossplay that's best described as a mix of mechs and Rocket League. Using giant war machines in arena matches, this is basically Soccer that sees you firing your arms into the ball and knocking it into the goal.

Read More: Ultimechs Launches For Free On Quest, PC VR & Pico

• Quest Store

Mission: ISS

Created by Magnum Opus in collaboration with several space agencies, Mission: ISS is a simulation that lets you explore the International Space Station in zero gravity. You're tasked with performing regular astronaut duties like docking cargo capsules, conducting spacewalks, maintenance and more.

Read More: Mission: ISS Is A Free Space Simulation That Makes You The Astronaut

• Quest Store

Glassbreakers: Champions Of Moss

Glassbreakers: Champions Of Moss is an ideal game for short and sweet play sessions. A competitive multiplayer spin-off from Moss and Moss: Book 2, it's a MOBA-like real-time battler that's taking a live-service approach to content updates, gradually introducing post-launch champions. Currently in open beta with PC VR crossplay support, it's temporarily going offline on January 8, 2024, but Polyarc confirms it'll be coming back.

Read More: Glassbreakers: Polyarc's Impressive New Multiplayer Battler

• Quest Store

Glassbreakers: Champions Of Moss Arrives Today On Quest

Polyarc debuts Glassbreakers, an impressive new free-to-play competitive multiplayer game, on App Lab today. Here are our impressions:

UploadVRHarry Baker

Vegas Infinite

Vegas Infinite is the recently rebranded version of Pokerstars VR, which adapted the largest online Poker platform in the world for virtual reality back in 2019. You can challenge friends to play poker, blackjack, roulette, slots and craps and while it's free to download, you'll need to buy chips with real money.

Read More: PokerStars VR Is Coming To Oculus Quest

• Quest Store

Gym Class Basketball

Gym Class started out on App Lab for Quest before transitioning to a full release. Offering players a full basketball experience in VR with several gameplay modes including solo play and online multiplayer, in-game shooting, grabbing and moving all work from tracked movements. Though its free-to-play, paying an optional $14.99 grants access to Gym Class PRO, which includes customizable private courts and personalized avatars.

Read More: NBA Bundle Now Live In Basketball VR App Gym Class

• Quest Store

Gun Raiders

Another free-to-play experience, Gun Raiders is an arena-based VR shooter that includes microtransactions. Featuring mechanics like jetpacks and wall running, there's a mix of modes ranging between deathmatch, capture the point, team assault and more. Offering considerable character customization, it also supports PC VR crossplay.

Read More: F2P Shooter Gun Raiders Jumps From App Lab To Oculus Quest & Rift Store

• Quest Store

Elixir

Elixir is a free hand-tracking demo game developed by Magnopus and Reality Labs. Working as a sorceress' apprentice, you're tasked with maintaining various delicate contraptions while experimenting in an unstable alchemy lab. Though it's use of Quest's hand-tracking has been surpassed, we still consider it a fun demonstration of what hand-tracking can do.

Read More: Top 10 Best Quest 2 Hand Tracking Games & Apps

• Quest Store

ForeVR Cornhole

ForeVR is best known for its family-friendly sports series like Bowl, Pool and Darts, though Cornhole and Suck It are the only free-to-play entries. For the unfamiliar, cornhole sees players throwing bean bags onto a raised, angled board. Landing your bean bag on the board scores one point, while throwing it into the hole earns three points. The free version provides 5 bags and 5 boards, though additional customization and features can be unlocked for $9.99.

Read More: ForeVR Cornhole Available Now On Meta Quest 2

• Quest Store

Quantaar

Launched on Quest App Lab in 2023, Quantaar takes clear inspiration from multiplayer brawler games like Super Smash Bros., Power Stone and SoulCalibur. Playing the role of a floating avatar above a 3D arena, you'll go head-to-head with other players in third-person brawler fights and it supports cross-platform PvP multiplayer.

Read More: Quantaar Review

• Quest Store

MLK: Now Is The Time

MLK: Now Is The Time aims to highlight Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy through a VR experience. Taking its name directly from part of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Now Is The Time examines its themes and his impact six decades later. Presented through first-person stories, this new VR experience highlights his continued influence in modern-day protests. 

Read More: MLK: Now Is The Time Launches On Quest Today

• Quest Store

AmazeVR Concerts

AmazeVR is a VR concerts app that combines live-action 3D footage of artists with interactive virtual environments. Following Megan Thee Stallion’s made-for-VR ‘Enter Thee Hottieverse’ concert, AmazeVR later launched a never-before-seen show from Zara Larsson and a new concert experience featuring T-Pain. While the app itself is a free download, you can only access one free song per artist.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion VR Concert Experience Available Now On Quest

• Quest Store

I Expect You To Die: Home Sweet Home

While the main I Expect You To Die series are all paid entries, Home Sweet Home is a free mixed reality mini-mission from Schell Games that brings the spy-themed escape room gameplay into your living room. That's achieved through using Quest's passthrough and as a secret agent, you're tasked with solving puzzles, escaping traps and defeating Dr Zor.

Read More: I Expect You To Die Mixed Reality Mission Coming Free To Quest 2, Quest Pro

• Quest Store

Gravity Sketch

Gravity Sketch is a free creative toolset for those interested in 3D design. Letting you create fully surfaced sketch models, environments and more, you can import video and image files alongside exporting work as OBJ, FBX or IGES files. It's slowly seeing wider adoption, both with VR games like designing courses for Walkabout Mini Golf and big films like Avatar: The Way Of Water.

Read More: Avatar: The Way Of Water Used Gravity Sketch In Its Set Design

• Quest Store

Galapagos with David Attenborough

Documentary filmmaking is nothing new in VR but Galapagos with David Attenborough is perhaps the most notable recent example. Originally produced over a decade ago, this latest VR adaptation blends live-action footage from Galapagos 3D with VR illustrations made using Quill by Smoothstep.

Read More: VR Documentary Collection Missing Pictures Debuts Next Month

• Quest Store

V-Speedway

Interested in trying an arcade racer? V-Speedway from Commuter Games goes a step further than most VR racing games by using fully interactive controls. Featuring solo racing, free riding, time attack modes and online leaderboards, it's also recently been updated with Quest 3 enhancements.

Read More: Best Quest Racing Games

• Quest Store

Gods Of Gravity

Developed by Trass Games, Gods of Gravity describes itself as an arcade-style RTS free-to-play game that pits celestial gods against each other. Supporting 2-8 players alongside a solo campaign, there's a large focus on resource management as you amass a fleet, capturing nearby planets, moons or even the sun to boost your production. Whoever eventually conquers their enemy's home planet wins.

• Quest Store

Happy to put down some money on Quest games or games on other VR platforms? Make sure to check out our recommendations:

• Best VR Games Of All-Time
• Best Oculus Quest & Meta Quest 2 Games
• Best Quest 3 Games
• Best PSVR Games
• Best PSVR 2 Games
• Best VR Games – Oculus Rift + Quest Link
• Best VR Games – SteamVR For Vive, Index And Reverb G2

25 Best Oculus Quest Games & Best Meta Quest 2 Games

We’ve added some new entries and updated our list of the 25 best Quest games. Check it out here:

UploadVRHarry Baker

Notice: We previously published two similar lists that are no longer representative of our top games. You can find those here and here.

In the past Meta's VR avatars faced widespread ridicule on social media and in tech circles for their upper-body-only appearance.

In August Meta added legs to the Meta Avatars in the Quest home environment, and in September legs arrived in its Horizon Worlds "metaverse" platform too. But the publicly available Meta Avatars SDK used by third-party apps such as GOLF+ and Eleven Table Tennis wasn't updated to add legs, until now.

Meta’s Horizon Metaverse Avatars Finally Have Legs

Meta Avatars in its Horizon Worlds “metaverse” platform now have virtual legs.

UploadVRDavid Heaney

Version 24 is the first new release of the Meta Avatars SDK in almost six months. As well as adding legs, it improves the graphics quality of avatars and makes the SDK available on the Unity Asset Store.

UPDATE: The legs are not animated by default.

Those graphics improvements include "more lifelike eye glints" and "more detailed hair and clothing with normal map textures". And thanks to new optimizations such as the Compute Skinner, Meta claims the improvements come at no performance cost.

We've reached out to the developers of GOLF+ and Eleven Table Tennis to ask if they plan to add legs to their games soon, but given we're well into the holiday period now don't expect work on this to begin until the new year.

Firewall Ultra followed 2018's Firewall: Zero Hour from First Contact, both made exclusively for Sony's PlayStation-based VR headsets. First Contact also released Solaris Offworld Combat in 2021 and Sony leaked an apparent planned sequel earlier this year.

Did Sony Just Leak Solaris Offworld Combat 2 For PSVR 2?

Sony listed four previously unconfirmed games coming to PSVR 2, including an unannounced sequel to First Contact Entertainment’s Solaris Offworld Combat. The games were listed on the German PlayStation Blog in the gallery area with a subheader listing “Solaris Offworld Combat 2” alongside a trailer for the original game.

UploadVRHenry Stockdale

Firewall Ultra launched with "baffling" VR design choices in August this year following Sony's debut of PSVR 2 in February. The sudden shutdown of the studio behind the game around Christmas time caps off a devastating year for many game developers in general, but the sudden loss of a VR-focused studio so deeply tied to Sony's PSVR 2 software pipeline gives rise to concern about the company's long-term plan for supporting the platform.

First Contact CEO and President Hess Barber confirmed the shutdown in a post on X, saying that "after almost 8 years" the studio "will be closing" before 2024.

As of this writing, Firewall Ultra is still available for sale on the PlayStation Store and there's no details yet on any plans to wind down its online services.