Why We Like Sony PlayStation VR

During its prime, we recommended the PlayStation VR headset if you owned a PlayStation 4 and were interested in getting a taste of virtual reality—or if you wanted to play some VR games without spending the money on a gaming PC and a high-end headset like the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. The PSVR system was easy to set up, had a solid game library, and had good enough specs to provide VR’s wow-inducing sense of immersion in alternate realities, all without requiring you to buy a $700-plus PC. But with the Playstation 5 launch in late 2020, and a lack of updates to PSVR, it’s not something we generally recommend anymore. There are more compelling, cost effective wireless options, like our main VR headset pick, the Oculus Quest 2.

While the PS5 technically supports the PSVR headset, it needs a free adapter cable for the PS4 camera, which you’ll need to order directly from Sony. This adapter allows PS5 owners to play PS4-based PSVR titles on their new consoles via the machines’ well-executed backwards compatibility. But the number of games supporting the PSVR slowed over 2020, with just a few high profile releases like Marvel’s Iron Man VR, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, and VR support for Star Wars: Squadrons. The latest so-called “native” PS5 games cannot use PSVR—which has led to some truly bizarre scenarios for players looking for VR experiences.

In February of 2021, PlayStation announced that a new PSVR device was in active development, and that it would connect using just one wire and use new control methods. But the release timeline for that hardware is nebulous for now.

Sony PlayStation VR Version 2 Bundle

VR for PlayStation 4 owners

The PSVR system is a good intro to VR gaming for PlayStation 4 owners, though it’s more limited than higher-end PC headsets. This bundle includes the required camera, two Move controllers, and two games.

Buying Options

$350* from Best Buy

*At the time of publishing, the price was $250.

The PSVR system can’t track you as you roam around a room as effectively as its competitors from Oculus and HTC can, but it is good enough to provide a fun and solid virtual reality gaming experience. You have plenty of games to choose from, including PSVR exclusives like Farpoint, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Marvel’s Iron Man VR and Hitman 3, as well as games like Superhot, Arizona Sunshine, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, which are also available on the Rift and Vive. Its camera and controllers are PlayStation accessories you may already own, and it’s easy to get into if you’re already familiar with the PlayStation user interface.