HTC Vive Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For HTC Headsets

The HTC Vive is one of the most popular and enduring lines of PC VR headsets. Whether you’re talking about the original HTC Vive or the newer Vive Cosmos, there are a bunch of different games and accessories you can use with the Vive system. We’ve put together this list for recommendations on accessories, games, and more for HTC’s line of PC VR headsets.

[When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales.]

HTC Vive Cosmos Video

Headsets

There are a few different HTC Vive headsets.

The original HTC Vive and the HTC Vive Pro both use outside-in tracking systems, which require external sensors mounted in your play area to track your headset and controllers. The newer HTC Vive Cosmos uses an inside-out tracking system with cameras on the headset, which doesn’t require mounting any external tracking system.

The original HTC Vive headset is now discontinued. However, HTC continues to sell used version of the original Vive headset for $399.

Currently, the HTC Pro Starter Kit is on sale for $799 down from $1098 on HTC’s site. This includes the headset, two Vive Wand controllers and two external tracking sensors for mounting. Vive Pro has improved resolution and comfort over the original Vive.

The HTC Vive Cosmos (see our review) is the newest headset in the HTC line (review here), and is available to purchase for $600 on the HTC website.

HTC Vive PC VR System Specs

We’ve got a dedicated guide to help you figure out if your PC is VR ready, but for a quick glance at the raw numbers of what you should look for on your rig take a look at the FAQ on HTC’s site. You can also download and run the Vive Quick Compatability check from there as well.

Games And Apps To Buy And Install

When you first get your HTC Vive system set up, there’s a lot of options on where to start with content.

If you’re looking for something free, there are options such as Rec Room and VRChat, which are sort of social networks full of worlds to explore, games to play, and people to meet with your own customized avatar. Then over on Steam there are tons of free VR experiences and games worth trying, such as Google Earth VR, The Lab, Oculus Dreamdeck, Dear Angelica, Henry, Waltz of the Wizard, Accounting, Bigscreen, AltspaceVR, Mission: ISS, and more.

For a curated list of recommended Vive games that are paid, check our best list that we try to keep updated. As of the time of this writing, it’s missing some more recent games like A Fisherman’s Tale, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son, and Pistol Whip though — which you should totally play.

Accessories

HTC Vive Wireless Tracking Adapter

htc-vive-wireless-adapter-main-imageThe Vive Wireless Tracking Adapter allows you to free yourself from the tether of the cord connected to your PC, and use your Vive headset wireless.

It is available for the original HTC Vive, the Vive Pro and the Vive Cosmos, however the Cosmos will also require an additional Cosmos Comparability Kit that will be added to the cart during checkout. You can read our review of the Vive Wireless Adapter here, reviewed using the Vive Pro specifically.

The Vive Wireless Adapter is available for the HTC Vive for $248, the HTC Vive Pro for $298, and for the Vive Cosmos for $298. If you already own a Vive Wireless Adapter and want to make it compatible with a Vive Cosmos, you can also buy the Cosmos Compatibility Pack for $49 separately.

Vive Tracker

Vive Trackers 2 New

The Vive Tracker is one of HTC’s more innovative ideas for its VR system. It’s a puck-shaped peripheral you can attach to other objects in compatible apps to bring them into VR. You might, for example, stick it to a toy gun to feel like you’re shooting a real one in VR. Take note, however, that the tracker only works with the Vive and Vive Pro; the Vive Cosmos’ tracking system will not register it. Also bear in mind that only select apps will support the tracker. Your best bet is to get them from HTC directly where you’ll find them for $99 apiece.

AFAITH Charger Stand

This AFAITH charger stand provides a neat and tidy solution to store your original HTC Vive or Vive Pro headset, while also charging your HTC Vive Wands. This looks like a nice option if you’re want to store your Vive or Vive Pro on display next to some other gaming consoles, or even other VR headsets. However, it’s important to note that this stand is not comparable with the newer Vive Cosmos.

The AFATIH Charger Stand is available for $49.

Ceiling Cables

Barring the adapter above, obviously one of the biggest downsides to using a PC VR headset is that, typically, it means having a thick, restrictive wire coming off the side of your face that makes it difficult to move freely and is often a tripping hazard. If you don’t want to shill out for the Vive Wireless Adapter, you could also install a ceiling pulley system so that your cable loops up through the ceiling mount and then goes back down to your PC to get it out of the way. We haven’t used these in our own home setups, but this has great reviews and is widely recommended.

The VeeR VR Cable Management Ceiling Pulley System is available for $17 right now (usually ~$30.)

VR Cover Accessories

htc vive vr cover

VR Cover is a company that’s been around for a while and is known for making accessories designed to make headsets feel more comfortable against the face as well as improve hygiene. We have tested their Quest covers and original Rift covers in the past, but have not tried their Vive and Vive Pro covers. They also don’t offer any covers for the Cosmos yet, but the covers are worth checking out for Vive or Vive pro owners.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

microfiber cleaning cloths

If you’re using your headsets a lot, the lenses are going to get foggy and dirty and you’ll want some microfiber cloths to quickly clean the lenses between games and sessions.

You can buy a set of 5 microfiber cleaning cloths for $7.49.


If you have accessories you’ve found improve your experience with the HTC Vive headsets please share in the comments. 

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Oculus Store Hosts First Ever Quest Games Sale With Thanksgiving Bundle

The Oculus Quest store started its first ever sale on Quest content this week, with the Thanksgiving Collection.

The Thanksgiving Collection is a bundle of six Quest games, which are discounted until the 1st of December at 9 pm PT, including Moss, Job Simulator, Wander, Fruit Ninja, Real VR Fishing and Racket: Nx. These six games each offer something a bit different from each other, and would be a great purchase to make for someone new to VR and looking to get a insight into some of the different types of VR experiences.

In terms of pricing, all of these games would normally cost a bit over $100. With the bundle discount, they come to just $89.99. This is a decent bit of savings, especially considered this is the first time ever that any Oculus Quest games have gone on sale, bundle or otherwise. Up until this Thanksgiving Collection, all Quest games remained at full price from launch, despite Rift S content receiving regular sales and daily deals.

The bundle will also pro rata itself if you already own some of the games in the collection. This means the bundle price will adjust to ignore games you already own, and then discount the bundle to reflect only the leftover games that you don’t already own.

Despite games not going on sale before this collection, Oculus also recently announced that any purchase of a Quest headset will come bundled with all three episodes of Vader Immortal, through to January.

If you’re making any other Oculus Quest purchases this holiday season, be it games, hardware or accessories, make sure to check out our Oculus Quest gift guide.

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Oculus Rift S Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For The PC VR Headset

The Oculus Rift S (read our headset review) is one of the best PC VR headsets on the market due to its affordability, ease of use, comfort, and sharper resolution over its predecessor. We’ve put together this list for recommendations on accessories, games, and more for Oculus’ flagship PC VR headset.

[When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales.]

Being priced at just $399 typically (and getting knocked down to $349 for Black Friday) makes the Oculus Rift S a hard value to beat. The inside-out tracking cameras make it so you don’t need to set up any external sensors or cameras at all to have it work. All you need to do is plug in your headset and you’re good to go.

Out of the box it comes with two Oculus Touch controllers that let you move your hands, pick up things, and interact with objects in the virtual world. The Insight tracking system makes it simple to draw your boundary on the ground so you don’t accidentally punch your TV or walk into a door. It’s really a great, intuitive user experience.

Plus, the Oculus Rift S works natively with the Oculus Home store, Steam, and Viveport.


oculus rift s

Where To Buy The Oculus Rift S

Usually the Oculus Rift S costs $399, but starting Thursday, November 28th until December 2nd it’ll be knocked down to just $349, which is the first discount we’ve seen since the headset launched earlier this year. According to Oculus, you’ll be able to buy the PC VR HMD at that price from Amazon, LenovoOculus, and Best Buy.

 

Oculus Rift S PC VR System Specs

We’ve got a dedicated guide to help you figure out if your PC is VR ready, but for a quick glance at the raw numbers of what you should look for on your rig take a look, according to the official Oculus website, at the image embedded above.

 

Games And Apps To Buy And Install

When you first set up your Oculus Rift S it’s tempting to dive into the deep end of PC-based VR immediately, but we’d actually recommend taking things a tiny bit slower. There is an excellent First Steps app to get you acclimated, as well as an older one named First Contact. Both are free.

After that you can explore your Oculus Home environment, decorate it if you wish, and then start looking into other applications.

The obvious choices are the free ones, like Rec Room and VRChat, which are sort of social networks full of worlds to explore, games to play, and people to meet with your own customized avatar. Then over on Steam there are tons of free VR experiences and games worth trying, such as Google Earth VR, The Lab, Oculus Dreamdeck, Dear Angelica, Henry, Waltz of the Wizard, Accounting, Bigscreen, AltspaceVR, Mission: ISS, and more.

For a curated list of recommended Rift games that are paid, check our best list that we try to keep updated. As of the time of this writing it’s missing recent games like Asgard’s Wrath, Stormland, and Pistol Whip though — which you should totally play.

 

oculus thanksgiving collection 2019

The Oculus Thanksgiving Collection

For the next few days, Oculus is running a special promotion with a collection of five bundled Rift games – The Climb, Arizona Sunshine, Elite Dangerous: Commander Deluxe Edition, Defector, and Racket: Nx. These games would usually add up to nearly $200 if you bought them separately, but are available in the bundle for just $84.99 until November 28th at 9pm PT which is an amazing deal if you want all the games included.

Plus — if you already own some of the games in the collection, it’s actually prorated to be cheaper for you since you’d only need to buy the games you don’t have. This a great selection of games at such a low price, and features quite a few different experiences for someone who just purchased a Rift S. You can view the collection on the Oculus Store.


 

Accessories

So if you’re definitely going to buy a Rift S for yourself or someone else — or already own one — then you’re probably curious about accessories and other things that can help enhance your experience overall. We’ve got you covered there too.

Here are some things to consider:

 

Headphones

The biggest omission from the Oculus Rift S (especially compared to the original Rift) is the lack of included headphones. Similar to the Oculus Go and Oculus Quest, it instead include speakers in the sides of the head-strap itself to provide audio for both you and those around you. The problem is that it’s just not very good. If you want an actual over-ear solution instead that you can just clip onto the headband itself and leave on as a dedicated part of your device, then we highly recommend the Bionik Mantis headphones, which were actually designed for the PSVR but fit the Rift S as well.

Buy the Bionik Mantis Detachable Headphones for $41.

 

AMVR VR Stand and Headset Display

AMVR Quest Stand

This display unit promises a nice stand to place your Rift S headset and hang your Touch controllers. This looks like a nice option if you’re want to store the Rift S on display next to some other gaming consoles, or even other VR headsets. The stand is compatible with the Oculus Quest as well, so you can change the headsets out if you have both.

The AMVR VR Stand and Headset Display is available for $19.

 

Lens Protector

Quest lens protector

If you’re looking for something to fit securely into the headset, protecting the lenses, then maybe try this lens protector from Orzero. While we haven’t tested it ourselves, it has favorable reviews on Amazon. You may have to turn the headset off fully when not in use if the lens protector activates the headset’s proximity sensor.

The Orzero VR Lens Protect Cover is available for $10.99.

 

Ceiling Cables

Obviously one of the biggest downsides to using a PC VR headset is that, typically, it means having a thick, restrictive wire coming off the side of your face that makes it difficult to move freely and is often a tripping hazard. One solution to this for the Rift S is to install a ceiling pulley system so that your cable loops up through the ceiling mount and then goes back down to your PC to get it out of the way. We haven’t used these in our own home setups, but this has great reviews and is widely recommended.

The VeeR VR Cable Management Ceiling Pulley System is available for $17 right now (usually ~$30.)

 

Rifle Stock For Touch Controllers

rift s magni stock rifle adapterIf you play a lot of shooters or are interested in getting into the VR FPS scene with games like Onward, Pavlov, and Contractors then you could stand to gain a lot in terms of immersion and also just pure enjoyment by using a dedicated Rifle Stock. These devices let you slot in your VR controllers and hold it, cradled in your shoulder, like you would an actual two-handed rifle. We haven’t tried this particular one but it’s got good reviews and looks to be a good fit for Rift S Touch controllers.

The Magni Stock Rifle Adapter is available for $74 (usually ~$85.)

 

VR Cover Accessories

rift s vr cover

VR Cover is a company that’s been around for a while and is known for making accessories designed to make headsets feel more comfortable against the face as well as improve hygiene. We have tested their Quest covers and original Rift covers in the past, but have not tried the Rift S-specific covers. They don’t offer leather covers for Rift S yet, only washable cloth ones, but it could still be a good improvement especially if you sweat in VR a lot.

 

Kiwi Knuckle Straps

kiwi knuckle straps quest

This strap modification accessory for the Oculus Touch controllers make them a little bit more like Index Controllers – they’ll stay secured to your hand even if you’re not gripping them. While we haven’t tested them ourselves, these look to be a good option if you’re expecting some longer play sessions.

The Kiwi Design Knuckle Straps are available for $19.99.

 

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

microfiber cleaning cloths

If you’re using your Rift S a lot, the lenses are going to get foggy and dirty and you’ll want some microfiber cloths to quickly clean the lenses between games and sessions.

You can buy a set of 5 microfiber cleaning cloths for $7.49.

 

Carrying Case

rift s carrying case

Since the Oculus Rift S is not a portable headset really, by design, and requires a capable VR PC to operate, it’s probably not the type of headset you’ll travel with very often. That being said, maybe you use a laptop for VR and do travel often enough that you’d need a dedicated carrying case for your Rift S, in which case (pun intended) this looks like a very good option. We haven’t tried it, but it’s got good user reviews.

The co2crea Hard Travel Case Replacement for Oculus Rift S is available for $40.


This post was updated with information about the Oculus Thanksgiving Sale after publication.

If you have accessories you’ve found improve your experience with Oculus Rift S please share in the comments. 

The post Oculus Rift S Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For The PC VR Headset appeared first on UploadVR.

Oculus Quest Buying Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For Facebook’s All-In-One VR Headset

If you don’t already have an Oculus Quest, then you’re in luck – now is a great time to get on board with the platform.

[When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales.]

The Oculus Quest is an all-in-one wireless standalone VR headset which means everything you need to visit virtual worlds comes inside the box, though you do need the Oculus app on your phone to help set it up at first. Still, the phone is completely unnecessary after initial setup, but you can also use it to cast your view from VR to spectators.

oculus quest box contents
Everything included with the Oculus Quest box. Note that the USB cord included only charges the headset and is not compatible with Oculus Link.

Oculus Quest Storage

Oculus Quest from Facebook comes in two options – one model with 64GB of internal storage and one with 128GB of internal storage.

Quest’s storage is not expandable, so you’ll want to put some thought into which storage option you pick before purchasing. In our experience, for the first six months of the Quest’s life, 64GB has been plenty of storage so far – most Quest games are optimized to take up less space than their PC VR counterparts. That being said, the Oculus exclusive Vader Immortal series takes up around 10 GB across three episodes if you installed all of them at once on Quest. So as the system’s storefront offers more content in 2020 you might find yourself wanting that extra 64GB of storage in the future.

No matter which storage option you pick, both models come with everything you need to get started with the device, including the headset itself, two Oculus Touch controllers and a charger with a lengthy cord, so you can play and charge at the same time. The Quest is a standalone, mobile headset – meaning you don’t need a computer or any other equipment to use the device.

That being said, if you haven’t bought a Quest yet and want one soon, you should place an order as soon as possible – both Quest models are back-ordered until mid-February.

Oculus Quest Review

The Oculus Quest

The 64GB model is available at $399 and the 128GB model is available at $499.

Vader Immortal Episode III Review (1)

From now through to the end of January, any Oculus Quest purchase comes bundled with all three episodes of Vader Immortal, valued collectively at around $30. The Vader Immortal series is one of the standout immersive experiences available to Quest owners, and definitely an experience worth trying for anyone with the headset. This bundle offer ensures you’ve got a quality game to step into as soon as you purchase the headset, which is fantastic if you’re looking to get into VR for the first time.

Oculus Link

One of the newer features released for the Oculus Quest is Oculus Link – a new service currently in a beta testing release that allows you to connect your Quest to a compatible PC. This allows the system to play Rift games on your Quest, like Skyrim VR or No Man’s Sky VR, while tethered to the PC. However, you’ll need some pretty beefy PC specifications for Link to work, along with very specific requirements for the USB 3 cord.

Facebook is releasing an official Oculus Link cord later in the year, but for now, you can read about the cord that they’ve recommended in the meantime for use with Link here. To check out more info on Oculus Link, including the required PC specs, you can also have a look at our Oculus Link Beta guide.

Hand Tracking

We should note also that some time early in 2020 Facebook will update Oculus Quest with an experimental new feature that allows basic operation of the system without the Oculus Touch hand controllers. You’ll just make gestures in the air with your hands to do things like pause or play a movie.

Apps and Games To Buy And Install

best oculus quest games

Since it is included with the purchase of Quest through January, Vader Immortal should be the first app you install on Oculus Quest alongside free apps like Netflix and Rec Room. After that you’ve got some difficult choices to make selecting the best games and experiences for your money. One standout utility app worth mentioning is Virtual Desktop — an app made by Guy Godin that lets your wirelessly operate your PC (and any content installed on it) from within the headset.

We’ve also got a list of our top 25 recommendations with games like Red Matter, Superhot VR, Pistol Whip and Beat Saber topping the list. If you’re looking for an incredible educational experience, we definitely recommend Titans Of Space – a stunning, awe-inspiring guided tour of our solar system and space.

It’s also going to be a huge year for the Quest, with some great games planned for release in 2020. Be sure to check out our list of 17 upcoming Quest games we can’t wait to play this year.


Accessories

What if you’ve bought a Quest, or you already own one, but you’re looking some extra accessories to buy this holiday season.

Here are some of the accessories to consider:

Official Oculus Quest Travel Case

OculusQuestHardCaseFeature

The one thing that the Quest doesn’t come bundled with in either model is a case to store your Quest in. However, Facebook offers an official Oculus Quest Travel Case available to purchase, which we previously reviewed.

The case fits the headset and the two touch controllers, and is a decent basic option if you want something to store the Quest in and prevent the lenses from being exposed and potentially scratched. There’s not room for much else besides the controllers and the Quest itself, however.

The Quest Travel Case is available for $39.

One person at UploadVR has had issues with the official case, others have not. There are alternative cases as well, such as this less expensive ($28) non-official version that we also recommend, which includes extra storage space as well.

AMVR VR Stand and Headset Display

AMVR Quest Stand

This display unit promises a nice stand to place your Quest headset and hang your Touch controllers. This looks like a nice option if you’re want to store the Quest on display next to some other gaming consoles, or even other VR headsets. The stand is compatible with the Oculus Rift as well, so you can change the headsets out if you have both.

The AMVR VR Stand and Headset Display is available for $19.

Headphones

Headphones Oculus Quest

All Oculus Quests include an audio system that releases sound from the head strap area. This system works decently because you don’t have to position anything inside or over your ears to hear immersive sound. Still, a lot of detailed sounds are lost with this system. Did you know, for instance, there are ambient sounds in the home area of Oculus Quest? For $49, Oculus sells official wired headphones that come in two completely separate pieces with very short cords. There are headphone jacks on both sides of the Quest so these headphones are ready-built to plug into both of these ports and provide you a more private and immersive sound experience.

Lens Protector

Quest lens protector

If you’re looking for something to fit securely into the headset, protecting the lenses, then maybe try this lens protector from Orzero. While we haven’t tested it ourselves, it has favorable reviews on Amazon. You may have to turn the headset off fully when not in use if the lens protector activates the headset’s proximity sensor.

The Orzero VR Lens Protect Cover is available for $10.99.

Battery Pack

anker power bank

If you want a battery pack for Oculus Quest to extend gameplay beyond a few hours you’ll need one that outputs a lot of power over a USB cord with a reversible type-C connector. The Anker PowerCore 10000PD fits those parameters but is unavailable as of this writing.

VR Cover Accessories

VR cover Quest

VR Cover is a company that’s been around for a while and known for making accessories designed to make headsets feel more comfortable against the face as well as improve hygiene. We have tested their Quest-specific covers and some people on-staff love the added comfort and cleanliness, but some others don’t think it makes the Quest that much more comfortable.

Kiwi Knuckle Straps

kiwi knuckle straps quest

This strap modification accessory for the Oculus Touch controllers make them a little bit more like Index Controllers – they’ll stay secured to your hand even if you’re not gripping them. While we haven’t tested them ourselves, these look to be a good option if you’re expecting some longer play sessions.

The Kiwi Design Knuckle Straps are available for $19.99.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

microfiber cleaning cloths

If you’re using your Quest a lot, the lenses are going to get foggy and dirty and you’ll want some microfiber cloths to quickly clean the lenses between games and sessions.

You can buy a set of 5 microfiber cleaning cloths for $7.49.


This guide was originally published as a holiday gift guide in November 2019. It was updated and republished to a general buying guide in January 2020, with a few more options added and edited for slight corrections.

If you have accessories you’ve found improve your experience with Oculus Quest please share in the comments. 

The post Oculus Quest Buying Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For Facebook’s All-In-One VR Headset appeared first on UploadVR.

The 2018 Buyer’s Guide To The Best PSVR Accessories And Games

The 2018 Buyer’s Guide To The Best PSVR Accessories And Games

The Holiday season for 2018 is finally upon us and with it comes lots of deals, a shopping frenzy, and plenty of new toys and gadgets under the Christmas tree. If you picked up a new PSVR headset on Black Friday last month or have plans to get one this holiday season, then we’ve got you covered with our buying guide full of recommendations for the PSVR headset, its top accessories, and the best games on the device so far after over two years.

We’ve separated the guide with nice, big headers so it should be easy to navigate!

PSVR Headset Buying Guide

Sony’s PSVR headset is now officially two years old! Over those two years hundreds of games have hit the platform and its earned the rank as the most popular non-mobile VR device on the market with over three million units sold. That’s a big achievement. Despite the limited tracking and relatively under-powered hardware in comparison to expensive gaming PCs, the PSVR is a great platform full of creativity.

Which PSVR Model To Get?

You may not realize it, but there are actually two models of the PSVR headset. We covered both in our full, in-depth PSVR headset review. The original model (CUH-ZVR1) has a cord extending from the headset down to a breakaway connection with volume controls, mic mute, and a power button inline along the cord itself. There is also no HDR-passthrough, meaning if you want to play games with HDR settings on your PS4 Pro and 4K TV, you have to unplug the processor unit to do so.

However, the newer model PSVR headset (CUH-ZVR2) is the new standard model in all modern bundles and packages. This device has the volume, mic, and power buttons on the headset itself underneath the visor and along the headstrap, as well as a single long cord that goes all the way from the headset to the processor unit directly. Finally, this device does allow for HDR-passthrough, so you don’t need to unplug the PSVR to use HDR settings on your PS4 Pro and 4K TV.

Visually and in terms of performance/tracking these devices are identical. If you don’t have a 4K TV or a PS4 Pro then you have zero reason to upgrade, but if you do own those more advanced pieces of tech then you might want to for convenience. If you are just now looking to buy a device, now you know the difference.

You Need The PS4 Camera

Regardless of which model or bundle you buy, you need to make sure you have the PS4 Camera otherwise you cannot use the PSVR at all, whatsoever. You can have either the old, original PS4 camera (shown above, it’s rectangular) or the newer circular model — they’re literally identical in terms of technology and performance. Whichever comes with your headset is fine, or if what you bought does not include a camera then you must also buy one.

PSVR Bundles

There are lots of great PSVR bundles out there. Most recently are the two bundles shown above, which include either both Astro Bot and Moss (excellent top-down view third-person platformers that really show the creativity of the platform) or both Creed and Superhot VR (two super-active motion controlled games that are guaranteed to get you sweating). Either bundle is a great choice, but if you can’t decide then I actually recommend the bundle that comes with Move controllers. This way you have them for other VR games that use the devices (like Job Simulator or Skyrim VR) and you can just buy Astro Bot and/or Moss separately.

There are other bundles too, such as the Borderlands 2 VR + Beat Saber and PS Move bundle, Skyrim VR bundle, or the bundle with just a headset and camera.

Should You Get A PS4 Pro For The PSVR?

The honest answer  about a PS4 Pro is…maybe? It really depends. If you have a 4K TV already and you can take advantage of the Pro’s other benefits for non-VR games, then probably. But if you don’t have a 4K TV and you’re just looking into a Pro for its VR benefits, then it’s a little more up in the air. While the Pro undeniably does improve visuals and make PSVR games overall run and look a bit better, the bump in quality isn’t dramatic in most cases.

If visuals aren’t the most important thing to you and you don’t feel like spending a few hundred extra dollars, then don’t. You could put that money towards other things on this list!

PSVR Accessories Buying Guide

That’s not it though, just because you have a fancy PSVR headset doesn’t mean you’re ready to dive into the immersive realm of virtual reality just yet. You need accessories of course!

PSVR Controllers

All PS4 owners already have a DualShock 4 gamepad which can be used with most VR games. Titles like Moss, Astro Bot, The Persistence, Resident Evil 7, and lots of others are all gamepad-focused games so you’re all set there. But what if you want to reach out and touch the digital world? That’s where the PS Move comes into play.

Lots of bundles come with Move controllers now, so I’d recommend one of those just to get the most value, but if you don’t have them already then you definitely should get them so you can play some of the best games in the list down below.

Beyond that you absolutely need to get a PS Aim controller to play the best PSVR shooters the way they were intended.  Games like Firewall Zero Hour, Farpoint, Arizona Sunshine, and DOOM VFR are infinitely better when played with the PS Aim. You can even grab a bundle that includes Firewall with the PS Aim controller for the price of a single, standard non-VR game.

PSVR Add-Ons

There is a nice assortment of add-ons you can buy for PSVR as well. Pictured above are the Bionik Mantis on-ear headphones that clip onto the headband of the PSVR headset and hang down over your ears just like the Rift or Vive’s Deluxe Audio Strap. All you do is clip them on and plug it into the headphone jack. The PSVR has a built-in microphone so you’re good to go and don’t need to fuss with headphones every time you use the device anymore.

Additionally, if you’re a big racing fan and enjoy games like Gran Turismo: Sport or DriveClub VR, then I highly recommend the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition racing wheel and pedals combo. The force feedback is great, it’s got a hefty weight to everything, and feels excellent in your hands.

If you’ve got the aforementioned PS Aim Controller then we highly recommend investing a bit of cash to improve it with a stock. The Aim Controller is an excellent peripheral, but it’s too short. There is no stock at the back of the rifle to cradle in your arm, so we recommend grabbing one of these if you’re big into VR shooters.

Finally, for storage, this is a great deluxe case that will let you bring it along to other people’s homes to demo VR (that’s the only way to truly convince someone of the magic).

PSVR Docks And Stands

When it comes to stands/docks we have two main recommendations: one is based on style and one is based on function. If you want a super stylish and classy-looking stand, then look no further than the Cybust, pictured above. It looks like the disembodied head of an enemy from Superhot VR, which is fitting. They’re nice and hefty, making them great for propping up your multi-hundred dollar set of goggles for all to see.

But if you’re looking for something more functional, that’s the PowerA Charge & Play Display Station. This thing is excellent. Not only does it have a hook for your PSVR to sit on, but you can clip the DualShock 4 and two Move controllers into the sockets so they charge when not in use, ensuring your battery never dies mid-game.

Best PSVR Games Buying Guide

Now we’ve reached the big finale of our guide: the very best PSVR games available! We split this into two sections: free games and paid games. The free games are a great starting point since it will help you figure out what types of experiences you like best in VR before shelling out cash for premium products.

Best Free PSVR Games, Experiences, and Demos

Let’s keep this simple: we’ll list the game/experience, summarize it, and give you a link to learn more. These aren’t in-depth reviews here:

Free Games
Rec Room:
This is a social VR app that drops you into cartoon gymnasium where you can dress up, hang out with friends, and play a variety of games like dodgeball, paintball, and even go on quests to slay monsters and fight pirates. It’s one of the most varied content lineup in all of VR and it’s totally free.

Playroom VR: This is a small, free collection of short demo-style experiences that are designed around local cooperative and competitive gameplay. It’s especially excellent for parties and a must-download for all new PSVR owners.

Dark Eclipse: Do you like playing MOBAs like League of Legends or DOTA2? Then check out Dark Eclipse, it’s totally free and made for VR. While not the best game ever, it’s decent. Here’s our full review.

Megalith (Beta): If you like Overwatch, then this free beta is worth checking out for Megalith this month ahead of the game’s launch. It’s a hero shooter, but all in VR. Read our preview.

The Last Guardian VR: The Last Guardian is a moving and mesmerizing game and its VR spin-off, while brief and limited, is a glimpse at what it could be like to visit that magical world.

Spider-Man: Homecoming VR: If this weren’t free it wouldn’t be on this list because it’s not that great, but we’ll take any chance to be Spider-Man a little that we can get.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – Jackal Assault Mission: A short but very high-quality space-based dogfight mission. Very intense and fun for what it is.

 

Free Game Demos

Demo Disc 1 and Demo Disc 2: These are both jam-packed full of game demos. Highly, highly recommended so you can see what sorts of games you might be interested in.

MossDefinitely one of the best VR games to date and undoubtedly one of the very best third-person VR game so far, Moss is charming, exciting, and a blast to play — even if it is far too short. Read our full review and check out the demo.

Tethered: Sort of like a cute little Lemmings meets God Game island management thing. Neat little demo for a pretty good game.

Apex Construct: The VR market is full of short wave shooters and social VR sandboxes without much content, but Apex Construct is an actual single player story with a fun bow and arrow mechanic to play through. Read our full review for more.

Until Dawn: Rush of Blood: Part horror game and part gallery shooter, Rush of Blood is still one of the best all-thrill and no-chill experiences out there. It’s just full-speed terrifying from start to finish. Read our full review.

 

Free Non-Game Experiences

Allumette:This VR short film is gorgeous and heart-wrenching in all the right ways.Must-see.

Invasion!: One of the first well-known VR shorts and it doesn’t disappoint with great humor and charm. It’s been downloaded over one million times across all platforms for a reason.

Crow: The Legend: From the same studio as Invasion, this is a Native American-inspired tale that is sure to leave your jaw on the floor. Another essential VR experience.

 

Other Free Non-Game Apps

YouTube: This one is so obvious it’s easy to forget, but there are tons of great 360 and 3D videos on YouTube that are a blast to watch inside the headset.

Within: Sort of like YouTube, but specifically for VR content. Lots of cool videos to watch.

Littlstar VR Cinema: Similar to Within — more free video content!

Jaunt: Yep, you guessed it. More free VR content.

NextVR: Like sports? Check this out.

Best Paid PSVR Games and Experiences

We have a whole entire list dedicated to our favorite PSVR games, you can see that here. It’s constantly updated to reflect what we think are the current top 9 best available. If you scroll down to the bottom you can see past entries for other recommendations as well.

For now, I’ll just highlight a few stand outs:

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission: He’s an adorable little robot and he’s the mascot the PSVR deserves. This 3D platformer is part Mario and part VR genius. Read our full review!

Beat Saber: You probably know about this one already. It’s DDR with lightsabers and it’s amazing. Read our full review!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR: One of the largest and most expansive video game worlds ever crafted, but in VR. This one is a no-brainer. Read our full review!

Firewall Zero Hour: This is basically Rainbow Six Siege in VR and with a PS Aim controller it’s just pure magic. Read our full review!

Remember though: check here for the full list.


There you go! This concludes your 2018 buyer’s guide to the PSVR. If you’ve got any questions at all

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The post The 2018 Buyer’s Guide To The Best PSVR Accessories And Games appeared first on UploadVR.

Where we droppin’ (presents)? Perfect ‘Fortnite’ gifts for the fans in your life

Chances are someone on your holiday shopping list is a fan of Fortnite. As the most popular game on the planet, there are plenty of Fortnite-themed gift options available for purchase in stores and online. Here are the best ones we found.

The post Where we droppin’ (presents)? Perfect ‘Fortnite’ gifts for the fans in your life appeared first on Digital Trends.

Virtual Reality Holiday Gift Guide 2017

Virtual Reality Holiday Gift Guide 2017

There are more head-mounted displays on the market than ever before with tons of games and accessories available. This gift guide outlines the headsets, accessories and games you should look for with each of the major VR systems available this year.

Also be sure to check out our breakdown of the market for VR headsets in 2017 that we prepped for Black Friday that was more focused on the pros and cons of each system.

PlayStation VR

For millions of PlayStation 4 owners this bundle of the PSVR headset, camera and Gran Turismo is likely the lowest cost way to get VR in 2017. The bundle is typically $300, but Sony announced a deal starting Dec. 10 that would bring it down to $200. Lots of really interesting virtual worlds like Job Simulator and Fantastic Contraption require the Move controllers to play, and even games like Skyrim VR are better with hand controllers. So lopping that $100 off essentially makes the Move controllers free. The PSVR experience really isn’t complete without them.

There’s also the Doom VFR bundle to consider as well as the Skyrim bundle which includes the controllers. One thing to consider is if you have a PS4 Pro and an ultra high definition television with HDR, the Doom and Skyrim bundles include a slightly updated PlayStation VR system that allows HDR pass through so you don’t need to unplug the system to get that feature on your TV.

Bundles

Accessories

Exclusive Games

Oculus Rift And Touch Bundle

Oculus Rift is very comfortable and includes the best hand controllers on the market. For the greatest level of freedom with Rift you’ll want to buy at least one more sensor.

Bundle

Accessories

Exclusive Games

HTC Vive

Of the three major wired VR headsets, HTC Vive offers the greatest amount of freedom to explore a virtual world. Two base stations installed around the outside of your space and plugged into power is all you need to move your head and hands freely.

Bundles

Accessories

  • $25 Pair Of TrackStraps attaches the Vive Tracker to your feet so you can see your full body in games like Island 359.
  • $30 VR Cover waterproof facial interface can take care of sweat
  • $45 2x Stands to hold base stations instead of mounting them to the wall
  • $100 Deluxe Audio Strap makes audio more convenient
  • $115 VRGE Dock-SE for Vive charges controllers and holds the headset when not in use
  • $150 Hyper Blaster bundle includes a Vive Tracker with a colorful gun that fits right into a game like Duck Season
  • $150 Racket Sports Set bundle includes a Vive Tracker as well as a realistic ping pong paddle and tennis racket for increased immersion in some sports games.

Gear VR and Daydream View

Gear VR powered by Oculus offers the largest selection of quality mobile VR apps, so if you’ve got a recent Samsung phone it is a relatively low cost way to enjoy a limited but convenient VR experience.

Don’t discount the Daydream View, however, which sells for around $100, includes some great Google apps and integrates beautifully with Chromecast so people outside VR can see what the person in VR is seeing. If you’re getting a Galaxy S8 or S8+, you could get both Gear VR and Daydream View and enjoy VR apps from both the Oculus store and Google Play.

Windows-Based VR Headsets

VR headsets based on Microsoft’s technology have been on the market the shortest amount of time. These headsets range from $300-$500 and come from manufacturers including Lenovo, Acer, HP, Dell and Samsung. They are much easier to set up because they track themselves, but the Windows Store is still lacking many big titles that are big draws on the other systems. You can also play games from Steam too, but as of this writing it requires you have a powerful PC to make it work.

These headsets are really new, but with the exception of Samsung’s, which has a better OLED display, the differences between each of them are fairly minor. The prices below should be considered rough guidelines, however, as the manufacturers are offering a variety of discounts across different websites.

Other Gear

Cross-Platform Games

In addition to the exclusives outlined earlier, there are some standouts that can be played PlayStation VR, Rift or Vive that we recommend checking out including Star Trek Bridge Crew, Eve: Valkyrie and Werewolves Within. Each of these games offers cross-play between different headsets so finding people to play with is easier.

And if you want to go it alone we recommend checking out Arizona Sunshine, Doom VFR and Superhot VR.

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