PlayStation VR2: Release date, launch lineup, specs, price, and more details
When Sony created the initial PlayStation VR headset for the PS4, it was the first console maker to really consider virtual reality. Even though it was impressive for the price, there were many flaws: Players didn’t like using controllers from the PS3 generation, the camera tracking wasn’t perfect, and the resolution could have been much better. In spite of everything, PS VR wound up being one of the most popular headsets on the market. Sony revealed the new PlayStation VR2, appearing to take into account all the lessons gained from the PS VR as well as the progress made by competitor headsets. Initially merely a blog post, Sony has been gradually revealing more and more details about the imminent PS5 upgrade. There is a ton of material floating around to get excited about, but some of the big questions we have are still up in the air. Here is all that is currently known about the PlayStation VR2.
PlayStation VR2: Release date
There is currently no release date or window for PlayStation VR2. Many people think it will happen at some point toward the end of 2022, but we think early to mid-2023 is much more likely. This would allow Sony to increase the amount of PS5 stock in people’s hands as well as try to increase the stock of this new product so that there isn’t another situation where individuals who want one can’t get one for months or even years.
PlayStation VR2: Launch lineup
According to Sony, the PlayStation VR2 will come preloaded with more than 20 games. While Sony has previewed a few VR games, it is unclear exactly which ones will be released on launch day. Horizon: Call of the Mountain, a first-party game and the first one we saw on PS VR2, should be one of those launch games, in our opinion. We are aware of the following additional games coming to PS VR2 at launch or later:
- Among Us VR
- Firmament
- Horizon Call of the Mountain
- A Jurassic Park game from Coatsink
- Low-Fi
- No Man’s Sky
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Resident Evil Village
- Runner
- Samurai Slaughter House
- The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners—Chapter 2: Retribution
Additionally, it is yet unknown whether PS VR2 will be backward compatible with PS VR’s first generation of games. We suspect that it won’t be because if it were, Sony would have specified that the launch line-up included 20 “new” games or touted the number as being substantially greater. While the phrase “over 20” games might be taken to signify the whole PS VR library, our best estimate is that game creator will need to upgrade their titles to support the PSVR2. The biggest titles from that system will probably be ported, possibly right at launch, but native backward compatibility doesn’t seem promising.
PlayStation VR2: Specs
The first PS VR was clunky and underpowered, even for the time. It was difficult to use because of the resolution, tracking, and improvised motion controls with the camera, as well as the bulky wires and additional box. At least temporarily, the PS VR2 reverses the script by giving the impression that it is one of the most potent headsets on the market. Cords are always going to be the first big question. Even if we are unable to detach the PS VR2 from the PS5, which is handling the bulk of the work, we are at least left with just a single, thin USB Type-C wire connecting the headset to your console. Even though it isn’t perfect, it is still a big step up from what was there before.
The PS VR2 will include two OLED eye displays with a combined resolution of 4000 x 2040 at a 110-degree field of view, which is higher than the Meta Quest 2. Each OLED eye display will have a resolution of 2000 x 2040. Additionally, it will be capable of supporting 90Hz or 120Hz frame rates as well as foveated rendering. All of this means that this headset is capable of 4K HDR and may perhaps reach 120 frames per second. The specifics will change from game to game, though. The PS VR2 is astounding not only in terms of what your eye will see but also in terms of how it will perceive your eye. Eye-tracking technology will be included in PS VR2, which may allow for more immersive experiences while also perhaps reducing motion sickness. Although eye-tracking has a lot of potentials, we don’t really know what to expect from it because it’s still so new.
PS VR2 also learned to forgo the external camera in favor of inside-out tracking, which was a valuable lesson. As a result, the headgear contains four built-in cameras that enable it to track your movements far more precisely and without the blind areas or illumination issues that the PS VR camera experienced. Additionally, it will include integrated 3D audio, which is necessary for VR. Let’s finally discuss the new controllers. These are known as the PS VR2 Sense controllers, and they have a design that is extremely similar to other top VR controllers. A thumbstick, two face buttons, a trigger, and a button where your thumb will rest are all present on each controller. It offers complete finger touch detection, the same adaptive triggers, and haptic feedback as the DualSense controller on the PS5. This tells the game whether or not your fingers are lifted off the controller and better simulates in-game gestures.
PlayStation VR2: Price
Although the PS VR2’s official pricing has not yet been revealed, there is a lot of conjecture about what it would cost based on its specifications and how comparable headsets are priced. Comparatively, the Oculus Quest 2 only costs about $300, whereas the HTC Vive Pro headset alone costs just under $800. Sony won’t want to charge as much for the device as HTC did for the Vive, and we believe the company will take all necessary measures to keep the price below that of a PS5, even if it means making a tiny loss. We might see the PS VR relaunching at $400, with a cap of $500. The original PlayStation VR’s initial price was $400. Even though a lower price would be better, it doesn’t seem likely that it will go below $400 given how powerful this device is.
PlayStation VR2: Pre-order
Expect the PS VR2 to sell out quickly after its debut, much like the PS5, or really any new gaming device. There is currently no method to pre-order a device because no release date or price has been disclosed. Pre-orders will likely sell out quickly once they go live, so keep an eye on this page so you may be informed when they do in order to have the best opportunity of obtaining one of the first units.