The Sony PlayStation VR2 Headset: Everything You Need to Know

In a few short years, VR gaming has gone from a sci-fi concept to a staple in millions of households. Much of the credit for this transformation goes to Sony, which has made great strides with Playstation VR. With the original Playstation VR as a sleeper success, it’s no surprise that the tech giant has made yet another big move in the virtual reality gaming space.

Powered by the mega-popular Playstation 5, PS VR2 brings next-generation PSVR games and experiences to the living room. This gives competitors like Valve and Oculus another reason to step their game up. The target market? Fanatics looking for a new way to interact with their favorite titles. Ready to embrace the next big experience in VR gaming? Keep reading to discover what, exactly, sets the PSVR 2 apart.

When Is the Playstation VR 2 Out? How Much Does It Cost?

In the past, major video games — and the consoles used to play them — routinely debuted in the fall, eager to capitalize on potential holiday shoppers in gift-purchasing mode. Recently, the first quarter of the year has seen its fair share of blockbuster titles released. Playstation VR 2 continues that trend.

Debuting on February 22nd of 2023 and retailing for $549.99, PSVR 2 has proven a welcome distraction for those looking to transport themselves into worlds not covered in ice and snow.

The $549 retail price was a bit of a surprise for Sony fans, who remembered that the original PSVR hit stores at launch with a $399 price tag. Of course, the world was a different place in 2016. Between chip shortages and inflation concerns, it's easy to see why a somewhat sizeable price increase wasn’t out of the question.

PSVR 2 falls comfortably in between the two popular headsets offered by Oculus. The 256 GB Meta Quest 2 can be found for $430, while the Meta Quest Pro — a more enterprise-based headset — checks in at a hefty $1000.

While the PlayStation VR 2 will be competing with the older Quest 2 for a limited time, its bigger rival will be the as-of-yet unreleased Meta Quest 3. Rumors suggest Meta is poised to offer the Quest 3 at $399. This will certainly give VR gamers something to think about when deciding on a VR headset.

Design and Build

Sony designers have taken gamer feedback to heart and used their experiences to improve upon the design and build of the original PSVR while creating the new headset. All of the usual staples of the virtual reality headset experience are here (including individual eye tracking), and gone are several annoyances that plagued the original Playstation VR.

The connection from headset to console involves a single USB-C passthrough cable, which drastically cuts down on the clunk factor when fully immersed in the gameplay. That immersion is enhanced with a comfortable headset, which is far lighter than the original. Fans of the first iteration of Playstation VR will find the fit and finish comfortable and familiar.

How Does It Look and Sound?

A VR experience can quickly fall apart if the audio and video experience is lacking. This is definitely not the case with PSVR 2, thanks to fantastic OLED panels and a customizable audio experience that supports 3D audio headsets. Each OLED display boasts a 2000 x 2040 pixel resolution and HDR support, ensuring that premier AAA games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain and Resident Evil Village look their best.

With more pixels per panel than the Meta Quest 2 and refresh rates of up to 120Hz, the visual experience is top of the line. To round out the visual package, a 110-degree field of view allows every experience to fully capture the eyes and imagination of the player.

Included with every PSVR 2 headset: a pair of earbuds that plug into the device. These are solid, albeit unspectacular. Audiophiles will want their own headphones in order to maximize the experience.

Performance and Controls

Utilizing the power of the PlayStation 5 and the new PSVR 2 Sense controllers, VR gaming has never been more functional. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that made the DualSense controller a hit on PS5 return, adding a new dimension to the VR gaming experience. While some gaming experiences may suffer from stuttering or other performance hitches, the power of the PlayStation 5 makes those instances a rare event.

Unfortunately for some players, the reality that PSVR 2 is only compatible with the PlayStation 5 console will be a detriment. Sorry, no PC VR or support for laptops to be found here. While this shouldn’t be an issue for Sony devotees, more casual VR consumers may find it irksome.

It’s All About The Games

Sony could create the most amazing VR experience available — but if the games are mediocre, what’s the point? Thankfully, there’s a steady stream of titles in the pipeline, plus a solid launch lineup of new games to anticipate.

Available on Day One, the PS VR2 update for Gran Turismo 7 gave gearheads an entirely new way to experience one of PlayStation’s best franchises. Another day one update saw No Man’s Sky make the leap into VR with the Fractal update. A PlayStation VR 2 port of Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy’s Edge brought the hit Meta Quest game to Sony’s platform with some major technical improvements.

Launch games on PSVR 2 also include Tetris Effect: Connected, Kayak VR: Mirage, and many more. Sony’s consoles always receive plentiful first and third-party support — and that trend will no doubt continue with PSVR 2.

The Verdict

While Nintendo focuses on the Switch and Xbox finds success with Game Pass, Sony continues to venture into the VR waters. So far, it’s been smooth sailing, and things can only improve from here. Despite its premium price of $549, PSVR 2 is still a fantastic value proposition for PlayStation 5 owners endeavoring for an added way to dive into their games.