The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
The PS VR2 is out now – here’s where to buy the headset
The headset has a new look, updated specs and launched on 22 February
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PlayStation’s next-generation virtual-reality headset is finally here. You can read our full read our full PS VR2 review now.
PlayStation’s virtual-reality headset is the only one designed exclusively for home consoles.
Most other headsets work with gaming computers, smartphones or are self-contained with their own processor and power supply. Microsoft has not yet shown an interest in making a rival VR product for its Xbox console.
Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about the price, release date, what’s included with the PS VR2 and how you can buy the headset today.
Read more:
PlayStation VR2: £529.99, Playstation.com
The PS VR2 launched on 22 February 2023. The standard bundle costs £529.99, which includes the headset itself, two VR2 sense controllers as well as stereo headphones.
There’s also a bundle available that includes the PS VR2 exclusive Horizon: Call of the Mountain, which is set in the same universe as the Horizon series. It costs £40 more than the headset alone (£569.99, Playstation.com).
Finally, a charging station for the VR2 sense controllers costs £39. It connects to a separate power supply, freeing up use of the PS5’s connected ports.
PS VR2 release date
In November 2022, PlayStation officially announced that the PS VR2 headset will be released on 22 February 2023.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is a day-one release, but other games such as the Resident Evil 4 remake have already been confirmed for the headset, and we imagine other PS VR2 exclusive titles will launch later this year.
Read more: Where to buy a PlayStation 5 console
Prior to the release date announcement, PlayStation said in a blog post that developers would be able to get their hands on “the latest user experience for PS VR2” in a new system software release as part of the hardware’s ongoing development.
“There are lots of exciting things to look forward to for PS VR2, and we can’t wait to share more details about our next-generation virtual-reality headset that takes a dramatic leap forward in gameplay innovation,” the post continued. “We’ll share more information soon, including launch date and additional games coming to the platform.”
PS VR2 user interface
In a recent PlayStation Blog post written by product manager Yasuo Takahashi, some new features were shared of what the PS VR2 set is capable of, and there are some seriously impressive new features.
One of the most notable is the “see-through” view, which enables users to see their surroundings without removing the headset, thanks to front-facing cameras. The post said, “Users can press the function button on the headset, or use the card in the control centre, to switch between viewing your surroundings or viewing the contents of the PS VR2.”
Another touted feature is the “customised play area”, that will enable users to scan the room they are in to tailor the available space to move within the environment. When users get too close to the border edges, a boundary will appear to warn players that they are close to the edge. It’s a feature we’ve seen on other VR headsets and should help players prone to bumping into walls and shin-high coffee tables.
Finally, PlayStation has created two distinct modes for different types of content: VR mode and cinematic mode. In VR Mode, players can experience a 360-degree view in a virtual environment. Content will be displayed in 4,000 x 2,040 HDR video format (2,000 x 2,040 per eye) with frame rates of 90Hz or 120Hz.
Meanwhile, cinematic mode is designed to work with non-VR content and will be displayed in a 1,920 × 1,080 HDR video format with 24 and 60Hz as well as a 120Hz frame rate.
PS VR2 Specs
Sony says the PS VR2 has a 4K resolution, which translates to 2,000 x 2,040px per eye, and there’s HDR (high dynamic range) technology too, for improved contrast and brighter colours.
The headset uses an OLED display, so we’re hoping for the sort of vivid colours and deep blacks that the technology is known for. Additionally, the frame rates of 90Hz and 120Hz should make for smoother visuals. The field-of-view, a key metric when it comes to VR, is 110 degrees.
The PS VR2 has outwards-facing cameras on its exterior for inside-out tracking. VR headsets use this technology to map the wearer’s surroundings and help the virtual environment change realistically as they move their head, without the need for extra sensors placed around the room, as used to be the case with some VR systems.
Added to this, the PS VR2 also includes eye-tracking tech, which will detect the motion of the gamer’s eyes, helping them explore and control a game by looking in specific directions.
Further sensor tech includes headset feedback, which Sony says “amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience.”
Read more: Best PS5 games for every kind of player, from Elden Ring to Stray
Sony is pushing haptic technology in a big way with the PS5. As well as the vibration motor of the VR2 headset, the dualsense gamepad (£59.99, Argos.co.uk) has haptic feedback and motorised triggers that can push back against the player’s fingers. Haptic feedback is also featured in the new sense controllers of the PS VR2 itself.
Every PS VR 2 game we’ve seen so far
Based on the trailers and announcements we’ve seen, this is the full list of games we are expecting to see available on PS VR2 when it eventually launches:
- Alvo
- Among Us VR
- Demeo
- Firewall Ultra
- Firmament
- Ghostbusters VR
- Horizon: Call of the Mountain
- Low-Fi
- No Man’s Sky (VR edition)
- Resident Evil Village
- Resident Evil 4 remake
- Runner
- Samurai Slaughterhouse
- Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapter 2 – Retribution
As well as confirming the name of the headset in January 2022, Sony also revealed how an original game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, is being developed specifically for the PS VR2. This will be the first of many next-generation VR titles coming to the PS5; as with the current PS VR, it is likely some games will be entirely VR-based, while others will include an element of VR, but not rely entirely on the headset to function. PlayStation fans were recently shown a trailer of Call of the Mountain in PlayStation’s June State of Play.
A few other PS VR2 compatible games were also announced at the State of Play event, such as a virtual reality version of Capcom’s Resident Evil 8 and the upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake.
During an investment briefing at Sony in late May 2022, the company gave more details about its planned software releases for the new headset. A slide from the presentation has shown that the company plans to launch the PS VR2 with more than 20 games.
This will include a mix of first-party and third-party titles, according to Sony. One game that we are aware will be making its way to the platform is Among Us VR, a virtual-reality version of the hit murder-mystery game from developer Innersloth.
While the developer didn’t say when the game would launch on PS VR2, it did say it would be available “when the headset releases”, meaning this is likely to be one of the 20+ titles we’ll see when the PS VR2 launches in February.
Will PS VR2 be backwards compatible?
Sadly, it has been confirmed the PS VR2 will not be backwards compatible with previously released titles for the headset, so it’s likely we’ll see ports of the most popular ones being released.
As for the current PS VR system (which works with the PS4 and PS5 consoles), titles featured in our 2021 rundown of the best virtual-reality games across all platforms include The Room VR (£24.99, Playstation.com), which our reviewer described as “a supremely satisfying experience.”
Our tester also rated Beat Saber (£24.99, Playstation.com), as well as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (£15, Amazon.co.uk) and Star Trek: Bridge Crew (£17.21, Amazon.co.uk). They are all available for the current model of PS VR.
PS VR2 vs Oculus quest 2: What’s the difference?
The PS VR2 and Meta quest 2 (£399, Amazon.co.uk) are set to be quite different takes on virtual-reality gaming. Where the former will only work when connected to a PS5 console, the latter is a self-contained system that can be enjoyed on its own, with just the headset and a controller. The Oculus can be connected to a PC for access to the company’s Rift games but is mostly intended to be used on its own.
This is significant. While PS5 gamers would usually prefer a fully wireless VR experience, as offered by Oculus, Sony is betting on the huge power of the PlayStation 5 more than compensating for its need to be tethered to the PS VR2 headset. Mercifully, it’s a simpler setup than with the original PS VR, thanks to just a single USB-C cable connecting the new headset to the PS5 console.
Read more: We’ve found the best Nintendo Switch deals
Of course, this also means battery life is no concern for the PS VR2, as power and huge amounts of high-speed data can be carried by USB-C cables. Steering away from a battery-powered, wireless VR headset should also help keep costs down – or rather, help Sony spend a greater proportion of the PS VR2’s cost on processing power, display technology and its unique haptic feedback system. Those key points should help push the PlayStation headset into a sector of the market beyond the less powerful Oculus.
Both headsets have cameras to map the wearer’s environment and offer a VR experience with no need for external sensors, and both work with a set of purpose-built hand controllers.
As for specifications, the PS VR2 has a slightly higher resolution at 2,000 x 2,040px per eye, compared with 1,832 x 1,920px for the Oculus quest 2. Both handsets can handle a refresh rate of 90Hz, but only the PS VR2 can stretch to 120Hz, which should make for smoother visuals. Both also have 3D audio the quest 2 is offered with 128GB or 256GB of storage, while the PS VR2 is unlikely to have any, owing to how it connects to the PS5 console instead of running games off its own processor.
Voucher codes
If you’re looking for discounts on technology or video games, try one of these codes:
Read More: Find the best broadband deals with Independent Advisor