Meta is getting the most attention in the VR space as CEO Mark Zuckerberg bets his company’s future on his nebulous vision for the “Metaverse.” Sony is still developing VR for games though. The company’s long-awaited PlayStation VR2 headset has been fully revealed, with pre-orders starting later this month. It won’t cost you Meta Quest Pro money, but it’s not cheap either.
The PS VR2 has the same basic aesthetic as Sony’s last headset — a wraparound plastic visor with a Holo-style strap. While the first-generation PS VR used Move controllers (which look like glowing microphones), the PS VR2 has its own handle-shaped Sense controller with sensor rings and adaptive triggers (similar to the PS5 controller). The base PS VR2 bundle will set you back $549.99, and that goes up to $599.99 if you pick up the version bundled with Horizon Call of the Mountain. Sony will also have a $50 charging dock for the Sense controller.
Sony says the PS VR2 is designed with visual fidelity and immersion in mind. It has an OLED screen with a resolution of 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye. That’s a huge upgrade from the paltry 960 x 1080 pixels per eye offered by the original. Even the $1,500 Quest Pro lags slightly behind the PS VR2 with 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye. PS VR2 supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, adjustable IPD, and eye tracking via an IR camera. Also, Sony says it has added a vent to the design that will improve airflow and make the headset more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The main difference between the PS VR2 and Meta’s current VR products is that Sony’s headset is a PlayStation accessory. You must connect it to the PlayStation 5 via a USB-C cable, allowing it to act as a fancy monitor on your face. This makes it less portable and convenient than standalone VR, but you won’t have to worry about battery life, and the visual quality will be better than what you’d get with a souped-up mobile processor powered headset.
Sony will begin taking pre-orders for the PS VR2 on November 15 via online stores in the US, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It will be available in other countries at the same time, but specifications will depend on local retailers. The headset, games, and accessories will begin shipping on February 22, 2023. Sony expects PS VR2 to have around 20 games ready at launch next year
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