The PlayStation VR2, Sony’s next-gen virtual reality headset, will launch on February 22, 2023 and will cost more than a PS5. In a blog post, the company confirmed pre-order dates, as well as revealing the PS VR2 Sense controller charging station, which also drops on the same day. Pre-orders are set to launch on November 15th and will be released in two main editions: PlayStation VR2 and PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle. The standard headset is priced at $549.99 (around Rs. 45,525) while the themed bundle is priced at $599.99 (around Rs. 49,669). No word on pricing or release in India yet.
PlayStation VR2 Pricing, Availability, and Editions
During its initial launch phase, players in the US, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg will be able to pre-order the PlayStation VR2 exclusively through the online store at direct.playstation.com. However, those interested must register for the November 15th pre-order, which is available on the official website.
All orders – solo and bundled editions – from the direct online site will ship during the first week of release. In other markets, PlayStation VR2 will only be available at participating retailers, with pre-orders starting the same day. As I said before, there is no word on an Indian release. “Availability in individual countries is subject to local import regulations,” reads Sony’s blog post.
The standard PlayStation VR2 bundle, priced at $549.99, comes with the PS VR2 headset, PS VR2 Sense controllers, and stereo headphones. Whereas the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle includes said items, along with a PlayStation Store promo code for the Horizon VR game, first revealed at CES 2022 earlier this year. Both boxes look different in terms of design, but the latter contains a digital code for the game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, released there. The title will also be available for pre-order separately later this month.
Then there’s the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller charging station, priced at $49.99 (about Rs. 4,139), allowing gamers to charge their controllers via a simple “click” design, freeing up ports on the PS5 console.
PlayStation VR2 Games: 11 new titles announced
The company has confirmed 20 “main” games at launch for PS VR2, including the aforementioned Horizon game. Resident Evil Village, No Man’s Sky, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition also made the list.
Sony has now added 11 more titles to the mix for PlayStation VR2.
- The dark images: Switchback VR
- VR Cities – Enhanced Edition
- Firestorm: Sierra Squadron
- The Light Brigade
- haute cosmonios
- Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue
- Jurassic World Aftermath Collection
- Pistol Whip VR
- Zenith: the last city
- after autumn
- tentacle
PlayStation VR2 Features
Although Sony has not revealed how much the PlayStation VR2 weighs, the details of its specifications have been released for some time. The PS VR2 promises an OLED panel resolution of 4000 x 2040 (2000 x 2040 per eye), which can run at either 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, allowing for smooth navigation while gaming. The headset is also set to feature a 110-degree FOV (field of view), the same as its predecessor. Also included is a 1080p cinematic mode, which streams the PS5 UI and all non-VR games on a virtual screen, running at either 24Hz or 60Hz.
There’s also a transparent toggle, allowing PS VR2 users to see their surroundings without having to take the headset off, thanks to the front facing cameras built into the viewfinder. Meanwhile, the included Broadcast mode lets you stream your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, while connected to the PlayStation 5’s HD camera.
Current virtual reality systems need tracking cameras to be installed in every corner of the room for height adjustments and to create a play area. The PlayStation VR2 headset, however, is equipped with four built-in cameras that track hand and controller movement. Any tilting or shifting movement of the head is detected and instantly reflected on your in-game character. Then there’s a sensory feature that relies on a motor vibration, to add a clever tactile element, emulating the senses from within the game. At CES 2022, PlayStation stated that as soon as your character stops running, the PS VR2 headset’s motor will begin pulsing to resemble an elevated pulse rate.
The new PS VR 2 controllers feature a major design change, swapping the light-up mic style for a rounded, sphere-shaped frame. Dubbed ‘Sense Controllers’, they follow a similar design to more typical VR controllers, similar to the Oculus Quest 2, and come with haptic feedback.