Virtual reality has existed for a considerable amount of time, yet it has truly begun to come into its own in recent years. The market is now flooded with various VR gaming headsets, leaving you to ponder if now is the opportune moment to dive into VR. Immersing yourself in VR gaming can be immensely enjoyable, offering one-of-a-kind experiences should you decide to make the investment now. On the other hand, waiting a while could mean getting your hands on an even better VR headset.
The trajectory of VR gaming’s future remains uncertain at this point. VR gaming offers a great deal of enjoyment, and its enthusiasts are convinced it represents the next evolution of gaming. However, the rate at which it has been adopted hasn’t met the expectations of many within the industry. As of 2020, VR remains a specialized segment that hasn’t captured the attention of the broader gaming community.

Is VR Gaming the Future and Should You Invest Now?

If you’re curious about VR games and want to know more, then you should keep reading. VR gaming is definitely exciting and it’s not something that you should be writing off. It’s going to keep developing and it could be very big in the near future. As the technology continues to improve, more is going to be possible and VR gaming could very well become the norm.

Playstation VR (PSVR)

The most financially successful VR platform is definitely Playstation VR. PSVR has sold quite a few units and some might be surprised to hear that it’s the most successful VR headset. It is far from the most powerful VR headset around and you need to own a PS4 to be able to use it. It has many wires that need to be connected to the headset and it relies on camera tracking using the Playstation camera.

Some VR enthusiasts might scoff at the PSVR because it has inferior specs and is tied to a gaming console that is showing its age in 2020. However, it’s worth noting that the PSVR has a great library of exclusive titles and that it is going to be compatible with the PS5. The PSVR might perform better on the PS5 and there are rumors that Sony will be creating a better PSVR headset in the near future. Plus, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission might be the best VR game in existence depending on your taste in video games. You can see the current prices on the Playstation VR by clicking here.

Oculus Quest 

The Oculus Quest is probably the best VR headset to buy if you want to jump in right now. This is a standalone headset that doesn’t require you to own a PC to get things working. You can enjoy the full VR experience with just an Oculus quest and it’ll allow you to play many great games. There are even many different apps for you to enjoy and many people buy these specifically to watch virtual reality movies or 3D movies.  

What keeps some people from investing in the Oculus Quest is the high price. You’re going to need to pay around $400 to get your hands on one of these and that might be too steep for some people. Just know that this is a seamless VR experience that many people have fallen in love with. It’s user-friendly and you will have a good time if you go this route. If you are interested in picking up an Oculus Quest, you can click here to find the current prices.

Oculus Rift S 

The Oculus Rift S is another option that should be on your radar. If you have a gaming PC already, then you might be better off with the Oculus Rift S than the Oculus Quest. It offers a great resolution so that you can enjoy VR games in high fidelity and take advantage of a much more powerful and immersive gaming experience. Also, this headset comes with touch controllers that work quite nicely. 

It’s better than the original Oculus Rift, but many do prefer the Oculus Quest to this model. Overall, Oculus Quest is seen as a better casual user option since it doesn’t have to be linked to a PC to work. If this isn’t a problem for you, then the Oculus Rift S will be a good purchase. For around the same $400 you would spend on the Oculus Quest, you can really take advantage of your computers hardware with the Oculus Rift S. However, if you do not already have a high end gaming PC, consider the advantages of the Oculus Quest before you commit to spending money on a VR headset.  If you’re interesting in picking up an Oculus Rift, you can check out the current pricing by clicking here.

HTC Vive 

HTC Vive is one of the biggest names when it comes to VR headsets. If you’re looking for incredible graphics while playing VR games, then this might be your go-to choice. The touch controllers that you use with this headset are very intuitive and adaptable in various situations. You’ll also love the fact that the HTC Vive has an impressive library of games for you to play.  

Where things start to go south with this headset will have to do with the price. This is a very expensive headset with the base Vive costing $499, the Vive Focus Plus costing $599, Vive Pro Headset retailing for $799, and now the Vive Cosmos Elite for around $899. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money, then you might wish to go with one of the other options being presented in this article. This is mostly going to be appealing to people who know that they want to invest time in VR and are willing to pay for it. For more information on purchasing an HTC Vive you can check the link provided here.

The Valve Index 

Finally, the Valve Index is the VR headset that has come into the limelight due to the release of Half-Life: Alyx.

If you decide to purchase this VR headset, then you’ll love the overall build quality. The controllers that Valve has designed are probably the best VR controllers to date and they do make a difference for some games. This headset also comes with expansion options so it could be more future–proof than the other VR headsets on the market.  

There are some issues with this headset that need to be considered as well. For example, this headset doesn’t come with a charging cable in the box, which is disappointing. This is especially true when you consider that this VR headset retails for $950, but you can potentially get it for less than that if you find a deal online. It’s a costly headset that is for hardcore gamers who want the best that VR has to offer and this means that it is in direct competition with the HTC Vive.  

Is this VR headset better than the HTC Vive? In some ways it is and in other ways, it isn’t. One thing to know before deciding to purchase this is that it feels kind of heavy while you’re wearing it. It isn’t as comfortable as the HTC Vive or the Oculus Quest, but it does outperform those two headsets in ways that make it hard to say what the best option is.  For the best deals on a Valve Index, I suggest going directly to steam for the most up to date pricing, I have provided the link to the steam store here. 

Is Jumping into VR Gaming Now Smart? 

Is now really the right time to jump on the VR bandwagon? Well, that depends on how excited you are to play VR games. If there are some VR titles that you just can’t wait to play, then it might be well worth spending a bit of cash to experience them. Some VR games such as Vader Immortal, Superhot VR, Beat Saber, and Half-Life: Alyx have really tempted people to get into VR as soon as possible.

It’s also worth noting that VR upgrades are probably coming within the next few years. The new video game consoles will cause video game studios to start making more powerful games and this will likely lead to new VR headsets in the PC gaming space as well. The VR headsets on the market today might not be top of the line in 2022 or 2023. This can be said about any PC that you purchase right now as well, though.  

You can’t necessarily hold off because you know something better is on the horizon. Something better is always in the works and that’s just how the world of video games is. If you like the idea of VR and you have the money to spend on it, then you should definitely try it out now. There are affordable options for those who don’t want to spend the cash on the Valve Index headset or a premium HTC Vive.  

Purchasing an Oculus Quest or a PSVR might be the way to go if you want to try VR out. The PSVR doesn’t have the great graphics of the PC VR headsets, but there are some amazing video games for that platform. Games such as Blood & Truth and Astro Bot: Rescue Mission make it well worth it if you can find a decent deal. The Oculus Quest is great for more than just gaming, though, and it might make more sense for you depending on what types of games and VR experiences you’re looking for.  

Is VR the Future? 

It’s not possible to know whether VR gaming is the future of gaming. Some people think that it is, while others think that it will simply be a part of the gaming world. It certainly has a lot of potential and game developers can learn how to tell their stories in unique ways using VR technology. You’re going to see a lot of innovation in the VR sector in the coming years and it’ll be exciting to see what happens.  

For those who fear VR will overtake traditional gaming experiences, it’s important to know that this is unlikely to happen anytime soon. VR has the potential to enhance gaming experiences and you might see more genres being represented in the VR space soon. Even so, traditional “flat†games aren’t going away. 

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