By Dean Moses
Whether or not virtual reality is the future of video gaming, a companion to more traditional consoles, or merely a passing fad, currently there is a lot to be excited for in the medium.
Sony recently announced the PSVR 2, the long-awaited sequel to their original headset and the company’s first stab at virtual reality on the current generation system (the PS5). With the PSVR 2 which is not expected to be released until at least next holiday season, the Spring Creek Sun is taking a look at arguably the best VR headsets currently on the market in regard to cost efficiency: the Oculus Quest 2. Right now, retailers are selling the device for about $299.99 for 128GB and $399.99 for 256GB (both are about $50 to $100 cheaper than other VR headsets on the market.)
Let’s get the system’s greatest flaw out of the way first. The headset is owned and operated by Facebook (now known as Meta) and therefore will require a social media login to access, although you won’t need to sign into Facebook in order to operate the device. This will be a big turnoff for many and will even prevent some from making the purchase. However, if you can make it past this initial hurdle, consumers will be in for one heck of a ride.
One of the highlights to this VR headset is that it does not need to connect to another device to work. For example, the current Sony VR headset needs to be plugged into a PlayStation 4, and the Samsung Gear hooks into your phone. However, the Oculus Quest 2 is a lightweight system of its own and comes with two controllers. Once you’ve set up the device, there are several great games to choose from (all must be purchased separately). In addition, you do have an option to connect your device to a gaming computer so that you can play an even wider variety.
Some of the top games on the Oculus Quest 2 are: Resident Evil 4, Beat Saber, Star Wars, and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Prices for each of these games vary: Resident Evil 4 costs $39.99 and Beat Saber is $29.99, but Star Wars is $9.99.
The Oculus Quest 2 is the type of VR system that is a great gaming option even though the battery life lasts about two hours, and to be honest more than 20 minutes playing VR can give you a bit of a headache.
