All > PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR
Retail Price
$299.99
Lowest Price
$100.00
Release Date
October 13, 2016
The PlayStation VR is a VR headset that fits into a popular, user-friendly system, which sets certain expectations that other headsets don’t have. Its natural habitat is an all-purpose entertainment space that one might share with any number of people, including ones who couldn’t care less about VR.
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Overview
- Summary
- Overview - Display
- Overview - Features
- Overview - Performance
- Overview - Worth
- Recommendation
- Positive
- Negative
Summary - The PlayStation VR is a VR headset that fits into a popular, user-friendly system, which sets certain expectations that other headsets don’t have. Its natural habitat is an all-purpose entertainment space that one might share with any number of people, including ones who couldn’t care less about VR.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Overview - Display - The PlayStation VR has a relatively low resolution but looks good in games. Its headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use. It provides good but sometimes flaky motion tracking on the hands due to the cameras’ limited viewing angle.
IGN
10/05/2016
Overview - Features - The PlayStation VR provides the best balance of price, power and features, at a cost of $700 inclusive of the PS4.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Overview - Performance - There’s no one game that justifies buying PlayStation VR, and no technical breakthrough that will revolutionize how one experiences the medium, but it offers a balanced, interesting launch catalog and a headset that’s a joy to wear, with weak points that hurt the system but don’t cripple it.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Overview - Worth - The PlayStation VR is at its golden age due to a large library of great VR titles, and Sony VR Exclusives are among the best VR games currently on the market.
r/psvr
07/18/2021
Recommendation - The PlayStation VR is a great way to go for wanting to try VR, though it is not a must-have. For those interested in VR, there are two routes to take: Used PC VR with full room tracking, or PSVR with mostly only front tracking.
Sources
Tags
- Summary
- Overview - Display
- Overview - Features
- Overview - Performance
- Overview - Worth
- Recommendation
Sources
- The Verge
- YouTube
- PCMag
See All Sources
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- Positive
- Negative
Pros - The PlayStation VR is very comfortable to use, very accessible to consumers, and relatively affordable.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Cons - The PlayStation VR suffers from substandard motion controls, a piecemeal system that can be confusing, and the need for more risky, ambitious VR experiments.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
See All Sources
Build & Design
- Build - Fit
- Build - Buttons - Wheel
- Build - Cable & Inline Remote
- Build - Comfort
- Build - Controller
- Build - Headset & Facemask
- Build - Weight
- Design - Headset - LEDs
- Positive
- Negative
Build - Fit - The PlayStation VR is made of curved plastic. It has a prominent visor and a thick headband that supports the headset, and its design looks similar to Microsoft HoloLens, but it fits on the head completely differently. It is akin to the space-age black and white visor once known as project Morpheus on paper.
Build - Buttons - Wheel - The PlayStation VR has an adjustable wheel that allows one to tighten and lock the headset in place. There is a button that allows the release of the headset from the head for further adjustments.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Build - Cable & Inline Remote - The PlayStation VR has an inline remote that sits about a foot down the wire from the headset. It contains a 3.5mm headphone jack for use with the included earphones, a volume up/down and mic mute buttons, and a power button that turns the headset on and off with an audible beep from the processor unit. The cable terminates in two HDMI connectors; one standard HDMI plug and the other with a bump over the top giving it a proprietary shape. They both plug into the VR connector cable, which in turn plugs into the processor box with another pair of the same HDMI plugs.
Build - Comfort - The PlayStation VR is comfortable even for those who wear glasses, and its weight distribution is better than other headsets. However it can slip out of place when looking straight up or rapidly shaking the head.
Build - Controller - The PlayStation Move controllers are not designed for VR; they are very uncomfortable to use due to their tiny buttons and the fact that they were originally designed for the PS3.
Build - Headset & Facemask - The PSVR’s headset itself is mostly made of curved white plastic, with a prominent visor that holds most of the electronics and a single thick headband that runs around the back of the head. It weighs 1.3 pounds. Even though it looks big and bulky, it's really lightweight. On the outside the PlayStation VR looks like a prop from a sci-fi movie. The only major headset with a smooth and easily cleanable rubber facemask not one made of fabric or foam.
Build - Weight - The PSVR does not feel heavy thanks to the weight being evenly distributed by an adjustable headband that has plenty of padding. Glasses wearers will also find it simple to wear the headset over existing eyewear.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Design - Headset - LEDs - The PSVR headset is closer to the PlayStation 5 in terms of design. Each console’s dashboard can run entirely in VR, and even non-VR titles can be played as if looking at them on a sizeable, cinema-style screen. The LEDs around the headset help the PlayStation Camera track head position.
Sources
Tags
- Build - Fit
- Build - Buttons - Wheel
- Build - Cable & Inline Remote
- Build - Comfort
- Build - Controller
- Build - Headset & Facemask
- Build - Weight
- Design - Headset - LEDs
Sources
- PCMag
- The Verge
- YouTube
- SPACE.com
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
The Verge
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
The Verge
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
IGN
10/05/2016
The Verge
10/05/2016
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
IGN
10/05/2016
See All Sources
Features
- Camera
- Controller - Feel - Games
- Display
- Earbuds
- Eye Piece
- Games
- Microphone
- Motion Controls
- Move Controllers - Motion Tracking
- Processor
- Remote
- Rubber
- Positive
- Negative
Camera - The PlayStation VR’s Camera is a slightly redesigned version. It tracks the actual VR headset.
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Controller - Feel - Games - In FPS games, thanks mainly to the PlayStation VR’s Aim controller, one can feel like really holding guns, and even when said guns don’t match the shape perfectly it still manages to trick the brain. The PSVR is technically dated compared to other VR systems, but is still a game changing experience. In terms of input options, the PSVR offers both controller support and the PlayStation Move.
Display - The TV almost always shows what the person wearing the PlayStation VR is seeing. There is no need to adjust the screen for glasses, and there's a little button on the bottom where one can pull it in and out to adjust it.
Earbuds - The PlayStation VR’s earbuds add 3D audio but are not necessary as said audio can be played through a standard TV output. They can be stowed in small indents within the headband to avoid swinging freely.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Eye Piece - The PlayStation VR’s eye pieces slide out with the push of a button and are wearable with glasses.
The Verge
10/05/2016
Games - The PlayStation VR worlds include The London Heist, Scavenger’s Odyssey, Ocean Descent, VR Luge, and Danger Ball. There is also a PSVR Demo Disc for Eve, DriveClub, and Rigs. Sony provided the best games to use in VR at the time the PSVR came out and that makes the PSVR more interesting. They even had fully formed games to offer rather than those that just served as tech demos. The PSVR has probably the strongest selection of VR games available today.as Sony has invested a huge amount into exclusives for its VR system.
Microphone - The PSVR has a not-easily-seen built-in microphone.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Motion Controls - The PSVR has the worst motion controls among the major headsets like the Oculus Touch or HTC Vive because their interface is a bad fit for VR. The motion controls can also be very inconsistent in terms of performance.
Move Controllers - Motion Tracking - The PS Move Controllers use two motion-sensing wand controllers with glowing bulbs that the PlayStation Camera tracks along with the PS VR's positioning lights.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Processor - The PSVR has everything still going on in the PS4’s processor. It gives a couple extra features, like enhancing the audio for a full 360 VR effect, and an HDMI out to a TV, but that’s about it.
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Remote - The PSVR offers an inline remote with a 3.5mm jack and buttons for power, volume, and toggling a built-in microphone.
Rubber - The PSVR offers a near total blackout from the outside world experience via the rubber that wraps around the nose. However, the rubber that comes in contact with the face is not breathable and will make one feel sweaty eventually. Thankfully the rubber is very easy to clean.
Sources
Tags
- Camera
- Controller - Feel - Games
- Display
- Earbuds
- Eye Piece
- Games
- Microphone
- Motion Controls
- Move Controllers - Motion Tracking
- Processor
- Remote
- Rubber
Sources
- YouTube
- SPACE.com
- PCMag
- The Verge
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
IGN
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
The Verge
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
UploadVR
02/11/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
IGN
10/05/2016
See All Sources
Performance
- Audio
- Display
- Flexibility
- Gaming Experience
- Motion - Frame Rate
- Resolution - Frame Rate
- Tracking
- Positive
- Negative
Audio - The PSVR’s audio technology adds a new layer of immersion as it allows tracking the sound of enemies, listening out for secrets, and plenty more when in-game.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Display - The PSVR offers a 1,920-by-1,080 OLED panel split into 960-by-1,080 images for each eye. It’s a noticeably less sharp display than the Vive or Oculus, but it has 120 Hz refresh rate which means that it is capable of buttery smooth motion than the 90 Hz Rift or Vive. The field of view on the PlayStation VR is narrower than its competitors but not by a lot.
Flexibility - The PSVR can be used to play non-VR games and apps. It displays all non-PSVR software as a giant screen floating in front of the face, similar to Virtual Desktop software available for the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift. Motion controls are disabled when playing non-VR games, but the system still tracks head movement to give the impression of sitting in front of a big screen rather than simply being strapped at a fixed point in front of the face.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Gaming Experience - Playing VR games is incredible to the point that one would not want to play flat games anymore. Many VR games are available now compared to the time when the PSVR was just released back in 2016.
Motion - Frame Rate - The PSVR has no significant frame rate dips and no unusual problems with nausea for most, but there have been some reports of feeling motion sickness while gaming.
Resolution - Frame Rate - The PSVR’s screen resolution is decent, but noticeably less sharp than the Vive or Oculus. This does not affect immersion too much however as the frame rate is solid and stable.
Tracking - The PSVR does not support whole room tracking like the Vive, though its actual presence is not bad, and it seems able to track in 3D space reasonably well. When leaning too far out however, the PlayStation Camera fails to detect. Motion-tracking is where the PSVR feels a bit lacking as it is limited thanks to a light bar in the back, but its single camera works reasonably well save for some occasional problems.
Sources
Tags
- Audio
- Display
- Flexibility
- Gaming Experience
- Motion - Frame Rate
- Resolution - Frame Rate
- Tracking
Sources
- SPACE.com
- PCMag
- YouTube
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
IGN
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
r/psvr
05/17/2019
r/psvr
05/17/2019
r/psvr
05/17/2019
r/psvr
05/17/2019
IGN
10/05/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
IGN
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
Austin Evans
10/14/2016
IGN
10/05/2016
The Verge
10/05/2016
See All Sources
Setup
- Cable & Display
- Setup - Technical
- Second Screen
- Setup - Requirements
- Software - Setup
- Update
- Positive
- Negative
Cable & Display - Hooking everything up with the PSVR is a fairly direct process that involves a series of cords and cables comparable with the HTC Vive and its Link Box. It involves a lot of plugging and connecting between the Processor Box, the PS4, the TV, the PSVR Headset, and the PlayStation Camera. Once everything is connected, one just needs to turn on the PS4 to begin and the display will turn on once the PS4 finishes booting and the power button on the inline remote of the headset is pressed.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Setup - Technical - The downsides in setting up the PSVR are room space, gaming pc requirements, and the tons of wires to manage.
r/psvr
05/17/2019
Second Screen - After the first setup of the PSVR, one can play without a second screen so as to not have to worry about things like kids watching the violent game being played or another using the shared TV with another console.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Setup - Requirements - Setting up is complicated because of the management of cables. There are a good number of connections that need to be played for the PSVR to completely work, and the setup itself takes a lot of space that is needed for the Move and DualShock controllers except if one buys a separate charging dock. On the upside though, unlike with the Rift and Vive, the setup is nearly impossible to make mistakes on, as there is no third-party software to install or drivers to track down; just a few screens guiding the setup and making necessary updates. With the now-standard bundle including a PlayStation Camera and Move controllers, the only other thing needed to use the PS VR is a PlayStation 4 or PS4 Pro.
Software - Setup - The PSVR does not involve a third-party PC software to install, making the process easy and simple.
The Verge
10/05/2016
Update - The PSVR’s latest hardware revision is easier to install and setup compared to original 2016 version.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Sources
Tags
- Cable & Display
- Setup - Technical
- Second Screen
- Setup - Requirements
- Software - Setup
- Update
Sources
- PCMag
- The Verge
- YouTube
- SPACE.com
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
r/psvr
05/17/2019
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
The Verge
10/05/2016
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
See All Sources
Comparison
- Comparison vs. Oculus, & Comparison vs. Vive
- Comparison vs. HTC Vive
- Comparison vs. Oculus Quest
- Comparison vs. Quest 2
- Comparison vs. PSVR 2
- Comparison vs. PS5 VR
- Comparison vs. Google Cardboard
- Comparison vs. Samsung/Google Headsets
- Positive
- Negative
Comparison vs. Oculus, & Comparison vs. Vive - The PlayStation VR is eye-catching and has the 60s science fiction spaceship interior unlike the cyberpunk aesthetic of Oculus or the aggressively industrial design of the Vive. It is also cheaper than the Rift and Vive.
Comparison vs. HTC Vive - The PSVR processor box is just a little smaller than the PS4 making it notably bigger than the HTC Vive Link Box.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Comparison vs. Oculus Quest - The PSVR’s cable in the back can get annoying.
r/psvr
07/18/2021
Comparison vs. Quest 2 - Graphics are better on PSVR compared to the Quest 2. Resolution is higher on the Quest 2 but it just offers an LED display unlike the PSVR that offers OLED display. The PSVR controllers are unimpressive. The Quest 2 does not have wires, is relatively lighter, and is cheaper than the PSVR.
Comparison vs. PSVR 2 - It is advised to wait for the PSVR 2. The tracking technology will be different with it. Some developers plan to either update current PSVR games to be playable with PSVR 2 or release/update PS5 versions.
Comparison vs. PS5 VR - The PSVR is very old technology now and is showing its age. The game library is decent but not nearly as good as what is available on PC. VR has a high initial wow factor that for many fades quicker than one might think.
r/psvr
05/23/2021
Comparison vs. Google Cardboard - The Cardboard/Daydream/GearVR all have 20x the amount of media content than VR and there isn't any real reason that content should not be viewable. That amount is also maybe 30x now that VRideo has been canceled.
r/psvr
11/23/2016
Comparison vs. Samsung/Google Headsets - With Samsung’s Gear VR on its third generation and Google’s first Daydream headset launching in November, mobile VR is an increasingly viable option — and a cheaper one, if already owning a phone supporting it.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Sources
Tags
- Comparison vs. Oculus, & Comparison vs. Vive
- Comparison vs. HTC Vive
- Comparison vs. Oculus Quest
- Comparison vs. Quest 2
- Comparison vs. PSVR 2
- Comparison vs. PS5 VR
- Comparison vs. Google Cardboard
- Comparison vs. Samsung/Google Headsets
Sources
- The Verge
- PCMag
- YouTube
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
r/psvr
07/18/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
07/18/2021
r/psvr
07/18/2021
UploadVR
02/11/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
05/23/2021
r/psvr
11/23/2016
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
See All Sources
Price & Availability
- Price & Inclusions
- Value - Price
- Positive
- Negative
Price & Inclusions - The PSVR cost $399 for the VR headset alone, and it does not include the Move controllers nor the tracking cameras which are both essential to enjoy the VR’s full experience. In 2021 however it's in stock at $350 for a bundle consisting of the headset, PlayStation Move controllers, games, and the PlayStation camera.
Value - Price - Technically the PSVR is very outdated but it's still worth it for the exclusives, though a price reduction would be appreciated..
r/psvr
05/23/2021
See All Sources
Miscellaneous
- Compatibility with PS5
- Flexibility
- Issue - Controller
- Issue - Display
- Issue - Gaming
- Issue - IPD
- Issue - Media Compatibility
- Issue - Move Controllers & Tracking Drift
- Issue - Performance - Tracking
- Limitations
- Sales
- Positive
- Negative
Compatibility with PS5 - The PSVR is compatible with the PS5, but it requires a PSVR camera adapter.
Flexibility - PlayStation VR can be powered by one’s console of choice. It is highly recommended to those who usually play with a PS4 or PS5.
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
Issue - Controller - In many games it’s required or strongly encouraged to use the PlayStation Move controllers, but there's no rumble and it needs a different charging cable.
IGN
10/05/2016
Issue - Display - The PSVR’s 1080p screen does its job but looks blurrier compared to other VR headsets. It only allows 180 degrees of movement when using the Move controllers and struggles to keep up with many of the best VR titles as a result.
UploadVR
02/11/2021
Issue - Gaming - Not having a basic 3D viewing mode for games and movies is such a missed opportunity to add value to each owner's headset. The PSVR didn't come with a basic 3D mode for 3D gaming and video, which negates the importance of frame rate and reduction of graphics and eliminates motion sickness and the need to fix parts of the game to account for the needs of VR, like camera sequences.
r/psvr
11/23/2016
Issue - IPD - The PSVR has only one screen, hence there is no IPD adjustment available.
IGN
10/05/2016
Issue - Media Compatibility - Since the PS4 can play back 3D Blu-Rays, it would have been good to be able to watch them via the PSVR as there should be zero ghosting, but it would still have a static perspective, it would just be like cinema mode but with a 3D display in front. At that point, one would rather just watch a 3D movie normally.
r/psvr
11/23/2016
Issue - Move Controllers & Tracking Drift - The PS Move controllers rely on visual tracking rather than infrared tracking, and as a result, there would be tracking drifts whenever there are other sources of light present in the room.
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
Issue - Performance - Tracking - The PSVR suffers from a difficulty in micromanaging for correct lighting and room space, as it has poor tracking and bad motion controls.
r/psvr
07/18/2021
Limitations - For now, the PSVR is the lowest common denominator of tethered headsets, and a world in which all games had to work on it could discourage risky creative experiments on more capable and interesting hardware.
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
Sales - The PSVR has sold more than 5 million units, cementing success on the market.
UploadVR
02/11/2021
Sources
Tags
- Compatibility with PS5
- Flexibility
- Issue - Controller
- Issue - Display
- Issue - Gaming
- Issue - IPD
- Issue - Media Compatibility
- Issue - Move Controllers & Tracking Drift
- Issue - Performance - Tracking
- Limitations
- Sales
Sources
- YouTube
- SPACE.com
- PCMag
- The Verge
UploadVR
02/11/2021
UploadVR
02/11/2021
Space.com Staff - SPACE.com
09/13/2021
IGN
10/05/2016
UploadVR
02/11/2021
r/psvr
11/23/2016
IGN
10/05/2016
r/psvr
11/23/2016
Will Greenwald - PCMag
08/30/2017
r/psvr
07/18/2021
Adi Robertson - The Verge
10/05/2016
UploadVR
02/11/2021
See All Sources
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