The PlayStation VR2 headset is breaking free from the PlayStation 5’s grip, thanks to a new $60 adapter from Sony. This nifty gadget lets your $550 VR headset tap into the world of Steam-based VR games. But before you start reaching for your credit card, there are a few factors you should consider. Some compromises come with bringing your VR2 to the PC, and unfortunately, they strip away some of the headset’s most appealing features.
The setup involves connecting the VR2 to your PC via a tangle of cables. According to images shared in PlayStation’s blog post, you’ll need a wired link from the VR2 to the adapter box, which then hooks up to your PC using USB and DisplayPort connections. If you’re the type who enjoys an audience, you can even connect to a monitor, letting others watch as you bumble through those tricky hacking puzzles in Half-Life: Alyx.
However, there’s a catch. Your PC needs to have a DisplayPort 1.4 output and a separate DisplayPort cable. The basic system requirements include at least an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a graphics card like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. But honestly, if you’re aiming to enjoy any games in the 4K quality that the VR2 supports, you’ll want to equip yourself with a more powerful setup. You’ll also require a Steam account to access your games, though knowing the inventive PC VR community, any special Steam VR requirements might soon be bypassed.
In our review of the VR2, we praised it for its excellent eye tracking, top-notch controls, and competitive pricing. The downside? It was held back by a rather meager selection of games on the PlayStation 5. Sony introduced this updated headset before Meta’s $500 Meta Quest 3 hit the market, which boasts new passthrough AR capabilities and a bunch of exclusive titles. The VR2 does impress with its in-headset lenses capable of presenting 4K resolution per eye and offering a broad 110-degree field of view.
Yet, despite the allure, there are notable drawbacks when using the VR2 with a PC. Crucially, the eye-tracking feature won’t function outside the PlayStation environment. Other standout features like HDR and headset feedback are off the table as well. Plus, the controllers lose their adaptive trigger function, similar to what DualSense offers, and offer only base-level rumble for haptic feedback. While the limited passthrough capabilities remain, they’re primarily to prevent any unwanted toe-stubbing incidents with your furniture.
The adapter is set to hit PlayStation Direct and other retailers this August. On top of that, the VR2 is enjoying a $100 discount via Direct and Best Buy during Sony’s Days of Play sale until June 13.
Still, even with the discount, the VR2 remains quite an investment, particularly when you factor in the additional $60 to break away from PlayStation’s restrictive ecosystem. We’re keen to get our hands on one to judge if it finally makes the VR2 worthwhile for those curious about virtual reality. However, the connection prerequisites and the limitations of its features do put a bit of a damper on the excitement.
