The second generation of PlayStation VR tech has now officially been revealed. Simply named “PSVR 2,” the next-gen Sony VR headset is packed with improvements over the original. Highlights include the 4K OLED display, single-cord setup, and implementation of haptic feedback. As with most tech products, version 2.0 is often a huge step up over the original, though that can sometimes mean an increased price tag. So how much should the PSVR 2 be? What will gamers be willing to pay for a proper PS5 VR headset? Let’s discuss.
PSVR 2 Price: How much is too much?
Folks should be prepared for the PSVR 2 price to be at least $399.
Back in 2016, the original PSVR launched at this relatively expensive price point. Though it was priced competitively when compared to other VR headsets of the time, PlayStation owners were more than justified to balk at this price tag, as it was significantly more than other console peripherals.
Despite the high price, and while it might have taken some time to convince users to adopt PSVR, the install base has eventually grown enough to justify a second iteration.
PSVR 2 vs Oculus Quest 2: The closest competitor
With the new tech included in the PSVR 2, an estimate of $399 seems smart. While the closest competitor, the standalone Oculus Quest 2, is sold for $299, it isn’t as powerful as the PSVR 2 and the Sony headset has its own exclusives bolstering its VR catalog. This could justify the $100 in the eyes of buyers.
Of course, $399 could be way off and the price could be much higher. With the demand of the PS5 showing that many console owners are willing to pay hundreds of dollars above RRP, this could have led to Sony potentially bumping up PSVR 2 to $499 or higher. The new tech inside of the PSVR 2 could also be too expensive to hit that $399 price tag, leading to another bump. There’s definitely potential for a hefty price tag at launch!
Will PSVR 1 still be worth it?
Another interesting question is what will happen to PSVR 1? Will future PS5 VR experiences be backward compatible with PSVR 1, or will that headset be left behind?
With Microsoft and Xbox, backward compatibility has been woven into the newest generation launch. With Sony and PlayStation, however, PS5 already has plenty of unique experiences that PS4 owners can’t enjoy. This precedence makes me skeptical of PSVR 2 and PSVR 1 happily coexisting.
Expect to see a lot of PSVR 1 headsets being flogged on Ebay over the next couple of years. Of course, that does mean that there should be some good deals for those happy with playing older games.
Is PSVR 2 worth upgrading to?
PSVR 2 will be worth the upgrade for those who want to experience the next generation of VR games on the PS5.
I imagine most PS5 owners will be waiting for PSVR 2’s “killer app,” before putting down the cash. For some, this could be Horizon Call of the Mountain, a VR spin-off of the Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West games.
PSVR 2 will also be worth considering for any kind of “Boost Mode” that may be included. Both the PS4 Pro and PS5 boost the performance of base PS4 games, so it’s reasonable to assume that the PSVR 2 will boost the performance of PSVR 1 games. A more stable frame rate and higher output resolution would certainly be appreciated in some titles, as drops in VR games can have a drastic effect on comfort while playing.
What are you expecting the PSVR 2 price to be and would you be happy paying it? Let us know.
Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long before the PSVR 2 price is revealed. Here’s hoping it isn’t too expensive!
