The PlayStation VR2 headset isn’t confined to just the PlayStation 5 anymore, which is exciting news for VR enthusiasts. Sony has introduced a $60 adapter that allows this $550 piece of tech to pair up with any Steam-based VR games on your PC. However, before you rush to make a purchase, it’s important to be aware of some compromises involved in bringing your VR2 experience to a computer setup. These trade-offs could mean sacrificing some of the VR2’s most impressive features.
The adapter itself is quite straightforward—it links the VR2 headset to your PC using several connections. Based on images shared in a PlayStation blog post, the setup involves a wired connection to an adapter box. This box then connects to your PC via a USB and DisplayPort. There’s also a feature that lets you hook up a monitor, which is perfect if someone wants to watch you navigate the tricky puzzles of games like Half-Life: Alyx.
To make this work, you’ll need a PC equipped with a DisplayPort 1.4 output and a separate cable for it. Besides this, the basic system requirements aren’t too surprising: at least an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and at least a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. However, for a smoother experience at 4K resolutions, a more robust setup is recommended. You’ll need a Steam account too for game access, though the mod-friendly PC VR crowd is likely to find workarounds if there are extra Steam VR requirements.
Our deep dive into the VR2 headset saw it shine with remarkable eye tracking and control features, all bundled at a reasonable price. Its downside was the limited game library on the PlayStation 5. Sony rolled out this advanced headset before Meta released their $500 Meta Quest 3, which offers enhanced passthrough AR capabilities along with exclusive content. The VR2, on the other hand, boasts exceptional in-headset lenses that achieve up to 4K resolution per eye and a broad 110-degree field of view.
Yet, the adventure of connecting your VR2 to a PC does come with its downsides. Notably, the headset’s eye-tracking capability is lost during PC use. You’ll also forego features like HDR and the feedback mechanism within the headset. The controllers will lack the adaptive triggers similar to those on the DualSense controller, as well as haptic feedback beyond the basic rumble. Although the limited passthrough features will function with PC, their main role remains to help you avoid bumping into furniture.
You’ll find the adapter available on PlayStation Direct and through other retailers starting this August. Currently, during Sony’s Days of Play sale, the VR2 is $100 off at Direct and Best Buy until June 13.
However, despite the discount, the VR2 still weighs heavily on the wallet, especially with the added $60 needed to free it from Sony’s tight-knit PlayStation ecosystem. We’re eager to see if this addition finally makes the VR2 a must-have for the VR-interested crowd, but its connection prerequisites and the features you’ll have to forgo do put a damper on its appeal.
