As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to grab your VR headset and get ready to introduce your family to some incredible virtual reality games. Whether you’re bringing your headset to a family gathering or hosting friends, there are plenty of fantastic games to showcase that will entertain first-time VR users of all ages.
Even though consumer VR headsets have been available for nearly ten years, many people still haven’t tried one, or, worse yet, they had a lackluster experience and missed out on the truly amazing games that modern VR offers. There’s a wide array of games to explore—far too many to cover fully here. When sharing your VR experiences with a diverse group of first-timers, consider choosing games that are easy to pick up and don’t require extensive explanations or complicated controls. And remember, it’s always more fun when everyone can see the action, so be sure to cast the headset’s display to a monitor or TV!
Walkabout Mini Golf
Walkabout Mini Golf is one of those games that requires almost no introduction. You can putt-putt your way through astonishing mini-golf courses, from ones inspired by Venice, Italy, to delightful collaborations with creators like Wallace and Gromit, MYST, and Meow Wolf. It’s perfect for all ages, with putters that adjust to players’ heights, making it great for sharing among kids, teens, and adults. Plus, it offers crossplay with its mobile ‘Pocket Edition’ for even more local multiplayer fun.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, Pico, SteamVR
OhShape
Inspired by the Japanese TV show ‘Hole in the Wall,’ OhShape is a rhythm game where players use their entire body to dance through, punch, and dodge walls to the music’s beat. It’s easy to start and always entertaining to watch as everyone tries to contort into the increasingly challenging shapes.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Beat Saber
Beat Saber makes its regular appearance on holiday game lists for good reason. It’s highly addictive and intuitive, providing a fantastic entry point for VR newcomers, yet is deep enough to engage players of all ages and skill levels. To keep things lively, it’s a good idea to limit playtime to about 5 to 15 minutes per person, allowing for retries and song selections.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Pistol Whip
Just as compelling as Beat Saber, Pistol Whip offers a different adrenaline rush by having you shoot opponents, John Wick-style, to the rhythm of the soundtrack. The game’s stylized graphics make it appropriate for older kids and teens to enjoy with minimal concerns about on-screen violence.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Tentacular
Tentacular is as quirky and fun as it sounds. You’ll play as an enormous tentacled creature trying to find its place in the world, solving puzzles and playfully wreaking havoc. It’s best enjoyed with smaller groups and might not be the first game you think of for a crowd, but puzzle enthusiasts will have a blast.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Blaston
Blaston is a dynamic, room-scale dueling game where players face off with an array of weapons, dodging and shooting their way to victory. It’s especially fun for families with two VR headsets due to its online multiplayer mode, but it also offers single-player challenges for straightforward action.
Available on: Quest, Pico, SteamVR
Puzzling Places
For a calming and immersive experience, Puzzling Places brings the joy of solving 3D jigsaw puzzles featuring realistic miniatures of stunning global locations. It’s perfect for those who prefer a seated experience and is a fantastic way to introduce VR to older family members with its combination of relaxation and awe.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2
Superhot VR
Superhot VR delivers a unique twist on the shooter genre with its time-bending mechanics, allowing players to plan and execute moves as time moves only when they do. It’s a crowd favorite for its creative and engaging combat style.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 1, SteamVR
Wooorld
Wooorld is a VR app reminiscent of Google Earth for the Quest, allowing users to explore 360-degree Street View scenes or view 3D cities from a bird’s-eye perspective. This app is excellent for sparking nostalgia and storytelling as users revisit familiar places.
Available on: Quest
Racket NX
Racket NX offers a futuristic take on racket sports, making it a perfect choice for burning off those holiday calories. Players of all ages will enjoy hitting balls against a reactive dome to score points and achieve combos, especially when competing for the high score.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
Angry Birds takes a leap into VR, and it’s as intuitive as ever, but now in a 3D space. It’s easy to pass around for some friendly competition in destroying those pesky green pigs with the fewest shots possible.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
I Expect You to Die Trilogy
Dive into the thrilling escape rooms of the I Expect You to Die series, providing an approachable and entertaining experience filled with inventive deaths that are fun to watch unfold. These games are ideally suited for younger groups who enjoy taking turns in solving puzzles.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Vader Immortal – Episode 1
Transport the Star Wars fans in your group to a galaxy far, far away with Vader Immortal. Although it’s more of a solitary experience, it’s worth watching for the excitement among budding Jedi as they explore the Star Wars universe.
Available on: Quest
Space Pirate Trainer
Space Pirate Trainer is a classic wave shooter that remains one of the most accessible and visually polished experiences in VR. It’s perfect for introducing someone to VR with minimal setup or explanation.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Bigscreen Beta
While not a traditional VR game, Bigscreen Beta offers a transformative experience by allowing users to watch content on a virtual big screen. It’s a great way to demonstrate the versatile use of VR technology beyond gaming, providing a private theater experience in the comfort of your home.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Don’t Miss
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Demeo: Familiar with board games? Demeo is a virtual tabletop role-playing game, perfect for cross-platform play and longer sessions. Available on Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR, Pico.
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Gran Turismo 7 (PSVR 2): If you have a steering wheel controller, spend the afternoon racing through global circuits. Perfect for all ages, especially car enthusiasts. Available on PSVR 2.
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Quest Intro Apps: Oculus First Contact, First Steps, and First Encounters (Quest 3) are excellent for easing newcomers into VR.
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Half-Life: Alyx (PC VR): Wow your friends with one of the most visually stunning VR experiences, but keep in mind you’ll need to guide them with a pre-saved state. Available on SteamVR.
- Moss 1 & 2: Fans of platformers will love Moss, though it’s best suited for a quiet setting. Available on Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR.
These VR experiences are sure to make your holiday gatherings memorable and might even convert a few new fans into the world of virtual reality. Enjoy the holidays and happy gaming!
