The PlayStation VR2 headset is getting a big release from its PlayStation 5-only world, thanks to a new $60 adapter from Sony. This exciting piece of tech will now allow your $550 VR headset to finally work with any Steam-based VR game they offer. But, before you rush to hit that purchase button, it’s worth checking out some of the compromises that come with using your VR2 on a PC, as there are some trade-offs that might dim its brightest features.
The setup is a bit of a tangle of cables, as the adapter hooks the VR2 to your PC. According to the images shared in PlayStation’s blog, you’ll need a wired connection between the VR2 and the adapter box, which then connects to your PC via USB and DisplayPort. You can also hook up a monitor separately, which could be handy for anyone wanting to laugh at you as you navigate the tricky hacking puzzles in Half-Life: Alyx.
Here’s the catch: your PC must have a DisplayPort 1.4 output, plus a separate DisplayPort cable. Apart from that, the system requirements are about what you’d expect—an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. If you want to enjoy games in glorious 4K as supported by the VR2, a more robust PC is definitely recommended. Additionally, Sony mentions you’ll need a Steam account to access your games. However, it’s likely that the mod-friendly PC VR community could soon overcome any specific Steam VR requirements.
In our VR2 review, we absolutely loved the headset, praising its excellent eye-tracking and controls, all offered at a reasonable price. The only catch was the somewhat limited range of games available on the PlayStation 5. Sony launched this updated headset before Meta rolled out their $500 Meta Quest 3, which features new passthrough AR capabilities along with access to exclusive titles. The VR2 boasts some impressive in-headset lenses, delivering up to 4K resolution per eye with a wide 110-degree field of view.
Yet, despite the excitement, bringing that VR2 experience to your PC isn’t without its drawbacks. For starters, the eye-tracking feature won’t work on a PC, and you can forget about HDR and headset feedback too. The controllers miss out on the adaptive triggers like those found in the DualSense, and you’ll just have the basic rumble without more sophisticated haptic feedback. The limited passthrough feature does remain functional on PC, though its main purpose is to keep you from accidentally walking into furniture.
Expect the adapter to hit PlayStation Direct and other retailers by this August. There’s currently a $100 discount on the VR2 through PlayStation Direct and Best Buy as part of Sony’s Days of Play sale, which runs until June 13.
Even with that discount, the VR2 remains a significant investment, especially when you factor in the extra $60 required to escape Sony’s restrictive PlayStation ecosystem. We’re keen to get our hands on it to see if it can finally justify itself to virtual reality newcomers. Still, the connection requirements and the loss of certain features do cast a shadow over its potential.
