Sony’s first PlayStation VR launched in 2016 and gave PS4 players an entry into virtual reality. Six years later and fans have been waiting for a good sequel. Now after months of leaks and teasers, Sony has finally confirmed the PlayStation VR2 will be released in early 2023. The company announced the release window through their social channels, finally giving the PlayStation community a timeline for the next gen of console VR.
The PS VR2 is designed to work exclusively with the PlayStation 5, which pairs modern hardware with advanced features. While it keeps the same design language as the original headset, the PS VR2 has major upgrades in display resolution, motion tracking, and comfort. Let’s break down everything we know so far, from design and specs to price and launch titles.
PS VR2 Release Date
Sony has officially announced that the PS VR2 will launch in early 2023. While there’s no exact date yet, industry analysts expect the launch between February and April.
Coming early 2023. #PSVR2 pic.twitter.com/R3MwWVPyNt
— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) August 22, 2022
Previous reports from Bloomberg and supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned Sony was targeting a 2022 holiday release but pushed back production to meet manufacturing demands. The new timeline aligns with that report.
PS VR2 Price Expectations
Sony hasn’t confirmed a retail price, but we can make a reasonable estimate based on past trends and competing products.
The first PS VR launched at $499 for the full bundle, later dropping to $349. Competing VR headsets today include the Meta Quest 2 (starting at $299) and the HTC Vive Cosmos (around $699). Given the PS VR2’s advanced tech, including 4K HDR OLED panels and built-in haptics, most analysts expect a $399–$499 range for the complete package.
Sony likely won’t price the PS VR2 higher than the PlayStation 5. That would make adoption difficult, especially when Sony wants to grow its VR ecosystem instead of limit it to fans, so a mid-range price should be the smart move.
PS VR2 Design
Sony has revealed the design, very much like the PS5 console — a clean black and white color scheme with rounded edges and a sleek balanced look.
The design team focused on comfort, lightness and long session usability. The adjustable headband returns, which allows players to easily adjust fit and balance, while the overall headset weight is under 600 grams. An adjustable lens dial allows users to customize eye distance for clearer focus.
One new feature is the ventilation system — a small but nice touch that prevents the lenses from fogging up during gameplay. Senior Art Director Yujin Morisawa said this was inspired by the PS5’s airflow and is meant to make long VR sessions more comfortable. There’s also a stereo headphone jack like the original to continue the same flexibility.
PS VR2 Features and Specs
Sony revealed the full specs for the PlayStation VR2 during CES 2022. Here’s what’s confirmed:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | OLED |
| Resolution per eye | 2000 x 2040 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz / 120Hz |
| Field of View | Approx. 110° |
| Sensors | Six-axis motion sensing (3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis accelerometer) |
| Tracking Cameras | 4 external cameras for headset and controller tracking, 1 IR camera per eye for eye tracking |
| Audio | Built-in microphone, stereo headphone jack |
| Feedback | Integrated haptic vibration motor |
| Connection | USB Type-C (directly to PS5) |
| Weight | Under 600g |
PS VR2’s 4K HDR OLED panels are a big leap forward from the first gen’s 1080p display. The new panels show off their stuff with super-sharp details, rich contrast, and improved frame rates, especially when you crank up the speed to 120Hz. And with a 110-degree FOV, you get a very wide, natural view that makes you feel like you’re there.
Eye tracking is one of the star of the show features – each lens now comes with an infrared camera that tracks where you look, and that lets games respond in real time to what you’re focusing on which really ups the realism and makes a big difference with foveated rendering (its basically just rendering whats in front of you in super detail while the rest goes a bit more bland).
Sony has also included some clever headset haptics, the sort of subtle vibrations that make like an explosion is just about to blow you to kingdom come, or the rumble of a spaceship flying by your ear. With 3D spatial audio, you get immersion that’s never been seen in console VR before.
PS VR2 Controllers
The PS VR2 introduces a new pair of Sense controllers, ditching the original Move wands for good. But what’s changed? The new controllers have received adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and finger-touch detection, and all use the headset’s cameras for precise tracking.
The design is a lot more thoughtful than their predecessors, with a circular “orb” shape that wraps around your hands. It’s got a great balance to it and moves naturally in your hands, and the adaptive triggers are a real game-changer. They work in a similar way to the DualSense controller on the PS5, giving you different levels of resistance depending on what’s happening in the game like drawing a bowstring or firing a gun.
Advanced Features and Developer Tools
Beyond hardware, PS VR2 will arrive with a ton of features. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Inside-out tracking: The headset’s cameras can track where everything is in the room and where the controllers are, so you don’t need any of the pesky external sensors.
- Eye tracking: This lets you navigate menus and interact with things in-game in a natural way.
- Headset feedback: Adds tactile effects to the game environment, like the feeling of wind in your face or the rumble of a speedometer.
- Single-cable setup: One cable to the PS5 is a lot better than the mess of cables you had to deal with on the original PS VR.
- Improved ventilation: It’s a small thing, but they’ve tried hard to make sure this headset is comfortable to use for hours on end.
PlayStation’s internal teams and third-party developers are experimenting with these tools. Sony’s Dominic Mallinson said that wireless VR could be a long-term goal, citing improvements in 60GHz wireless transmission, though the PS VR2 will stick with wired connection to achieve latency and visual quality.
PSVR 2 Games
Sony has confirmed 20 or more major titles will be available at launch. While not every game is revealed, a growing list of confirmed and rumored titles gives a clear picture of what players can expect.
- Among Us VR
- Firmament
- Low-Fi
- Runner
- Jurassic Park game from Coatsink
- Horizon Call of the Mountain
- No Man’s Sky
- Resident Evil Village
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Sim Kayak VR: Mirage
- Samurai Slaughter House
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
- Unannounced game from nDreams
- Unannounced game from First Contact Entertainment
The sequel to the PlayStation VR gadget seems promising. And with all that processing power, the PS5 might provide some remarkable VR experiences.
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan has stated that the company is investing heavily in partnerships with independent and AAA studios to ensure a strong lineup at launch. That means players can expect exclusive titles built for VR and improved VR versions of major PlayStation games.