The PlayStation VR2 headset is spreading its wings beyond being just a companion to the PlayStation 5. Excitingly, Sony has introduced a $60 adapter that promises to open your $550 VR headset to any Steam-based games on your PC. But, before you rush off to hit that purchase button, it’s essential to know that there are a few trade-offs involved, as some of the VR2’s stellar features might not fully transfer to the PC experience.
To link your VR2 to a PC, the adapter requires a few cables. From PlayStation’s blog photos, it appears the VR2 needs to be wired to the adapter, which then connects to the PC using USB and DisplayPort cables. You also have the option to connect to a monitor, adding an extra dimension for any spectators who might want to see you tackle the tricky puzzles in Half-Life: Alyx.
The catch? You’ll need a PC equipped with a DisplayPort 1.4 output and an additional DisplayPort cable. As far as specifications go, at the very least, you’d be looking at an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. However, to truly savor games at the 4K quality that VR2 supports, a more powerful setup is advisable. Sony insists on a Steam account to access your games, although any specific Steam VR prerequisites are expected to be swiftly bypassed by the ever-innovative PC VR community.
From our review, the VR2 impressed us with its excellent eye tracking and design, backed by a reasonable price. Yet, it suffered from a limited library of games available on the PlayStation 5. Its release was overshadowed a little by Meta launching the $500 Meta Quest 3, which includes updated passthrough AR capabilities and a library of exclusive titles. The VR2, though, boasts striking in-headset lenses that deliver up to a 4K resolution per eye and offer a broad 110-degree field of view.
Despite the excitement around taking the VR2 to the PC, some crucial limitations exist. Unfortunately, you’ll lose out on eye-tracking capabilities once on PC. Other standout features like HDR and the tactile headset feedback are also missing. The controllers won’t have the adaptive triggers found in the DualSense controller or enhanced haptic feedback, other than the basic rumble. Luckily, the limited passthrough features remain, primarily to help prevent any accidental collisions with nearby furniture.
Sony plans to make the adapter available via PlayStation Direct and other retailers this August. Additionally, they are offering a $100 discount on the VR2 through Direct and Best Buy until June 13 during their Days of Play sale.
That said, even with the sale, the VR2 remains a pricey purchase, especially considering the additional $60 needed to break free from Sony’s PlayStation-centric ecosystem. We’ll hold off final judgment until we can experience this new setup ourselves, but potential buyers should be mindful of the connection demands and the notable absence of some features.
