Sony has announced the official launch date and price details of their eagerly anticipated PlayStation VR2, the next gen version of PlayStation's virtual reality headset. Specific details have been released for the PlayStation VR2 alongside which bundles and accessories will be available on launch day.PlayStation's first iteration of its modern virtual reality headset, the PlayStation VR, was released in 2016, exclusively for PlayStation 4, and enjoyed a successful launch. The PlayStation VR went on to sell over 5 million copies, eventually receiving compatibility for PlayStation 5, although no PlayStation 5 games currently support the VR headset. At the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, Sony announced the development of the PlayStation VR2 which will be specifically designed for the PlayStation 5.Isabelle Thomatis, PlayStation's Vice President of Brand, Hardware, and Peripherals, announced that the new PlayStation VR2 and the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller charging station, designed specifically for the PS VR2 Sense controller, will be officially launched on February 22, 2023. The PlayStation VR2 has been revealed to cost $549.99 and will include the PlayStation VR2 headset, PS VR2 Sense controllers and stereo headphones. Although the Sense controllers can be charged through the PS5's USB ports, the dedicated charging station will cost an additional $49.99.
From November 15, 2022, pre-orders will be exclusively available from the PlayStation online store for customers in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, with players in other regions able to pre-order from participating local retailers on the same date. A bundled version which includes a download voucher for Horizon Call of the Mountain will also launch for $599.99. Sony has already showcased the upcoming VR releases of Resident Evil Village, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge, however have also announced 11 new VR2 compatible titles that will come to PS5 in 2023, including Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue and Jurassic World Aftermath Collection.
Sony is leading the way in console virtual reality technology with the launch of the PlayStation VR2 as its next gen VR product. With the success of the PlayStation 5 being the fastest selling PlayStation console of all time and the high sales and popularity of the original PlayStation VR unit, the new iteration is set to be a big hit for Sony. Assuming that the VR2 doesn't experience supply shortages similar to the PlayStation 5, this new release will usher in a new era of virtual reality experiences for gamers to enjoy.
PlayStation VR2 is available February 22, 2023.
