The PlayStation VR2 headset is finally breaking free from being tethered exclusively to the PlayStation 5. Sony has introduced a $60 adapter that lets this $550 VR gadget be used with any of your Steam-based VR games. But before you rush to hit the purchase button, there are a few compromises you should be aware of when connecting the VR2 to a PC. Some of these sacrifices involve losing some of the headset’s standout features.
The setup involves connecting the VR2 to a PC through a mix of cables. According to PlayStation’s blog images, you’ll need to wire the VR2 to the adapter box, which then connects to the PC via USB and DisplayPort. Plus, you can attach an extra connection to a monitor so anyone else can watch you bumble through challenging hacks in games like Half-Life: Alyx.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a PC equipped with a DisplayPort 1.4 output and a separate DisplayPort cable. Beyond that, the minimum system requirements are what you’d expect: at least an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and upwards of an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. That said, for a true 4K gaming experience on the VR2, you’re going to want a more robust setup. Additionally, Sony points out that a Steam account is necessary to access your games. However, given the PC VR community’s knack for modding, any potential Steam VR limitations might not last long.
In our review of the VR2, we praised it as a fantastic headset featuring excellent eye tracking and controls, and it was also reasonably priced. The rub was its limited selection of games on PlayStation 5. Sony rolled out the enhanced headset ahead of Meta’s $500 Meta Quest 3, which came with updated passthrough AR capabilities and exclusive titles. The VR2 has top-notch in-headset lenses, offering up to 4K resolution per eye and a comprehensive 110-degree field of view.
However, the prospect of using the VR2 with a PC comes with notable drawbacks. For starters, the headset’s eye-tracking doesn’t carry over to PC use. Other key features like HDR and headset feedback are also unavailable. The controllers lack adaptive triggers akin to the DualSense controller and have minimal haptic feedback beyond the basic rumble. While the limited passthrough features do work with a PC, they primarily serve to prevent you from accidentally kicking your furniture.
The adapter is expected to be on shelves through PlayStation Direct and other retailers this August. Currently, the VR2 is available at a $100 discount from Direct and Best Buy during Sony’s Days of Play sale, which runs until June 13.
Even with this discount, the VR2 still represents a substantial investment, especially considering the $60 you’d need to drop to escape Sony’s narrow PlayStation ecosystem. We’re eager to get our hands on one to evaluate if it truly makes the VR2 appealing for VR enthusiasts, but the setup demands and feature limitations do put a damper on the excitement.
