Sony's PSVR 2 has finally got a release date, after months of speculation.
On top of that, we also now have a pre-order date which has come in even earlier than expected...
Before we get into the technical details of the new VR headset, let's have a look at the video games lined up for the device.
Sony has recently revealed the games that players can expect to play on the headset. The lineup includes some new titles, indie games, free upgrades, PSVR to PSVR 2 games, and other VR ports.
The new games for PSVR 2 include - The Dark Pictures: Switchback, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution, Fantavision 202X, and Horizon Call of the Mountain.
Meanwhile, some notable titles like Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village, NFL Pro Era, No Man’s Sky, and more will get a PSVR 2 update.
Apart from the games, here's everything you need to know.
PSVR 2 Release Date
PSVR 2 is officially releasing on 22nd February 2023, according to the PlayStation Blog. Alongside the headset, a charging station and PSVR2 Sense Controller will also be rolled out.
To give players a sneak peek into the upcoming headset, PlayStation has released a trailer that shows all the features that PSVR 2 is loaded with -
As the release date for Sony's new VR headset keeps getting closer, more and more devs are announcing their lineup of games for it.
For example, Vertigo Games announced that After the Fall would be rolled out for PSVR 2 on 22nd February 2023. The news comes via an official press release, and the developer has also unveiled a trailer for the same.
Moreover, Resident Evil Village's VR mode will be made available as a free DLC on 22nd February 2023 alongside the release of PSVR 2. This has been confirmed by CAPCOM producer Kanda Tsuyoshi.
Even an old PS2 classic is getting in on the action, with the fireworks-themed rhythm and puzzle game Fantavision returning as Fantasvision 202X 23 years after its initial release.
A fan of racing? Well, Gran Turismo 7 has also been confirmed as a launch-day title for PSVR 2 during CES 2023.
Plenty to get excited about then for when the PSVR 2 drops.
PSVR 2 Pre-orders
As promised, pre-orders for PSVR 2 are now live. The pre-sale is exclusive to PlayStation's online store - news about other retailers like Amazon and GameStop is awaited.
Players can head over to the official PlayStation store and can now pre-order the headset without an invitation now after initially having to register interest to receive a pre-order invite.
According to the post, for this pre-order stage, only players from the U.S, U.K, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg can place orders.
PSVR 2 Price
PSVR 2 will cost $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / ¥74,980.
This includes the headset, controllers, and stereo headphones.
The PSVR 2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle will cost $599.99 / €649.99 / £569.99 / ¥79,980.
This includes the headset, controllers, stereo headphones, and a voucher code for the game.
The PSVR 2 controller charging station will cost $49.99 / €49.99 / £39.99 / ¥5,480.
From where we're standing, the bundle is actually pretty good value for money.
Let's take a closer look at the headset itself so you can decide whether it's worth it though...
PSVR 2 Headset Design
As discussed above, Sony has recently shown off the design of the PSVR 2 which reveals a sleeker and more modern-looking headset than its predecessor:
click to enlarge
+ 3Sony has also noted this new headset features a slightly reduced weight in contrast to the last generation, alongside confirming the feature of adjustable lenses and an intriguing new vent design, and a mechanism to stop the lenses from steaming up.
Read More: Sony Officially Reveals PSVR 2 Headset Design
PSVR 2 Headset Specs
New details were announced on the PlayStation blog as to the specs of the PSVR 2 and they do not disappoint.
The specs for the headset can be seen below and there are some standout features.
It looks like we're getting OLED displays with framerates of up to 120hz and a 110-degree field of view.
We're also getting a massive 2000 x 2040 resolution per eye - a marked improvement on the original PSVR headset that comes in the form of two separate displays, as opposed to one larger 4000x4080 panel.
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A leak from analyst Ross Young has also noted that the pixel density for both eyes should practically double on the PSVR 2's displays up to 800PPI from the original headset's 386. This 800 PPI figure is also double that of the Quest 2, too.
That same leak also noted the headset should be utilising 'Direct RGB OLED' displays, interestingly, and analyst Brad Lynch expects these panels to be 3.5 inches in size.
Read More: PSVR Vs PSVR 2: How do they compare?
There's also eye-tracking and new sensory features which combine 3D audio and haptic feedback via the new controllers for increased immersion. That means you can 'feel' the rush of objects passing past you in-game, or the pull of the vehicle as you accelerate.
On the point of eye-tracking, Tobii, one of the market leaders in eye-tracking tech, announced in February they're in negotiations to provide it for PSVR 2, which suggests the headset's development may not be as far ahead as first thought, intriguingly.
In addition, expect to find convenient connectivity with a single USB-C cable that will connect up the PSVR 2 to your PS5.
Read More: Should I Wait For PSVR 2?
It's worth noting that against the crop of current headsets, the PSVR 2 looks to perform well by way of its spec sheet, be it when pitted against the original PSVR, or up against the Oculus Quest 2.
click to enlarge + 3At the ongoing Executive Summit, Mediatek announced that its first SoC designed for VR will power the upcoming PSVR 2.
While nothing more was revealed about the VR headset, a prototype was displayed at the summit, with MediaTek itself retweeting updates throughout the event that showcased the headset.
PSVR 2 Controller Specs
And much like the PS5 with its DualSense compared to the PS4's DualShock 4, it looks like we're getting an overhaul of the original PSVR controllers too.
The new controllers will feature haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, which should provide a much more tactile, immersive experience than before, alongside Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and the ability to charge via USB-C.
Read More: Does PS5 support Bluetooth?
For more of a detailed breakdown of what we know so far, then feel free to check out our separate PSVR 2 controllers article.
click to enlarge + 3Is PSVR 2 Backwards Compatible?
Sony recently announced that the PSVR 2 will not be backwards compatible, and will not be able to play games from the current PSVR.
Having the ability to play older PSVR games would've made the headset more versatile, and it may be possible for some games to be upscaled for the PS5 so they also look better in VR on what should be a much more powerful headset.
There may also be the point that certain new games for the PS5 like Gran Turismo 7 will be able to take advantage of VR and add more immersion to traditionally non-VR games. It would've made sense for this to occur given the likes of GT: Sport on PS4 worked with the original PSVR.
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On the point of backwards compatibility, Sony look set to be adding a slew of PS3 titles to the PS5's library as titles that users can purchase, as opposed to just gaining access to them via PlayStation Now, as is currently the case. This could even open the door for VR ports of older PlayStation titles.
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