The PlayStation VR2 headset is finally getting its wings and venturing beyond the PlayStation 5. With Sony’s new $60 adapter, your $550 VR headset can now work with Steam-based VR games. But before you rush to grab one, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Bringing your VR2 experience to a PC does come with a few compromises, and unfortunately, some of the headset’s standout features might get lost along the way.
Connecting the VR2 to a PC involves a bit of a cable dance. According to images from PlayStation’s blog, you’ll need a wired connection to an adapter box. This box then links up to your PC using a USB and DisplayPort setup. If you’d like an audience for your virtual escapades, you can also hook up a separate connection to a monitor—perfect for showcasing your skills (or lack thereof) in the tricky hacking puzzles of games like Half-Life: Alyx.
However, there’s a catch: your PC needs to have a DisplayPort 1.4 output and an additional DisplayPort cable. The basic specs aren’t surprising, though; at minimum, you’re looking at an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and either a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. But let’s be real—you’ll want something a bit more powerful to get the most out of those stunning 4K visuals the VR2 boasts. Additionally, a Steam account is necessary to access your game library. Any unique Steam VR requirements will probably be a passing hurdle thanks to the highly resourceful PC VR community.
From our experience with the VR2, it’s a solid piece of equipment boasting impressive eye tracking, intuitive controls, and good pricing. Its main drawback on the PS5 was a somewhat limited game library. Sony released this advanced headset just before Meta rolled out their $500 Meta Quest 3, which features enhanced passthrough AR capabilities and several exclusive titles. The VR2’s combined impressive lenses and 4K resolution support per eye offer a fantastic 110-degree field of view.
Yet, the journey to PC isn’t all smooth sailing. A couple of important limitations are worth noting. For instance, the PC setup doesn’t support the VR2’s eye-tracking feature. Additionally, other key functionalities like HDR and headset feedback won’t make the cut either. The controllers will lack adaptive triggers similar to the DualSense, and you’ll only get basic rumble feedback instead of the full haptic experience. The passthrough feature does carry over to PC, though its primary function seems to be helping you avoid furniture collisions.
You can expect the adapter to pop up at PlayStation Direct and other retailers starting in August. Also, the VR2 currently enjoys a $100 discount at Direct and Best Buy during Sony’s Days of Play sale, which runs through June 13.
Even with a price cut, the cost of the VR2 remains on the steep side—especially if you factor in spending an additional $60 just to free yourself from Sony’s tightly knit PlayStation ecosystem. We look forward to trying one out to determine if this makes the VR2 truly appealing for those curious about virtual reality. Nonetheless, the connection hurdles and feature sacrifices do bring a cloud over this new possibility.
