Virtual reality has come a long way since the early days of clunky headsets and limited capabilities. Today, we have two top contenders vying for the top spot: the Meta Quest 2 vs PSVR 2 (from Sony). In this article, we’ll compare these two headsets and help you decide which one is right for you.
Price and Setup: Meta Quest 2 Remains The Clear Winner
When it comes to cost, the Meta Quest 2 takes the cake. At $399, it’s significantly less expensive than the PSVR 2, which comes in at $549. But that’s not all – the Quest 2 is a standalone headset that doesn’t require any extra hardware to operate, while the PSVR 2 requires a PlayStation 5 console, which will set you back an additional $399-$499. Additionally, the Quest 2 is incredibly easy to set up and doesn’t require any cables, while the PSVR 2 has a short battery life and requires a USB-C cable to connect to your console and use it (a tethered experience). For those on a budget or looking for convenience, the Meta Quest 2 is the clear winner.
Power and Graphics: PSVR 2 Pulls Ahead
While the Meta Quest 2 is more affordable and set up easier, the PSVR 2 wins on power and graphics. Behind PS5’s processing power, the PSVR 2 brings can bring advanced graphics and push more pixels and frames. Its OLED system also offers better color and contrast performance than the Meta Quest 2’s LCD display. That being said, the Meta Quest 2 is still a strong performance contender, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor. If you’re looking for the best visuals and graphics, the PSVR 2 is the way to go.
Motion Tracking and Controllers: It’s a Tie
Both the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR 2 offer competent motion tracking and controllers, but each has its own strengths. The PSVR 2’s Sense controllers are ergonomic and have all the onboard controls you need for VR. That said, Meta Quest 2’s motion controllers offer the same features and feel just as comfortable. However, the PSVR 2 has an extra trick up its sleeve: adaptive triggers that adjust the resistance based on your in-game actions. On the other hand, the Meta Quest 2 offers hand tracking and the ability to use your fingers to swipe through the VR interface, making it a more intuitive and engaging way to interact with the system. Ultimately, it’s a tie between the two headsets in this category.
Which Has the Best VR Games? Meta Quest 2 Wins
When it comes to VR games, the Meta Quest 2 has a larger library and is more versatile than the PSVR 2. The Quest 2 has a respectable library of games and software that has steadily grown over several years, and it also has an optional link cable that lets you connect the headset to your PC to play hundreds of other VR games through SteamVR. PSVR 2 has some compelling games at launch, such as Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil: Village. However, it has a limited selection of games, and it’s not backward-compatible with the original PlayStation VR’s library. For those looking for a wider selection of VR games, the Meta Quest 2 is the clear winner.
Quest 2 vs PSVR 2: What do you Value?
In the end, deciding your opinion on Meta Quest 2 vs PSVR 2 comes down to personal preferences and priorities. If you’re looking for graphics and power, the tethered PSVR 2 is the way to go. If you’re looking for a better price, a more comfortable untethered experience, more VR experiences and a larger VR ecosystem, and more innovative features like in-game multitasking and more social features, the Meta Quest 2 is the way to go. In the end, choosing between the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR 2 comes down to personal preferences and priorities. If you’re on a budget or looking for convenience, the Meta Quest 2 is the way to go.
My Personal Verdict
Finally, the Meta Quest 2 also excels in the realm of game development and app release. While PlayStation has always had a robust developer platform, the Meta Quest 2 is arguably better for indie developers. This is through the allowance to release their titles on the platform through App Lab. App Lab allows developers to release their games on the Meta Quest 2 without having to go through the rigorous approval process required by the Oculus Store. This makes the development process more streamlined, allowing developers to release their games more quickly and easily, giving users a wider range of experiences to choose from. As mentioned above, it really depends what you’re looking for, but my opinion is that, in combination with the Meta Quest 2’s Direct Touch and in-game multitasking features, it is clear that the headset is the better overall solution for a more holistic VR experience.