After what seemed to be an eternity, the PSVR 2 is finally here! It costs $550 and dropped on the 22nd of February 2023. Now we’ve got our hands on it, it gives us important insight on how much of an upgrade is it. It can also help us answer the question if buying the original PSVR while it’s cheap will be worth it, or if you are better upgrading to the superior PSVR 2.
Spec comparison PSVR vs PSVR 2
| The VR Coach | PSVR | PSVR 2 |
| Display | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 980×1080 | 2000×2040 |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz 120Hz | 90Hz 120Hz |
| Field of Few | 100° | 110° |
| Optical Adjustments | Eye-relief | IPD |
| Tracking | Outside-In (external Camera) | Inside-Out (Cameras on headset) |
| Console Compatibility | PS4, PS5 | PS5 |
| Connecters | USB, HDMI (breakout box) | USB-C |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Release date | 2016 | 22nd February 2023 |
| Inputs | PS Move/Aim Controllers, DS4 | PSVR 2 Sense Controllers, Eye -tracking |
Resolution
Six years is a long time in VR. Since the initial release of 2016, PSVR’s resolution is really starting to fall behind compared to newer headsets like the Oculus Quest 2. While it can still be fun for new users, extended gameplay on the PSVR have users often complaining about poor graphics and the screen door effect. The PSVR 2 looks extremely competitive here beating both the Oculus Quest 2 and the well loved Valve Index.
PSVR 2 offers the same refresh rate as its predecessor – up to 120Hz with and a OLED panel. PSVR 2 has almost four times the pixel count which will give users a far sharper image and a much more immersive experience when playing their favorite VR games.
Field of view is with the PVSR 2 compared to the PSVR will be increasing from 100° to 110°.
Tracking
Inside-out tracking has become the new normal for popular VR headsets and it is a welcome step away from the original PSVR clunky and poor tracking system which required the use of an external camera. Tracking was always one of PSVRs biggest issues, many users reported the controllers drifting or shaking. PSVR 2 utilizes 4 cameras on the headset for controller tracking which should give users a much better experience.
PSVR 2 is making big moves with the release Eye tracking. This exclusive feature is not available on Meta’s Quest 2 or even the Valve index. This enables users to generate inputs by looking in different directions, potentially making an VR and even more immersive environment in PSVR 2 games. It has already been praised online by the community for this feature.
PSVR 2 Backwards compatibility
Sony’s new VR headset, the PSVR 2, is not be backwards compatible with PSVR titles, this was announced by the SVP of Platform Experience, Hideaki Nishino. The new headset is “designed to deliver a truly next-generation VR experience”, said Nishino, but the lack of backwards compatibility sparked a mixed reaction on social media. It is possible for developers to update their titles to the newer PSVR 2 software development kits, but additional work would be required to update games for the PSVR 2’s new control system. In the next section we list all of the confirmed titles for the PSVR 2.
All PSVR 2 Games: Launch titles
- After the Fall
- Altair Breaker
- Before Your Eyes
- Cities VR
- Cosmonious High
- Creed Rise to Glory: Championship Edition
- The Dark Pictures: Switchback
- Demeo
- Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate
- Fantavision 202X
- Gran Turismo 7 (Exclusive)
- Horizon Call of the Mountain (exclusive)
- Job Simulator
- Jurassic World Aftermath
- Kayak VR: Mirage
- Kizuna AI – Touch the Beat!
- The Last Clockwinder
- The Light Brigade
- Moss 1 & 2 Remaster
- NFL Pro Era
- No Man’s Sky
- Pavlov VR
- Pistol Whip
- Puzzling Places
- Resident Evil Village
- Rez Infinite
- Song in the Smoke
- STAR WARS: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
- Synth Riders
- The Tale of Onogoro
- Tentacular
- Tetris Effect
- Thumper
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners: Ch. 2: Retribution
- Vacation Simulator
- What the Bat
- Zenith: The Last City
Controllers
Another point to PSVR 2. The original PS move controllers were a pain to use so we’re very excited to see Sony’s upgrades in this area. PSVR 2 controllers give users a better grip and be more accommodating to range of hand sizes. However, there have been complaints for those with very large hands that they feel a bit small. These controllers will have adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The Controllers also have an analog stick. This makes moving much smoother compared to the point and click movement from the vast majority of PSVR games.
Price and release date
This is the only area that PSVR will take the cake. PSVR has had a huge price drop with the following package available. The second hand market is also saturated with cheap PSVR bundles so you could consider picking one up there. PSVR 2 has a heavy price tag of $550 and also needs the expensive Playstation 5 to run it.
- PSVR Marvel’s Iron Man Bundle: This includes 1x PSVR headset, 1x PlayStation Camera, 2x PlayStation Move Controllers, 1x Marvel’s Iron Man VR
- Refurbished PSVR on Amazon
- PSVR 2: Directly from the Sony Store
Conclusion PSVR vs PSVR 2
For the vast majority of people we would highly recommend picking up one of the newer headsets like the PSVR 2 or stand alone Headsets like the Pico 4 and Quest 2. That being said, if you’re itching to get into VR, aren’t a Meta Fan, don’t have a gaming PC and only have a PS4 it could be worth picking up a cheap PSVR on sale or second hand.