New PlayStation VR2 to PC Adapter May Limit Key Headset Features

The PlayStation VR2 is finally breaking free from the PlayStation 5’s grip. Sony has now introduced a $60 adapter that allows your $550 VR headset to connect to any of their Steam-based VR games. But before you rush to purchase, there are a few tradeoffs to consider when bringing your VR2 to a PC setting, some of which sacrifice the headset’s standout features.

This adapter links the VR2 to a PC with a bundle of cables. According to images from PlayStation’s blog, the VR2 needs a wired connection to the adapter box, which then hooks up to the PC using USB and DisplayPort. Additionally, you can link it to a monitor, allowing spectators to watch as you navigate tricky puzzles in games like Half-Life: Alyx.

However, there’s a catch: your PC must be equipped with a DisplayPort 1.4 output and an extra DisplayPort cable. Aside from that, the minimum specs are fairly standard: an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and at least a GeForce GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 5500XT graphics card. To enjoy games in the 4K quality supported by the VR2, though, you’ll really want a more powerful setup. Sony also mentions that you’ll need a Steam account to access your games, but given the mod-friendly nature of the PC VR community, any specific Steam VR requirements may not pose a long-term issue.

Our experience with the VR2 revealed it as an outstanding headset, featuring superb eye tracking and controls, and it came at a reasonable price. However, we found its potential somewhat restrained due to the limited game offerings available on the PlayStation 5. Sony launched this updated headset before Meta rolled out the $500 Meta Quest 3, which boasts enhanced passthrough AR features and access to numerous exclusive titles. The VR2 does impress with its high-quality in-headset lenses, which offer up to 4K resolutions per eye and a broad 110-degree field of view.

Despite this appealing prospect, taking the VR2 to a PC environment comes with notable downsides. For starters, eye-tracking capabilities won’t function on a PC. Other advanced features such as HDR and headset feedback will also be unavailable. The controllers will lack the adaptive triggers and diverse haptic feedback, typical of the DualSense controller, leaving just the basic rumble effect. The limited passthrough functionalities will still operate on a PC, but mainly serve to prevent you from tripping over nearby obstacles.

The adapter is anticipated to be available through PlayStation Direct and various retailers from August onwards. Currently, the VR2 is being sold at a $100 discount through PlayStation Direct and Best Buy, coinciding with Sony’s Days of Play sale ending June 13.

Still, even with this discount, the VR2 demands a significant investment, especially considering the $60 charge to release the headset from Sony’s tightly controlled PlayStation environment. We’ll be eager to get our hands on one to determine if it finally justifies the investment for VR newcomers, but the connection prerequisites and feature compromises make the prospect less inviting.