Many of these titles are on sale as of this writing, so you’ll want to act fast.
The holidays have finally arrived and with the VR company offering great deals on headsets like Meta Quest 2 and HTC Vive more people than ever are about to experience the magic of virtual reality.
Here are 10 VR games and apps that are perfect for those getting into VR for the very first time. We’ve done our best to include software available on popular VR devices, such as Meta Quest 2, PC VR, and PlayStation VR headsets.
Ambulatory mini-golf
Not only is Ambulatory mini-golf a great VR sports experience for newcomers, but it also happens to be one of the highest rated VR games on Meta Quest and SteamVR headsets. The expertly designed mini-golf experience features realistic putting mechanics, extensive customization options, and a growing catalog of incredible courses.
You can compete alongside friends or work on your putting skills alone while searching for unique golf balls and artifacts scattered throughout each location. As if that weren’t enough, developer Mighty Coconut regularly partners with other companies and organizations to offer themed courses based on successful IPs, such as 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mystand Jim Henson Labyrinth.
beat the saber
Despite its launch in 2018, beat the saber remains one of the most popular VR rhythm games currently available on VR headsets. This is largely due to its addictive gameplay mechanics as well as its growing catalog of music from popular artists like Lizzo, Green Day, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Imagine Dragons, and more.
This month, the game received another paid music pack, Rock Mixtape, featuring music from legendary rock bands like KISS, Nervana, The White Stripes, and more.
Cosmological high
From the creators of work simulator and Vacation Simulator come Cosmological high, a lighthearted single-player experience in which you play as a strange alien creature attending an equally strange high school on the verge of collapse. Similar to the aforementioned VR games, Cosmological high tasks you with completing a variety of unique tasks using different alien powers.
The game features an enjoyable combination of comedy, puzzle-solving, and exploration, making it a great choice for those slipping onto a VR headset for the first time. Don’t let the colorful visuals and cartoon characters fool you, this is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
virtual office
One of the most important apps you should have on your headset is virtual office. This nifty piece of software lets you stream your desktop to your wireless VR headset in real time. You can comfortably browse the web, watch movies and TV, and play your favorite PC games.
If you have a Meta Quest 2, you can even stream PC VR games and apps directly to your standalone device, no cables required. That said, you’ll still need a VR-ready PC to access more powerful content. Still, it’s an amazing app that essentially turns your Quest 2 into a hybrid standalone/PC VR headset.
gorilla label
There’s no better way to find your VR legs than a few rounds of gorilla label. In this hit indie game, you take on the role of a colorful gorilla as you chase your friends through a growing catalog of low-poly environments using only your arms. The game’s unique visual aesthetic and arm-based locomotion mechanics proved to be a hit among the VR community, propelling it to the top of the charts.
After years of early access, gorilla label made its official launch on the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro headsets this month, bringing with it a host of new avatar customizations. The game is available for free on Meta Quest 2 and for $19.99 on SteamVR. The developer also offers a number of in-game cosmetics that you can purchase for an additional price.
VRChat
No list of the top 10 on virtual reality would be complete without VRChat. Released in 2017 on PC VR headsets, VRChat has since exploded in popularity to become one of the busiest social virtual reality platforms. Available for free on Meta Quest and PC VR headsets, the online social space offers countless worlds to explore, most of which are built by the VRChat community itself.
You can meet friends and strangers in virtual hangout spaces, participate in full-fledged PvP games, attend live events, take part in educational seminars, work on your dance moves in personalized nightclubs with real DJs, and more.
Among us VR
The online multiplayer social deduction game is now available in VR and it’s an absolute riot. Available on major VR headsets, Among us VR features everything you know and love about the original game plus brand new tasks designed from the ground up for motion controls.
If you thought completing tasks while keeping an eye out for killers was stressful in 2D, try physically looking over your shoulder. Accusing your friends of cold-blooded murder is much more fun in VR with voice chat and hand gestures. Whether you’re a fan of the original social games or just generally entertaining, you’ll definitely want to give Among us VR a shot.
Tilting brush
There are plenty of stellar art apps available on VR headsets right now, but nothing like it. Tilting brush. Developed by Google, this immersive creative experience lets you paint in 3D using a variety of visually stunning brushes. There’s even a handful of animated brushes, like a musical brush that reacts to sound.
Tilting brush is a single-player experience. If you want to paint with friends, I recommend checking out MultiBrush. Built using the original game’s open-source code, this multiplayer rendition lets you create with other players in real time, and the best part is that it costs the same as the original game.
Sprawling
Sprawling is one of the dumbest VR games we’ve played to date. Brought to you by acclaimed virtual reality publisher Devolver Digital, this outsized single-player experience sees you take on the role of a gigantic beast and aid a small island town using your enormous tentacles.
The game features over 50 physics-based puzzles to complete using hilarious tentacle-based physics. There is also an expanding sandbox environment where you can build huge structures and contraptions. Sprawling is a fun and effective way to familiarize yourself with VR motion controls.
I expect you to die (series)
Have you ever dreamed of being a secret agent? Well, now is your chance. I expect you to die is an escape room-style experience that tasks you with solving a variety of deadly puzzles in an effort to stop an evil madman from taking over the world. As an elite secret agent, you will have access to various spy tools as well as special telekinetic abilities.
The original game features seven secret operations to complete, each with their own unique challenges. I expect you to die 2 introduces new missions to undertake, locations to explore, and characters to meet. The game can even be played seated, making it a fun and accessible experience for VR newcomers and veterans alike.
