So you’ve been lucky enough to get a tethered VR headset for Christmas: Now what? VR headsets are still very new platforms, and you’ll probably be a little short on really high-quality games and apps for the near future. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to try out, no matter what headset you have. (Unless some prankster got you this monstrosity.) Here’s some of the best stuff to get you started.
We’ve rounded up our favorite and most-used apps and utilities for the technology we use every day. Check out our other picks for iPhones, Android phones, PCs, and Macs. We’ve also listed our favorite games for iOS and Android from this year.
All platforms
Every VR platform has some unique advantages, but there are also a lot of experiences shared across them. Virtual reality video, for instance, isn’t tough to find no matter what you’ve got. Apps like Jaunt and Within (formerly Vrse) are available on Vive, Rift, and PlayStation VR alike. If you’re really interested in VR video, you might also want to consider something like the Samsung Gear VR or a Google Daydream headset in the future, since they’ve got easy access to Facebook and YouTube 360-degree video.
There are also an increasing number of cross-platform games and apps, although some are stronger on specific platforms. On Rift and Vive, social VR tools Bigscreen and AltspaceVR are respectively like a big virtual LAN party and an all-purpose meeting space, complete with organized comedy shows and other events. Eagle Flight is a beautiful, multiplayer-focused flight game for all high-end platforms, with or without motion controllers. (Yes, you’re literally an eagle.) Kismet is a fun little astrology app that you can check in with for daily horoscopes, tarot readings, and minigames. And if you’re into space dogfighting, EVE: Valkyrie is a good choice from CCP, developer of EVE Online.