The Meta Quest 3S has been an exquisite escape from the clunkiness of life caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene for me. With the ability to actually soar into one other world by popping a headset on in the course of the day has been extra than simply mood-changing for me, it’s been an essential a part of restoration time to return to regular life once more.
All through this, essentially the most spectacular factor to me is how little of a compromise this feels when in comparison with the $200 dearer Meta Quest 3. Whereas the lenses aren’t as clear, I didn’t discover some other actual variations whereas taking part in. Even with that in thoughts, most individuals received’t have the ability to respect the lens distinction until they’ve already used a Quest 3 earlier than, anyway, so it’s a little bit of a moot level.
Whereas the expertise is unbelievably near the Quest 3, I don’t wish to write a full evaluate after utilizing it for only a week. As a substitute, I’ve give you 5 takeaways and why this could completely be the VR headset you purchase this 12 months, particularly if you happen to’re a Quest 2 proprietor who’s trying to play video games like Batman Arkham Shadow.
Combined actuality is gorgeous
Once I first put the headset on, I marveled at how related the Meta Quest 3S’s shade blended actuality imaginative and prescient was to that of the Meta Quest 3. It was straightforward to see the room round me, put my controllers on, and work together with issues within the room — together with petting my kitten who was roaming round.
One of the best blended actuality video games all really feel and play almost identically on the Meta Quest 3S. Turning your front room right into a racket ball court docket in Racket Membership nonetheless feels magical, and distinctive blended reality-only video games like Starship House nonetheless remodel your present room into one thing new and particular. In reality, I nonetheless had that humorous feeling of one thing lacking within the room each time I finished taking part in Starship House as a result of the blended actuality high quality was so convincing.
For Meta Quest 2 homeowners upgrading to a Meta Quest 3S, shade blended actuality would be the largest, most fast distinction. Combined actuality merely doesn’t exist on a Quest 2. Calling the extremely low-res black & white passthrough imaginative and prescient “blended actuality” is just inaccurate, and it’s this that can convey that fast “wow” issue to your buy.
The graphics improve will blow you away
I’ve already been capable of play some Quest 3-exclusive video games on the Meta Quest 3S that I’m not allowed to speak about but, however let me let you know that the graphics on these titles are going to blow you away. It is a 100% full generational improve from the Meta Quest 2, and it’s instantly palpable on most of the largest upcoming Meta Quest video games.
Whereas some present video games you may need already performed bought spectacular visible upgrades — The Strolling Lifeless: Saints & Sinners is likely one of the finest examples of spectacular updates to present video games — the brand new video games popping out this 12 months are those that’ll really blow you away. That’s as a result of it’s not simply in regards to the upgraded particulars, higher textures, improved lighting, and different graphical enhancements. It’s about scale.
The additional RAM and 100% improved processing energy over the Quest 2 imply that video games made for the Quest 3 can really feel larger and extra sturdy. Many Oculus Quest video games from the 2019 and 2020 eras typically felt like cellular video games in a brand new perspective due to their graphical and environmental simplicity. Meta Quest 3 video games really feel straight out of the PS4 period of gaming, and that’s one thing to actually have a good time.
Backwards compatibility with Quest 3 equipment is a recreation changer
From day one, I used to be ready to make use of almost each single among the best Meta Quest 3 equipment (hyperlink) that I had readily available with the Meta Quest 3S. The lone exception is the facial interface, which is a unique form and dimension in contrast with the Quest 3. However each different head strap I had, each controller accent — together with fancy golf golf equipment and controller grips — and each battery pack or haptic suggestions vest labored with the Quest 3S with none tinkering.
Meaning Quest 3S customers have entry to a whole 12 months’s value of third-party accent work, permitting them to decide on the most effective accent for the job as an alternative of settling with overpriced choices that find yourself disappointing. That is a large change from each different Meta Quest product launch, which regularly noticed solely first-party equipment obtainable for months at a time.
Should you’re selecting up a Quest 3S, I would suggest two equipment to get a considerably higher expertise. First, seize a BoboVR M3 Professional head strap substitute. Its sensible design helps offload the Quest 3S’s weight out of your face, balancing it higher in your head with soft, simply detachable, washable padding. It additionally features a magnetically hot-swappable, rechargeable battery pack that provides hours of playtime to your expertise.
I am additionally testing out KIWI Design’s H4 and K4 head straps, each of which supply significantly better consolation over the inventory strap whereas including a giant battery for extra playtime. KIWI Design prides itself on battery security, which is one thing to consider because it’s strapped to your head!
Subsequent, seize these cheap AMVR controller grips. They substitute the battery cowl in your Quest 3S controllers with one which has a grippy texture and a snug hand strap. That strap not solely extra evenly distributes the controller’s weight but in addition makes it simpler to throw issues in VR since you possibly can truly let go of the controller with out it falling out of your arms.
I personally dislike the inventory facial interface for any Meta Quest headset and infrequently want ones from AMVR or Kiwi Design, however neither firm has one which works with the Quest 3S but. As soon as I exploit one I like, I will add a advice.
The catalog of video games is downright spectacular
We simply overhauled our finest Meta Quest video games checklist, and let me let you know how tough it was to slender down the number of “finest video games” to only a few. The Meta Quest platform sports activities 1000’s of video games, and whereas loads of 2024 video games have been phenomenal, there are nonetheless loads of classics value taking part in.
New releases like Dimensional Double Shift put a brand new spin on the outdated VR basic Job Simulator by including in multiplayer and hand monitoring, plus a brand new theme with tons of distinctive interactions. Steel: Hellsinger VR takes the console basic into VR with a head-banging good unique soundtrack and gameplay that feels straight out of the most effective Doom video games.
NFL PRO ERA 2025 simply upgraded its gameplay and roster to provide the fantasy soccer expertise you have been dreaming of, and Lodge RnR Rockstar Simulator permits you to step into the sneakers of a rockstar who’s fed up with not getting their approach on a regular basis.
In only a week, you can play Batman Arkham Shadow, the primary unique recreation within the Arkham franchise in a decade. That, after all, is a recreation without spending a dime with the Meta Quest 3S, so you do not have to buy the sport individually.
And the upcoming Meta Quest video games checklist is stacked with different big-name releases we’re certain to like. Alien: Rogue Incursion is the primary made-for-VR recreation within the basic Ridley Scott collection. Skydance’s Behemoth brings Shadow of the Colossus-style gameplay to VR, and Metro Awakening is an unique VR entry into the acclaimed Metro 2033 collection that players have cherished for years.
The worst a part of shopping for any new system is having to shell out a bunch of cash to play video games on it. That is the place Meta Quest Plus is available in. It is a subscription service just like one thing like Xbox Recreation Go, supplying you with entry to 22 of the most effective Quest video games immediately.
Every Meta Quest headset comes with a three-month trial of the service, and it is simply $7.99 per thirty days thereafter. This is the way it works. A library of 20 video games is accessible to play immediately, supplying you with entry to a often rotated, curated checklist of titles. You do not personal these video games, so be sure you play them after they’re obtainable.
Past that, you will get entry to 2 video games every month you could declare completely in your account. That is 24 video games per 12 months added to your library and accessible as long as you retain a subscription to the service. That is along with the often rotated checklist of 20 video games, which means you will have a lot to play for only a few bucks a month.
Now’s the time
Meta completely knocked it out of the park with the Meta Quest 3S. That is the Quest 2 follow-up the VR trade wants as a result of it is available in on the value individuals need. A $299 headset might be the only most essential factor to get VR into extra arms and on extra heads, and a product pretty much as good because the Meta Quest 3S goes to utterly blow individuals’s minds this Vacation season.
I don’t hesitate in any respect once I say that is crucial VR product ever made. It takes all the teachings Meta discovered from the Quest 2 period, provides in all of the enhancements made with Quest 3 {hardware} and the software program expertise over the previous 12 months, and one way or the other melds them completely right into a $299 package deal. It’s an unbelievable feat for the corporate to have achieved, and but, right here it’s for all to get pleasure from.
The VR increase cycle is about to be again in enterprise after a 12 months of decelerate, and the Meta Quest 3S is main the cost.
Do not spend extra! Get the Meta Quest 3S and get the most effective of VR gaming and blended actuality content material with the identical highly effective processor within the Quest 3, the identical controllers with superior haptic suggestions, and a large library of content material to get pleasure from daily.