New PlayStation VR2 to PC Adapter May Limit Key Headset Features

The PlayStation VR2 is finally stepping out from the PlayStation 5’s shadow. Sony has introduced a $60 adapter that allows this $550 VR headset to explore the world of Steam-based VR games on your PC. But before you rush to make your purchase, let’s pump the brakes a little. There are a few caveats to using your VR2 on a PC, and some of them eat into the very features that make the PSVR2 shine.

The setup process involves a tangle of cables. According to the images shared in PlayStation’s blog, you’ll need to connect the VR2 to a PC using a wired connection leading to the adapter box, which then hooks up to the PC via USB and DisplayPort. You can also connect it to a monitor if you want an audience while you tackle those tricky puzzles in Half-Life: Alyx.

However, you need a PC equipped with a DisplayPort 1.4 output and an extra DisplayPort cable on hand. The minimum system requirements are pretty much what you’d anticipate: an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a graphics card that’s at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500XT. For the best experience pushing the VR2’s 4K capabilities, you’ll want a more robust setup. Sony also notes the necessity of a Steam account to access your games, though if additional Steam VR prerequisites arise, it’s likely the innovative PC VR community will find workarounds.

In our VR2 review, we praised it as an outstanding headset, boasting superb eye tracking and controls at a competitive price. Its downside was being shackled to a limited game library on the PlayStation 5. The headset launched before Meta unveiled its $500 Meta Quest 3, which features enhanced AR passthrough capabilities and a suite of exclusive games. The VR2 impresses with its high-quality in-headset lenses, delivering up to 4K resolution per eye and offering a broad 110-degree field of view.

Now, let’s talk about the constraints of using the VR2 on a PC. For starters, eye-tracking capabilities won’t function outside its native console. You’ll also miss out on HDR and the immersive headset feedback. The adaptive triggers you’d expect from the DualSense experience, along with richer haptic feedback, won’t make the leap to PC either. Limited passthrough capabilities are retained, though primarily to help you avoid bumping into nearby obstacles.

You’ll find the adapter on PlayStation Direct and other major retailers starting this August. Meanwhile, the VR2 is $100 off at Direct and Best Buy during Sony’s Days of Play sale until June 13.

All told, even with a discount, the VR2 isn’t cheap, especially when factoring in the $60 adapter cost to free it from Sony’s tight-knit ecosystem. Before concluding if it’s a compelling option for the VR enthusiasts eyeing the PC realms, we need to get hands-on experience. Nonetheless, the necessary connection specs and feature compromises might dampen some of the excitement.