Oculus Rift

Oculus Rift review

The Rift is much more than an impressive debut for virtual reality gaming: it’s a sign of things to come. At long last the hardware is refined, there’s a diverse selection of games and experiences in the Oculus store, and developers are hard at work on big-name titles. It's only going to get better from this point. That first time you pull on the headset still feels more like magic than technology, and it’s just as much fun watching friends getting their first taste of VR. You might not have thought you could feel sympathy for a cartoon hedgehog, but step into his house and you’ll want to give him a big hug - spines be damned. None of which means that it's perfect. It’s expensive, for starters - even more so if you don't already have the hefty PC you'll need to run it on. Plus, the Xbox One controller just feels like a stop-gap until the Touch controllers arrive around autumn time. If you pick up a Rift now, you’ll still have a headset that can transport you to a litany of wondrous digital worlds - it just won’t be as absorbing as it can be later this year. Bear in mind also that the Rift isn’t the only VR headset due out soon(ish). Hell, HTC’s Vive is due for release in the next fortnight, and its focus on room-scale experiences you can walk around in has the potential to be even more immersive than what Oculus has to offer right now. And don't forget the cheaper PlayStation VR coming in October. So no, Rift isn't quite perfect, and this war is by no means over in the first round. But that doesn't mean it's any less exciting. Got a monstrous gaming PC and want to see what the future of gaming looks like? Then you’ll want a Rift. Until Vive or PlayStation VR prove otherwise, this is the VR experience to beat.

Oculus Rift headset review

The Rift is much more than an impressive debut for virtual reality gaming: it’s a sign of things to come. At long last the hardware is refined, there’s a diverse selection of games and experiences in the Oculus store, and developers are hard at work on big-name titles. It's only going to get better from this point. That first time you pull on the headset still feels more like magic than technology, and it’s just as much fun watching friends getting their first taste of VR. You might not have thought you could feel sympathy for a cartoon hedgehog, but step into his house and you’ll want to give him a big hug - spines be damned. None of which means that it's perfect. It’s expensive, for starters - even more so if you don't already have the hefty PC you'll need to run it on. Plus, the Xbox One controller just feels like a stop-gap until the Touch controllers arrive around autumn time. If you pick up a Rift now, you’ll still have a headset that can transport you to a litany of wondrous digital worlds - it just won’t be as absorbing as it can be later this year. Bear in mind also that the Rift isn’t the only VR headset due out soon(ish). Hell, HTC’s Vive is due for release in the next fortnight, and its focus on room-scale experiences you can walk around in has the potential to be even more immersive than what Oculus has to offer right now. And don't forget the cheaper PlayStation VR coming in October. So no, Rift isn't quite perfect, and this war is by no means over in the first round. But that doesn't mean it's any less exciting. Got a monstrous gaming PC and want to see what the future of gaming looks like? Then you’ll want a Rift. Until Vive or PlayStation VR prove otherwise, this is the VR experience to beat.

Oculus Rift review review

Oculus Rift review: Fantastic controllers for VR, but the Rift has a few drawbacks

The Oculus Rift now offers a great combination of controls and apps for next-level VR and some room tracking, but it offers a less expansive experience than the Vive. Update, July 2017: After two price cuts, the total cost of a complete Oculus Rift with Touch controllers is now $499. Consider that as you read our full review below.

Oculus Rift review: Affordable entry into high-end VR

The Oculus Rift is the reason why Facebook bought the VR hardware company. And it's easy to see why: gaming geeks will adore it; 'normal' people will have their socks blown off.

Over a year on from release, Oculus Rift still represents a great way into VR

Oculus Rift review

Oculus Rift isn't the all-encompassing 'future of entertainment' some may have expected, but we're optimistic that it might earn that title in the coming years.

Oculus Rift Review

The Oculus Rift is a powerful, PC-tethered VR headset that's even more appealing now thanks a lower price and the inclusion of Oculus Touch motion controllers. The retail version of the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset finally arrived in 2016, after multiple development kits and several years of work. Since then, the excellent Oculus Touch motion controllers were added to the Rift as part of a $598 bundle, slashing $100 each from the original price of both the headset and the controllers. And since , the bundle's price has been further cut to $399. The Oculus Rift remains functional and immersive, if you have a computer that can handle it. With the addition of the Oculus Touch controllers, the Rift is more appealing than the more expensive HTC Vive. While the Sony PlayStation VR is our Editors' Choice for its ease of use and lower barrier to entry (you simply need a PS4 as opposed to a powerful gaming PC), the Oculus Rift in its current form earns our Editors' Choice for PC-tethered headsets thanks to its approachable price tag, Oculus Touch controllers, and support for whole-room VR. What You Need Official requirements for the R...