# PlayStation VR
**PlayStation VR** (PS VR) is a virtual reality headset developed by [Sony Interactive Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/sony-interactive-entertainment) for the [PlayStation 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-4) console, released on October 13, 2016 at a suggested retail price of USD $399 / CAD $549 / €399.99 / £349.99 / 44,980 yen.[1](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/03/15/playstation-vr-launching-october-for-399/comment-page-2/?emcid=em-pl--5-87013) • [2](https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/15q4_sonyspeech.pdf) It was Sony's first VR headset and was succeeded by PlayStation VR2 in February 2023.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | October 13, 2016; $399 USD / CAD $549 / €399.99 / £349.99[1](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/03/15/playstation-vr-launching-october-for-399/comment-page-2/?emcid=em-pl--5-87013) |
| Display | 5.7-inch OLED, 1920 x RGB x 1080 total (960 x RGB x 1080 per eye), 90 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate[4](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/) |
| Field of view | Approximately 100 degrees[4](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/) |
| Tracking | External PlayStation Camera tracking LED lights on the headset and controllers; six-axis motion sensors and IR proximity sensor in the headset[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq) |
| Weight | Approximately 600 g excluding cable[4](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/) |
| Console support | PS4; also PS5 with the free PlayStation Camera adaptor[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq) |
| Launch software | More than 30 first- and third-party games on day one; 50 titles from launch to the end of 2016[5](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/10/13/playstation-vr-launches-today-across-the-united-states-and-canada/) • [6](https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2016/10/13/the-future-of-play-is-here-playstation-vr-launches-today/) |
## Hardware and display
The headset uses a 5.7-inch OLED panel with a combined resolution of 1920 x RGB x 1080, split so each eye sees 960 x 1080 pixels, running at 90 Hz or 120 Hz.[4](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/) TIME's review noted that although this per-eye resolution is lower than the [Oculus Rift](https://www.edgepedia.org/oculus-rift) or [HTC Vive](https://www.edgepedia.org/htc-vive), PS VR has a higher sub-pixel resolution, rendering red, green, and blue more clearly.[7](https://time.com/4510858/playstation-vr-review/)
Unlike later inside-out headsets, PS VR tracks the player with an external PlayStation Camera that reads LED tracking lights on the headset and on peripherals such as the [DualShock](https://www.edgepedia.org/dualshock) 4 and [PlayStation Move](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-move) motion controllers.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq) • [8](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/playstation-vr-troubleshooting/) Sony recommended a camera distance of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 m (4 ft 9 in to 6 ft 5 in) for optimal play, and warned that bright light sources behind the player can interfere with tracking.[8](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/playstation-vr-troubleshooting/) • [9](https://blog.playstation.com/2017/10/02/playstation-vr-the-ultimate-faq/)
A separate processor unit sits between the console and the headset, handling 3D audio processing, the Social Screen (mirroring or separate mode), and Cinematic mode.[4](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/) In Cinematic Mode, anything outputting to the PlayStation 4, from Blu-ray video to non-VR games, can be viewed on a virtual screen; TIME likened the effect to sitting several feet from a selectable 117-inch to 226-inch screen.[7](https://time.com/4510858/playstation-vr-review/)
## Launch and software
Sony announced the price and October 2016 launch window at the [Game Developers Conference](https://www.edgepedia.org/game-developers-conference) in March 2016, stating that more than 230 developers were building content and that more than 50 games would be available from launch until the end of the year.[1](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/03/15/playstation-vr-launching-october-for-399/comment-page-2/?emcid=em-pl--5-87013) The headset launched on October 13, 2016 with more than 30 first- and third-party games, including the PS VR exclusives *Batman: Arkham VR*, *Rez Infinite*, *Driveclub VR*, *PlayStation VR Worlds*, and *RIGS Mechanized Combat League*; each unit shipped with a demo disc and *The PlayRoom VR* was a free download.[5](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/10/13/playstation-vr-launches-today-across-the-united-states-and-canada/)
At $399, the headset was priced $200 below the Oculus Rift at $599, a positioning Sony Computer Entertainment America president Shawn Layden tied to reaching the mass of more than 36 million PS4 owners.[10](https://time.com/4367707/playstation-vr-price/) • [11](https://time.com/4260570/sony-playstation-vr/) A $499.99 launch bundle added the PlayStation Camera, two Move wands, and *PlayStation VR Worlds*.[7](https://time.com/4510858/playstation-vr-review/)
## PlayStation VR2 and compatibility
The successor, PlayStation VR2, launched globally on February 22, 2023 at $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / ¥74,980.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq) It raised the panel resolution to 2000 x 2040 per eye, widened the field of view to approximately 110 degrees, replaced the external camera with four embedded cameras for inside-out tracking, added eye tracking and headset vibration, and reduced headset weight to approximately 560 g.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq)
There is no compatibility between the two systems: PS VR2 cannot play PS VR content, and PS VR cannot play PS VR2 games.[12](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps-vr2-compatibility/) PS VR2 works only with [PlayStation 5](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-5) consoles, while the original PS VR works with PS4 and, using the PlayStation Camera adaptor supplied at no extra cost, with PS5.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq)
In August 2024 Sony released a PlayStation VR2 PC adapter ($59.99 / €59.99 / £49.99) enabling the newer headset to run SteamVR titles on PC, requiring a [DisplayPort](https://www.edgepedia.org/displayport) 1.4 cable and a directly connected USB port; on PC, features including HDR, headset feedback, eye tracking, adaptive triggers, and haptic feedback other than rumble are unavailable.[13](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/06/03/playstation-vr2-players-can-access-games-on-pc-with-adapter-starting-on-august-7/) The original PS VR was designed to work with PS4 and has no PC support.[9](https://blog.playstation.com/2017/10/02/playstation-vr-the-ultimate-faq/)
## References
1. [PlayStation VR: Launching October for $399 – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/03/15/playstation-vr-launching-october-for-399/comment-page-2/?emcid=em-pl--5-87013)
2. [Sony Q4 FY2015 earnings presentation](https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/15q4_sonyspeech.pdf)
3. [PlayStation VR2: The ultimate FAQ – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/06/playstation-vr2-the-ultimate-faq)
4. [PlayStation VR Tech Specs – PlayStation.com](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-vr/tech-specs/)
5. [PlayStation VR Launches Today Across the United States and Canada – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2016/10/13/playstation-vr-launches-today-across-the-united-states-and-canada/)
6. [The future of play is here – PlayStation VR launches today – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2016/10/13/the-future-of-play-is-here-playstation-vr-launches-today/)
7. [Review: PlayStation VR Is the Best First-Generation Virtual Reality Headset – TIME](https://time.com/4510858/playstation-vr-review/)
8. [PlayStation VR troubleshooting – PlayStation.com](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/playstation-vr-troubleshooting/)
9. [PlayStation VR: The Ultimate FAQ – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2017/10/02/playstation-vr-the-ultimate-faq/)
10. [Sony Announces PlayStation VR Release Date – TIME](https://time.com/4367707/playstation-vr-price/)
11. [5 Things Sony Told Us About PlayStation VR – TIME](https://time.com/4260570/sony-playstation-vr/)
12. [PS VR2 game and console compatibility – PlayStation.com](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps-vr2-compatibility/)
13. [PlayStation VR2 players can access games on PC with adapter starting on August 7 – PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/06/03/playstation-vr2-players-can-access-games-on-pc-with-adapter-starting-on-august-7/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Computing and digital systems › Computer hardware › Boards, peripherals & form factors › Peripherals & expansion hardware › Game controllers and entertainment input devices*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license