Virtual reality opens up a plethora of new possibilities within video games – from the immersive experience of having the game’s world in front of you, to the new ways that you can explore and experience games in general. As virtual reality grows in popularity with the gaming community, the need for more intuitive and immersive controls becomes more and more pronounced. There are several accessories or “peripherals” available to gamers, but it can be difficult to know which ones are the best virtual reality props that money can buy.
Oculus Touch
The first accessory to talk about is the Oculus Touch, considered by many to be the missing piece for the Oculus Rift headset. With a smaller, more streamlined design, the Oculus Touch is far more immersive and convenient for use when compared to the regular controllers. As the cheapest item on this list, the Oculus Touch comes in at just $99.
VR gloves
One of the more well-known alternatives to the somewhat-bulky controllers are VR gloves, which the user wears in order to control the game rather than holding onto a controller. There are a number of them available online, but some of the best ones are produced by Manus VR, though they currently only support the HTC Vive. They have four models available for purchase, with the Apollo Developer Glove costing around $2,300 and the other three models coming in at just over $4,000. Each of the gloves are wireless and are easily calibrated with the HTC Vive, allowing you to play your favorite VR games without the worry of holding onto any controllers.
ZOTAC VR GO Backpack
If you’re the kind of person who likes to game on the go, then the ZOTAC VR GO Backpack may be the ideal accessory for you. By fitting a powerful yet compact computer into the wearable backpack, you’re able to play your favourite VR games without being confined to your desktop PC. Suitable for both room-scale and seated VR gaming, the VR GO allows for up to two hours of uninterrupted play before needing to be recharged or to have the batteries swapped out mid-game. Even with a price-tag of $2,149.99, this backpack comes highly recommended.
Roto VR Chair
Moving away from wearable props, the final item on our list is the Roto VR Chair, a chair that is compatible with several VR systems including the HTC Vive, Oculus, and Playstation VR. With twenty different technologies incorporated into the chair, it offers new ways to play for any genre of game. With everything from head-tracking to rumble shakers, you are able to get a truly immersive experience. The chair starts at $999, with additional accessories available. Should you decide to purchase the full package with all the possible additions, then the final price comes to $1,625.
While some of these various virtual reality props may be on the more expensive side, they truly enhance the experience that you have when playing VR games. Each brings new possibilities to the table and allow for an immersive and enjoyable stretch of gaming – be you the kind of person who enjoys exploration or high action gameplay, every one of these will do nothing but make your VR experience even better.
