Virtual Reality 2016: Playstation VR, Oculus VR Release Date, Price, and Specs

By Mark Aserit
Oculus Rift
Brace yourselves for the amazing virtual-reality headset

Virtual reality is no longer a science fiction thing. With the commercial release of PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the world full of possibilities is just around the corner. Here's the latest update on specs, release date and features of the new virtual-reality devices.

Earlier this week, Oculus -- now owned by Facebook-- opened pre-orders for their latest device called the Rift for $599. The tech company said the first batch of devices will be shipped around the world starting March 28.

Aside from VR headset, buyers will also receive a camera that they'll place on a desk or wall to track their head movements, and a Microsoft Xbox One gamepad (with a USB wireless adapter) to navigate inside the virtual-reality apps and games. In addition, the company will be giving away the Oculus Remote.

There are also free games installed in the Oculus Rift right out of the box. Get a chance to play Lucky's Tale, a Super Mario-like game where you play a fox exploring a cartoony world one jump at a time, and Eve Valkyrie, a galactic-themed dogfigthing game that puts player in the cockpit of a spaceship.

According to CNET, Oculus announced that there will more than 100 VR titles available for the Rift before the year 2016 ends. Some of those games are Minecraft, Rock Band, Edge of Nowhere, and The Climb (by the developers of Crysis).

Related: Thoughts After CES 2016: Virtual Reality and Connected Devices Will Rise 

The Oculus Rift PC bundle will be available in February for the price of $1,499.

For those who will not buy the PC bundle of Oculus Rift, here are the recommended PC system specs for the device:

  • Processor: Intel i5-4590 or higher
  • Video card : AMD R9 290 or higher
  • Memory capacity: 8GB+ RAM

As for the specs of Oculus Rift, the device has 1080×1200 resolution per eye and OLED display. It has also built-in audio system and a black fabric-wrapped frame for more comfortable use.

On another hand, here's what we know so far about Sony's PlayStation VR.

According to Sony Computer Entertainment's chief executive officer Andrew House, the cost of PlayStation VR "will be priced as a new gaming platform". Estimates show the device will cost around $400 - $600.

Furthermore, Sony Company confirmed their VR headset will be launching in March this year.

The VR headset from Sony will boast a Full HD 1080p OLED display, with a resolution of 960 x 1,080 for each eye. The device itself is compatible with PlayStation 4, which processes the games and streams them to the device.

Alphr published some of the games that are included in the PlayStation VR. Those games are Final Fantasy XIV Heavensward, Gran Turismo Sport, Tekken 7, Jurassic Encounter and Jurassic Encounter.

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