Get your VR headset ready if you’re visiting family this holiday season! With so many exciting VR games for first-timers of all ages, you’ll want to bring the experience home.
Despite being on the market for nearly a decade, many people still haven’t experienced the depth of truly amazing VR games on modern headsets. When showcasing these games to a diverse age group of VR newcomers, you might want to avoid complex storylines or games that need detailed explanations and artificial control schemes. Also, don’t forget to share the fun by mirroring your VR display to a TV or monitor so everyone can enjoy watching!
Walkabout Mini Golf
Walkabout Mini Golf barely needs an introduction. It’s a mini-golf adventure that takes you through fantastic courses. From Venice-inspired landscapes to collaborations with iconic brands like Wallace and Gromit, MYST, and Meow Wolf, there’s something for everyone. The game allows putters to resize according to the player’s height, making it fun and accessible for kids, teens, and adults alike. It also supports crossplay with the mobile ‘Pocket Edition,’ offering more possibilities for local multiplayer enjoyment.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, Pico, SteamVR
OhShape
Inspired by the Japanese game show ‘Hole in the Wall’, OhShape is a VR rhythm game where players dance to interact with moving walls. It’s incredibly easy to start up and will entertain everyone as they fit through increasingly challenging shapes.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Beat Saber
There’s a reason why Beat Saber is always a holiday favorite. Its addictive block-slashing rhythm is easy to pick up, making it an ideal game for VR beginners. It has enough complexity to keep players of all ages engaged. Just limit each person’s playtime to about 5 to 15 minutes to allow for retries and song repeats.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Pistol Whip
Addictive like Beat Saber but with its own flair, Pistol Whip lets you feel like an action movie star. The stylized shooting game appeals to older kids, teens, and adults and avoids any issues parents might have with on-screen violence.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Tentacular
Tentacular puts you in the role of a giant, yet friendly tentacled creature exploring its place in the world. It’s full of puzzles and room for chaos, making it a good choice for puzzle-loving small groups.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Blaston
Blaston is a room-scale VR duel experience where you dodge and shoot in a virtual arena. It’s easy enough for beginners, featuring fun online matches and a single-player mode for human vs. AI battles.
Available on: Quest, Pico, SteamVR
Puzzling Places
Offering a calming, immersive twist on jigsaw puzzles, Puzzling Places is perfect for seated players who enjoy leisurely activities. It showcases VR’s potential beautifully to older family members.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2
Superhot VR
Old but still a classic, Superhot VR creates a thrilling experience with time-manipulating combat. The unique mechanic allows you to plan out moves and feel like an action hero without provoking much concern from the older generation.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 1, SteamVR
Wooorld
Wooorld is like having Google Earth in VR, letting users explore immersive 360-degree views and 3D city maps. It’s great for nostalgia trips and sparking long conversations.
Available on: Quest
Racket NX
Perfect for burning off post-holiday calories, Racket NX involves hitting balls in a futuristic arena for points and combos. It’s an engaging game for both kids and adults, especially enjoyable with two headsets for competitive play.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
Everyone’s familiar with Angry Birds, and its VR version is just as intuitive and fun. Challenge your friends to launch birds at the pesky pigs in this easily shareable game.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
I Expect You to Die Trilogy
This trilogy offers approachable escape room challenges with comedic failings, perfect for younger players to enjoy in turns.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Vader Immortal – Episode 1
For the Star Wars fans in your family, this game immerses you in a galaxy far away. While not ideal for large groups, the first episode is the most accessible and sets a thrilling scene for a solo experience.
Available on: Quest
Space Pirate Trainer
A visually appealing wave shooter, Space Pirate Trainer delivers quick pick-up-and-play excitement, making it one of the more approachable games for new VR users.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Bigscreen Beta
Though not a typical VR game, Bigscreen provides a virtual theater experience, perfect for those uninterested in gaming. Let family members enjoy live TV or mirror existing content to share the VR magic.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Additional Recommendations
- Demeo: For those who enjoy board games, Demeo offers cross-platform matches for in-depth tabletop enjoyment.
- Gran Turismo 7 (PSVR 2): Racing enthusiasts can spend an afternoon speeding through famous tracks with a steering wheel controller.
- Quest Intro Apps: These apps are perfect for newcomers wanting to learn more about VR headsets.
- Half-Life: Alyx (PC VR): This stunning VR game is best for wowing players with its impressive visuals.
- Moss 1 & 2: These platformers attract fans of quieter games where individual experience takes precedence.
Find these on their respective VR platforms and get ready for a holiday filled with virtual adventures!
