The PS5 is now dominating gamer mindshare with a stunning design, powerful internal hardware and a list of awesome PS5 games to play, including the dynamite exclusive Spider-Man Miles Morales.
Its range of official accessories is also superb, with gamers bowled over by the best-in-class haptic feedback delivered by the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, and left in awe by the immersive audio delivered by the Pulse 3D wireless gaming headset.
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One accessory that all PlayStation 5 gamers still want, though, is the long-rumored successor to the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset, and right here we get to look at just how special it looks set to be – say hello to the PlayStation XR virtual reality gaming platform.
The PlayStation XR shown in the above video is the brainchild of French tech site VR4Player, and shows our best look yet at just what a PlayStation VR 2 system running off PS5 could look like. And if the real PSVR 2 headset is anything like the PSXR, then gamers should be getting very excited.
That's because this virtual reality gaming headset delivers an order of magnitude improvement over the first-gen PSVR.
Firstly, the VR headset is completely wireless, running off integrated battery packs that can be interchanged on the fly (while a battery stack is being used another is being charged in the XR's included charging dock, ready for an immediate swap-in). Two batteries can be charged at once, too, meaning that even the longest of gaming VR gaming sessions are enabled.
There's also a remote battery system option, too. This allows the gamer to actually wear the second and third batteries, which are mounted on an elastic armband or belt clip, meaning that the fun doesn't even have to pause while the main battery is swapped out – all three batteries are linked and the headset's runtime is tripled!
Runtime with all three batteries linked is up to 10 hours depending on application.
In terms of core tech, the PlayStation XR virtual reality headset comes with eye-tracking technology, an integrated blue-light filter, and runs a 4K OLED RGB display with resolution of 3,840 x 2,160. Connection to the console for pairing, game-storing and updating comes courtesy of a USB-C link.
The PSXR headset also includes support for the PS5's 3D audio chip and has a 3.5mm audio jack for headphone support. The headset also has a built-in Micro SDXC port, which allows data cards to be interchanged at will, thereby allowing for excellent and cheap game-storage options.
Finally, the this next-generation PlayStation virtual reality headset comes with a pair of New VR Controllers, which deliver haptic feedback and are themselves also wireless. Naturally, the PS5's DualSense controller is also compatible with the PSXR.
Overall, then, the PlayStation XR is a fantastically advanced virtual reality headset and worthy successor to the PSVR original. How realistic its features and specs are, though, remain to be seen, and here at T3 we feel that when the real PSVR 2 headset arrives we won't get everything shown off on the XR.
Wireless functionality has been heavily rumored, though, as too new VR controllers with advanced haptic feedback, so we don't think the XR is pure pie in the sky thinking.
Here's hoping we hear more about the official Sony PlayStation VR 2 virtual reality gaming headset soon, as it remains an exclusive extra gaming dimension on console for the Japanese maker (Xbox does not have a VR gaming headset), and T3 for one can't wait to see what's possible with next-gen hardware.
Ideally we'd like to see the PlayStation VR 2 to be launched during the 2021 winter holiday season, but we'd be happy with a launch any time up until Summer 2022. This would give the PS5 a big boost after its launch year and also fill the gap between it and any PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim consoles that are being worked on.
We've said before that we expect any mid-gen PS5 console follow-up to arrive after the 3-year mark, so a launch 1 to 1.5 years in would bridge that gap nicely, and act as a key reinforcement in the war against Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
What would a PS5 Slim look like? This is our best look yet:
The other PlayStation development we could see the PS VR 2 bridge is to the much-rumored PSP 5G, the next-gen PlayStation Portable follow-up to the PS Vita. Right now information is very light on the ground, however wisps of rumor smoke are now circulating and the possibility of a new system seems nowhere near as impossible as thought just a few years ago.
After all, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite continue to absolutely tear up the handheld market, and with Sony's in-house 5G expertise and gaming chops, it feels like a digital-only cloud-based new PSP could be made a reality. Here's hoping we get more information soon.
Elsewhere in PS5 news action against the rise of scalpers seems to be on the increase, with a group of MPs in Britain filing a motion calling for legislation “prohibiting the resale of gaming consoles and computer components at prices greatly above Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price.”
The motion is specifically targeted at scalpers, too, with it reading:
"new releases of gaming consoles and computer components should be available to all customers at no more than the Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price, and not be bought in bulk by the use of automated bots which often circumvent maximum purchase quantities imposed by the retailer”.
This move comes after thousands upon thousands of PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles were bought up by scalpers with AI notification services and reseller bots, before listing them on online auction houses like eBay for up to four times their RRP.
Where or not anything will actually become of this motion remains to be seen, but here at T3 we welcome any measures that will help connect people fairly with the products they want.
Rumor: a new patent uncovered by LetsGoDigital indicates that a new PSVR headset for PlayStation 5 is in developmentThis one seems to feature haptic feedback, LED lighting and sensors that recognize if the headset is properly worn + moreFull detailshttps://t.co/SekLfZLBWg pic.twitter.com/IsRr76h3b0November 25, 2020
The last leak we heard from regarding the PSVR 2 came courtesy of a patent that was unearthed by tech site LetsGoDigital, which showed a headset that featured haptic feedback, LED lighting and a an automatic system that detects if it is being worn correctly by the gamer.
A predicted price point for this next-gen virtual reality headset is pegged at $350, which if accurate would take the price of the PS5 and PSVR 2 headset, along with a game or two, up to around the $1000 mark. While this is expensive, it would provide the most well-rounded and futuristic gaming offing on the market, with non-VR and VR next-gen gaming covered.
And, as with the PlayStation XR above, any PS VR 2 would also be able to play all first-gen PSVR games and have access to the vast library of experiences already available on the official PlayStation Store.
Elsewhere in gaming news the GDP Win 3 portable handheld games console has broken cover (see above image) and, simply put, it is a hardcore gamer's dream system.
The Win 3 has roughly the same form-factor and size as the Nintendo Switch, and a near-identical controller layout for playing games, but this machine runs Windows 10 and comes loaded with hardware that far out-punches the Big N's flagship.
An Intel Core i7-1165G7 along with a 96 EU Iris Xe Graphics G7 GPU, 16GB of RAM and 5.5-inch 1,280 x 720 Gorilla Glass-coated screen means that the Win 3 can run today's modern AAA PC games at high settings and framerates.
Red Dead Redemption 2, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Death Stranding and Devil May Cry 5 have all now been shown running on the Win 3 and with an open Windows 10 OS powering everything, it seems like the scope of what this system can play is truly vast.
Here at T3 we've been mightily enthused by the Win 3, which is set to be made available in January 2021, and see it as the ideal handheld for gaming enthusiasts from what we've seen so far.
More information can be found in T3's Win 3 report, which is linked in just above.
How much is the original PlayStation VR today?
After an explosive start the PS VR went through a few sticky years where interest waned, however quality VR games kept been released for the virtual reality headset and, helped with some excellent bundle packages at retailers, carried the system through until 2020.
Today the PS VR is still a highly desirable product and prices have remained strong in markets worldwide. The Starter Kit especially, which is the cheapest way to get started with PlayStation VR, is currently in limited supply – so bagging a good price on it can be tough.
Below T3 has listed the very best PlayStation VR prices that are available today, so if you're tempted to get stuck in, especially considering you can get a free adapter so the headset works with PS5, then be sure to browse through them as you might very well find a VR bargain.
In T3's PlayStation VR review we said that:
'When ease of setup and price enter the equation, the PlayStation VR is the best all-round VR package currently available. It's not the most powerful and it does have a few small issues, however its low cost, good selection of games and ease of use make it a really great way to get into VR.'
And since then, which was back in 2016, the PSVR really has delivered on that promise. The headset wasn't perfect though on review, with T3 calling out that key accessories were not included, that glasses users were not very well catered for and that there was light bleed, and technically more powerful VR headsets existed, like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.
As such, there is definitely room for improvement with a second-gen PSVR headset, and some improvements would not require advanced new technology either – they could be solved with a better design.
Of course, since the PSVR headset was released competitors have released even more powerful rival systems, such as the HTC Vive Cosmos, so the next-gen PlayStation VR headset will have to improve technically to keep pace, but we don't think it needs to be a technical juggernaut to really hit home with gamers.
In reality Sony needs to produce a new VR headset that balances upgraded tech and design with keeping the price as affordable as before.
In other gaming news a brand new concept design video has bolted from the undergrowth showing off both Nintendo Switch Pro and Nintendo Switch XL next-gen gaming systems.
The Nintendo Switch XL is, as its name suggests comes with a larger screen than the original Switch and boasts a Ultra HD 4K resolution. Both its Joy-Cons are redesigned, too, and it features not just one game cartridge slot but four.
The Nintendo Switch Pro, on the other hand, is a futuristic gaming dock that can support four game carts at once and connects directly to a TV. This gaming system also supports 4K gaming.
Combined the pair make a stylish and powerful next-gen offering, so here's hoping Nintendo are watching and aim just as high when building the real Nintendo Switch Pro.
And the concept designs don't stop there, either, with a stunning PSP 5G design showing off just how thin and sleek a next-gen PlayStation Portable could be.
The design comes courtesy of PHConcepts, and shows off a PSP 5G that very closes resembles a modern Sony Xperia smartphone.
The console has a large screen, triple-camera system and fully fleshed out set of gamepad controls, with twin thumb sticks, a d-pad, 4-button cross, circle, square, triangle array and left and right triggers.
So far Sony has not confirmed it is working on a new PlayStation Portable, but considering the company's in-house expertise in terms of 5G, cameras, phones and gaming consoles, it definitely has the tools at its disposal to do so.
The continued success of the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite also show there is hunger from gamers for portable consoles, too.
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