This yr Meta’s Quest app (referred to as Meta Horizon) – which is required to arrange the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S headsets – as soon as once more rocketed to the highest spot of the App Retailer’s free app chart on Christmas day, and I’m hardly stunned the VR headsets have been seemingly the highest tech present of 2024.
The Quest success was noticed by Upload VR who famous that that is the third time Meta has achieved this feat – with it doing so in 2021, 2023, and now 2024 (it missed out in 2022, with that being blamed on the controversial Meta Quest 2 worth hike).
Including to the Meta Quest 3 and 3S’ success are Amazon gross sales figures, with Amazon.com saying the Quest 3S was purchased by over 100,000 folks prior to now month, and the Quest 3 was purchased by over 50,000 Amazon buyers (collectively, that’s properly over the variety of PS5, PS5 Professionals, and Xbox Sequence S and X fashions offered in the identical month mixed); it appears buyers took benefit of these wonderful Black Friday Meta Quest deals we noticed within the run as much as Christmas.
However past gross sales making the VR headsets appear to be a good higher deal than normal, I’m not stunned the Meta Quest 3 and 3S proved widespread – and people of you with out one ought to think about altering that and becoming a member of all these Christmas patrons.
VR is best than its ever been
In 2024, the largest cause you must get a VR headset (particularly a Meta Quest 3 or 3S) is that the gadgets really feel like they’ve really come into their very own. There’s a improbable suite of video games and apps throughout numerous genres and makes use of – you’ll be able to develop into Batman, expertise immersive simulators, watch TV and play non-VR video games on large digital screens, and even use it for work with productiveness instruments.
And that is throughout each absolutely immersive VR, and the blended actual and digital experiences provided by blended actuality (MR); because of the decent-quality, full-color cameras on these Quest 3 headsets, booting up an MR app looks like a worthwhile expertise relatively than merely a novelty, as has been the case prior to now.
Moreover, whereas I believe the full-on Meta Quest 3 is well worth the worth bump, the Meta Quest 3S costing solely $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 means it delivers excellent bang on your buck. Sure, the shows aren’t as crisp and it’s bulkier, however the Quest 3S’ video games and apps nonetheless run simply in addition to they’d on the pricier system, and the value is way simpler to justify to your self – or your mother and father for those who needed it as a present – while you’re seeking to choose up a gadget.
Plus, as standalone headsets, these techniques don’t require any extras like a PC or PS5 – in contrast to the PSVR 2 headset, for instance. This makes it simpler to set the techniques up for newcomers to VR or gaming, and reduces the efficient price of the techniques.
Oh, and that Batman expertise I discussed – which is titled Batman: Arkham Shadow – is being included with Quest 3 purchases at no cost till the top of April 2025. It’s a really excellent recreation, a must-play for Batman followers, and solely goes to additional sweeten the deal for anybody enthusiastic about choosing up both the three or 3S.
If that’s you – otherwise you’ve already snagged one – then I’d advocate additionally searching my picks for my favorite VR games and apps of 2024 so you’ll be able to obtain them and begin your Meta Quest 3 journey off proper.
