This 12 months 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 shocked the VR headsets have been seemingly the highest tech reward of 2024.
The Quest success was noticed by Add 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 individuals previously month, and the Quest 3 was purchased by over 50,000 Amazon customers (collectively, that’s effectively over the variety of PS5, PS5 Execs, and Xbox Collection S and X fashions offered in the identical month mixed); it appears customers took benefit of these glorious Black Friday Meta Quest offers we noticed within the run as much as Christmas.
However past gross sales making the VR headsets appear like an excellent higher deal than standard, I’m not shocked the Meta Quest 3 and 3S proved in style – and people of you with out one ought to contemplate altering that and becoming a member of all these Christmas consumers.
VR is best than its ever been
In 2024, the largest purpose it is best to 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 implausible suite of video games and apps throughout numerous genres and makes use of – you’ll be able to grow to be 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 totally 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 appears like a worthwhile expertise fairly than merely a novelty, as has been the case previously.
Moreover, whereas I feel the full-on Meta Quest 3 is definitely worth the worth bump, the Meta Quest 3S costing solely $299.99 / £289.99 / AU$499.99 means it delivers excellent bang to 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 might on the pricier system, and the value is way simpler to justify to your self – or your mother and father if you happen to needed it as a present – if you’re seeking to decide 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 value of the techniques.
Oh, and that Batman expertise I discussed – which is titled Batman: Arkham Shadow – is being included with Quest 3 purchases free of charge till the tip of April 2025. It’s a very excellent recreation, a must-play for Batman followers, and solely goes to additional sweeten the deal for anybody excited by choosing up both the three or 3S.
If that’s you – otherwise you’ve already snagged one – then I’d advocate additionally looking my picks for my favourite VR video games and apps of 2024 so you’ll be able to obtain them and begin your Meta Quest 3 journey off proper.
