Get your VR headset ready to travel, because if you’re heading to visit family this holiday season, there are a plethora of incredible games you should showcase to first-time users of all ages.
While consumer VR headsets have been around for nearly a decade, many folks have yet to give them a whirl—or worse, they’ve tried them but haven’t experienced the truly amazing games available on the latest headsets. There are countless fantastic games to explore—far more than we can cover here. But if you plan to introduce VR to a mixed-age group of beginners, it’s wise to steer clear of intense story-driven content or games requiring complex explanations and synthetic movements. Make sure you project your headset’s display onto a monitor or TV so everyone can watch the action unfold!
Walkabout Mini Golf
Walkabout Mini Golf doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s all about swinging your way through stunning mini golf courses, including 18 holes inspired by Venice, Italy, as well as amazing collaborations with the creators of Wallace and Gromit, MYST, and Meow Wolf, to name a few. It’s fun for everyone, as putters adjust to your height, making it easy to pass around to people of all ages. Plus, with crossplay available with the mobile ‘Pocket Edition’, it ramps up the fun for local multiplayer.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, Pico, SteamVR
OhShape
Drawing inspiration from the Japanese TV show ‘Hole in the Wall’, OhShape is a lively VR rhythm game. Players use their entire body to dance, weave, and dodge through walls in sync with the music. It’s a hoot to watch as everyone tries to conform to the ever-challenging shapes.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Beat Saber
Beat Saber frequently makes it onto holiday roundups because it’s incredibly engaging and easy to jump into. This block-slashing rhythm game serves as a fantastic introduction to VR for newcomers, while also offering depth for players of all ages and abilities. Consider limiting each person’s turn to 5–15 minutes, allowing room for retries and replaying favorite songs.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Pistol Whip
Equally addictive as Beat Saber, Pistol Whip swaps slicing for shooting, making you feel like an action hero straight out of John Wick. Its stylized graphics mean there shouldn’t be much concern about on-screen violence, making it appealing to older kids, teens, and adults alike.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Tentacular
Tentacular is as whimsical as it looks. You’ll play as a gigantic yet kind-hearted tentacled creature trying to find its place in the world, solving puzzles while joyfully knocking things around. Better suited for smaller crowds, it might not be the first pick for a big gathering, but puzzle lovers will likely enjoy passing it around.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Blaston
Blaston is a free-to-play dueling game that pits you against others in a ring with an arsenal of weapons. While online matches provide a thrill, even single-player mode lets you enjoy human versus AI duels. It’s intuitive, so expect everyone to want a turn.
Available on: Quest, Pico, SteamVR
Puzzling Places
As calming as a traditional jigsaw puzzle, Puzzling Places is far more immersive, thanks to its hyper-realistic miniatures from around the world. Perfect for anyone, but particularly enjoyable for those who prefer to be seated and take it slow. It shines in showcasing VR’s charm, especially with older family members. It also features a mixed reality mode for Quest.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2
Superhot VR
Though it’s been around for a while, Superhot VR delivers a unique mix of time-bending gameplay and comic-style action. As time only moves when you do, players can strategically plan punches and gunfire, adding a satisfying twist to the experience.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 1, SteamVR
Wooorld
Wooorld brings virtual reality exploration to life with Quest, much like Google Earth. Experience immersive, 360-degree photospheres or marvel at 3D cities in virtual and mixed realities. It’s a delightful choice for nostalgia seekers wanting to roam familiar streets or distant destinations, opening the door to countless conversations.
Available on: Quest
Racket NX
Racket NX is perfect for working off those holiday calories, letting you smack balls inside a responsive dome while racking up scores. Suitable for anyone from youngsters to avid squash players, it’s especially fun with two headsets for direct competition.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
Who doesn’t know Angry Birds? This VR adaptation requires no introduction and is simple enough for anyone to get playing immediately. Challenge your family to topple the green pigs with the fewest shots possible.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
I Expect You to Die Trilogy
This trilogy is perfect for quick sessions and laugh-inducing moments as players tackle the deadly escape rooms. Each installment in the series is incredibly engaging, ideal for younger folks to gather round and share their heroic attempts.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Vader Immortal – Episode 1
For any budding Jedi in the family, this is the gateway to experience the Force. Great for solo escapades, it pulls Star Wars enthusiasts into a galaxy far, far away for an hour of epic adventure. While it’s not a crowd-centered game, it’s a treat for those who love watching playthroughs.
Available on: Quest
Space Pirate Trainer
A classic wave shooter, Space Pirate Trainer remains among the best-looking and simplest games to introduce. While the genre has evolved, this game’s intuitive nature makes it ideal for VR newcomers.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Bigscreen Beta
Although it isn’t a game, Bigscreen offers a transformative experience, turning your VR headset into a personal theater. Whether social or solo, it’s perfect for indulging in movies or live TV in a massive virtual space.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Don’t Miss
- Demeo: This cross-platform board game offers lengthy gameplay, perfect after-meal entertainment if detailed tutorials and gameplay aren’t daunting. Available on Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR, Pico.
- Gran Turismo 7 (PSVR 2): Transform your living room into a speedway with a steering wheel controller, thrilling kids to car enthusiasts. Exclusively on PSVR 2.
- Quest Intro Apps: Oculus First Contact, First Steps, and First Encounters are great introductions for VR newbies, ideal for smaller gatherings.
- Half-Life: Alyx (PC VR): Dazzle with outstanding graphics. It requires a pre-set save point, but it’s spectacular for showcasing VR’s capabilities. Found on SteamVR.
- Moss 1 & 2: These platformers appeal to quiet moments rather than large audiences, captivating those into charming adventures. Available on Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR.
No matter who you’re with this season, there’s a VR game perfect for showcasing the incredible experiences virtual reality has to offer.
