Sony has announced that the highly praised PlayStation VR2 headset will finally be available at retailers after being exclusively sold on their Direct consumer storefront for the past two months. Although Sony has not disclosed the official date or which retailers will carry the PS5-compatible headset, they have encouraged customers to check with local stores for availability information.
UK retailer ShopTo has hinted that the VR headset will be in stock starting May 12th, but it is unclear if this date is applicable to all online and brick-and-mortar stores. Coincidentally, May 12th is also the release date for the highly anticipated video game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Switch, so expect crowds if you plan to purchase just a VR headset in-store.
Increased availability of the PSVR 2 headset will likely lead to sales and discounts, as the accessory currently retails at $550, which is more expensive than the actual PS5. Sony has not revealed any sales numbers for the headset, but it had previously halved sales expectations ahead of its February launch due to lower-than-anticipated pre-orders. Exclusive sales on Sony’s Direct storefront may have hindered the PSVR 2 headset from reaching a broader audience.
The PSVR 2 headset has received praise for its stunning visuals, updated controllers, and haptic feedback abilities, although the library of available games is currently limited. Greater accessibility of the headset is hoped to bring it into more homes, which could lead to mainstream adoption and give competitors like the Meta Quest platform a run for their money. This would be a positive development for the virtual reality industry as a whole.
