Pack your VR headset because if you’re visiting family this holiday season, there are plenty of great games you’ll want to introduce to newcomers of all ages.
Even though consumer VR headsets have been around for almost ten years, many folks haven’t given them a try yet. Some have, but they missed out on the incredible VR games available today. There’s a wide variety of games to explore—far more than we can cover here. If you’re setting up VR for a group of various ages who’ve never experienced it before, you might want to steer clear of story-heavy games or those needing lots of explanation and complex movement controls. Whoever’s enjoying the VR experience, make sure to cast the headset’s display to a monitor or TV so everyone can watch the action!
Walkabout Mini Golf
Walkabout Mini Golf hardly needs an introduction. You’ll enjoy navigating through an impressive selection of mini golf courses—ranging from 18 holes inspired by Venice, Italy, to official collaborations with Wallace and Gromit creators, MYST, Meow Wolf, and others. The beauty is that everyone can join in the fun, no matter their age, because putters adjust to the player’s height. Additionally, there’s crossplay support with the mobile ‘Pocket Edition’, enhancing the local multiplayer experience.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, Pico, SteamVR
OhShape
Drawing inspiration from the Japanese TV show "Hole in the Wall," OhShape is a VR rhythm game where you dance, dodge, and punch your way through walls in time with the music. It’s ridiculously fun and guarantees laughter as everyone tries to squeeze through increasingly challenging shapes.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Beat Saber
Beat Saber secures a spot in our holiday favorites year after year, and for good reason. This game is easy to pick up and incredibly addictive. It’s the perfect introduction to VR for first-timers and has enough challenge to engage all ages and skill levels. Consider keeping sessions to 5–15 minutes per person to allow for failed attempts and song repeats.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Pistol Whip
Just as addictive as Beat Saber, Pistol Whip has you shooting enemies in a stylish, John Wick-inspired way. The graphics are artistic enough that parents shouldn’t worry about on-screen violence, making it appealing to older kids, teens, and adults.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Tentacular
Tentacular’s charm lies in its silliness. You play as a giant, friendly tentacled monster trying to find its place in the world. Whether you’re solving puzzles or just having fun smashing things, it suits smaller groups and might not be everyone’s first choice for a crowd-pleaser—but definitely a hit with puzzle lovers.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
Blaston
In Blaston, you’ll engage in room-scale duels, armed with various weapons in a fight of agility and strategy. It’s great fun for online multiplayer if you have two VR setups in your home, but there’s also a single-player mode for quick AI battles. It’s easy to learn, so expect everyone to want a shot.
Available on: Quest, Pico, SteamVR
Puzzling Places
Relaxing and wholesome, Puzzling Places offers the tranquility of a jigsaw puzzle, but in immersive 3D. Modestly stunning, it showcases hyper-detailed miniatures of beautiful locations worldwide, making it perfect for those who like a more laid-back VR experience. It’s especially appealing to older family members, and the mixed reality mode adds a neat twist.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2
Superhot VR
Timeless and ever-entertaining, Superhot VR serves up tactical, time-bending fun. Only motion makes time advance, so players must strategize their every move to dodge and attack. It’s a game that appeals across generations, with satisfying shatters when enemies crumble.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 1, SteamVR
Wooorld
Wooorld takes your VR headset into the realm of Google Earth, offering immersive 360-degree vistas and 3D maps of cities. Ideal for those seeking nostalgia, it lets users revisit past homes, cities, and countries, sparking conversations and storytelling amongst the family.
Available on: Quest
Racket NX
Burn off those holiday calories with Racket NX. This futuristic sport has you hitting balls against a reactive dome, racking up points and combos. It’s great in single-player mode, and even better in competition if you have two VR headsets on hand.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
Who hasn’t heard of Angry Birds? In VR, the classic game is even more engaging. Intuitive enough for anyone to play without direction, it’s a brilliant pass-around title where players compete to pop those pesky green pigs with the fewest shots possible.
Available on: Quest, PSVR 2, SteamVR
I Expect You to Die Trilogy
This trilogy is delightfully accessible and full of ingenious puzzles. Watchful eyes will enjoy the creative ways players can meet their end in these hazardous escape rooms. Perfect for younger crowds, it’s entertaining to spectate as players tackle each mission bit by bit.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Vader Immortal – Episode 1
For the Star Wars lover among you, this is a must-play. It doesn’t work well with a crowd, but it promises an hour of epic adventure to whoever drops into this galaxy far, far away. Though there are three episodes, start with Episode 1 for the shortest and most approachable experience.
Available on: Quest
Space Pirate Trainer
As a wave shooter, Space Pirate Trainer remains one of the most visually impressive and accessible games to use without any prior knowledge. It might not be the deepest, but it’s quick to setup and enjoyable for everyone.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Bigscreen Beta
Bigscreen Beta isn’t a game, but the impact it can have on non-gamers is huge. Picture a virtual cinema where you can enjoy a movie alone on a giant screen. Let a family member experience solo mode with free live TV or mirror a computer screen for shows and movies they’re already familiar with.
Available on: Quest, SteamVR
Don’t Miss
- Demeo offers cross-platform board game fun if you’re prepared for a more complex and prolonged gaming session.
- Gran Turismo 7 on PSVR 2 is perfect for racing enthusiasts, especially if you have a steering wheel. It can occupy fans for an entire afternoon.
- Quest Intro Apps like Oculus First Contact introduce VR newcomers to headset controls.
- Half-Life: Alyx on PC VR mesmerizes with its outstanding graphics, though it requires some setup to showcase effectively.
- Moss 1 & 2 are delightful for platformer lovers but ideally played in quieter settings.
If you’re planning to entertain with VR these holidays, this selection of games has something for everyone. Whether it’s thrilling action, engaging puzzles, or social experiences, VR is sure to impress and create memorable moments with family and friends.
