Meta Quest 3S provided a wonderful escape for me from the unpleasantness brought on by the aftermath of Hurricane Helen. Being able to literally step into another world by simply putting on a headset during the day is not only a mood changer for me, but also an important part of my recovery time to get back to normal life.
What struck me most throughout was how little compromise this is when compared to the $200 more expensive Meta Quest 3. The lenses aren’t as sharp, but I didn’t notice any other real differences while playing. Even with that in mind, this is a bit debatable since most people won’t be able to tell the difference between the lenses unless they’ve used the Quest 3 before anyway.
The experience is incredibly close to the Quest 3, but I don’t want to write a full review after only using it for a week. Instead, we’ve come up with five takeaways and why this should absolutely be the VR headset you buy this year, especially for Quest 2 owners looking to play games like Batman: Arkham Shadow.
mixed reality is amazing
When I first put on the headset, I was surprised at how similar the Meta Quest 3S’ color mixed reality vision was to that of the Meta Quest 3. It was easy to see the room around me, put on the controller, and interact with what was inside. Including petting the kitten that was roaming around the room.
All the best mixed reality games look and play almost the same on Meta Quest 3S. Turning your living room into a racquetball court with Racket Club still feels magical, and unique mixed reality-only games like Starship Home still transform your existing room into something new and special . In fact, the mixed reality quality was so convincing that every time I stopped playing Starship Home, I still had the strange feeling that something was missing from the room.
For Meta Quest 2 owners upgrading to Meta Quest 3S, color mixed reality will be the most immediate and biggest difference. There is no mixed reality in Quest 2 at all. It’s completely inaccurate to call ultra-low-resolution black-and-white pass-through vision “mixed reality.” This is what gives you that instant ‘wow’ factor when making a purchase.
Graphics upgrades will amaze you
I’ve already been able to play some Quest 3 exclusive games on the Meta Quest 3S, which I can’t speak to yet, but I can tell you that the graphics in these titles are amazing. I’ll leave it. This is a 100% full generation upgrade from Meta Quest 2 and will be immediately evident in many of the biggest Meta Quest games to come.
Some existing games you’ve already played have had impressive visual upgrades, but The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an impressive update to an existing game. One of the best examples. The new games released this year are the ones that will really surprise you. Away. Because it’s not just detail upgrades, texture improvements, lighting improvements, and other graphical improvements. It’s about scale.
With additional RAM and 100% more processing power than Quest 2, games made for Quest 3 will feel bigger and more robust. Many Oculus Quest games from the 2019 and 2020 era often felt like mobile games in a new light, due to the simplicity of their graphics and environments. The Meta Quest 3 game feels like it came straight out of a PS4-era game, and that’s something to really admire.
Backwards compatibility with Quest 3 accessories is a game changer
Since day one, I’ve been able to use almost all of the best Meta Quest 3 accessories (links) I have on the Meta Quest 3S. The only exception is the facial interface, which is different in shape and size from the Quest 3. But every alternate head strap I had, every controller accessory (including fancy golf clubs and controller grips), and every battery pack and haptic feedback vest worked. You can use Quest 3S without any modification.
This means Quest 3S users have access to a full year’s worth of third-party accessories, allowing them to choose the right accessories for the job instead of settling for expensive options that end up disappointing. This is very different from other Meta Quest product launches, where only first-party accessories were often available for months at a time.
When purchasing Quest 3S, we recommend two accessories for a better experience. First, get a replacement BoboVR M3 Pro head strap. Its great design takes the weight of the Quest 3S off your face and balances it better on your head with a cushioned, easily removable and washable pad. It also includes a magnetic hot-swappable rechargeable battery pack to add hours of playtime.
We’re also testing KIWI Design’s H4 and K4 head straps. Both offer much better comfort than the stock straps and add larger batteries for even more play time. KIWI Design prides itself on battery safety, but since it’s something you strap to your head, this is something to consider.
Next, grab these cheap AMVR controller grips. Replace your Quest 3S controller’s battery cover with one with a non-slip texture and comfortable hand strap. This strap not only distributes the weight of the controller more evenly, but also allows you to actually let go of the controller without it falling out of your hands, making it easier to throw things in VR.
I personally dislike the standard face interface on Meta Quest headsets and often prefer interfaces from AMVR or Kiwi Design, but neither company has anything that works with the Quest 3S yet. Once I use something I like, I’ll add a recommendation.
The catalog of games is truly impressive
We’ve completely overhauled our list of the best Meta Quest games, and we’d like to share with you how difficult it was to narrow down the “best games” selection to just a few. There are thousands of games on the Meta Quest platform, and while many of the 2024 games are amazing, there are still plenty of classics worth playing.
New releases like Dimensional Double Shift put a new spin on the old VR classic job simulator by adding multiplayer and hand tracking, as well as new themes with lots of unique interactions. Masu. Metal: Hellsinger VR brings a console classic to VR with a mind-bogglingly good original soundtrack and gameplay that feels straight out of the best Doom games.
NFL PRO ERA 2025 upgrades the gameplay and roster to give you the fantasy football experience you’ve been dreaming of. Hotel RnR Rockstar Simulator lets you step into the shoes of a rockstar who’s tired of not always getting his way. .
In just one week, you’ll be able to play Batman: Arkham Shadow, the first original game in the Arkham series in 10 years. Of course, it’s a free game on Meta Quest 3S, so there’s no need to purchase the game separately.
And the list of upcoming Meta Quest games is stacked with other notable releases that we’re sure to love. Alien: Rogue Incursion is the first game in the classic Ridley Scott series for VR. Skydance’s Behemoth brings Shadow of the Colossus style gameplay to VR. Metro Awakening is the original VR entry to the acclaimed Metro 2033 series, a long-time favorite of gamers.
The worst thing about buying a new system is that you have to shell out a lot of money to play games. That’s where Meta Quest Plus comes into play. It’s a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass that gives you instant access to 22 of the best Quest games.
Each Meta Quest headset comes with a 3-month trial of the service, after which it’s only $7.99 per month. Here’s how it works: Get ready to play a library of 20 games and access a regularly rotating and curated list of titles. You don’t own these games, so be sure to play them when they’re available.
Plus, you get access to two games every month that can be charged to your account forever. This means that 24 games will be added to your library each year and you’ll have access to them as long as you maintain your subscription to the service. This is in addition to a regularly rotating list of 20 games. many You can play for just a few dollars a month.
Now is the time
Meta totally knocked it out with Meta Quest 3S. This is the successor to Quest 2 that the VR industry needs because it comes at a price that people want. A $299 headset is perhaps the most important thing in bringing VR to more people and more heads, and a product as good as the Meta Quest 3S is sure to be in the crowd this holiday season. It will amaze your heart.
I have no hesitation in saying that this is the most important VR product ever made. This is Meta taking all the lessons learned from the Quest 2 era, adding all the improvements made in the Quest 3’s hardware and software experience over the past year, and somehow putting them together in a $299 package. perfectly fused with. This is an incredible feat that the company has accomplished, but everyone can enjoy it here.
The VR boom cycle is about to pick up again after a year-long hiatus, and Meta Quest 3S is leading the way.
Don’t spend more money. Get the Meta Quest 3S and make the most of VR gaming and mixed reality content with the same powerful processor as the Quest 3, the same controller with advanced haptic feedback, and a huge library of content to enjoy every day. .
