VR Arcades are made for out-of-home virtual entertainment and gaming. Virtual reality gaming is picking up traction around the globe and the demand for this high-end gaming platform is growing each month. VR arcades are made for the public, and they are a great place to try out virtual reality headsets for the first time.
Just 15 years ago, virtual reality was a dream that seemed generations away. Thanks to Oculus, Vive, and other tech giants, the industry has blossomed into something that has no limits. VR can be used for work, multi-media consumption, gaming, and many other fun and entertaining purposes. With that being said, virtual reality is not cheap. If you are looking to get a full PC VR setup, you could be paying more than $2,000. If you are looking for a simple standalone gaming system, that is going to set you back at least $400.
Virtual reality arcades are the best place to try this expensive hardware without any large financial investment. The price you pay at the VR arcade is going to be steeper than a typical gaming arcade, but the gaming is going to be much more immersive and fun. The virtual worlds you’ll see will be stuck in your head for weeks.
Headsets at VR Arcades
The typical VR arcade isn’t going to have a wide variety of virtual reality headsets. In fact, most arcades are going to have the same headsets for the entire arcade. They might own anywhere from 5-20 headsets, but they are typically going to be all the same.
This has a number of benefits with it. Often times, VR companies give discounts to arcade owners when buying a VR headset bulk. This also makes buying the right PC very easy. You won’t have to put together many different makes of PC, and trouble shooting will become very easy. Virtual reality technology isn’t the easiest to manage, so finding simple PCs is the best way to go for your headset.
The most common headset you’ll find at any VR arcades is the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift. Most arcades haven’t upgraded to the companies latest releases yet. If you are looking for a certain headset to test out, you’ll need to call each virtual reality arcade and ask if they own the specific headset. The Vive is the most common though, thanks to the easy-to-setup tracking and the basic controllers. The haptic feedback in the original Vive controllers aren’t perfect, but you won’t notice much if it is your first time in the virtual worlds. With that being said, the more haptic you can get, the better.
The HTC Vive is a perfect place to find yourself in an immersive experience for the first time, and for the fiftieth time.
VR Games at VR Arcades
The biggest draw to VR arcades are the games. People don’t want to go spend money to watch TV in VR. They can do that on the couch. What they can’t do on the couch is fight off a zombie apocalypse in a 3D 360° simulation. VR games can help us escape our day-to-day lives, and that is the purpose of the VR arcade.
Each game you play is going to immerse you in a new and exciting way. In your VR gaming experience, you’ll likely forget where you are in the real world. Your new environment will bring perfectly designed characters and thoughts into your life that you never thought imaginable. You’ll be able to walk, become a shooter, and interact with your virtual environment many different ways.
Multiplayer games are often limited at arcades, but when you find them, you and your friends could find yourself in the VR space for hours.
Most Common VR Arcade Games
- Beat Saber
- Space Pirate Trainer
- Job Simulator
- Arizona Sunshine
- Angry Birds – Isle of the Pigs
- Richies Plank Experience
- Virtual Virtual Reality
- Creed: Rise to Glory
- Google Tilt Brush
- Pistol Whip
- Robo Recall
- I Expect You To Die
- Racket NX
- SUPERHOT VR
Some of these games are going to first-person shooter, some will be forcing your to explore worlds, and others will be completely different. All friends and family will get a kick out of all games mentioned above.
VR Arcade Pricing
Paying for your arcade experience for virtual reality is going to be much more expensive than a typical arcade. Most arcades dent your nickel collection, but VR arcades threaten to steal your Benjamins if you are paying for multiple people.
There is no set price, but we have found the common theme for pricing across the United States. You can check that out below.
5 minutes for $5
15 minuets for $15
30 minutes for $25
60 minutes for $45
These prices are going to vary from company to company, but you will find the same rates repeating themselves where ever you go in the nation.
