Why I recommend Meta Quest over PS5 and Xbox Series X
Why buy a Meta Quest? Microsoft and Sony seem like the only viable options for gaming in the future, but the Meta Quest VR is often overlooked as the next family console.
The Meta Quest is a Facebook property, which means that it has the shadow of distrust and privacy invasion looming over it. It is also a very personal (albeit in your face) system, meaning that couch multiplayer is impossible. Those two factors might make it impossible for you to invest in a Meta Quest. I could argue that every hardware and software company has some part of your privacy in their algorithm, but that is a different article.
But don’t discount the Meta Quest, yet. This is a contender.
The Meta Quest is true innovation
2015 was the last time we got an innovative hardware that changed how we play games. The Nintendo Switch made console gaming portable and portable gaming interactive. A whole generation of gamers will be able to play console-quality games on the toilet (bravo). Sony and Microsoft gave up trying to be clever and groundbreaking when the PS5 and Series X came out.
Instead, they opted for adding more beef to video quality and frame rate. If you are the type of gamer that is hungry for a new experience, your only affordable bet is the Meta Quest. While Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are shying away from games that use motion and body movements, the Quest is jumping in with both feet. Anybody with a love for Xbox or PlayStation can play the prettiest games on next-gen systems, but Meta Quest users get the newest experiences.
Note: I know there are other VR options that are not Meta Quest including PS5. But none of them are as versatile, affordable, and convenient as Facebook’s entry. You shouldn’t have to spend $1000 when the best option only sells it for $400.
The Meta Quest is beyond niche
There was a time when VR was seen as a one-trick pony, a circus sideshow, or a gizmo for the mega-rich. The Meta Quest has evolved past niche games and now offers games with compelling narratives and complete gameplay experiences. Games like Moss, Half-Life: Alyx, and The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, are proof that the system is more than just a virtual workout machine.
The important thing to note is that VR turns your body into the controller, which means you are part of the story. You cannot experience games like that through traditional consoles.
The Meta Quest is family
When a friend told me that he was disappointed he couldn’t get a PS5 for his family, I convinced him that his two girls would love a VR experience more. You can flip pancakes, swing swords, knock over buildings, paint a car, and throw a ball till you feel young again. Who would turn that down?
There are some health concerns over letting your kids, essentially, glue a TV screen to their faces, while they thrash at the air. Those are good concerns. But, there is an upside. I have found that it is much harder to become addicted to gaming with VR because of the physical exertion needed. I can only use my Meta Quest for one hour at a time before I get sweaty or I need a break. Also, families with these concerns can use parental controls for their kids.
Whenever I bring my Switch and my Meta Quest to my nephew and niece’s house they go for the VR.
There are a lot of good reasons to turn your nose up at what I am saying. VR requires big rooms, constant motion, and a limited library. For those who can’t wait for Nintendo to come up with a new idea or want more than just 4K textures then VR is worth a try.