Our picks for some of the best VR games you can buy for Oculus Quest.
Editor’s Note: To view our updated list of the 10 Best Oculus Quest Games for Families, click right here.
The second you strap on an Oculus Quest headset, you get it. The sheer volume of awesome experiences even on launch day is, honestly, kind of overwhelming — and we’re here to help you navigate the best titles to try with your kids.
One minute, you’re in the middle of the Antarctic on a photo assignment for National Geographic. A minute later you’re wielding lightsabers and staring directly into Darth Vader’s mask. Or dancing. Or driving. Or whatever.
Keep reading to learn about some of the very best VR games available now for the Oculus Quest that are good for your VR-ready kids.
The “Is my kid ready for VR?” Disclaimer
We started tackling this very question in another story about the state of VR — which you’re more than welcome to read right here. The short version: The company line from Oculus is that it doesn’t recommend children under the age of 13 using the headsets. Some researchers have said that being above 13 years old is OK to play. Others have said that children are still developing the cognitive abilities to process virtual reality well into their teens.
While research is still inconclusive, all generally agree that no child should be using any VR gear for more than 10-15 minutes at a time as they are still building the skills to process what they are seeing. Last thing you need is your kid suffering eyestrain, nausea, or worse in the name of fun.
(If your kid asks, just tell ‘em that it’s because you don’t want their eyeballs to melt. Or that you’ll share videos of them doing goofy things in VR on Youtube. Whatever works better. YMMV.)
Also bear in mind that there are many other Oculus Quest VR games and apps available on day one worth checking out…but several of them — with dead giveaway names like Face Your Fears 2 and The Exorcist: Legion — may not be the best for your young’uns.
Right, with all that out of the way, let’s jump into the proper list, broken out alphabetically….
Ballista ($14.99)
Storm the castle and have some fun while doing it
Game Type: Puzzle
Why it’s cool: This castle-crashing puzzle game has tons of personality to go around. With a spunky sidekick magic mirror, you’re on a mission to destroy enemy forces by flinging friends from a catapult and protecting yourself with a magic wand / unicorn horn. If you’ve been a fan of Angry Birds-type games in the past, but wanted to do more (and chuckle while doing it), this playful puzzler is worth checking out.
Beat Saber ($29.99) Join the Jedi dance party!
Game Type: Music Rhythm Game
Why it’s cool:Beat Saber has made its way to multiple platforms. If you’ve never played before, here’s all you need to know: Jedi. Dance. Party. If those three words don’t sell it, nothing will. Driving beats have you slicing and dodging to the music, and it’s a blast playing solo or at a party. At the very least, try out the pre-installed demo on the Quest.
Creed: Rise to Glory ($29.99) “All I wanna do is go the distance”
Game Type: Action, Sports, Exercise
Why it’s cool: We’ve come a long, long way since the likes of Punch-Out! Here, you’re lacing up the gloves and stepping into the ring as Adonis Creed. Train at the gym (there are fun montage-like training sequences to keep you on your toes) and fight through the ranks to become a champ. If you’re looking to spar, it’s fun…and a pretty solid workout. A handful of sacrifices were made to squeeze this awesome game onto a portable platform, but it still manages to go the distance. Try the demo out for yourself.
Job Simulator ($19.99)
Take this job and love it
Game Type: Comic Simulator
Why it’s cool: The premise of Job Simulator starts at ridiculous and just goes from there. In the future where people don’t work anymore, you’re visiting a virtual historical site, explaining this whole “work” thing through having you perform tasks like serving hot dogs or cleaning up messes. The comedy comes from the robots of the future that imperfectly translate how things got done by humans way back when. Need a good laugh while “jobbing?” Play Job Simulator. Or wait to take a virtual break in a Vacation Simulator. That last bit? That’s not a joke. That’s coming to Oculus Quest this Summer.
Journey of the Gods ($29.99)
Become a virtual legend (of Zelda)
Game Type: Adventure
Why it’s cool: From the second you fire up the demo that comes pre-installed on the Quest, you can see the inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This is not a slight in any way, shape, or form. In fact, that colorful palate looks even better from a first person perspective as you’re fighting back cartoonish creatures or entering god mode and seeing the world from above. Use crossbows, swords, and god-like powers (oh, just hurl lightning from the skies or slow down time, for instance) to get the virtual job done.
Moss ($29.99)
Nothing mousy about this platformer
Game Type: Platforming Puzzle Adventure
Why it’s cool: Even if Moss was something you’d play on a conventional screen, it’d be a must-buy game. This puzzling platformer walks among genre greats, having you control Quill, a cute little mouse, on her quest. Of course, you also lend the occasional helping hand from above. But the design and presentation is perfect for seated VR and, frankly, is just beautiful when you are in the thick of the adventure.
National Geographic: Explore VR ($9.99)
Explore the great outdoors….indoors
Game Type: Education, Travel, 360 Experience
Why it’s cool: As the newest photographer for the iconic magazine, this experience has you traveling by kayak (and climbing ice walls) through Antarctica. Take photos while soaking in the scenery and wildlife. It’s not only educational, it’s actually pretty relaxing. There’s also the promise of the app adding more places to explore down the line.
Racket Fury: Table Tennis ($14.99)
Playing table tennis without an actual, well, table
Game Type: Sports, Casual, Multiplayer
Why it’s cool: The toughest part about playing Ping Pong / Table Tennis: Where do you think you can stash that table in your house? Well, that, and inviting over good competition. Whether you want to blast through a virtual solo campaign or find competitors online, there’s something here for all players to enjoy. Besides, who doesn’t want to claim that they beat the hell out of a Ping Pong-playing robot in a virtual arena?
Space Pirate Trainer ($14.99)
Be Han Solo, playing Galaxian, while standing on a space port’s launchpad
Game Type: Arcade Shooter
Why it’s cool: It’s just you against countless waves of droids testing your ability to dodge shots and fire back at them. You have multiple weapons — and gameplay modes, but the best way to sell this game: Trying the demo pre-installed on your Quest. The absolute wireless freedom of being able to duck and dive to safety while playing makes this an easy recommendation. Best of all, it plays like a classic arcade game, giving you that urge to play “just one more round.”
Star Wars: Vader Immortal Episode 1 ($9.99)
Live a Star Wars adventure in your living room!
Game Type: Narrative Action Adventure
Why it’s cool: Forget hiking to some Disneyfied theme park — this brings a 30+ minute episodic adventure straight to your face. Stare face-to-chestplate into Darth Vader. Escape the Empire with a sassy droid voiced by Maya Rudolph. And there’s a lightsaber-swinging dojo. Considering the meager $10 asking price, this is an immediate must-buy even before you open the box.
…Don’t like our picks? Get a refund!
Everyone has their own preferences, of course — so what happens if you don’t like one of the picks we recommended? Return it! One of the great things about Oculus is its incredibly consumer-friendly store policies. In fact, we tip our virtual caps to Oculus for offering a two-hour / 14-day grace period when you buy a game. If you play a game for less than two hours, you have two weeks to request a refund. You can read the full policy right here.
