The lack of backwards compatibility between PSVR 2 and the original PSVR is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, we’re getting a ton of games for Sony’s next-gen VR headset that have been specifically built or overhauled to make use of the new hardware, but it also means a lot of games in your PSVR library will forever be stuck in the past.
Thankfully, there are a handful of developers who have pledged free PSVR 2 support for their games, many of which you can already grab on the store before the headset launches on February 22nd, 2023.
Note: There are a ton of games coming to PSVR 2 you might recognize, although not all studios have mentioned free PSVR 2 support for those games. We’ll be updating this list, so check back for more. Also, in addition to previously released titles getting new PSVR 2 support, we’ve also included brand new titles launching with both PSVR and PSVR 2 support. You’ll find those at the bottom, labeled [NEW].
We’ve also included a [Awaiting Further Confirmation] section at the bottom, which we are in the process of vetting.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Based on the series’ graphic novels, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners tosses you into the flooded ruins of New Orleans, where you face gut-wrenching choices: Kill the zombies? Sure. Join a gang? Okay. Execute someone who may be innocent to maintain an alliance..? That one’s on you. While not a launch title, Skydance is bringing the free PSVR 2 upgrade on March 21st, arriving alongside the sequel as it finally leaves Quest exclusivity.
Puzzling Places
Puzzling Places is a jigsaw puzzle for the virtual age, bringing to life a vast selection of real-world places that were captured with a technique called photogrammetry. Sit back and relax with a lower number of pieces and enjoy the intricate bits of each puzzling scene, or go for the most difficult mode where you’ll find yourself matching carpet patterns and wooden desk venires in one of the most surprisingly fun purist puzzle games out there. Yup, previously purchased DLC is coming over too.
Song in the Smoke: Rekindled
Looking for a survival game that lets you craft everything you need to fend off the wild primeval beasties of the nigth? Song in the Smoke has your number, and the ‘rekindled’ edition for PSVR 2 is said to be fully remastered with supercharged graphics, new haptics for Sense Controllers, and a new free jump and clamber mode.
Synth Riders: Remastered Edition
Kluge Interactive announced a remastered version of its hit rhythm game Synth Riders. This includes remastered visuals, more nuanced controller haptics, headset feedback for in-game obstacles, next-gen performance and SSD optimization to dramatically reduce load times. And yes, it includes all music DLC previously purchased on the original PSVR so you can pick up where you last left off.
NFL Pro Era
NFL PRO ERA is the first fully licensed NFL VR sim that puts you in the shoes of QB of your favorite NFL team. Lead your team to a Super Bowl, improve your QB skills by participating in drills, or play catch virtually with your friends in your favorite NFL stadium.
Gran Turismo 7
During Sony’s CES 2023 conference, the company announced that Gran Turismo 7 will support PSVR 2 at the headset’s launch via a free upgrade for existing owners. Not much was shared about exactly how the game’s VR compatibility will work, including whether it would support the headset’s new motion controllers or rely on the standard PS5 gamepad. Still, it’s a pretty exciting prospect since GT7 is a big upgrade over GT Sport.
Resident Evil Village
A free PSVR 2 upgrade is expected at the headset’s launch in February, which includes the entirety of its main story in VR. We went hands-on with Village back in September, and it proved to not only one of the best-looking games on PS5 to date, but probably one of the best in VR, offering up a level of visual detail that approaches Half-Life: Alyx territory.
After the Fall
Team zombie shooter After the Fall is cross-compatible with PC and Quest, but it’s soon to be available on PSVR 2 too, as Vertigo Games is tossing out support for Sony’s latest and greatest at some point in early 2023. It’s basically Left 4 Dead in VR, and it’s most definitely worth getting a team together since this horde shooter is cross-compatible with PSVR, Quest, and PC VR headsets.
No Man’s Sky
This space simulator used to be considered gaming’s biggest flop, but thanks to Hello Games’ continuous updates it’s become the industry’s biggest redemption story. With the promise of free PSVR 2 support, you’ll be able to strap into No Man’s Sky on launch day with your shiny new headset.
Pistol Whip
Pistol Whip is a rhythm-shooter from Cloudhead Games, which has thrown out tons of updates and free DLC to keep you blasting away like John Wick to some pretty infectious beats. On PSVR 2, the game is said to offer fine-tuned haptics, adaptive triggers, higher resolution, 3D audio, and SSD optimization to bolster how the game loads and runs.
Zenith: The Last City
Zenith: The Last City is one of VR’s most successful MMOs to date, offering up hundreds of hours of quests, jobs, classes, you name it. Developers Ramen VR say it’s getting a free PSVR 2 upgrade. If you already own the PS4 version, the PSVR 2-supported PS5 version is already free to download, so nab it early so you can play with all of your friends on Quest, PC VR headsets, and the original PSVR.
The Light Brigade – [NEW]
This is a new title coming to both PSVR and PSVR 2, developed by Funktronic Labs, the studio behind Fujii and Cosmic Trip. The Light Brigade tosses you on a procedurally-generated journey to free the souls of the fallen trapped within, making for a tactical roguelike shooting experience you can play on launch-day.
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue – [NEW]
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue is another new title getting both PSVR and PSVR 2 support, letting you delve into the same universe of the popular Hello Neighbor stealth horror series. Sneak into your creepy neighbor’s house to save your friend, and don’t get caught.
Awaiting Further Confirmation
There are a number of games that many expect, or have heard will get either cross-buy or some form of free PSVR 2 upgrade at some point. We’re in the process of verifying these titles; they still have poor documentation (some guy in Discord said it!), or studios haven’t fully committed to free support (“We want to, but we still have to figure it out..)
We’ll move these up to the section above as studios release word, or we find verifiable confirmation. Remember, this list is growing rapidly, so feel free to comment and let us know so we can make this the most complete and accurate article on the subject.
- Beat Saber – Beat Games (Meta)
- ALVO – Mordonpool
- The Guy VR – Chubby Pixel
- Swordsman VR – SinnStudio
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Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below, as we’ll be updating this article all the way up to PSVR 2’s launch in February.
