The best VR games for your mobile device

^{Photo by Tim Savage}

Virtual reality (VR) is everywhere, from immersive experiences in the mall to an in-home computer and console setups, it’s hard to get away from the fact that it is here to stay. While most VR experiences seem geared toward having a fancy and expensive setup, that doesn’t have to be the case for everyone. With VR headsets for mobile devices, it’s easy to get your hands on some of the best VR apps and games to enjoy during your downtime.

What are the best headsets for mobile VR?

VR for mobile hit big in 2014 with Google announcing Cardboard, a buildable, cardboard headset that works with Android and iOS devices. All the user had to do is download Daydream to their mobile device, build the headset, and they’re ready to go. With over 10 million Carboard headsets sold in 2017, it seems that Cardboard is a bona fide success. However, the downside is the design, as it’s hard to get an immersive VR experience from the headset.

Where Cardboard fails, Samsung’s Gear VR offers a much better experience. With its launch in 2015, it was a hugely popular headset and sold out on the day of its release. However, the downside is you had to use a Samsung phone with the Gear VR. If you’re an Apple user, you’re, unfortunately, left out of this experience.

After these two launches, there were other headsets that each offered their own sets of upsides and downfalls. While you may not get the same experience on your mobile device as you would with the PlayStation VR (PSVR) or Oculus Rift, the future of headsets seems promising for 2019 as shown in this video below.

What are the best games for Mobile VR?

Once you’ve picked out a headset that’s right for you and your mobile device, it’s time to choose a game. From puzzles to adventure, there’s a VR game for everyone.

Germ Buster

If you’re looking for a fun, simple game where you shoot up various germs, then this arcade style game is right for you. The graphics are similar to what you would see on a PS2, and as far as comfort level goes, it’s quite comfortable. You don’t have to worry too much about motion sickness, either. This easy to download and play game is available for both Android and iOS.

Sisters

If you like mystery and story-driven horror, then you will love Sisters. This hauntingly immersive game drops you into a creaky house where you have to navigate yourself around eerie rooms and corridors. If that isn’t scary enough, the game responds to what you’re looking at, causing opportunities for jump scares. This game is available for all Android and iOS horror fans.

VR Roller Coaster

If you’re into thrills, then look no further than VR Roller Coaster. This game offers the best VR roller coaster experience that will have your stomach dropping with every climb and fall. The realistic graphics make you feel like you’re in the roller coaster, going around every turn and loop. With multiple roller coaster experiences to choose from, this game is sure to give you all the thrills you’re looking for on your iOS or Android right from your living room.

End Space VR

If piloting a ship through space while shooting up enemies and flying around super realistic obstacles sounds like fun, then End Space VR is the game for you. This game offers graphics at 1080p HD, which makes this game feel like you’re in space. It’s action packed with lasers, space battles, planets and asteroids and is sure to bring out the adventurer in you. You can find it available for iOS and Android devices, so there’s no excuse not to give this VR game a try.

VR X-Racer

If you love racing games, then VR X-Racer is the right game for you. In this game, you race your hovercraft at lightning speed past pillars and obstacles. The 3D graphics are sure to get your heart racing as you try to last as long as you can on the track. The controls are easy: Move your head to control your hovercraft to the left or right. With availability for iOS and Android, this game has everything you could want in a high-speed VR racing game.

The Future of Mobile VR

^{Photo by Unknown / Flickr}

VR has become more and more popular, and with so many innovations in the field, the future of VR looks quite promising with games like EVE: Project Galaxy and Spectro in the works, it is easy to get excited about what’s to come. With mobile devices getting better and better each year, it’s easy to wonder how VR stand to improve, especially with 5G rolling out.

5G, of course, means that network speeds will increase, enhancing your ability to experience VR on your mobile device. Not only will the new network speeds decrease latency issues but downloading times will significantly improve as well. That means if you’re playing a VR game online through your mobile device, you’ll notice less lag and more immersive experience. Overall, the 5G rollout sounds promising.

As VR continues to rise in popularity, the sky is the limit in what is capable. With yearly improvements on mobile devices, soon the mobile VR experience will compare to console and computer setups. Meanwhile, there are lots of games to choose from so that you can start having a fun VR mobile experience now.