Is The Oculus Rift (2016) Still Good in 2022: VR Headset Review

The Oculus Rift was released back in 2016 and for a long time was considered the gold standard for virtual reality headsets, but competitors are catching up fast. Newer VR headsets have better graphics and more immersive features while retaining a cheaper price tag. They’re also easier to use. Does that mean you should forget about the Oculus Rift? In this article, we are going to take a dive into the question of whether the Oculus Rift is still good in 2022 and if it’s worth buying.

What is the Oculus Rift?

The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality gaming headset on a standalone VR platform. The company was bought by Facebook in 2014 and has since released two versions of the Rift (Crescent Bay and Rift): a high-end gaming headset and a more affordable and portable headset (the Quest and Quest 2). The first version was released in 2016 and the company had plans to release a third version, but those plans have been shelved for now. A lot of people confuse the Oculus Rift with the Oculus Go headset, which was released in 2018 and is a wireless headset that doesn’t require a PC for use.

Now Facebook (Meta) is focused on pushing more sales to its flagship product, the Quest 2. The Quest 2 is the most popular and sold VR headset in the world and continues to break records. In this article, we are rather looking at the bigger brother of the Quest 2, the Rift.

Oculus Rift Specs

The first iteration has the following specs:

– Screen: 2160 x 1200 resolution

– Refresh rate: 90 Hertz

– 552ppi

– FOV: 110 degrees

– 110 degrees tracking area

– Weight: 470 grams

– Controller: Oculus Touch controllers

– Software: Oculus Home and Steam VR.

Resolution and Refresh Rate

The resolution is low compared to modern VR headsets, but it’s on par with some of the best VR headsets in terms of resolution. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to keep you immersed if you want to experience real VR. You might also notice pixels in the image if you look closely. The refresh rate is good enough for gaming, but keep in mind that some of the best VR headsets boast a 90Hz refresh rate.

Good for Gaming?

The Rift is a high-end PC gaming headset and is great for gaming. It has a 110 degrees field of view which is on par with the best VR headsets. It has low latency and a good tracking area, which makes it a convincing option for most gamers. The Rift is a great choice for PC gamers, but keep in mind that it’s not the best VR headset. It has a low resolution and lacks features like eye-tracking or some of the features you would get with a new VR headset.

Is The Oculus Rift Still Supported?

The first version of the Oculus Rift is no longer supported by Oculus. Newer products like the Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest are more recent releases. The Rift is still supported by Steam VR, but you have to use the older version of the software. The headset is also compatible with the Xbox One, but only with a third-party mod. The Xbox One controller is supported, but you can’t use the newer Oculus Touch controller.

Compatible with Xbox One?

You can connect an Xbox One controller to the headset, but keep in mind that the headset is not designed for Xbox One. The controller is supported by Oculus Home and Steam VR, but it lacks some features. For example, the thumbsticks aren’t positioned correctly, so they may not behave as they should.

Compatible with Steam?

The Rift is compatible with Steam VR and you can play games like Beat Saber or Job Simulator on it. However, you can’t use the Oculus Home software to play games on the Rift. This means that you can’t access Oculus’s library of games.

Is The Oculus Rift Wireless?

No, the first version of the Oculus Rift doesn’t have a wireless option. The 2019 version has a built-in tracking system, but it’s still wired. Oculus promised a wireless update, but there’s no release date for it yet.

Design and Comfort

The first Rift is a bulky headset that is probably too uncomfortable to use for an extended amount of time. Its design is dated, but it’s sturdy enough to last you a while. The 2019 version of the Rift is better designed and more comfortable, but it’s bulkier than most modern VR headsets. The controllers are big, and the cable is attached to the headset. As a result, you can’t use the headset wirelessly like you can with other modern VR headsets.

Pros

• The Rift is a great choice for PC gamers who want to experience virtual reality.
• It has a 110 degrees field of view, low latency, and a good tracking area, which makes it a comfortable and convincing VR headset for most PC gamers.
• It’s compatible with the Xbox One, even though it’s not designed for it.
• It’s compatible with Steam VR, so you can play games like Beat Saber or Job Simulator on it.
• It’s a solid VR headset with a good design and a comfortable fit.
• Cheaper now that it has been out for a while

Cons

• It has a low resolution and poor design compared to modern VR headsets.
• It’s not wireless and has a fixed cable that goes from the headset to the PC.
• Slower refresh rate and lower resolution compared to newer options.
• It’s older and doesn’t have as many features as newer headsets.

Conclusion

The Oculus Rift is a great choice for PC gamers who want to experience virtual reality if you can find it at a cheap price on the used market. It can be a good entry piece if you can get it cheap because it still has great features. It has a low resolution and a dated design. The original Rift is not the best VR headset and competes with lower-end VR headsets. So, even though the Rift is a decent VR headset, we don’t think it’s worth the purchase unless you get it for a cheaper price. There are better VR headsets out there with better designs and more impressive features.