Minecraft is, without a doubt, one of the most accessible games ever made, and not just in terms of gameplay. Since its 2011 debut, Mojang Studios' hit sandbox game has been ported to virtually everything under the sun, from Xbox 360, New Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U to Raspberry Pi, Windows Phone, and even Apple TV. One of the lesser known versions of Minecraft, though, is its PlayStation VR port. Despite being owned by rival console manufacturer Microsoft, the game was brought to Sony's VR headset as part of a free update, effectively giving the PS4 version a bonus feature not available in the Xbox One port of the title. PSVR functionality for Minecraft was added in September 2020, roughly four years after the launch of the peripheral and only a few months before the release of the PlayStation 5.
Although Minecraft has been available on PlayStation VR for only a few years at this point, official support for the peripheral is already coming to an end. Earlier this month, Mojang quietly revealed in a weekly Minecraft changelog that the PSVR version of the game would no longer be updated after March 2025. To make matters even worse, the developer also noted that Minecraft would become outright unplayable on Sony's first-generation VR headset once this version of the title stops being supported. Mojang's decision to remove this significant feature from the PlayStation port of Minecraft is incredibly disappointing for PSVR owners, and it also brings into question whether or not the blocky survival game will ever make its way to the struggling PSVR2.
Popular VR Game 'Can't Justify' PlayStation VR2 Release
The developer of a popular VR sandbox game confirms that the studio "can't justify" releasing a port for the PlayStation VR2 headset.
A Potential PSVR2 Port of Minecraft is Up in the Air After the End of PSVR Support
The PlayStation VR2 Hasn't Been Very Successful So Far Due to Various Factors
The PlayStation VR2 had a lot of hype leading up to its release, but it hasn't exactly been a runaway success for Sony. Even though the $600 peripheral has been out on the market since February 2023, reports suggest that it's sold only around 600,000 units. For comparison, the original PSVR sold around 5 million units in three years, a number far greater than what Sony's current virtual reality headset has achieved so far. Much of the PSVR2's slow adoption rate can be attributed to three significant factors: a lack of backwards compatibility support with the original PSVR1, a costly price tag higher than that of the base PS5, and a limited library of exclusives.
When it comes to first-party content, meanwhile, Sony has barely supported the headset. The only marquee exclusive title the Japanese console manufacturer has released for the PSVR2 so far is Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Admittedly, Sony has launched a few other titles for its pricey peripheral, like Gran Turismo 7 and the poorly-received Firewall Ultra, but that's basically it.
The PSVR2 is Being Supported With Third-Party Releases, But Fans Want More
The PlayStation VR2's first-party support may be lackluster, but the virtual reality headset still has a fairly passionate fanbase in spite of that. Various third-party VR games are being released for the PSVR2 peripheral every month, after all, and many of them look and play exceptionally well thanks to the PSVR2's enhanced eye tracking, dual 4K OLED panels, and comfortable controllers. Even still, many fans have been asking for more high-profile games to be ported to the headset, with Minecraft being chief among them.
A PSVR2 Port of Minecraft Seems Unlikely, in Large Part Due to Its Limited Install Base
Unfortunately, given the news that PSVR support for Minecraft is being completely removed from the PS4/5 versions of the game, the chances of Mojang's acclaimed sandbox title coming to PSVR2 look slimmer than ever before. While it's possible the developer may be abandoning the PSVR in order to prioritize development for Sony's current-gen virtual reality headset, the fact that they haven't hinted as such makes this seem unlikely. Due to the limited install base of the PlayStation VR2, perhaps Mojang and Microsoft don't think it's worth investing in a port for the headset, especially considering the more challenging nature of VR game development. Hopefully, though, Mojang will surprise fans and announce a PSVR2 version of Minecraft somewhere down the line.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!
Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.
Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
- Engine
- LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINE
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Minecraft
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 129 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1.42 GB (August 2024)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
