The VR bucket list: 5 virtual reality experiences that will define 2026

As we settle into 2026, the conversation around Virtual Reality has fundamentally shifted. We are no longer just talking about “tech demos.” Between the maturation of the Meta Quest 3, the resilience of the PSVR 2, and a PC modding scene that has cracked the code on AAA porting, the line between “flat gaming” and “VR gaming” is thinner than ever.

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Whether you are looking to become the Dark Knight or explore Hyrule with your own two hands, here are the top 5 VR experiences – official and modded – that you need to play right now.

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Also read: Zelda Breath of the Wild VR MOD: PC requirements and how to install

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Type: Native Exclusive Platform: Meta Quest 3/3S

If 2025 proved anything, it’s that standalone headsets can handle AAA ambitions. Arkham Shadow isn’t a spin-off; it is a full-blooded entry in the Arkham canon. Camouflaj (the developers) managed to translate the rhythmic, flow-state combat of the console games into first-person VR perfectly.

The Experience: When you physically punch, block, and counter enemies in rhythm, you feel more like Batman than any controller could ever allow. Combined with a detective story that utilizes the Quest 3’s sharper visuals, this is the current gold standard for superhero VR.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (VR Mod)

Type: PC VR Mod (via CEMU) Platform: PC (Requires High-End Specs)

Nintendo may not have a high-end VR headset, but the community has built the next best thing. Using the “BetterVR” setup on the CEMU emulator, Hyrule is now fully explorable in 6DOF (Six Degrees of Freedom).

The Experience: This is no longer just a visual wrapper. The latest updates allow for full motion controls. You physically draw your bow, swing the Master Sword, and reach out to climb cliff faces. Standing on the peaks of the Dueling Peaks and looking down at a life-sized Hyrule is a religious experience for Nintendo fans. It turns a 2017 classic into a 2026 essential.

Alien: Rogue Incursion

Type: Native Release Platform: PSVR 2, PC VR, Quest 3

VR and horror have always been bedfellows, but Rogue Incursion ditches the “hide in a locker” mechanic of Alien: Isolation for something more aggressive. This is an action-horror shooter where you are armed with a Pulse Rifle and a motion tracker that is constantly pinging.

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The Experience: The weapon handling is superb, but it’s the AI that sells it. Xenomorphs don’t just run at you; they crawl on ceilings and flank you from vents. On the PSVR 2, the headset haptics trigger when an Alien pounces, making it arguably the most stressful (in a good way) game of the year.

The UEVR Sandbox (RoboCop, Returnal, & More)

Type: Injection Tool Platform: PC VR

The “UEVR Injector” is the most important piece of software in the PC VR space right now. It unlocks thousands of Unreal Engine 4 and 5 games, converting them into VR experiences instantly. It is the reason PC VR is having a renaissance going into 2026.

The Experience: The standout use case is RoboCop: Rogue City. Walking through the neon-soaked streets of Detroit as a tank-like cyborg looks nearly photorealistic on high-end GPUs. Alternatively, playing Returnal in VR transforms the bullet-hell shooter into a psychedelic nightmare of neon and reflexes.

Ghost Town

Type: Native Release Platform: All Major Headsets

From Fireproof Games (the masters behind The Room series), Ghost Town is the puzzle adventure that sets the bar for atmospheric storytelling. It moves away from the “escape room” box format into a fully realized 1900s London.

The Experience: This is the game you show people to demonstrate “presence.” The tactile interactions—turning keys, opening latches, fiddling with supernatural machinery—are unmatched. It’s a slower, cerebral burn compared to Batman or Alien, but visually, it is arguably the best-looking game on standalone headsets right now.

On The Radar for 2026

If you’ve already cleared your backlog, keep your eyes on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City. Slated for an early 2026 release, it promises 4-player co-op that harkens back to the arcade era, finally giving VR the multiplayer brawler it deserves.

Also read: You can now experience the Stranger Things world in Minecraft, all details

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Vyom Ramani

A journalist with a soft spot for tech, games, and things that go beep. While waiting for a delayed metro or rebooting his brain, you’ll find him solving Rubik’s Cubes, bingeing F1, or hunting for the next great snack. View Full Profile