This is the year that everything becomes an Xbox. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced it was partnering with Asus to launch an Xbox version of its ROG Ally handheld console, turning the portable PC into an Xbox on the go.
And it鈥檚 not stopping there. Microsoft is now teaming up with Meta on a limited-edition Xbox version of the Meta Quest 3S 鈥 a VR headset that blends Meta鈥檚 hardware with Xbox鈥檚 gaming ecosystem, bringing Xbox to even more devices and platforms. It鈥檚 not a true Sony PSVR2 competitor (you鈥檙e still cloud gaming on a virtual screen), but it鈥檚 the closest Microsoft has ever come to VR.
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition wraps Meta鈥檚 headset in Xbox colours, bundles in Game Pass extras, and is designed to offer a more console-like experience straight out of the box. Here鈥檚 everything you need to know about the limited-edition headset and where to buy it.
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is a limited-edition redesign of Meta鈥檚 entry-level mixed-reality headset, designed in collaboration with Microsoft. While it doesn鈥檛 run Xbox software natively, it鈥檚 been tailored to feel more console-like from the moment you turn it on.
The headset sports Xbox鈥檚 signature black-and-green colours and comes with a matching Xbox Wireless Controller, pre-paired out of the box. What sets it apart from a standard Quest 3S isn鈥檛 just the colours, however. The UI has been reskinned with Xbox visuals, and it boots straight into the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on start-up, making it feel like you鈥檙e actually using an Xbox VR headset, not just a Quest 3S.
The bundle also includes a pair of matching black-and-green Touch Plus controllers, the Meta Quest Elite Strap for added comfort, and three months of both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Meta Horizon+.
However, underneath the Xbox branding, it鈥檚 the same affordable mixed-reality headset I reviewed last year. 鈥淚t runs like a dream, has a full-colour passthrough and a wealth of VR games and mixed-reality experiences to explore,鈥 I said in my review. 鈥淭his is a highly capable VR headset, and superb for the price.鈥
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is available now for 拢379.99 from Meta, and it鈥檒l be arriving exclusively at Argos and EE soon.
For more, have a read of our round-up of the best VR headsets