When I slip on my Meta Quest 3 headset in 2026, I often think back to 2023 – the year that fundamentally reshaped modern virtual reality. Hardware like the PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 launched within months of each other, and developers unleashed a flood of top-tier software that proved VR wasn't just a gimmick. Now, three years later, many of those titles remain the gold standard. They're not aging relics; they're living proof that great design transcends time. Here are the 2023 VR releases I still recommend without hesitation.
Arizona Sunshine 2: The undead never felt so alive
I've played more zombie shooters in VR than I care to count, yet Arizona Sunshine 2 refuses to be dethroned. The first game was a pioneer but felt skeletal compared to flat-screen titles. This sequel bulks up enormously: a richer campaign, a dedicated horde mode, and co-op that genuinely encourages teamwork. What keeps me coming back in 2026 is the sheer physicality – reloading feels tactile, smashing a zombie's skull with a frying pan is oddly satisfying, and the dark humour never lets up. It's the sort of game that makes you forget you're wearing a headset.
Asgard's Wrath 2: A mythic scale you can reach out and touch
The original Asgard's Wrath was a PC-only titan stuck on aging Rift hardware. Then Asgard's Wrath 2 landed on Meta Quest headsets and blew every expectation out of the water. Even in 2026, its action-RPG scope feels nearly absurd for a standalone device. The story sweeps you across divine realms, combat demands real swing timing, and puzzles use environmental interaction in ways that flat games can't replicate. I often tell VR newcomers that if they only buy one Quest game, make it this one – it's that essential.
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR: Stepping into the Animus
I've climbed Renaissance towers on a TV screen for years, but Assassin's Creed Nexus VR made me feel every brick. By letting me embody Ezio Auditore once again, Ubisoft didn't just port a franchise; they rebuilt the core fantasy – free-running, hidden-blade assassinations, and crowds – entirely for VR. The 2026 version still benefits from performance patches on the latest headsets, but the magic remains intact. It's proof that even massive IPs can find a genuinely new voice inside a headset.
Dungeons of Eternity: Hack, slash, and laugh with friends
Co-op VR can be isolating if the game isn't built right. Dungeons of Eternity solved that beautifully in 2023 and has only grown thanks to consistent updates like the Frostbound expansion. Up to three of us can venture into procedurally-generated dungeons, swinging swords and casting spells that feel weighty. The physics-based combat means every encounter is unpredictable – I've watched friends trip over virtual rubble while screaming for help, and it never gets old. In a landscape flooded with shooters, this hack-and-slasher remains my go-to for social VR nights.
Gran Turismo 7 in VR: A racing revelation
When Gran Turismo 7 finally got its PS VR2 update, the sim-racing community collectively gasped. Three years later, I still can't race any other way. The headset's haptics, the crystal-clear HDR OLED displays, and the sense of absolute presence inside the cockpit transform every lap into a heart-pounding event. I've replayed tracks that I'd memorized on a TV, only to discover entirely new braking points because I could actually look into the curve. If you own a PS VR2, this is the title that justifies the purchase forever.
Horizon Call of the Mountain: A launch title that endures
Launch titles often age poorly, but Horizon Call of the Mountain defies that trend. It was the showcase piece for PlayStation VR2's new features – eye tracking, adaptive triggers, headset rumble – and in 2026 it remains visually stunning. Traversing cliffs while a towering Tallneck lumbers past still makes my jaw drop. While it's more linear than the mainline Horizon games, it captures a sense of scale that flat screens simply cannot match. If you're hunting for a reason to dust off your PS VR2, start here.
Humanity: A puzzle-platformer with a soul
Not every great VR game needs to be an action blockbuster. Humanity puts you in the paws of a supernatural dog guiding swarms of humans through Escher-like stages. The core game plays fine on a TV, but in VR you become the architect, leaning over the board like a god. I've found its serene, mind-bending puzzles to be the perfect wind-down after a day of zombie slaying. Available on both PC VR and PS VR2, it's a cross-platform gem that quietly stole 2023 – and still steals my evenings.
I Expect You to Die 3: The art of the escape
The third installment, Cog in the Machine, perfected the series' formula: trap you in a deadly scenario and demand rapid puzzle solving with telekinetic flair. What elevates it in 2026 is how precisely it uses VR's unique abilities – throwing objects, peeking around corners, even using peripherals in ways that feel diabolically creative. The graphics shine on newer headsets, but the clever level design is timeless. I regularly revisit levels just to discover interactions I missed the first time.
Resident Evil Village VR: Horror that gets under your skin
Capcom has been VR's best advocate since Resident Evil 7, and in 2023 they outdid themselves with multiple titles. Yet Resident Evil Village is the one that haunts me. Built around a first-person perspective from the start, its VR mode feels native. Exploring Castle Dimitrescu with full hand presence – pulling open drawers, manually reloading a shotgun, physically ducking from lunging Lycans – is an experience I've carried into 2026. Even if you've beaten the game flat, the VR version will make your skin crawl all over again.
Synapse: Telekinesis and style in perfect harmony
Finally, there's Synapse, a roguelite shooter that still tops my list for sheer cool factor. One hand holds a gun; the other rips crates and enemies through the air with psychic powers. The monochromatic art style pops on the Quest 3's pancake lenses, and the rogue-lite loop keeps runs fresh. It's lean, relentlessly stylish, and a reminder that VR doesn't need bloated open worlds to be unforgettable. In 2026, I still fire it up when I need a shot of pure adrenaline.
These 2023 releases didn't just define their year – they built a foundation. Three years on, with even more powerful hardware in our hands, they shine brighter than ever. Whether you're a VR veteran or have just unboxed your first headset, these games are essential journeys that prove the future arrived back in 2023.
Based on evaluations from GamesIndustry.biz, the staying power of landmark 2023 VR releases makes sense: as hardware cycles accelerated with PS VR2 and Quest-class standalone headsets, studios that invested in comfort, interaction fidelity, and long-tail update plans (like expansions, patches, and live support) created titles that remain “evergreen” in 2026. That lens helps explain why games such as Asgard’s Wrath 2, Gran Turismo 7 VR, and Dungeons of Eternity continue to feel contemporary—strong fundamentals, clear production values, and post-launch iteration often outlast raw technical leaps.