At Blix, we’re all about helping players stay ahead of the curve—and let’s face it, the curve is bending fast toward immersive gaming. As the era of handheld icons like the Nintendo 3DS winds down and VR becomes more accessible than ever, a new kind of player experience is taking root. But big transitions come with even bigger questions.
And also – we really like combinng lists of “best” (Best Co-op Horror Games to Play with Friends in 2025) or “like” (Best Games Like Dark Souls for Hardcore RPG Fans).
That’s why we put together this guide: to bridge the gap between the nostalgia of dual screens and the full-body immersion of the Meta Quest. Whether a player is a die-hard 3DS fan or curious about stepping into the world of virtual reality, this article is here to make the leap feel less like a jump—and more like a natural evolution.
Contents
Highlights
- What are MetaQuests, and what is their future direction?
- List of the best games for MetaQuest 2 & 3 – their Metacritic score, release dates and Reddit discussions
- List of succession: what classic 3DS games inspired what VR games
- Best VR games for the whole family
- Additional: FAQ about connected but not covered things
Best Games for Meta
Note: The Oculus Rift series has been officially discontinued, with Meta shifting its full focus to the more versatile Quest headsets, which support both standalone and PC VR modes. The Rift walked so Quest could run—wirelessly.
- Beat Saber
- Asgard’s Wrath 2
- Population: One
- Resident Evil 4 VR
- Walkabout Mini Golf
- Superhot VR
- The Climb 2
- Vader Immortal
- Demeo
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- Job Simulator
- Vacation Simulator
- Dash Dash World
- Little Cities
Meta Quest 2 & 3 – The Evolution of Immersive Gaming
Let’s set the stage.
Meta Quest 2, launched in October 2020, opened the floodgates for standalone VR. No cables, no PC required—just affordable, accessible virtual reality at $299 for the 128GB model.
Enter Meta Quest 3 in October 2023. Starting at $499, it brought a major glow-up:
- Resolution: 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye. Basically, HD for your eyeballs.
- Chipset: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, so yeah—it’s snappy.
- Mixed Reality: Full-color passthrough, letting the real world blend into VR in surreal, often hilarious ways.
Analogues and Competitors
While the Meta Quest line dominates the standalone VR market, it’s not without competition. Pico 4, from ByteDance, offers similar specs and a slightly cheaper price tag in some regions, positioning itself as the closest direct rival. For more premium, tethered experiences, there’s Valve Index and PlayStation VR2, both packing serious graphical punch—but requiring a beefy PC or a PS5. And let’s not forget HTC Vive XR Elite, which blends mixed reality and enterprise-grade features, albeit at a steeper cost. In short? Meta may be the mainstream pick, but the VR space is far from a one-headset show.
Think of it like this: the Nintendo 3DS gave players 3D gaming without glasses. Meta Quest gives players full-body immersion without the wires. Not bad for a decade of progress, huh?
The Modern Magic — Best Meta Quest 2 & 3 Games
Here’s where things get spicy. We’re talking rhythm, horror, heroics, and jetpacks—all with prices, release dates, and Metacritic receipts.
- Year: 2018
- Price: $29.99
- Metacritic: 86
Ever wanted to dual-wield lightsabers while vibing to EDM? This is it. The ultimate rhythm-slashing workout, Beat Saber is what Rhythm Heaven might’ve looked like if it took a Red Bull and hit the gym.
Gameplay
- Year: 2023
- Price: $59.99 (free with Quest 3)
- Metacritic: 95
This isn’t just a game—it’s a 100-hour Norse epic in your face. Deep mechanics, god-tier visuals, and a narrative that would make even Bravely Default do a double take. It’s the RPG crown jewel of the Quest library.
Gameplay
- Year: 2020
- Price: Free-to-play
- Metacritic: 79
A VR battle royale that gives players vertical freedom—climb, glide, shoot, repeat. Imagine Kid Icarus: Uprising with modern firepower and chaos. It’s fast, fun, and surprisingly tactical.
Gameplay
- Year: 2021
- Price: $39.99
- Metacritic: 85
A VR remake of a classic. Remember Resident Evil: Revelations on 3DS? This one cranks the intensity to 11. It’s terrifying in a “what’s that breathing in the corner?” way. Not for the faint of heart—or weak of stomach.
Gameplay
- Year: 2023
- Price: $14.99
- Metacritic: 90
A chill, visually stunning multiplayer mini-golf game that somehow turns putting into an adventure. Think Mario Golf: World Tour, but in scenic VR dreamlands. Great for all ages and surprisingly addicting.
Gameplay
- Year: 2017
- Price: $24.99
- Metacritic: 83
Time moves when you move. Every bullet, punch, and duck is a tactical ballet. It’s like Professor Layton if he carried a gun and was really into Matrix-style bullet dodging.
Gameplay
- Year: 2021
- Price: $29.99
- Metacritic: 75
You’re hanging by your virtual fingertips over neon cities or craggy cliffs, and it’s glorious. The sense of scale and adventure? Pure Zelda: A Link Between Worlds energy, minus the rupees.
Gameplay
- Year: 2020
- Price: $9.99 per Episode
- Metacritic: 69
Three-part Star Wars experience where players wield a lightsaber and confront their inner (and actual) demons. If Star Fox 64 3D had a dark side, this would be it.
Gameplay
Familiar Feelings — VR Games That Echo 3DS Classics
Okay, so the visuals are crisper and the controllers are fancier—but the soul? That’s still 3DS deep.
- Superhot VR and Pushmo: Both mess with time, space, and how the player thinks.
- Walkabout Mini Golf and Mario Golf: World Tour: Bite-sized fun that can turn competitive real fast.
- Asgard’s Wrath 2 and Bravely Default: Giant stories, class systems, and satisfying combat loops.
- Population: One and Kid Icarus: Uprising: High-flying action with flair.
- Resident Evil 4 VR and Resident Evil: Revelations: The 3DS was no stranger to scares—VR just cranks the tension.
Best 3DS RPGs and Their VR Counterparts
3DS RPGs were the kings of strategy and storytelling. Here’s how those vibes carry into the VR frontier:
- Bravely Default → Asgard’s Wrath 2
Class systems, dungeons, and a truckload of lore. From turn-based to full-body spellcasting, it’s the same flavor—different delivery.
- Fire Emblem: Awakening → Demeo
Fire Emblem’s tactical chessboard morphs into Demeo’s VR tabletop. Dungeon-crawling, card-playing, turn-based glory.
- Shin Megami Tensei IV → The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
No demons here, but there’s moral ambiguity, survival stress, and heavy choices. VR can get psychological, and this one hits hard.
Family-Friendly Fun — 3DS and VR Games for All Ages
Because not every session needs zombies or Norse gods.
- Nintendogs + Cats → Job Simulator
Clean kitchens, fix computers, pretend you know how offices work. All with goofy physics. Surprisingly educational. - Mario Kart 7 → Dash Dash World
High-speed racing with motion controls and VR chaos. It’s the kart game you didn’t know you needed until you flipped your car doing a trick. - Animal Crossing: New Leaf → Vacation Simulator / Little Cities
Chill vibes only. Decorate, build, and sip digital coconut water on a virtual beach. What’s not to love?
FAQ
Do I need a powerful PC to play Meta Quest games?
Nope. That’s the magic of the Meta Quest 2 and 3—they’re standalone VR headsets. No PC, no wires, no nonsense. Though some games can be enhanced via PC if you want to go full beast mode.
Is VR safe for kids?
Meta recommends their headsets for ages 13 and up. There are plenty of family-friendly titles, but parents should monitor playtime and content—just like they did with the 3DS.
What if I get motion-sick in VR?
It happens, especially early on. Start with games like Walkabout Mini Golf or Job Simulator, which are gentle on the senses. Avoid fast movement-heavy games until your VR legs kick in.
Can I play my old 3DS games in VR?
Not directly, no. But many VR games carry the spirit and mechanics of classic 3DS titles—just turned up to eleven. It’s less about ports and more about evolution.
Is Meta Quest 3 worth the upgrade from Quest 2?
If a player’s all-in on mixed reality or wants the crispest experience, then yes—the Quest 3 is a clear step up. However, Quest 2 still holds its ground for most current titles at a lower price.
