If you've been eager to dive into the world of VR gaming but found the cost prohibitive, you're in luck. The first actual discount on the Meta Quest 3S for 2025 is here, offering a $30 reduction on both the 128GB and 256GB models of this wireless VR headset. This deal is sweetened further with the inclusion of a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. According to IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, noting that "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."

DigiGods is an engaging, free-to-play, physics-based VR game that lets you create, play, and share within a sandbox environment. With a strong focus on safety, the game employs AI content filtering and human moderators to maintain a positive and secure gaming experience. Check it out on Meta.

Now available for $269.00 at Amazon, down from $299.99, the Meta Quest 3S represents a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, maintaining the same price point. It incorporates many features from the more expensive Quest 3, including new and improved Touch controllers, an upgraded Snapdragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss highlighted that "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What sets this deal apart is that the Meta Quest 3S offers a completely untethered gaming experience. You can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without the need for a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. At this price, finding another standalone VR headset with such capabilities is a challenge.
At a retail price of $200 less than the $500 Quest 3, the Quest 3S is a more budget-friendly option. Here's how the two compare:
The Quest 3S essentially mirrors the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. The shared processor means that running at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially boosting in-game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S offers better value than the Quest 3 and is the better choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. When compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the decision becomes even clearer.
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