Today is the day that many pre-orderees will be unboxing Oculus Quest, the company’s latest standalone headset, and the big question will naturally be: what should I play first? Here’s our top 10 recommendations for Oculus Quest games (plus a few bonus suggestions for free games and apps you should definitely check out).

Some 55 titles will be available out of the gate on Oculus Quest and more coming in the following weeks, but where to start on day one? Here’s our top 10 suggestions for paid games, followed by some free suggestions below.

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Oculus Quest Review – The First Great Standalone VR Headset

First 10 Oculus Quest Games You Should Consider

10. I Expect You to Die ($25)

Image courtesy Schell Games

I Expect You to Die is like a puzzle game mixed with an escape room. As a secret agent trying to save the world, you’ll need puzzle solving prowess to get through a range of scenarios without getting shot, poisoned, or blown up—thankfully you’ve got telekinetic powers which will help. This seated game offers a relaxed pace but will keep your brain engaged.

9. Robo Recall ($30)

Image courtesy Drifter

Looking for an arcade shooter? Robo Recall is one of the best. You’re tasked with ‘recalling’ rogue robots, which involves blasting them with a variety of upgradeable weapons. This highly interactive game will also have you dodging (and deflecting) bullets, ripping robots limb from limb, and throwing robots into the air as you juggle-shoot them for maximum points.

8. Virtual Virtual Reality ($15)

Image courtesy Tender Claws

If you’re looking for something more intriguing than a shooter or a platformer, look no further than Virtual Virtual Reality. As the name implies, the game riffs on virtual reality itself as it takes you on a curious and immersive narrative adventure. The game feels a little slow in its first half, but once you see where things are heading you’ll want to see it through to the end.

7. Space Pirate Trainer ($15)

Image courtesy I-Illusions

The so-called ‘wave shooter’ genre has gotten a bad wrap among VR users, but Space Pirate Trainer really makes it work. Yes, you’ll face off against endless waves of enemies, but you’ll have a variety of weapons to choose from on the fly, as well as an energy shield for blocking incoming fire, and a tether to slinging enemies to their death. The straightforward gameplay (which includes some slow motion laser dodging) makes this a great pick-up-and-play title and a fun experience to share with friends.

6. Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR ($20)

Image courtesy Pixel Edge Games

If you don’t like ping pong, this game obviously isn’t for you… if you do happen to like ping pong, then you’ll like Racket Fury. It’s a surprisingly fun and convincing virtual take on real ping pong and does a great job of making you feel in control of the ball in force, spin, and direction, and includes an optional ‘Simulation’ physics mode for those who was the challenge of being especially precise with the paddle. Racket Fury also offers cross-play multiplayer with other VR headsets, which makes it a great option for playing with friends.

Read our preview of Racket Fury on Quest

5. Moss ($30)

Image courtesy Polyarc

Moss is a puzzle-platformer that’s got great visuals and a relaxing pace (designed to be played seated). You’ll control an adorable little mouse that scurries around on the ground below you, and occasionally needs your hands-on help to overcome the obstacles in her way.

Read our review of Moss (PSVR version)

4. Creed: Rise to Glory ($30)

Image courtesy Survios

Creed is all about giving you the feeling of being an up-and-coming boxer rising through the ranks. You’ll start in a lowly gym to learn the basics, and slowly fight tougher and tougher opponents as you improve your punching and dodging. If you really put your back into it, Creed can even give you a workout.

Read our review of Creed: Rise to Glory (PC version)

3. Superhot VR ($25)

Image courtesy SUPERHOT Team

Superhot VR introduces players to one of the most interesting game mechanics we’ve seen in VR to date—time only moves when you do. That means if you stand still, the world is frozen. But when you start moving, everything (including bullets heading toward your face) moves too. Superhot VR plays out like an action-puzzle game where moving your body in slow motion like Neo from The Matrix is the key to success.

Read our review of Superhot VR (PC version)

2. Star Wars: Vader Immortal ($10)

Image courtesy ILMxLAB

Vader Immortal is a must for Star Wars superfans, but even if you’re just a casual fan you’ll enjoy this well crafted sci-fi narrative adventure that shows how effectively VR can transport you to another universe. Though short, the price is right at $10, and the ‘Lightsaber Dojo’ mode offers up several more hours of fun for those looking to test their combat mettle.

Read our review of Star Wars: Vader Immortal

1. Beat Saber ($30)

Image courtesy Beat Games

Beat Saber is an obvious first choice for Quest because it’s one of the most intuitive VR games to that’s also deeply engaging, which makes it a great for playing yourself and for showing to friends and family. Think of it like Guitar Hero but with lightsabers—with two different colored sabers, you’ll be slicing cubes to the beat in specific directions. Higher difficulties will take tens of hours to master and can be a legitimate workout!

Read our preview of Beat Saber on Quest

Bonus Quest Game Suggestions

Rec Room (free)

Image courtesy Against Gravity

Even if Rec Room wasn’t free, it would still be worthy of consideration. This social-focused title is brimming with activities like paintball, dodge ball, laser tag, and mini-adventures, and heaps of user-generated content, all of which can be played with friends. Thanks to cross-play multiplayer, this is a great option to play with friends who have other VR headsets.

Bigscreen Beta (free)

Image courtesy Bigscreen

Part virtual movie theater and part chat room, Bigscreen Beta lets you use your PC in virtual reality, and hang out with people doing the same. You can join rooms with up to 12 other players which can all share whatever is on their computer—be it Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, sports or game streaming, or anything else. It can feel a lot like sitting on the couch next to friends with a notebook in your lap. With support for every major VR headset, Bigscreen Beta is a great way to hang out with friends in VR.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes ($15)

Image courtesy Steel Crate Games

This is the local co-op party game for virtual reality. With just one headset, you can play with anywhere from two to six (or more) players. It works like this: the player in the headset sees a complex bomb sitting in front of them. Everyone not in the headset uses their smartphone to access a special set of bomb defusal manuals. The player in the headset has to communicate what they’re seeing on the bomb, while the players outside the headset have to accurately relay what needs to be done to defuse the bomb (which changes every time). With a literal ticking time bomb ready to blow you sky-high, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes tests your communication and teamwork in a fun and unique way. Great for pass-and-play—if you blow up pass the headset along!

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Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • impurekind

    Some great choices there.

  • Graham J ⭐️

    If only you could buy them from someone else.

    • WyrdestGeek

      True.. I think it might be kind of a long time, if ever, for us consumers to get that level of autonomy of our own stuff.

      But it could happen though. I support it in principle.

      • Graham J ⭐️

        I’m not sure what you mean. If you buy any other headset you can buy the games from someone else.

        • jj

          This was fb’s entire initiative, they realized without hardware there is always going to be someone above them making decisions for them. fb always had to work with apple and android, while this was their way of breaking out into their own ecosystem where they control the hardware and the software.

        • WyrdestGeek

          Sorry, I probably misunderstood you. I thought you meant: “one end user can sell ‘used’ games to another end user”
          — I guess it would be selling the license. But that’s not how they do it, the license is non transferable.

          But you meant that other companies don’t lock you in to a single “store” they own and operate.

  • MosBen

    Any other good seated experiences? I’d like to show my family, but with my Dad’s knees the more active games are likely out. Also, is there an official place to rent/buy 3D movies?

    • MosBen

      Relatedly, any word on a Star Trek Bridge Crew port?

      • benz145

        Haven’t heard anything about it, but it would probably be a solid one for Quest.

      • Nick Jacoway

        I hope Ubisoft does Bridge crew and Wearwolves within to the quest

    • benz145

      Oculus Video is free, though I’m not sure if they’re still offering 3D movies. YouTube VR works with certain 3D content.

      Seated:
      – Thumper
      – Pokerstars VR
      – I Expect You to Die
      – Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
      – Bait!
      – Ultrawings

      • MosBen

        Thanks, buddy! Is there a way to share what you’re seeing to a TV? I think that the answer is yes, but I don’t see an obvious way to do it.

        • Justos

          There is a casting feature on the dash menu

        • benz145

          Yeah you can cast to your phone or to a Google Cast enabled device.

          • MosBen

            Thanks! I spent a while the other day trying to figure out if there was a way to use our Roku, but there doesn’t appear to be. I don’t live the idea of buying a Chromecast for a single use, but that may be our only option.

    • davy

      you can try Notes on blindness, it’s a really nice experience specially with good headphones and it’s free

      • MosBen

        Thanks!

  • kazira

    No Vr racing game cmon son!

  • Lawell Kiing

    Pistol Whip is incredible!