VR is expensive. It doesn't matter what device you go for, it simply isn't cheap. Black Friday, however, is offering up some extra incentives that make getting into the hobby a little bit easier -- and it all surrounds the Meta Quest 3, a standalone VR device that doesn't need a super powerful PC or PlayStation 5 to work. It's also one of the lowest priced in comparison to the competitors at $499. Better yet, Best Buy is offering a Meta Quest 3 with 512GB (the highest storage available), a copy of the newly released Batman: Arkham Shadow as well as a $75 gift card at no extra cost.
This is certainly one of the best VR deals we've seen this Black Friday. With an LCD display that has 2,064x2,208 pixels per eye, a 120Hz refresh rate and the Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor, the Meta Quest 3 is superb value for money. And what better way to jump in than with a brand-new experience set in the Batman Arkham universe?
Read more: 23 Great Tech Gifts Under $100
In his review, CNET's Scott Stein found the new headset to be an upgrade on its predecessor: "The Quest 3 improves on it a lot: better graphics, a wider and higher-resolution display, clearer lenses, smaller controllers with better-vibrating haptics and, yes, mixed reality." While he did mention that it "isn't all that different, except for a handful of apps and games," Stein summarized that it's "the best you can get for $500."
Why this deal matters
What we like about this Best Buy add-on is that it makes getting into VR a bit more affordable. While there isn't a direct discount on the headset itself, having some cash to spend on fantastic games like Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4 or Eye of the Temple does still save you expenditure in the long run. On top of that, Batman: Arkham Shadow has received rave reviews since its launch in October. So to get an exclusive Batman experience -- alongside a bunch of other titles of your choice -- a brand-new VR headset that's only been around for just over a year with the highest storage possible all for under $500, it's pretty good for today's market.
Looking for some extras to go with the VR headset? CNET's VR experts have scoured the web to find the best Black Friday Meta Quest 3 accessory deals with straps, batteries and charging docks all featured.
Alternatively, if you fancy a cheaper model, the Meta Quest 3S is currently down by $75 at Amazon with the first real discount of Black Friday now applied.
